Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-30
LOCAL ITE II s.


THE NoRrmERN LIGmTs--There was, on
SUNDAY evening. an exhibition Of the -1m"rd
BoreaIis or Northern Lights. that surpassed in
beauty and extent any thing of the kind that
has been seen here for many years. 1t was
first observed quite early in the evening. pre-
senting the appearance of ph"sphoreScent
Globe over the whole northern section Of the
heavens. and reaching from the eastern 70
the western horizon. In the course OF the
next three hours it passed through Il divers-
" of changes cmdinSin splendid display OF
rich roscatc light in the east and west, with
c,ruscations Of Il palcr tint shooting up from
time to time in the North. The brightness
of the phenomenon during the whole evening,
waS such III to render our street liz htS con-
paratively useless.
The Aurora Bprcalis is doubtless Of cleo
trio origin, but how high it is above the carth's
surface, is considered ii matter of question.
Dalton estimates the summit OF the aur"ral
columns, at about one hundred and fifty
miles. bur other observers differ widely from
this: indeed Philosophers are not ut all
agreed as to whether it is within or beyond
the limits of our atmosphere. for owing
to its titful and changing character 1t Is
almost impossible to identify any particular
beams, by different observers; indeed the
same beam may present very different ap-
peranccs when seen from different points of
view, which would of course tend to prevent
its recognition.
The Aurora generally affects the magnetic
needle One of the finest aurural displays
ever seen in this country, appeared on the
evening OF November l4th 1881. ltattractcd
the attention of great numbers of Observers
and was largely commented upon in all quar-
tiers.
OLD TlMEs.-The Mansion House Hotel
in this place, has attached to it the famous
old "Braddock House." in which the
Council of War and the meeting Of the Gov
ernors was held previous to Braddock's ex-
petition The City Hotel, was built in
1872, and General Washington, for Il long
time occupied, when he visited this town.
two rooms, lat present the Parlor) as cham
Der and sitting room. The General, until a
late period of his life attended the Birth
Night Balls, which were always held at this
house, and his letter, declining longer to
make one of the number on these happy &C.
casions, was exhibited ut the Balls, until
within few years. The Ball Room has
lately been altered into Chambers.
DRuwXEp.-On Saturday night last, Mr.
Samuel Brinkley, pilot of the steamer }. ~.
Smith, at this port, for Fredericksburg, ac-
cidcntaly fell into Prince street dock. whilst
he was attempting to get on board the steam
or, and was drowned. The occurrence took
place about II o'clock, and every effort was
made to save him, hut without success
His body was recovered in about fifteen
minutes. but life was extinct. Mr.. Il. was u
native of St. Mary's county. Maryland but
had been residing in Washington city, to
which latter place his remains were CON
veycd by his friends for intermcnt. An in
quest was held un the body of the deceased
-, c..a,r orui,,, J., iorou.r Nc,Ic and
,., .,, >,
IDENTIFIED Ratchet brace and bits
and chi>el, used in cutting the hole by which
the burglars entered the store of Mr.. Bar
s,lh,. A. Norl u,rl;r 80 ,o,or.;u, to
ill.,; r,,, ,,,,o... Shan, IF N...r. Man
H.; O. r,lo,,. , c,r,.oJ oman -, rr;;,v
l,.
rl,.., ,,.,, c. .on ~,
-,
s..,.,,; l., ,nn,r,n - o,,,or fla
~. ~, -.
H.. -.
.,,;, ,.. ,,,,,, :. ,u,.; ,Lo d,,..
and window blinds, aw"kc one OF the SER