The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-11-10
THE AURORA BOREALIS.
The Lights in the Sky Las. Night-From What
They Emanate and Their Use 10 Man.

There are few scenes calculated to impress upon
the mind OF man fuller appreciation OF the stupen-
dous works OF the Creator than that which can be
witnessed from an elevated position on clear,
calm night when not cloud hangs between earth
and sky. To the astronomer night such as the
one last passed is jubilee indeed, for
not only Is he able to feast his gaze
upon the scintatng planets and their satellites
but he can also View with delight that wonderful
phenomenon, the Aurora Borealis. In these latl-
tudes the real value OF
THE "NOHTHEEN LlGHTSo
cannot DO fully estimated for by day we have the great
golden sun always with us; but IN Polar oimes they
prove a boon indeed, for without them the Inhabi-
tants OF ice-bonnd countries would live in total dark
ness half the year. they supposed TO be caused by
the reflection or the vast fields Of ice in the Polar
seas, ana this theory to be tangible one, for
tho lights are not peculiar TO The Northern hem-
sphere but are also to be seen IN the ar-oh Soul hern
seas, where they are generally known as the
AURORA AusffAIIS.
From the roof OF the HERALD Building the writer
last night vowed one OF the finest Astronomical
sights that can possibly be conceived. A broad
arc OF silvcry ligrt 'tlumined the Northern
sky, almost obscurng By its superior brightness the
From TINS arc, with nervous ranidity, Mashed pale
slresks OF light and occasionally The deep violet OF
an erupescent tinge. Radiating from the aroeee
Of the Aurora We're pointed spires so Of silver
inc golden rays visible ID tic tropics al
sunrise Though no clouds were there, yet the ky
the view concatenated with The chilly night air,
brought torcbiy TO the wrlters memory the recol-
lection OF weary days and never-ending nights
ARCTIC SEAS,
OF hours OF peril ana Danger and weeks Of long
suffering when ice-b0und tar away from home.
Those who have never strayed towards that CLINE
where rrankn amd Grocer ana aeir brave comrades
or the great boon which ali-wise Providence has
granted to mankind by placing in the SKY the
sible for the Esquimaux Laplanders ana other In.
habitanis OF esfS rro in the FriGld Zone 10 exist
without The aurora as II would be for us to live with
out the genia, sun. lntermlnable darkness Tor SIX
weary montha o. the year. Ranging what
be, it IS easy to Conceive how great blessing
the rradiant bow that the Creator fixes In the sky
when neos onneys Is 20 hGsa VINO
From his lofty stand point the writer gazed long
around him last evening. The heavens seemed
sHMAERING STARS.
Even poor Mcrope, who lost lustre by wedding
visible, though Jealous halcyone and her sister
pelades sought to hide her with their greater. be-
Far beneath the sar:sazer's feet lay the great
city. its long, straight thorougnfares easily traced
BY the glowing lamps on. either side: The great
golden eve in the cupola OF The City Hall cleaned
from out the dark shades OF the new Court House,
and . coruscation OF lights IN the upper stories
the gaunt spire OF St. Paul's church, that
stood clearly defined against the sgy
the writer's eyes rested upoh the broad, black
bosom of the swifr-rolllng Hudson River. NOW and
then two
CLEANING LIGHTS
one green, the other red-would tlJ athwart che
tide terTyboat passed TO or from the Jersey
shore, tho banks 0; which were lighted by myriad
OF lamps. Silence reigned supreme; the din Of the
hurry and hustle mad long since ceased: no sound
OF wheels or hum OF voices rose upon the si night
cir. Wearied with work, the multitude bad long
since sought their homes and Natures sweet
restorcr balmy sleepu was preparing them for the
conflict OF day. But the writer's labors not
soon to end; he had to toll still further on Into tho
night; SO he gazed once more In rapture, ded With
awe, OF the 1ashing
ARC OF LIGHT
In the northern sky, passed tlrcug the narrow
hatchway of the roof, and wended his way 10 tho
sanctum where O score OF busy hands ana brains
were working for the public veal providing
literary food Tor the dedication OF the news.lcvng
niul tltude