The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-31
THE AURORA OF SUNDAY NIGHT
We copy 'front.' the Euening Post, the following
description of the brilliant display of the North-
ern Light as it appeared in New York city:

We copy from the Eueaing Post, the following
description of the brilliant display of the "North-
ern Light as it appeared in New York city,
THE SCENERY OF THE HEAVENS.
Last night one of the most magnificent atnios-
pherlc exhibitions that has ever been witnessed in
this latitude took place. A display of the Aurora
Boreals, of surprising extent and beauty occupied
the heavens, producing the most singular effects
and exciting the admiration and awe of the thou
sands that witnessed the wondrous sight.
The day previous had been unusually cool for the
season, and the sky cloudy. 1t rained for short
time uring the middle of the day, but in the after
noon the clouds dispersed, and the sun set in un-
clouded brilliancy.
1t was observed that the twilight appeared of I'M
usual length About eight O'Clock it perceived
that the prolonged light, instead of being legacy
OF the sun, emanated from singular luminous
cloud that swept in long trail of white light
across the western part of the heavens, extending
about half way to the zenith. The stars were not
visible through the denser part of this cloud which
retained its position and appearance for some time
1t then gradually shifted, and extended, assuming
new phases of beauty.
At about o'clock the atmospheric DISPLAY SEEM
ed 10 reach Its elimination and its aspect seen
from elevated positions and housetops commanding
a full view Ell the horizon all sides, was such as
to arouse the most overpowering emotions At
the zenith, directly above the spectator appeared
large clrcet OF white and red, dotted with stars
While from this coronet radiated in every direction
spears and currents of quivering light both white
and red Most of these shoots Of light were trans
parent, and the stars beyond beamed through with
unobstructed beauty. To the east and to the west
lay huge fields of luminous Clouds tinted with
bright rosy flush, wholly unlike that produced by
the rlslngsun, and, If possible even more beauti-
1ul. For some ten minutes this climax remained
The ruby crown, gemmed and fringed by sparkling
stars, retained its proud position in the zenith and
the tremulous waves of light loated and auivered
downwards like some imperial train waved bv the
cool night winds at times it suggested mighty
hand and an outstretched arm, bound at the wrist
with bracelet of ruby and diamond, with the
open palm held if in benediction over the earth,
while the fingers OF light reached almost to the dis
tant horizon
Soon, Everett has beautifully spoken of
somewhat similar scene, "the hands Of angels shift
ed the glorious scenery of the heavens" The mass
OF apparent red cloud to the east moved away south
ward, gradually fading, while the CORRESPONDING
red clouds on the west seemed to sink into a chaos
OF dark cloud that, with fringe of blue skirted
the western horizon. While these changes were
taking place in the east and west, the Wondrous
crown above moved few degrees and then gradu-
ally faded Flashes of light, covering many de-
grees slowly condensed into mighty luminous
cloud, with its top near the zenith. This cloud
gradually altering its shape, assumed forms both
singular and suggestive.
At one time it bore striking resemblance to an
eagle and then the slightest, almost imperceptibe
change, transformed it into a tortoise. Then again
1t seemed to sweep across the heavens presenting
the appearance of a confused procession of beings
clad in ghOstly shrouds, and reminding one of the
dim heroes of Ossian. For about half an hour these
remarkable changes took place. and then the lights
gradually disappeared. In a short time, however
they were resumed. Sheets of the same white lu-
minous cloud again illuminated the sky, producing
about the same amount of light as the full moon,
and the night became almost as the day.