OBSERVATIONS ON THE AURORA BOREALIS.

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10. Kirby Lonsdale, Westmoreland, Sept. 29th, 1847.—A beautiful display of theAurora Borealis was seen here on Wednesday night, Sept. 29th. The weather had beenvery fine during the whole of the day, and nothing unusual was observed till after eighto’clock at night. Between eight and nine, however, a bright space in the heavens wasobserved to border the northern horizon, and soon afterwards a black curvilinear cloudencompassed its upper edge, having on its convex or upper margin a bright glowingsegment of a circle, concentric with the cloud within it. About nine o’clock, a fewfaint streamers shot upwards from the glowing bow. These first began on the easternextremity of the bow, but shortly afterwards, from every part of it, increasing insplendour for several successive minutes, when suddenly the whole of the Aurora dis-appeared, as if extinguished by magic. The phenomena did not, however, terminatehere: it seemed that the curtain dropped merely to show the end of the first act. Ina few minutes a new piece was introduced, the character of which was not only verydifferent to the former, but far superior in brilliancy and grandeur. The northernskies were now lighted up with a rapid succession of luminous waves, rolling upwardsfrom nearly the horizon to the pole star. This display commenced a little after nineo’clock, and lasted till nearly ten. About the latter hour the brilliancy and frequencyof the waves began to languish, and in less than half an hour afterwards the Aurorahad entirely disappeared, and was not seen to re-appear during the night.

On the following night the Aurora Borealis appeared again; but, in consequenceof clouds, could only be seen at intervals, when they partially cleared away betweenthe meteor and the observer. No streamers were observed, nor any other indicationof an Aurora beyond that of a strong light. A phenomena of this kind frequentlyappears the first night, and sometimes the second night also, after a grand display ofthe Aurora Borealis.

I have learned from the Itev. Mr. Abbot, and from some other gentlemen in this

neighbourhood, that the Aurora Borealis has been frequently seen within the last twomonths. Since that last described, there have been no less than four or five displaysof the meteor observed by myself. Last night (Oct. 13th) we had indications of agrand Aurora as early as the setting of the moon, or shortly after sunset. It turnedout, however, to be but a very humble display, at least during my observation, whichwas till ten o’clock. A great number of streamers were observed, but their light wasvery feeble. The horizontal range of the Aurora was very extensive, but where itscentre was situated I could not ascertain, because of the haze of light in which thestreamers were seen. I have heard from a friend to-day that the Aurora was verygrand between twelve and one o’clock this morning. W. S.

II Biggins, near Kirby Lonsdale, October 24th. —On Sunday night last, the 24thinstant, we had another grand display of the Aurora Borealis, attended with peculiari-