The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-05-25

dated at Honolulu. Sandwich Islands, March
sth, 1852, from which we extract tho follow
ing:--[ [Washtenaw Whig.
Eruption OF Mauna Loa.
The new eruption of Mauna Loa, of which
our correspondent, Mr.. Sheldon, notified us
fw days ago, is likely to prove one of the
most extensive that has taken place on this Is
land within the memory of man From the
late accounts given below, it will be seen that
the mos; sublime spectacles are to be wit
messed on that Island, and the end may bc tho
destruction of the beautiful town of Hilo, by
the molten river, now on its course toward that
point.
We give below tho letters of our correspond
onts, which reach down to the 26th ut.
HiIo Feb 2lst, 1852.
Door Sir:-The old lion is again out Of his
den. his eyes flash fire. and his roar is awful,
On the 7th inst, at 20 minutes past 3 A. NJ.
af Mauna Loa. This light increased until it
looked like rising moon. In half an hour.
brilliant columns of lava shot up against tho
heavens, and general burst of blood red fu-
sion poured out of the same orifice apparently,
which disgorged such awful floods in lSi3.-
We were awakened at about o'clock and saw
a glare of light streaming through our window.
Our first thought was that some building near
us was OH fire, but on rising we soon perceived
that the whole summit of the mountain was ir-
radated and that vast furnace was there
glaring with vehement heat. The molten
flood rolled down the side of tho mountain so
rapidly that in two hours we judged its pro
gress to have been 10 miles, the whole lava
glaring with great brilancy. This flow con-
tinued through the day but with decreasing en-
crgy. IL became sluggish at night, and the
next day. or after "a hours, no traces Of it
were visible from the station, no smoke by day
and no fire by night. This was damper.-
We had thought of paying a visit to the scene
of action: but when the action ceased our pc
destrian desires ceased also Thus we slept.
But slumbers were soon broken. At
six o'clock A. NJ, on the Goth yesterday we
perceived fire issuing from the side Of the noun
tain towards Hilo, and about half way down the
mount This lateral crater soon became in
tensely active pouring out u CORY flood which
soon reached the base of the mount. At first
the stream shot directly down towards Hilo;
but meeting some obstacle near the foot of the
mount, its direction was changed to the north
and it is still flowing towards Mauna Kea.
A vast area between the mountains is area-
DIV filled with fire, and the sceno by night is
one of terrible subimty. The red hot lava
still rolls out Of the side of the mountain in
awful floods. 1t seems as if tho bowels of
Pluto were being disgorged. While | write
our whole atmosphere is filled with lurid smoke
through which the sun looks down upon us
with yellow and baleful light.
The horizon is hung in murky drapery: de-
donations, like distant thunder are heard from
the mountain and caphiliform faceous vitri-
factions are filling our streets.
The flood may come down upon us or it may
not On Monday Cd. W. l am off to meet il,
1t is near the woods.
Monday, %. The eruption is still internal
ly active. The fiery food is in tho upper re-
gion Of the woods, and the smoke is great.
DIR. W. and myself are hacked and ready to.
T.COAN.
Another correspondent writes as follows.
HiIo, February "a 1852.
Another eruption is now taking place. on
Mauna Loa. IL presents a scene of sublimity
unsurpassed The side of the mountain has
opened about midway its DOME and the lava
pours out with unrestraned effort, and comes
rolling and tumbng and Iashiug on towards
Hilo 1t is accompanied with frequent explo-
sions At night the Imagination cannot con-
ceive a spectacle moro awfuly grand.
The immense flow of lava, reflects upon the
clouds its cherry red hue. and as they gather
intensity about the mountain, are caught by
the upward current of atmosphere and hurried
with rapidity into every imaginable shape pre-
senting in the Heavens widely picturesque
scene. The lava has already reached the
woods. Though the distance from the noun
tain TO the sea seems too great for the lava TO
flow, il is not impossible, and if it continues TO
flow for many days as freely as it now does, il
is quite probable it will reach tho sea some
where near Hilo.
Hilo, Feb. 26th, 1852.
Dear Sir:-I add line to the above TO in
form you that up to this date the action of the
late er1intion is undminished Truly our is
land is on fire. A line from Mr. c., informs
me that he passed within five or six miles of
the stream of lava yesterday, which was burn
ing its path through the woods, in the direc-
ton of Puna. The action on the mountains
was more intense last night than it has been
since the morning Of tho 18th. | need not
add that VIC are all deeply interested in know
ing when and where, and how, this fiery Hood
is to reach the sea- The locality of its source
almost precludes the hope that its progress can
be as harmless, as on n former occasion.
Yours truly, +. COAN.
BY advices from Hilo, to the I'd inst, We
farther learn that the stream Of lava had burn
ed through the woods 10 within 15 miles of
Hilo, and that it was still progressing The
current was not so rapid as at first, but il was
filling up all the inequalities of the ground and
il was supposed at that date, that il would ul-
timately reach the sea, and discharge itself
somewhere in the bay of IIilo.
The light at night was very brilliant. and at
Hilo il was almost as light as day. Persons
who left this city last week, on a visit TO Hilo,
win arrive at seasonable moment TO witness
one Of the most sublime phenomena of nature,
and one Of so rare occurrence, that few arc cy-
or fortunate enough to witness IL. IL
We shall look for further intelligence with
great interest. EsE ,T