Evening star., 1869-04-17

graphic AND OTHER MATTER.
The display OF celestial pyroiechuics O.
Tnursdsy night extenied over the greater part
ofths country, and seems every here to have
been on a scale 10 strike the beholder with i've
AID wonder. By concurrent testimony and
comparison with the records of the past, it was
enc of the most remarkable auroral displays
ever witnessed In 1s5. there was a great
aurora, which was very generally a source of
terror TO the ignorant. In this respect, however.
they were not behind the ancient Greeks and
Romans. who regarded the anroral appear
aEces with vivid ImagiRations, and as porten-
uous Of great events. The earliest accounts
&C the aurora are those OF Aristotle. In 1861 il
vas seen in London in the form of burning
spears. In I5.s II was seen there again. From
the latter half of the seventeenth century its
appearance suddenly increased IN an extraordi-
nary degree, but no period has Furnished more
brilliant displays Of the aurora than the las
enc hundred years. In Northern Europe
Iceland, Sweden. and Norway IL Is OF
very common occurrence. II l. not confined
however, to Northern latitudes. Many beau
uful auroras have been observed in the Antarc.
tic regions. Nevertheless scientific men assert
that the true lame Of these phenomena is polar
lights As to their causes and origin there was
Slways degree Of doubt which hss not been
altogether dispelled. II Is observed that the
magnetic needle is affected by these lights un-
der some circumstances. IL Is violently agi.
tated, and osoillates towards that point where
he rays from the horizon concentrate This
act connects the aurora directly with magnet
ism. which is developed by the electrical action
taking place in the atmosphere. Prof Ohm.
stead, OF New Haven, assigns to the aurora an
Intersteilar or cosmIcal origin, though the ex.
~.bx
the atmosphere. The nebulous matter, like
mat which furnishes the material OF the
neteoric showers, or the zodiacal light, and
IS known 10 exist IN the planetary spaces, is
probably the cause of the auroral displays
The periodical returns of the phenomena ind,.
cate such . position so TOO its rapid motion
which exceeds that OF light or electricity, and
agsin. the extent of surface. covering many
degrees in longitude over which the aurora is
seen Al the same time. The light he regards As
emitted by the friction Of the earth plupeirs
through this vapor, the velocity being suffi.
cienr- notwithstan ding the rarity Of the mate.
-isls and the magnetic phenomena he explains
sy supposing that the vapor Is metallic, prob
ably ferruginous, supposition to which the
stones Of iron preeipisated upon the earth In
the form OF rrolites, lend some pIausibility.
General Sickies publishes a card in yester.
days New York papers say ing there is no truth
- the story of an unpleasant interview be-
'ween President Grant and himself on We'd
1esday, and adding further that he never had
word of disagreement with the President on
any subject This Is, We believe, in strict ae
ccrdance with the facts. The state of the case.
as understood by General SlekIes' friends, is
SUBSTANTIALLY as follows AT an interview ON
Nonosy evening. General : dscIired the mis-.
SION to Mexico. when that 10 Spain was ten.
dered by the President, and in effect accepted
oy General =, who left the White House with
the understanding that his name would be sent
70 the Senate without delay The next intima
Ion ne had on the subject was the nomination
OF Mr.. Sanford to the same place,-it being
giSer out mat this movement was rendered
necessary In order to secure the Belgium mis-
son FOR MI Jones. There was no stormy in
5srview, As General Sicxles left the city imms.
diateiy on hearing the programme, too full for
atte-aace It's understood, however, that the
domination Of Sanford has been held up by the
President, and 1t is probable that he may be
retained AZ Belgium, and Jones rejected for
that place. Then there will be an opening for
Sickles, or somebody else. at Madrid.
TIE NEW SIXTH AUDIroR-The reports
given out in some quarters that Hon J. 7
Martin the new Sixth Auditor of the Treasury
Department was formerly IN the rebel service
CT sympathized with secession, do great INNS
oee 70 thoroughly loyal and worthy gentle.
nan. During the entire war Judge Marun re-
NAMED at his hcme in Tusksgee, Ala, engaged
n The practice Of his profession, and was never
n any way connected or identified with those
elceavoring to overthrow the Government.
Z; the close OF The war he was elected TO the
responsiole oftIce OF Probate adge as tribute
% hls abilities and integrity. -had no occa
s-on 10 Be relieved OF any disabilities, and can
tsse the most com prehens:ve test Narh with
out hesitation Or Reservation
Judge Martin, who Is about fifty wears NJ
sze' and N the prime Of vigorous manhood.
vas endorsed 10 the place tor which he hs
been appointed by both the S-uarors from Ala
Darns a1G the Governor OF the State a. we'll "a
oy TIE whole AIaba-na delegation in the Houss
He was also Personally well known 10 the
President IS one of the best men iu tn. St,,s
Hr Il now al bis home. butts expected 10 arrive
Eete N .ew days 10 enter upon the dut,ss of
Us position as no doubt a. TO his eou firm alton
~ me Senate Is entertained by his friends
TIE Richmond STATE Journal pouness nnon
ne card OF Mr.. ". u. waIlaen appounsipg M.
aEp0se 70 run fer Congress in the 7th Con.
2'rsHonal District of Virginia with no Ii,r.
-eIocity styles him Bourbon Republican- -
90 etc and advises him Ito tender his disin.
'e-es'eu services 10 tue CONSERVATIVES. whose
ICeas ne seems to reflect quite faithfully in
everything be does. says, and writes" Per.
iaps tae secret of the JournaPs warnins liz. in
ne f.et that "dad is under the load of nav,
Mr. =" nlt'iesey, the editor of that paper, being
toe resuiarly nominated Republican candidate
-or congress from thar District Meantims Mr..
"aiIsen seems 10 be iu demand ON the sacred
sSI' ds franklln Stearns, Cowardin of the Dis
EclcA- and the editor OF the WLt1, have vrittsn
% him 70 take the CONSERVATIVE Rsnnhlic,n
0aIdioaeJ for the Richmond District.
IEe Aichings troupe had a nne house at the
M al ineater last evening, and all Troya-
.SEe w2s admirably acted and well sua,
io-IIgnt The Bohemian Girl, Ia ON the hirs
and as thai Is one OF the operas which the COM
Pany nave thoroughly mastered, and the music
Is familiar, we have no doubt one OF the ,.r...,
asoleaSes oi The season will be on hand.
Jaeoo IL Grove. of Sharpsburr. MD ,s