The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-07-25

and also to furnish you some notices of 9th.
er members of the party. Ny time is too
limited, at present, however, to permit me to
do more than to report progress.
The commander Of our vessel, 1t. Murray
of the Navy, is most intelligent, polite and
obiiging man. Though the Astronomical
corps is spoken ofas numbering only five per
sons, yet L. Murray is associated with it
and makes the number actually six.
The day spent by US in New York was that
for which the arrival of the Great Eastern had
Leen confidently predicted; and to the latest
moment we could not but hope that we should
have the pleasure Of seeing her steaming up
the bay. We left without that satisfaction,
however, aud now learn that she arrived the
day after we sailed.
No incident of remarkable interest has oc-
cured to vary the monotony of our run to
this place. The distance we have traversed,
is about $50 NAUTICAL or nearly 900 statute
miles. This we have accomplished in four
and half days, the engine having scarcely
stopped working from wharf to wharf. Our
weather has been delightful, and the sea in
general smooth. A long Swell, howe rer,
the effect probably, of previous winds, has
made some of our party very miserable with
what the French call the mdladie de mer.-
One of our number, in fact, seriously threat
encd to 60 ashore at Sydney and return home:
but maturer reflection, aided by the relief
which comes of the cessation Of motion, has
led him to change his mind.
AS for myself though not troubled with
sea-sic!iness, or not enough so to interfere
materially with my comfort, | have been
nearly helpless from different cause, almost
ever since came on board lnccssant head
ache has incapacitated me for thinking, or
moving. Writing has of course been wholly
out of the question. would not send you
this letter. but that know you will expect
to hear from me; aud fear if do not scad it,
you will attribute the omission to neglect
Though our voyage has been lacking in Incl
dent, it has furnished much in the way Of
suggestion; and this is what designed to
give you, if had been able. Our medical
adviser tells me that shall now Improve;
aud do intact feel myself much better to-day
than | have been before.
Our evenings have been varied ever since We
left the latitude of Cape Cod, with displays Of
the Aurora Borealis These have not been
intense, but extensive and very beautiful
The whole Northern sky, all round from the
east to the 4ycst, and from the horizon TO the
zenith, has been covered, for hours, with flmy
and ever varying veil of flcecy light, resent
bling gossamer fihrcs combed out straight
and stretching from the zenith to the no.
r2on. The light has been, for the most part
pure white, but has been perpctually flnctna-
ting especially in the upper portions, through
all the varying tints Of red, up to brilliant
scarlet. The presence Of the moon has tend
ed greatly to subduc the brilliancy of these
displays; and the brief duration of the nights
has abridged them. Twilight lasts here till
after ten O'Clock, and dawn appears before
two. When we reach the latitude we are
aiming at, we shall have, at this season, ac-
tually no night: for though the sun will set at
nine and rise at three, it will be at no time
more than eighteen degrees below the horizon.
We have already settled, in advance, the
distribution of labor, in the important obscr-
,ations Of the 18th. Every member of the
corps will carefully drill himself, in the duties
70 which he will then have to attend; so that
none Of the few precious moments which we
70 so far to secure, may be lost through any
oversight or want Of provision. | am obliged
abruptly to conclude this letter
ierc. When once moro reach point where
hero are telegraphs and mails, hope to be
lble to send Won something more interesting.
Your friend, +. A. p. d.
-Ioy. J. N. IIowRY.