The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-28

by but half boats length.
The Northern Lishts-A Good Sign
In Dry Season.
On Thursday evening last, between nine and
ten clock, there was to the inhabitants of
this island and to those Of the surrounding
country for many miles in every direction,
and especially northwestward, o beautiful ex-
hibition Of the Northern Lights, remarkable
phenomenon for the season of Midsummer in
this latitude. 1t was confined to COMPARE
lively narrow space in the heavens to the
west Of Polaris and was not SO brilliant as
some of the Autumnal displays we have had
within the last three years but it was still a
beautiful spectacle. The tremulous and
swiftly changing parallel lines Of light might
readily be compared to the squadrons of hos
tile armies moving to the charge; for
Anon, as II q sudden trumpet spoke,
banners OF gold and purple were dung out;
Fire-crested leaders swept along the lines
Which, from the gorgeous depths, like meeting
Rolled to wild battle
But at all seasons of the year there is
practical significance in these Northern
Lights which should not be overlooked
They indicate an electrical disturbance Of the
atmosphere, which is generally followed
within day or two by rains and storms over
vast extent of the land and the sea. dry
season has come upon our Northern States,
and the proverb is as old as the hills that all
signs of rain fail in dry season but still
this unusual apparition in these attitudes Of
the Aurora Borealis on the verge of Midsum-
mer encourages us to hope that refreshing
rains to the thirsty land, from the West to the
East are not far behind Indeed, "Old
Probabilities" in his weather report of yes
terday, with its s.rain areas from the New
England down to the Gulf States, recognizes
the presence Of these electrical perturbations.
Progress OF the Cholera In the West.
Our latest dispatches indicate that the
disease which has been called cholera in the
cities Of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys is
gradually abating, in some localities disappear
ing, and in others yielding to medical skill
and becoming less fatal in its results. It has
ragged most violently among the filthy and
crowded negro quarters, where the death rate
has been severe, doubtless invited by the
poverty and unwholesome habits and con-
ditions Of its victims. Though exhibiting
some Of the characteristics of the Asiatic
scourge, it is probably, not identical with
that disease, and is occasioned by causes
mainly preventible by thorough sani-
tary precautions. In this view it is
reassuring to learn that the Health authorities
Of the metropolis are awake to the necessities
of the season, and promise soon to place the
city in fair condition to avert and modify
those ailments apt to be produced during the
heated term among the occupants Of our tene-
ment dwellings. Earnest and faithful work,
under intelligent direction, should place New
York in the first rank Of cities "a regal. 10
health and longevity. Our topography affords
no excuse for defective drainage, while the
unlimited abundance Of our water supply
gives facilities for absolute cleanliness rarely
to be found. No public duty is more i'm
portant than the thorough REMOVAL of all seeds
of disease in our streets, public places and pri-
vate premises, and if the Health Board faith
fully and fearlessly performs its functions we
are certain Of light mortality report, and the
members Of the Board will merit the approba-
ton of their fellow citizens.
The ALBANY Journal administrator in an
article on the coming canvass in this State
asserts that there is no reason why the repub-
1;copc obo,,ld not orru tho Stafa opd odde.