The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-03-18
ALAskA,s NIGHrLEss DAY.


An Alaska Correspondent writes
An Alaska summer day is day with
out night, for the sun at its lowest
point is only few dtgrees below the
horizon, and the topmost colors of the
sunset blend with those of the sunrise,
leaving no gap Of the night darkness
between. What is called the midnight
of the partial, divided days of other
countries is here only low moon, the
middle point of the cleaning, with
light enough TO read by. The thin
clouds that are almost always present
arc then colored orange aud red, max
ing striking advertisement of pro-
gress of the sun around the northern
horizon. The day opens slowly, the
low arch of light stealing around to
the norfhwestward with gradual in
crease OF height, and span, and intens-
Ny Of tone, and when at length the
sun appears, it is without much of
that stirring, impressive pomp, that
fashing, awakening, triumphant ener-
gy, go suggestive of the Bible imagery
a bridegroom coming out of his
chamber, and rejoicing like a strong
man to run q race. The red clouds,
with -yellow-dissolving edges, now
vanish as their color leaves them, and
subside into hazy dimness, the islands
with rUffs of mist about them, cast ILL
defined shadows on the glistening wa
ters, and the whole down-bending
frmament becomes pale pearl-gray.
For three or four hours after sunrise
there is nothing specially impressive
to be felt in the landscape. The sun,
though seemingly unclouded, may al.
most be looked in the face, and the is-
lands and mountains, with all their
wealth of woods and snow and varied
beauty of architecture, seem compare
lively dull and uncommunicative.
As the day advances toward high
noon the sun-food, streaming I'm full
power through the damp atmosphere,
lights the water-levels and the sky to
glowing silver. Bright play the rip
pies about the bushy edges of the is
lands, and ont over the plume shaped
streaks between them, stirred by some
passing breeze. The warm air beats
now and makes itself feel as a life. Civ
ing, energizing ocean embracing all
the world. Now we may contemplate
the life and motion about us. 1t comes
to mind ofitself The tides, the rivers
the flow of light through the satiny
-sky, the marvellous abundance of fishes
feeding in the lower ocean. Misty
fiocks of insects in the warm air. The
wild sheep on thousand grassy ridges
among the glaciers. The beaver and
mink far back on many a rushing
strearn. Indians floating and basking
along the shores. Leaves and crys.
tails drinking the sunlight, and the gla-
ciers on the mountains tracing valleys
for the rivers and making meal for
every living creature. Through the
afternoon, all the way down to the
sunset. the day grows i'm open appre.
ciable beauty. The light appears to
thicken and become yet more gener.
Ousiy fruitful without losing it's bright.
ness and transparency. Everything
seems to settle into a deep, conscious
repose; the winds breathing gently or
wholly at rest; the few clouds visible
downy and luminous, and combed out
fine on the edges; a white gull here
and there winnowing the warm Gather
on easy wing Indian hunters i'm their
canoes, every stroke of their paddle
told by quick, glancing flash, hall as |
big as the moon. No bird-choirs in |
the grove to sing ont and stir and
sweeten the deep, brooding stiffness
sky, land and water meeting and
blending in one inseperable scene of
enchantment. Then comes the sunset
with it's colors, mingled purple and
gold. Not narrow arch on the bor.
izon, but oftentimes filling the sky, the
glowing fountain of it all well round
TO the north.