The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-01
a Western Mirage.
THE WONDERFUL SIGHT A CITIZEN OF MIC
CAN AIMS TO HAVE SEN

n
GAN CLAIMS TO HAVE SEEN.
Communication TO the Chicago Tribune.l
A phenomenon surprising anything Of
the kind that has come under my observa-
ton was seen not only by myself, but by
several persons from the residence OF Mr..
G.. II. jerome, in tie suburbs OF Niles,
Mich, which would be glad to have eX-
planned by some one versed in the arcana
OF the atmosphere. There had been during
the day violent wind without rain. Look
ing west from slight elevation short
distance ont OF the city where the
house OF Mr.. jerome stands, Lake Mich
lgan, which is distant by the road about
twenty miles, in straight line nearer, and
which at this point is never seen in IN or
binary state Of atmosphere, became dis
tiuctly visible, and also a steamer in motion
on the water. The horizon beyond what
seemed to be the lake was natural, and
quite distinct from the watery eXpanse be-
low. Along the horizon, extending far
north and south OF the open space where
the lake appeared, were immense piles of
lofty and craggv eminences resembling the
Rocky Mountains as seen from Denver
according to Mr.. jerome, who had been
there and witnessed with me this singular
display.
1t is to he borne in mind that from Niles
TO the mouth OF the st. Joseph is level, but
the illusion was so perfect that one unac-
quainted with the country would. in look
ingat the scene, not have doubted that
there was before him vast range OF noun
tains.
The conSpectus was perfect, and cOntin-
ued till the sun went down, hali-hour or
more. The lake was as natural in appear
ance as if looked upon. directly from the
shore, the steamer apparently making pro-
grees, and finally hid from. view as If by a
projecting headLnd, looking rs 1t would in
direct vision and not inverted. What is
the explanation? a picture in the clouds
OF the subiacent water and OF vessels NOV
ing on it is not infrequently seen from the
shores OF these western lakes, but this is
when the lake is distinctly in view and the
image is above and the objects inverted.
But the appearance Of Lake Michigan on
this occasion was, rs beiole said. natural
just rs it would appear looked at from the
shore, and not seeming TO be in the clouds
or TO be at all elevated, nor was the steamer
inverted.
The Eata Morgana. in the Straits OF
Sicily, represent distant objects prefer
naturally magnitied in the water. The pbe-
nOmenon IN question is different. The ex-
planation is, OF course, the refraction or re-
Election OF light, but it is not easy to con-
ceive the process. 1t appears to me like
the case described as occurring in 1906 by
DR.. Vince, who saw from Ramsgate the
whole Castle OF Dover, whereas nothing
can ordinarily be seen but the extreme
pinnacles of its towers.
The explanation OF IN appearance in the
clouds is probably that an image is there
formed in a certain condition OF the at
mosphere, of course misty, and is thence
reflected TO the eye OF the observer; but
the image would then appear TO be IN the
clouds at the point from which 1t is re-
flected; but | should infer the image would
still remain inverted. In such a case the
rays Of light going from rarer to denser
medium are reflected from the latter as
from mirror. The lower stratum is sup
posed TO be temporarily warmer, and there
fore more rare than the upper. This theory
at least has been propounded.
think that the phenomenon which OBJ
served is to be explained by refraction OF
light rather than reflection. In gong from
denser into rarer medium the light
would be detected from perpendicular.
Therefore. certain rays which would other
wise escape may be brought TO our vision.
This was undoubtedly the case at Rams
gate, but the supposed condition OF atmos-
phere must here be transposed, and the
upper stratum be the rarer. This is not,
however, inconsistent. The warmer air
would be the most vapory, and as
there had been q high wind, probably rain
at distance, the air near the water would
not be warmer than the upper stratum.
Thus, then, the rays OF light sent from the
lake in direction too elevated TO reach the
eye at the point OF observation, passing
into rarer medium might be detected so
US TO be seen, and the lake then become APP
parent as II seen from higher elevation.
OK THE ROAD. Mr.. l.. T. Spiers, Muir
freesboro', n. O., wrote that be would as