The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-08
LOCAL MATTERS.
The Heated Term.

THE STORMS OF YESTERDLY-A BRILLIANT
HEAVENLY ILLUMINATION.
"Last night was the hottest night that
ever was" was the almost universal eX-
clamation OF those we met yesterday (;
aud, indeed, II our memory (Which, in
regard TO weather matters, is always treach-
erous) serves US, 1t was well deserving OF
the criticism. The day preceding had been
excessively hot, and, so far as we could see.
or rather feel, there was not breath OF air
stirring to cool the heated surface during
the night. The reading Of the thermometer
did not get below 800, and this was the
point at which day commenced yesterday.
And it was fit beginning, as the preceding
bad been q tit companion for the day which
followed.
ALP. II. yesterday the mercury stood at
1920 in the shade. The entire population
diyested themselves Of all superfluOus CLOTH
ing and devoted their whole time in des-
perate efforts to ward off the heat. Those
OF both sexes who were compelled TO be out
wore as little clothing and that as loosely as
was consistent with decency, frequently
grazing the line very closely.
The terrible and excessive. heat OF the
past few days was followed in the evening
by two heavy rain-storms and electrical dis
play and an extraordinary brilliant effect
from sunset that brought out the entire
populace TO witness the phenomena.
The thermometer had ranged away up in
the nineties for several days. Day before
Yesterday it registered, as we have said,
1920, and yesterday 900 at z. NJ. About
O'Clock Yesterday evening the sky became
clouded In the west, brisk gale sprang up,
and at last a welcome, heavy fall OF rain
came, which somewhat cooled the atmos-
phere and gave relief to suffering humanity.
This lasted until after O'Clock, when 1t
again began to clear; but by few minutes
after 6 there were evident indications OF
more rain.
About 6:45 z. M. great cloud OF inky
backness covered the horizon toward The
north, and a gale, which threatened some
damage, swept down upon the city. The
wind about 7 O'Clock veered to the north
east, the whole sky became overcast with
dense masses OF black clouds, and the
rain again descended IN torrents. At this
time 1t became almost dark, but the whole
armament was lit up by continuous
electric flashes. accompanied by peals OF
thunder which fl )ated off into the distance.
This display lasted until about ten minutes
before sunset, when the lower and heaviest
masses of clouds passed away to the south
west, leaving a solid and nnbroken layer
above. The rain bad ceased, and at this
juncture the whole OF the becouded heavens
10 the northeast became brilliantly illuml-
mated, as il the northern lights had suddenly
appeared behind the murky vapors.
From the darkness Immediately before,
the transition being almost instantaneous,
the city became Tesplendent in a gorgeous
light resembling that produced by red fire
from wing on the stage OF theatre. Peo-
ple rushed from their houses into the
streets and gazsd with wonder and awe on
the startling and beautiful spectacle. The
most curious and extraordinary eXcIama-
tions were made, and speculatiOns as to the
cause OF the remarkable phenomena were
both varied and humorous. The illu-
mnation lasted fully eight or nine
minutes, and as its centre appeared
to be where the comet Is located at that
hour, many haZarded the conjecture that
the fiery visitor had suddenly flown from its
course and was rapidly descending with
"judgment-day intentions 10 mother
earth. When the moment arrived, how
ever, for the sun to dip behind the western
horizon the crimson glare vanished, and
Richmond became enveloped in darkness
more intense than that which had preceded
the imposing heavenly display.