Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-08-13

Candles nj NqOnday-..TIle Phenomenon
nescribetI nv an ye-Wituess-.-N azure
flushed in TerrOr---A Night of Total
RINckuesa.

Candles nj NaOnday--.The Phenomenon
Described by an e-Mitncss-.-Nn ture
flushed in TerrOr---A Night OF FOthi
BiOclknesa.
The 18th of May, 1850, was a remarkable
one in the annals of New England, on &C
count Of the thick darkness that overspread
the land, like funeral pail. II was day
long to be remembered and talked OF by
those who Witnessed the strange, and at
that time fearful phenomenon. There was
much writing upon and discussion OF the
subject at that time and aiterward, bnt
believe no satisfactory conclusion was ever
arrived at MS to its cause. There were some
who thought that il must have proceeded
from II total eclipse of the sun, that had from
some cause escaned the calculations OF math-
emhticians and astronomers, but that was
easily shown 10 be impossible by iacts anu
II was then the darkest and most hopeless
period of the Revolution, and il was thought
by many of the depending ana discouraged
to be significant OF the end oil that whleh
then appeared 10 them hopeless Struggle.
Some OF the more sanqulne insisted thal as
| the hour before the dawn was always the
darkest. so this strange andpoTlentous gloom
was but the prelude TO the bright dawn oil
Liberty and Independence that was soon 10
follow
The father of the writer was then boy
OF thirteen years, and was at WORK Win MS
father and brother, planting or preparing inc
ground. II was II dull, hnzY morning, ana
as the time passed il gradually thickened,
and by 10 O'Clock the increasing darkness
began to be quite apparent. They kept on
with their work, and as the gloom Increased
they observed That ne would pause once 10
a While and look intently all around the
horizon and over head, but made no remark
until he directed the oldest boy TO go TO Inc
barn and turn the horse and all the cattle
that were inside ont into the open lot, and 10
close and secure every door and window
II appeared that he was appehensye lhal
some sudden and furious gust or squat would
soon manifest itself, and that the animals
would be in less danger out in the field thar
inside the building.
Still the darkness grew thicker and deepel
: till presently he snid they might as wei
quit for the present. On reaching the hous
the mother and s:ser were about Their usua
duties, pale aud silent Little was said ex
cept an occasional remark or direction in
low tone. No one seemed inclined TO con
:, versation or demonstration of any kind
Soon dinner was ready, with candles lighte'
i, the same as ut night, but not mOrsel wa
. eaten. A dead silence seemed to pervad
= all nature, broken only by occasional bleat
:, ings Ol a lamb, or the Distant lowing OF th
II kline, which wandered about restless an
uneasy. The domestic fowls seemed 10
lscllued TO come 10 the conclusion that il
i was not night, they could put no other cot
" struction upon il, so, after cluclsing over til
~ matter II while, they went 10 roosi. An
y y thus the long and dreary hours passed away
Is Along in the afternoon the veil was lifted
!, some degree, and at the time Of sunset il We
:. about the same as in ordinary dull an
~ cloudy days.
~ The night which followed was, II is sal,
y. y, as dark proporlionalely us was the day.
., was the perfect "blackuess and darkness.
III Not the iaintcst outline of any object cou
-, be dscerned against the sky. A light woul
~ penetrate it but little way, and then sec
y 10 disclose but Il solid wall of blackne
~ around