The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-08-08
LAKE SUPERIOR.
A Remarkable Mirage.

Correspondence OF the N. I. fOal,
MARQUETTE, Mich, August !, n.
Approaching Marquette from the west
we witnessed remarkable mirage far II
the distance, which at first we mistoOb
for Isle ROyale and the northern shore o
Lake Superior This phenomenon, al
ways eXhilarating to the beholder, wa
here intensely interesting. ! had behelt
the mirage in Egypt, and on the plains OIL
Palestine, but none that could ComparelT
duration or extent or variety or grandeur
with this. For several hours Of the afler'
noon, il was rs distinctly visible as the
sky above us on the lake on which We
were sailing In extent 1t partook Of the
vastness of these inland seas. 1t seemed
another Lake Superior in mid.Air, embO
sOmcd bv continent and diversified with
islands and shores, changing, yet rs dis
tinct rs any landscape could possibly be-
so that most Of the passengers, who had
never before witnessed the phenomenon
were taxing their geographical knowledge
and sLraining their imagination to the ut
most to identify this lalryland. Though
assured OF its nature again and again, II
seemed almost impossible for them to &C,
cept 1t MS an optical illusion. And when,
at length, It was fairly understood, the eX
CitCment became unbOunded
According to Foster and Whitngy's re-
port, the mirage frequently occurs in this
high latitude when the atmosphere on
the lake is clear and transparent, rs In
this instance; and Is probably OcCasiOned
by the difference between tho temperature
oil the uir and the lake. The cause
which produces this wonderful phenOm-
CnOn and thus contributes so largely TO
the pleasure Of the tourists, interieres
with the experiments of science at times
so far Us to prevent astronomical Observa
lions.
AS the day declined the fairy vision
vanished, and we turned to observe
TUE REAL LANDSCAPE.
On our len were tho Huron Iolos, DUId,
rocky, and fantastic in form. On our
right were the Huron Mountains, u grand
succession Of hills and peaks, with tho
smoke Of the explorers camp soitening
their purple sides, or curling gracefully
above their SUBMITS. And now the
nearer shores oppose the waters Of the
mighty lake with bold, sandstone bluffs,
rounded by the action Of tho waves into
fine forms Of beauty, and wooded with
strange luXurianCc. Around us were
other islands-sOme OF bare rock, others
densCly covered with trees, and all In.
dented and sculptured into deep recess
and graceful arch and mimic statue. Over
intervening wales along the shore, the
smoke from the mining district tlOated
like lakelGts among the hills.
The sun sank gradually into the EN-.
brace of cloud, sending up It's crimson
light like an Italian aiter.glow, then reap
pearing suddenly below, as u brief sur
prise, roster, yet softer than human art can
picture, mellOwed by this more than magic
atmosphere, then disappearing behind a
purple summit in the distant hills. Before
It was the round, retreating bay, the up
rising shore with Its fresh c0rOnet Of trees,
and scores Of sailing vessels with painted
hull and floating streamer, waiting in the
ample harbOr To receive the treasures Of
the mountains. 1t was n real picture Of
exquisite beauty, which at once recalled
and rivallGd the Bay of Naples.