The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-09
Aurora BOrealls.

This beautiful phenomenon has never
been seen in European countries TO the
southwark OF London ut least not in
modern times and yet when we reflect
upon the phenomena in early times,
to which superstition affixed the up
pellation Of showers Of fire, fiery swords,
etc, even as far south rs Jerusalem, it is
scarcely possible to doubt thOt they have
been seen further south than they appear
at present.
In Scotland, the Aurora Borealis was
unknown previous to the commencement
OF the eighteenth century, when the
Northern Lights were supposed to be
prophetic Of the intestine troubles that
followed the Hanoyerian succession.
The same superstition prevails in the
northern parts of England, where it is
confidently asserted that they never
were seen until the execution OF the
Eal OF Derwcntwater, in l715, with
which event it il not doubted but they
were in some degree connected.
A living traveller relates curious fact
connected with their appearance in the
Southern States of North America, which
shows with what avidity theimaginatiou
raises q superstition on natural phe-
Eomena. "In the autumn Of 1850, he
says, "Iwas ut Norfolk in Virginia.
where frequent subject Of tea'table
gossip was prophecy, printed in New
England, Stating that the world was TO
be destroyed by fire, on y specific day
in November in that year n prophecy
which, absurd as it was, actually made a
deep impression even on those who pro.
iessed to hugh Mt it. II happened On
this very day that l crossed EIiz lbeth
river, aud stopped in Portsmouth to
spend the evening ut n house where there
was large party of both sexes. There
the prophecy became the subject Of con.
versation; and the day being nearly
past, the whole party were speedily be.
coming most courageous philosophers.
All at once, our ears were assailed by
loud murmurs outside. We rushed to
the door, and were much astonished at
iuding the wholo population Of the place
in the street the greater part OF them
0n their knees, aud uttering the londest
lamentations. Attracted by the brilliau-
cy OF tue the heavens, raised my Eyes
upward, and observed very vivid
Auron BOrealis clstlngit its coruscation,
oyermorn than half the hemisphere. On
turning round, / saw the whole party on
their knees, md evidently in great
trepidation. The scene was certainly
awful, yet l could not restrain bur
OF laughter when my friends, with the
utmost horror, begged me to desist, and
not draw the wrath Of offended heaven
Son them.
'"With difficulty I,atlength persuaded
some OF them to listen to me, when I u.s.
sured them that all they saw was II com
mon phenomenon in more northern lati-
tndes, l also endeavored to convince
some Of the strangers nearest to me that
there was no cause for alarm; but ]
could gaiu no converts. I succeeded
however, in drawing my own party back
into the house, where / was considered
something more than human, from re.
lipviug their minds from the horrors
which aSsailed then. Toward midnight,
the Aurora dispersed, rs did the fears oil
the COOL people of Portsmouth. On
crossing the ferry to Norfolk, I found
that the sane species Of alarm had ex-
istcd there"
TT,sro,,c,r. Avn T,pnIr VrAps Thn