The New York herald. [volume], August 23, 1850, Image 7

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
1otbs prom the fashionable l?tb?ats,
tim ?rud Fancy Drcn Ban at SaraUfa,
Ore.. *c.. Ac.
. United State* Hotk(-, )
August 20, lsr>0 S
Tk. Grin* Fancy Dm, BalT< *+ |
tumcs, $ c. *_? -< I
This has been a singular day in Saratoga. There
Las sprung up within the last forty-eight hours, a
disposition to throw cold water on the approacliing
festivity. I mean, of course, the fancy dress hall
which is to take place to-morrow evening. But,
notwithstanding all, I thii.k we shall have u grand
affair. The truth is, that the names on the man*
gehal list are sufficient guarantees that the ball
will possess the main requisite?respectability.
Many costumes have already been selected, and
there cannot he a doubt that the ball will turn out
a good one. The Messrs Marvin Jsave done all
in their power to make things agreeable. They
have improved their arrangements for lighting up
the grounds uround th<- hotel, and the arrangements
for supper are all that could be desired.
Within the lust half day, a great many small bills
of the following description have been circulated.
You will perceive that they announce an entertainment,
which is to come of!'at the same time as
the grand ball. But here is a copy of the hill:?
Pancy Ball Concert. at Saracoo's Room, at Mr Walton's
building opposite the American dotal. Saratoga,
on Wednesday evening. August 21st, I860, at lOo'elock.
Mr. Saraceo. being on the eve of tearing Saratoga for
Nsw York, neiiee this opportunity of thanking his
pnpils and the public in general for their constant
sapport, and hopes they *>11 honor this his farewell
Bail-Concert by their presence Mr Saracco begnto
say. that on thin occasion he will ham the pleasure of
offering to the public the choicest music, performed
by artists of the tret reputation, well known Id America
and In entire Europe Programme -1 Overture
of the Onera La Dame Blanche, by Boieiilii-u 'i. Tip
Top Polka, by Marrtxek ? Loreiey Krln KUnge
Walta. by 8lrau*? 4 Saratoga gehottWch. comport-J
expressly by Mr Bandinl 6 flolo on the ll?ra. by the
e*-lrbrat<-J Mr Kieti-r 0 Kaiilien folks by Kulin<-r.
7. Bedford Walt* by Strands H Ferdinand <}uadi illo,
by Btraurs 1) Kline 8chottlach. by Volkart. 10.
tirand Concert on the k'lute. by the celebrated Mr.
Aoeasto 11. Uerman Cotillon Ladles and gentlemen
may attend in fancy ball costume, or not, ait they
plea** Tickets one dollar each.
r Now, Sararco, who id generally populttr, hits
many special friends in Saratoga. Moot of the good
dancer* here are his pupils, and it it) mor? than
hiuted that there will be a grand time at his hallconcert,
as he designates it. He has an excellent
little orchestre of nine instruments, decidedly the
best in town. Well, we shall see what a day may
bring forth.
THI FANCY DRESS HAU..
AUUUST 21, 1S50.
The grand day has arrived. The ball takes place
to-night, and Saratoga is like the vicinity of a
warming hive of bees The costumera' rooms are
crowded ; the hair dressers have more orders thin
they can possibly attend to. The grounds at the
United States Hotel are magnificently adorned, as
asual, and all things betoken a good time. The
weather is delightful, warm and pleasant.
I send you the following memoranda of costumes.
There may be some alterations, those I shall correct
hereafter. I have already sent a list of the
MiansgcTH, they are all t* wear blue badges; the
directors to wear scarlet badges.
COSTUMES ENOAQKD.
Miss M. Rablnson. Baltimore. Marian. In the Wife;
white silk dress, crape overrklrt, trimmed with ftovsrs
taaty, open worked bat. Handsome
Mr. Lanee. of Maryland as Blaa Bilk Polka.
Mr. Allen, New York, De Haprau; black and orange.
Kieb.
Mr. Ogden. of New York, blaek and aearlet, richly
trimmed with silver.
? Mr. Howard, of Baltimore, Brigand; royal purple
velvet, trimmed witb blue and stiver.
Mr. Weod of New York, magnifleent Spanish nobleman'i
dreaa, aearlet and green.
F. K Howard, of Baltimore, aa Don C?**r de Baaan;
green silk velvet.
Mr. K Livingston, of New York, Bob Roy; plaid,
tartan kilt, he ke
Matters Hrahum. of New York. *ne Turkish costntae.
n? Spanish page; Miaa Graham aa Amaoa. Children
mt David Graham
F.C Wadds 11. of New York. 1st aa a Man-of-wars Man,
nnd afterward aa Paul Pry.
Mr Burkhardt, of New York, as a rirate; a moat
Biagnideent coetume.
Mr Morrlaon, of New York, as a Manof-wars Man.
Mr Cutting, as a Maa-el wara Man.
Mr. Lloyd of Maryland do
Mr. 0 Kane, of New York, do.
Mr. Kent, do
Mr. Alston, do.
Mr. Bhilton. do.
Mr fowler, Uleecker street. New York, *
Mr U W. Jamee. of New Voik. do.
Mr J B. James, of New York. do.
Mr. A B Rldgley oi New York, do.
Mr A Lloyd, of Baltimore, do.
m. u ...... /.r n..? Vork am *n ilnln* Rri/utd
Mr barelay. of Nov York, m IUol?t.
Mitlit Dunean, a? a Hpanlnh Bull Klghtar.
Mr. l>uac*a. a? Ma?t?r >V?U?r Id th? Huoohbark
Mis* Jackaon. from Virginia Bohaailan I'mmiI.
Mi** K Allfii. of New V ork, DpanUh PmiuI.
Hin J Allen. do Turkish I'vaaut
kill H'Mtnry. of N?w York. a lUIJiw; a mtgaifl
*ct imrlrt jacket and white *llk ?ktrt, mbroidormi
with (old
Mr Low. Mmrlet Attorney of Baltimore. court tall.
KaglUh modern lit)I*
Ml** faniainr. of T<ria(, u Bnchantraaa; Mack gania
trimmed with hleinglypbloa
MIm Walroua. of Alabama, a* Night; blask lao*,
bla?d with illttr. ?ur mounted by a cornet
Ml? Harmon. Greek; gmn toil pink.
VIn Harmon a* a Bol? miau.
Mn Joaaph ax ?atde*;gi>kd Umu? aaaif and lorb?n.
Mr. J l'belp?, a* a Greek
J amen II AaUnon. aa a Turk.
Mr* Haralay. of Naw York aa llclan of J?ru<al?a.
Mr Chotaoa-i of Fan*, a Krenrh Handy
Mr Kdward Jona? Nrap-tlltaa Nobleman
i Mr Key, magniAcent Urwk eo?tumw.
Mr. iaiitriwi a?'a?l-?id, red ??iT?t
u .. , ..k .. . . V ,i _
Mr FarUb. u a North Amarlran Indian.
8. Allan Smith Albany North Atnartoan I adiaa
Mr Harmon. Italian N< b Inn in
Mr. Wo>4 Cpani'h No >laman
kin A?hl?y ilaoghtar ol Mr? Oaa Aahlay. af Bl.
1-oola, llarolio of M?a boddlea and doubl* aklrt, whlta
aattn ti lmm< d with ?hlta ptarla, polgnard In har bait:
J??aria la hrr hair
Two youag ladi'-" daughtara of J. V Purdy, of Naw
Tork; oar aa a Cnucb Marehloaaaa of tha lima af
Loal# XIV; tk< otbrr aa a8wi*a Heaaaat. both draaaaa
vrtj rleh.
Mra il C. Tabal), of Richmond. Ya, as Lo-la di
l aaarranor rub roatuma. taada by Mrs. IJortaaaa.
at Mra Utlb?rta
Nlaa Cjl??a Lirlojitoo, of Naw Tork. M I Pnaal
lit
Two Mlaat* Lawranca of Naw York. P?*?aat Olrla
Mlaa Powlar of Saw Turk. I'raaaat tllrl.
Taro Mla??? K?ra< i han of Naw Tcrk.aa Marriai-aa
Mra AI|?tK>B*?. of N?? Tork. aa a Marqulaa, b?au Ifnl
blaa brorada. trimmed with rich laoa hair powdarad;
4>aaiond< aiid B< aara
Mr. Phillip*. (aaatomarO of Naw Tork, aa Jack Falatal
Mr J ah a Jobmoa. of Naw York a" I'latol. In llanry
IV
Mr Joha R. Mil lot t, of Naw Tork aa Bardolph la
llaary IV.
I nitco f?rar** j
f*f.*Too* SrKiias. August 19, IHOO \
hrtal Saralmgm?to Pint*t (i imtJia* A'o
tin trim t B*Ut??A]Fmir? i* (iemtrml.
We had f.rr her* en Natur<l*y i mhi, wnich
? d a fn iiirt ?ho,i and apholmery nuMnNon
one of the hack atieeta. Fortunately, the
kctiding ?u UulilcJ, and the firr did ant eitanl
I yood lh<* hoi:?- in which it on ;in ited. Soma o'
*ur New York firemen were on the ap<>t, aad wer*
moit active in the <n icavor, th< ?jh a eatu ,>a? i
t o?rd to l>~, to at*e prop rtv. The l?n? waa about
|'l T?K> Their w?o about |I,2M) inaurince.
The report which l RKtttoned in my laat, ahont
Ihe if < r.hrrn- d. nlilimch it i* paid the
eery heaey fitting only atm>noi>a<i to a hurlea^uc.
ft ihia an it ma), the authorities and other persona
m inflnen< < h?re havr d< t. rmined M procure
th? pteenge of r?-w Uwa, or the enforcement "f
tli-ae already in niiience, ?n aa to break up thi?
tee heave aport in filiate. They widely conclude
tin it Wit I II-1 r>' lli> ! 1(1' it .ill well l, runt I"
The Mwmu hare already beiruri t<i de??fa?
their grounds fi>r W'edwwlny nigtit. Tl?ey
ati makirff preparation* on a Inr^e urate, and th?
l?:| |-r? II.--. ? 1)1 |e * her r ;'nitlC- a? all "
I'tMee, th<- prince ?./ hair-dreearr* r<tni? iipyeatrrnnd
haa already rrcneed HUUier<Mi? ordera.
7 here are to I*- two dinner partie* at the lake, mda?.
If ili-y produce nuythm?( worth* i f ante, 1 nhxll
it-form you. Vou are, J n^toae, aware thit a day at
^e.ratOf:a ia not conei lereit complete *iitiimt a rnH
|. lb)' : lie i" th 1 hi I' | i i 'ii - I iii- .
th# pecrliart'te-a of the aeaeoti hi re ihla ?>tni?n'ia
en af>*cnce i f tlie bell*afalem at th- hotela. Ilereli-fiire,
ra?'h hnure |i.i? hid ita reiifnii!* helle, ta
w I , .1, |.i| ?li it. in v w, re , il l :? i lt n : .
at ball", h.hI el.enl?-rr, whenever U?e o>'ca?i< ii
?i'i-> it B^ifo^rim*. Th* weather w*a eireertHitly
cr ld v?t> nlav and la?t eveni.ijr, li lt ii t?
r?i< re fon fi t: .hie now, mi) nrercimti a>td woo'l-n
eh wla ha?e gfVru place to mote ?uui neMikt *?<pnrel.
A Hfft ri-r.-n >'lon *m? c?mcH ihia ninrmiif, he
the ana snivel t-t the ll'miti Ttvre wua a prrfect
j?rti a' Mnadell A* K,*io-iei'e, your agent*; aad,
w'ien ithiibi i'1-eed th a il.eie w?r? no Urtl-lt,
e. i h . . t ''i wi-'i i. -i , '<in ,|
foanteaoii e.
Arnoi i! 'h' di?tir>pni#> *ii r? ai lenta at the Knifed
htatea lii ul nre lion Ju.lif- Wo??.tSiiry iad two
*a?rht?r?,*4 New Hamw^ir* ; lion !w*?id 1 intiam
I fanul), of New Yi'tk; tlufl. I* r?iik (Granger, r
/
?
New York: Major Kearney, U. a. A,? fimwael
Hoffman, Miaa nowell, John Marrdrth and family,
of Baltimore; 1%. Norm an?l/family, Mr. Wanwll
and family, Mr. Fisher uH family, M.m S niih,
Miss Wharton, and Mr/Thomas and lady, of
Philadelphia; Col. Tu^Py, o! Virginia: Hou. W.
W. Bozrdman, of Cqpfiecticut; Lieut. May, (J S.
A ; A. Trudean anftwo sisters, and Mr Lamhath
and three ladies,iff New Orlrana; Mr. La>nar, of
Brooklyn; NarulfWetmore and family, Mr Bergen,
| Mr. Livingston# Mrs W. C. II Waddell, Mrs
.ludue Kent, Mff and Mia Belden, Shepard Knapp,
4?Kaq , and l)r. Bedford and tamily,
of New York; Miss Pickering, Misa Wilkin;), Col.
Choturd iind family. Dr. l>uncan and family, of
IfljM j laklL Thompson and ladv, of N. J ; lion.
F. S. Lyon and two daughters, of Alabama; and a
distinguished party of Cubana.
Unitkh Status Hotel, . I
Saratoga Sikinos, Auguat 17, 1850 y
Amutementt? Mr. Dtmjnttr'i Concert?Panorama
of Amitndam? Vundertyn't Portrait of Utn.
Taylor?'Hie Bait on Friday evening? Pic-nie?
On me of Brag, frc.
There is, as yet, no falling off in numbers here.
The hotels are still full, and like to continue so for
a week to come. Among the modes pursued by
the (lite to kill time, are attendance at concerts,
visits to the panoruma, ball*, pic-nics, Ate.
Mr. l)finnAf#*r th#? vtwuliht. irnvr.it. ?onc!frt at
Congress Hail, latt evening, winch was attended
by a large and respectable audience. In fact, the
room was tilled, and a number of extra seats were
introduced, after the singing commenced, to accommodate
those who came late. Mr. D. was in
good voice, and gave a moot acceptable entertain0M
nt.
1 went, yesterday, with a party to visit the panorama
of the city of Amsterdam, painted by Hurford,
and exhibited by him in Loudon with great success.
The painting is now in the possession of Mr.
Vanderlyn, who is exhibiting it. The paiutin
ranks high as a work of art, und thecontemplatio i
of the picture aflords most agreeable pastime for an
hour or two.
Mr Vanderlyn has just completed a half
leDgth portruit of Gen. Taylor, and U now about
commencing ihe full length painting uf |rtte
Present, which the Common Council of New
York have employ fd him lopiint for the Governor's
room in the City Hall. Mr. Taggart, a young artist
of great promise, is at work on several picture
in the same room with Mr. V.
We had a magnificent ball at the United States,
on Friday evening. It was attended by the best
company in town The ladies were not dressed 111
grtudy style, though many rich dresses were is the
loom. The dunciug continued till past one o'clock,
and till went oli? well. While this ball was progressing
at the States, there was a very pretty
hop going on at Union Hall.
1 here was u pic nic at the L.ake yesterday, given
by a club of eentleinen. The table wan set under
ihe trrrti, alia about forty-five persona dined at it.
Amonu iii?- ladies present were Mrs. Dr Rush, of
Philadelphia, and Mrs. Jacob Little, of New York.
In the Cfturse of the afternoon a slight misunderIlliiH
ttrooe between two gentlemen. Politics
and champagne caused the disagreement, which,
however, was soon healed, and the pic-nic wound
up with a dance in the hotel.
Since I huve been here, I have roceived a conan
unicaiion setting forth that, a few days ago, a
K> me of brag was played on which there was
$500,000 at stake. The loser, it is said, compromised
by paying $4,000. I give you the rumor.
What the facts connected with the transaction
were, I do not at present give, except that the betting
is said to have commenced at $1,000, then
gone up to viut $5,000, plut $5,000==$ 11,000. and so
on till the $500,000 was reached. The most active
prejmrauons are making tor the fancy ball.
Ocean Hot-**, Newport, August 20,1850.
The Fathionablti?Mr. Clay in Church?Mr. Clay
it Bathing?Tht Pint Artt.
I arrived last Saturday at this celebrated resort,
where beauty and fashion annually congregate,
and fonnd, to my disappointment, all the public
houses literally jammed. Although we telegraphed
the " Ocean" from the Astor House, on our arrival
we were sent adrift upon the uncertain voyage of
steeri ng for some other haven of repoa*, which ws
found, after being rejected at several points of the
compass, at the Park Houae, and there domiciled
for two nights and a day, then transferred ourselves
and baggage to this, our destination, which now
feeds and lodges abant 900 visiters.
l lua is uDoui me neignt oi me season ; eonvqnently
great preparations are making for fua and
frolic by the dulcineas and daidiea, tke beaux and
belles, the old and young? all, yea, all ia expectation,
exc itement, emulation and envy. Lut Sunday
there was a partial cessation of hostilities, and
the example of this church-going community was
followed by the visiters, who, whether distin?
guirhed by the world's favor or not, turned out tn
munt. Mr Clay attended Dr. Charles, while
Trinity waa filled wi h a charming company. This
is ihe nldeat church in the city, having been erected
about 17% It is very antiquated, and has an
aristocratic appearance, whether you look at it
when it ia empty, or tilled. The organ was pre*
tented in 1733, mid is still surmounted with the
crown of King lieorge 111. Some of the tombstones
are to defaced by tune, as scarcely to be legible.
llrrr and there you can jest decipher in
old Kngliah, " Departed ye life," iVe., with some
difficulty. The aftetnoon waa devoted to rides in
thr country, the aea shore, sea house, See., which
ailorried a beautiful and |*cturesqe "ride as is a
ride." The whole island seems completely divested
of timber?ihe few trees that are standing
ate of a stunted growth ; coal is amversally usedeven
all the fences are mtda of stone.
1 observe amongst the distinguished visitors at
tbe < *cean House, Major Hcusley, and thr lion
Mr Gwia, U. 8> Senator, both from California.
1 he latter gentleman had his charming and tmigni11cei)t
lady with him.
Monday was cold?old Iloress came freighted
with chilly salt apr?.y, and very little was done lu
(he way of umustnient or bathing. To-day there
is a mure gmial atmosphere, although the rolling
i if I hf rnrriHwa. liMfkn. tV r . kirk nn h t?fn#-nitoii?i
dust. In the morning I went wi(h never*! iadiea
and (jentlemeij '? beach, and *aw number* of
l>oih irm, with Mr. Clay at (he head of them,
take a hath; il was the moat ainuamg and groteaipie
acene I ever saw. I nave Mr. Clajr a hearty shake
of the hiind afterward*. when he remarked that
fcrn baihiiig waa a great luxury Alter dinner I
accompanied "<eriHt? r (' win. Major llensley, I>oetor
ycheaebly, Mr? (>win. and aeveral other
ladies, to the Mudioof Mtxa Stewart, the dtughtcr
uf the clehrnted artist of that name, whuae demies
have a fame that Americans may he proud
of The object of our viait waa to aee a full length
likeueat nt Washington, which ahe copied fro a
the celebrated original painting of her father, and
* hich for yeara haa decorated the Sute Houae.
I |er picture la considered a perfect dagoerreoiyp*.
and thia beautiful " work of her fair h*n<1-,"
? Inch she labored at f?-r m Month.*, waa not only
rn| fnri u?ly adiured, but bought by Major Henaley
for (700, Nnd which he intenda to prrsent to California.
Hut my paper u> out, and I muat nay goo I
*>y*
Tk? Vrmpm.
The Plamtrr'i ( i/n? ) W</r<> att, of the let inst.,
am* the croiM in thit viiuntv are autlermir for
w?ni ?.f rmtn.
Tb# Ktfrbitoebea Ckrimirlt, of the :M aayai?
The planters hntr hrrn in *rcal alarm, during tbe
I a* I frw data, bfftiH rr|x>ria ha?e brea prevaleat
dial thrir old tnrmy, the army worn, had ajmn
^_"?rrd iq the cotton lielda ol lUpidra In fact.
It wa? tM ikat K>lua *b?'' M Uaa
d<-atrnyed wiihm a few mile* of thai !?? ; but, on
inecr ligation, it H dfatowred th it it ia naif the
giaa* worm that h*a croud aw nmch alarm; they
lute dear no laiury, llief artrr do much, and
where thr plough and ho? have not been ^'iiU*
ei ci ^h on ij, they arc a btr?'injf, aa they deatroy
thr |ihm> ihat would oth?rwi?c injure tb* cr?n?. ft
m aery |?<??ihlr, |?rb.i|'? r*n prntiaMe, lUnt tha
rc?l ?ini?'n purr a ?jr a,ycar in Hie ro?rw of the
full, hut be hue am crrwinlr yet triads hia appraraaci
in the?tage; wh? ;i be rnpiaa, it will br iiaie
?ii? i>i;h ?> to iMr hta
We rnah>- thr f< 'l->win? eltracl from letter u
tl>c (ialvr?tt>ii A. lei. ?i?t?rl I.ariMa, Cbcrakee
ri iiily, T*saa, Jaly 21?In mv journey through
thr loiMiiii X ? ( M nt^i lurry, ?'tihrr, llutiemn,
Awtleram, ai d ( herokec, I ain j?l?*aeii in inform
)on thai I haae found thr etojia j!"U<*r?lljr in ij'iilc
a f. nn-i.'hf r. ii i 11. ii. ?f- itir t-'irriil forct."|
du* it tinned iu '>jr thr |i|?ulrr* in llir early ?>irt
' ft Ikr WuiD. la raaar'|(rlM <>l tl?- I ilr ?n i iinl?ti>llblr
?|.r rt |"MM, llic ? |o|. i* barkward, but
' th# wmiloi. I?n tht fiat an wrra? or i wo month*.
I l.a* teen ?u -i enny fwtfah'r, aiid Ihrf ifnicfa k**r
rnerfe a Imp'ovemeat i f i?, and r >w h.i?r the
prvt|?rtif *?.nlixo y m ahuudani rr w*r.| for iheir
I* ciiMlliri i? rl ii <1>i?iiy. Corn and eotM'U hoi h ook
well. Ti c fir Ma iir>?"Dt rally very el?arol
ai d K*i f?. liaiur roaliour in abuutllir ri?(lii
iit?e?,# nd at pt?'prf iMrrvala.
A Itlier lit in -"N Autn?tine (Triaa). #?y* the
?ui a? mi hue apf*aeril in that rrjioi, and i* ni *
k'i i' #ieat r?T?nr?, Uyina m holr h? l>1a aarc.
'I l.c A'eji-i <lii . (I<? ) RtfttUt iin aiy* ihat the
I ?<iiii a ntiIi# r ia krt?(in( nut tha crO|ia liorly.
A yoatf r.ra ?n | him*?tr a? tbr Nae
bf *> la? ii.it* a ?,<xl U-la?? la V?>
' tkiat anil MuuMtnlb by anil-ailar ai'#v
[ tlii < Ii i.? l? I,ii?ii n i iici m'i ll? atartci r?a
, < ?a*Ua Ma' batitg ili.Ua a h r?* %n-l wg a aklali
k' m i? ia imu. ,
SCIENCE IN AMERICA.
COXTECTIOH OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
FOR THK
ADVANCEMENT OF SCIEICE.
INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS.
The Yelcanoes of Central America,
&o., &c., &c\
Oar R?w Haven Corrtipoiidcnta.
Ntw Havkn, AukuhI 21, 1860.
Thought* on the Btmjitt Ht nutting from the drtt
and Se tenia?Third Lay of the Meeting of the
Am mean Auoetutu.n for the Advanetrntnt of
Heunee.
The learned body now assembled at the American
At-borintmii in New Ilaveu, are doing much
for the advancement of sueuce; and, il I may
judge from the communications which they are
daily making at the College, will continue to davelope
many yet hidden divimtiet) and geniuses of
the human mind. l'erhapa thera is no species of
history that s? evidently allows a superior destiny
ruling over humun affairs us that of the invention
and improvement of arta and sciences, and of
which man is pardouahly apt to be most vain. It
haa been truly said, " the production of an art was
aa instant of pleaaure?a union between idea and
character, between body and spirit." Thojgh we
race with reverence the inventions of ihe huuidu
mind to the Bimple principle of its observing and
describing understanding, I deem it a difficult
i oint to determine wh.it the arts and sciences have
contributed towards the happiness of minkind,or
how far they have increased it. I do not think the
uestion ia to be answered by a single affirm itive
or negative, since in this, aa in every tiling else, all
de|>eiida on the use made of what has been invented.
That there are liner and more artificial implements
in the world, so that more is done with
less exertion, and consequently much human labor
is spared where it can be disused wi;h, admits ot
no question. It is equully incontestible that every
art and acience knits a new bond of society, of
that mutual want without which men of art caunot
live. But, on the other hand, whether this increase
of want extends the narrow circle of human
happtneta; whether art be capable of actually adding
anything to nature, or whether nature ia uot
rather debilitated and depressed by it; whether the
tab-nts of att and science have not excited propensities
in the human hreaat which render the attainment
of man'a highest blesaing?contentment
?much mure rare and ditnrult, are question* that
luminous hittory, the daughter of time, alone can
solve. Men of genius* are obliged to leave to disposing
fate the effects and uses of their discoveries.
The inventor of gunpowder little thought what destruction,
both of the political and physical powers
of man, would ensue from the explosion of his
" black dust;" still lessconld he see how the beneficitnt
seeds of a Lew and different constitution now
germinate in this land, made free by the use of the
same material.
THIRD DAT.
The Scientific Association met in general assembly
this morning at the usual hour?Professor
Bache in the chair. The minutes of the preceding
meeting were read, and also the minutes of the
Handing committee, who suggested a further subdivision
of the sections, in consequence of the
number of papers which are to be read. They
also recommended that the afternoon meetings be
confined to the reading of papers, discussion being
omitted. Adopted.
The Prbsidmt announced that the stand tag
committee had nominated Professor Louis Akssmz,
of Harvard, as Preaident of the association for the
next year. Tha nomination having been unanimously
confirmed, and received hy the meeting
with applause, Professor Agaaaiz briefly returned
thanka for the distinguished honor conferred upon
him.
The election of several gentlemen as members
of the association was confirmed.
An invitation from Mr. Miller, of New Haven,
waa received, requesting the pleaaure of the company
of the member* of the aaaociatiwn on Friday
evening. Accepted.
Mr. Brewater invited the members of the association
to view his hall of paintings in this city.
Profeaaor Siixmam, ben'r, paid a high compliment
to Mr. Biewiter as an artist, and a inan of
geniua and enterprise. He also described some
of the historical paintings that am to be seen in
Mr. Brewater'a lull. Tup invitation waa accepted,
and the member* agreed to visit the hall between
eight and nine to-morraw morning.
It waj proposed and carried that tha afternoon
ession should commence at 24 o'clock, instead of
'8 o'clock.
The TuAtuu announced that he received a boo
$660 last year, beaidrs $50 front the Smithsonian
Society; and that, deducting all exiienses, there u
balance of $61 in hands, exclusive of about
$60 received at the preaent assembly. Ha would
mention, in order to atimulate the member*, that
out of 600 members not more than **) had paid
their subscriptions. At the request of the '1 rearn
re r, and en the nomination of the Preaident, Fro
feasors Silliman, Jr. and lloeford, wrre appointed
auditor* of his accounts. The meeting then adjourned
into three aecttona.
In the section of phytic* and mathematics, Profernor
Henry pretided, and Professor* W. B.
Rogers and Loomi* acted aa Secretaries The
tiitt comniunicatton was on a new method of observing
and recording astronomical Right Ascension*
and North Polar distance*, bjr Professor O.
M Mitchell, of Cincinnati, and well known
amongit the scientific men of New York.
Piol Mm iiki i remarked, that at the last MM*]
meeting ot the association, ne had given *<>me outline
of plans which he had contrived for observing
and recording astronomical observations, by the
u?e of the electro-maguet and other auxiliary ap
I'uiaivn. lie uuw pivprnru iu uuunur iiiuiwii ai*
niool entirely to the emmioation of the re*ulU
recently obumtd by th<* new machinery, in the
determination of North Polar dwUnce. He Mated
that the method of recording the clock beat* and
minute* of trantuta of atari in the tranait instrument,
by the el* ctro-maguet. had beea in line now
mote tlian a vtar. 1 hi ring the whole of thia period
the delicate Ibre of a uptiler'* web, which waa *o
arrxtKed a* to untie the metallic lever to the pendulum
of the clock, by means of which the clock
la made to record ita beat*. had never been
changed, and throughout this lime not a solitary
rrcoud of lhe clock ti?d ever keen loat through a
failure in the formation of the circuit by which the
electric current^* tratmraittcd.
He then e*|>Umed the three prime adjustments
< ( ihe rt-volving diFC, on which the time aal <>!>tervatioti*
are recorded. In the c our Br of hia re
niklka, he hid l>een led to notice the fart thai ili>MtH
interval d time fv tween the forming of a
metallic circuit, by which an electric current la
tiaiitmitied Uiron^h an electro-m<gn?t, aad the
leetotae of the mugBet, u not i nly aivreciable, bat
variable, and deiienda on a variety of conditions.
Tin* ink rval he denominated armature time. To
five inrreayed aeeumcy to hi* observations of ruhl
kxeiiHnn, he bad found il necemary to measure
th * trm-uure time, And to determine it* variation*
Thi* bud hern readily a<r-om|>ltahed by mean* described,
him I it hud Uen found that the armature
time i f hi* reeordiof pen* varied, from an alraoM
inaj<t>reciahte qu uiiny, up to three, orerenfAtir,
hnnrimlih* of a second of time during ihe *\me
Dili lit
After ? few other explanation*, the Profewof
procetdid to give un acconui of hi* n< w declinv
mn iriir litnrrv lie hnil abandoned th? u?e of a
divxNd circle Mitrtilh, or horizontal, point* 10 the
<!<-?? rniinuiion of nor h pnlar diitmc*. By th* n*w
in? thod be u.f??nri d dir?c?ly the fluiTiCi*r* ??f ihciicl'H
d?wfibrH by the Hrrntn.mUr atura around
Il.r ?h> n fhi* diameter did nnteicef <1 2fi <l? (f
ir:.()it?? < ! arc. Thne Har* U-iof well d?l?-rnuii'rt,
they >wc?m'- aundardii for th?" rtfrrtnijc af
it<?e otijtet* RNtr re mute from the pole.
A (i>lli^*rin.l? ??? icIUIlM between the Atl'rltr?
ote? r*. tint" of K. I*. 1? and thoae made at th*
K*>?l Odrrrtilotf, fiteinwirb, liogland, in I'M"),
III tfi* full. wing fwriMllUrni?
1 Ihr irhmt << uim< y of the oiwareations i?n
n iti irb wire.
2 TM nnmbcr of nh*?rvaiionn which c?n he
luki Dili givrn mr.r by rb' new nr. I old in- lbo>l?.
it wan fi u?d h> an ejreMed <:vni|>ari*on of oh*'
iVUMlop l?'?ny otijr. le, an i. I'd Hit! dmnrter of
Ih* tun, ?!?* \ I' I). ?.f ?he north e'er, and til* Internal*
Hi d?'fIiukim n of ninny niiti'iird mar*, llial
In ?V'ty rntnpariMMi ihe wm ineaajre* hid the
ad*ar>t *0* in hi riimrjr i?rrf thr old.
Whi dkiifcfi rtklrd, It ? as alio shows th-it
ulillr (Ifnmith r* niil'diii'i|jir u!>te'v*ihin,tl?*
few nciiiin ?wM rMblt ikr oiMrrTtt t* ifi *ri
it it tinte* thet feuit.l<rr.
it hull fi^'U lour d by an nmnini on of the
ri-'-i?ifl?d i bienraii> i>*, d?ir * llWtiiOf?ii*ii!i,
that by the new tie thod, ih* ot??rr?ir at i.'uwint.uil
had ii llilr to aci Ifapiiftll a cn-aler n ini> r
nl eilvrt Vaiirn* in a iir?>l<' nwwih th?i? h-H !> ?
n>iilr in |?t at th? Kuril lilw*t?morjf. The
n 'frarirl Mtino w?* aecoitnted far l?|r m.?r? irrt
el nwiri af< nted i? il # w irwih' d? of r<ad",f
fhe roialliif i.f iha tfle??>|>e, wtula t!>? greater
iin trmf i hnirt i?n? ar>*a from iha imratinftion
*1 tin r"irti|i|? t.f if|?ii'mn
Tbi iVf-nr tMfc< 4 Ijf <Jr ;'-ig l<i 'k* f*e'# I
that the kw machinery was exceedingly imperfect,
having hern, (e a great extent, made in the < >b*rYatory
by himself and hia assistant, who were nut
mechanic*.
8petimena of the engravings, executed by the
new apiwtatus, were exhibited to the Association.
The next communication watt on the Law* of
ptifect musical intonation, and their application to
the church organ, by Mr. w H I'oole, which was
read and enlarged upon by Professor llenry D. Ko- ,
ger*. ol Boston. ,
jc'fi or lake chami'laim?why it dikappiaks all,
at once.
Professor Olmsted said?I have been informed
t>y peisous who huve lived at l'lattsburg and other
plucea on Lake (Jhaiuplain, that a singular fact is
observed there on the breaking up o! ice in the
spnng, usually in the month of May. It is tliat
Uie ice all disappears at once. On using in the
morning, tor example, the lake la entirely clear of
ic?, although the previous evening it waa seen
completely bridged over. Being requested to explain
the tact, 1 waa led, on reflection, to ascribe it 1
to (he absorption of water by the ice, until its specilic
gravity exceeds that of the water, when it
sinks lo (lie Union. Although ice, on account of
us ctystaline structure, is lighter than water, yet 1
the solid matter itself la heavier than water, so 1
that when the interstices are filled with this duid,
the mass liaa a specitic gravity exceeding that of 1
the latter. Thus, sponge, when fully saturated 1
with Mater, will sink in it; and if ice,in a porous J
state.be plactd ia water, it will also sink. If the '
question be asked, why this fact is peculiar to the '
.1 I ? L *. I ki.mi.Lin ?,.,l u,l,u .1 .1,,^ 1
not occur inolhti lakes which freeze over in the
winter, the answer id, that ou account of the he- 1
vere climate of the north part ef Lake Champlain, 1
the ice remain* oo the lake until the sun has ad- 1
vucced very tar northward, and the surrounding
countiy bun become quite warm. 15y alternate 1
freezing and thawing, the ice becomes grtitillated, c
and very porous, and, consequently, very absorb- 1
ent of water. When this process has reached a 11
certain poini?that is the moment when the specific J
gravity id the ice, thus soaked with water, exceeds J
that of the medium itself?the whole sinks, and '
disappears at once. 11
Doctor Hark entirely dissented from the ex- "
planuiiou given by Professor Olmsted. ,
Protestor W. B. Kookhs dissented from the t
view expressed by Professor Olmsted, as to the ,
density ol ice, and maintained that there is no ?
reason to doubt that pure homogeneous ice is S|?- (
vitically lighter thmi water. The idea of water a
being atile to enter between the molecules of this
solid is quite inadmissible. A volume of ice, in its a
pure, oysialiue state, when free from bubbles, is
no mote porous than a crystal of quartz or cule- ,,
spar. In either cane, the volume ol the mass is to ?
be regmded ns niude up of the material atoms, and a
of luierMi'ittl tpuce, bud the b|>ecific gravity of the ,
solid includes the whole. These spaces between j
the molecules of u mass, if penetrable at all by the
liquid, could not be penetrated without an entire r
breaking down of the mass. This speci**s of in- a
terstice, proper to the crystaline character of the t
mass, is not to be confounded with the (Hires or t
cavities in F|K)uge, or other cellular bodies. ,
l'ridessor Henry D. Kookrs followed, with a j
view to explain the apparent inconsistency; and the
SECTION OP OEOLOOY AND VATTBAL HISTORY.
In iliit> section the following subjects were communicated
On the structure of the mouth in Crustacea, by
Profetwr Lout- Aqassiz, Harvard.
Notice of the discovery of a portion of the upper
jaw of the Igudnudon, with teeth in their natural
poMtion, by Keqinald N. Mantku., London.
On a new generic type in the class of worms,
by Chaki.es Gikard, Cambridge.
On the connection of the deposits of common
salt with climate.
Protestor Henkt D. Roots*, said there is an
intimate connection between the |<resent basins of
salt water and the existing distribution of the
esrth's climates?a connexion which, fully established,
promises to afford us, through a tracing of
the dictiibution of the ancient saltferous deposits,
much insight into the climates of the earth in the
psfct 1*1100* A sound geological theory teaches
that the original source of the salt of the great
ocean, SDd of all the salt lakes, was in the
chlorides of the volcanic minerals and rooks of
the esrth's crust. The action of the descending
rain is to decompose these rocks, and to dissolve
and float away into the receptacle of the
sea, the solluble salts which they contain. The
geological revolutions shifting at sueeessive times <
the waters of the ocean from their bed, have laid
dry a portion of the sediments, leaving behind a part
of the sea water to be evaporated, thus impregnating
the strata with its saline ingredients. Thus
we find, that all the marine deposits, however far
removed at present from any ocean, contain an appreciable
qnantitv of sea salt. In those elimacle
regions st the globe where the prevailing winds
are excessively dry, and in those alone, do we lind
the mli nd, casnians, receptacles of water without
outlets, snd all these ci'.sjnaas. without exception,
are Ufcina of saline water; snd the reason of thin
is very obvious. The constant drainage of the circumjacent
districts, has been bringing into these
insulsted basins fresh accessions of saline matter
dissolved or leached away from the strata over
which they flow, while the evaporation under an
arid climate, carrying ofT the surplus water, and
Lieventmg its flowing on into the general ocean,
as been th? means or accumulating in these receptsrles
this constantly growing supply of salt. Ily
this equilibrium between the drsinsse of the region ?
nd the evaporation, the waters hare become at
last ao strongly impregnated aa to deposit or
cryatalize the aalt anon their tnargina Following
u,i Ihe i-srne frnrrul fad of the un"-.??int *olutio:i
of the rocks, we behold in the greit aea itself, a
bison like the other aalt onea, which has no outlet
for ita surplur aupplie* bat back again by evaporation
lata the aintoaphere Looking, then, at the
primeval condition of an atmoaphare of aqueous
vapor ju?t alter the |>eriod when the earth'a general
temperature was incompatible with this state of
water, it was afresh ocean, and not a aalt one.
ClMMM Ao?-?!/, upon tne conclusion of I'rof.
Rogers' obse rvations, passed a high compliment on
him, snd remarked thai the facts and viewa unfolded,
did, aa the author aaid, furnish a newmeana
of interpreting the ancient climatea of the globe.
Firm the fossil vegetable and animnl organic
r? mains, geologists have long felt themaelves provided
wiih sensitive indeteaof the paat tem|ierntrres
of the rartii at different periods but never until
naw had they been au|iplieil with a hygrometer;
this. 1'iofrasor Rogers haa furnished
The other aubjects were?on utricles, aa the pri- f
mordial forma of all anirnil tissues, by I>r. W. J.
Burnett, Boston; on a new type of scales in fishes,
by I'rof. Louis Agaaaiz, Harvard; on the relation P
ofihe distribution of lice to the different fauna, by
Dr. W. J. I'.urnett, Boston li
This section adjourned at one o'clock.
Simon or < iiemimrt amp MiNBaaLoar.
The following papera *'re readi? a
"The Cause of Fermentation," by Dr. II. Erie, tj
Yale Analytical Lah'y. which gave rise to some tl
discussion, ia which Prof. Silliman, Jr, Prof. ?
hoi fford, snd Prof Rogers, took part <
"On the Koostite of New Jersey," by Henry *
Wurti, New York a
"On American Spodumen," by Geo. J. Brash, .
Anal I^aharatory, Yale.
* < ?n the Adulteration of Vermillion," by H. d
Brown, Cambridge Laboratory ,,,
' On the Dimorphism of Copper," by W. P. /,
Blske. Mr Blake's paper slated that he had oh- |
tuned cry aula sf emjpn by electricity, which we re c
he xagoaal prisms, and not in the monoanetrir form T,
aa generally observed And also stated, that he (j
had seen native cry aula of copper in b<-xi.goaal ?
frisms. a
Dr. Jarvson thought theae native crystals might _
be pseudomorpha, snd hoped Mr B would con- ?i
tinue the research, aa the results would be of greal c,
practical isportanc* t?
"On acme Saline Waters containing Baryla and fr
Mrontia," by H. Hunt, Canada, Otologic*! (?a- Rl
mission? r w
I
ArrcunodK omaai. hiium tu < i/jiuk "urrt,.
At half-|Mat two o clock th?- PrwofMMoolled th? .
Aerociation 10 order, and the Hecrenr?, Mr IKr- | ,
rwk. read the minute# of tho la?t meeting, and l'ro- !
leaaor llorreford rrid the rranr*inenw of lb#
Biai 't.ni' ctlrtnilHf
Theih#rk*of th# meeting were tote 1 to the I
MH><r?>rd Corporation of the ?iijr of Charleston, *
I. r their bknlitf in puhlubtaf 'he |?w*#dia ? or
tl.f A r?< elation, aad their pre'ebtaitoa of a vo!jn?- ^
of t|,? it.f. w
Fi?fe?*?r t >!.*? r*r> tbcn read h<? < <*m?f Nation
o? the |?|e periodical ?i<iNti? n of the Aurora bv
Mnlie. of which the following ' an aMr>i''t ? ?
'IV leerlirif object of thit l"?J*r t* *# folio *a: ? ?
I To e?taMi?h ?l,e fart that we h i*e iu?t d ()
through an ritr.iorHiiw.rv |*riod of A'lro- <?, (to ^
? I'll li I intet.?l in n ?e th' name of Vl?t*ti??e,) .
*hich CtmmMedia ISZ3 > ad tln*?d is l"IM ?
2. To rteteiimor iIms pharacterwtica hf whirh ^
tl'??e eiliihitK'i.e of th? Aurora diti> r trnni h'- or- <
?1in-ry exhihitione of th* ntve pheiwmeooa, nil '
to ptai e ?.n record n full arid ao i?rat? dwn'Mi-tion i?f (
# ? ral of the n.ott rernaikaMe, a? material* of
nmjuiiM-ii in future ?i-iUti?>ti?.
!) Tn eataMt-ti, hy in ei?niir? HUlina of ok
trratkiM, the |a*e ?>C the Aim** Unreal**
4. Til d. teimiw the origin of the Aurora, and to "
ani!'n iJ,# 'rue rm>? > of ih?* pheaolliona
Hi o rin to rMilHuh i!?? reality of aii'h an eitra- "
nrt'tiarv tl'illlniti, *?e firet 1 uiime nil the f.icta of 1
the rue, ri n' ;>rudr j- a onoi|'lete hietory of the n
| he?H't(te?ii B fi-r the [#ti<?| In ifier i n ; nod, h
? r? ftdly, e. infaie the ? iHI-iti >n* of thi# i*rmd tl
w 'h ike ordo.ry wtofbyaof the namr* lor the ?
a; n < leogih of t?me, ?ii?ni|>'i?# to peo#? that dor- t*
ii jr th* jirpiMi 9'iii* it a * ?t*tt?tioa," the aurora* '
|i'?llj eie?ed the ordinary ejl?ibition# of the me- V
eor lo niimhor, i?? epWad.r, 10 pe?wli*r ciinthioa- '
I i't? of firm#, ami m a |Knfrr*m i which merka '
leetomor middle, nod en t
ft i ? ? rf iL? Au:-:f< M-J wnrnei i
by an extensive induction of facta, chiefly gathered
from personal observations, we endeavor U) ahow
to be the following, comprehending both ?uch aa
are generally aduutted to be the leading facta, or
lawa, and such a? are deemed somewhat new, or
at leaat not universally received a# eatublialied
traths.
1. That an Aurora of the first class usually commrncea
near the end of the evening twilight, in
the form of a northern light, rerembling the dawn;
that it ueually arrives at ita maximum at all placeo.
Iiowe ver differing in longitude, at the Mine oart of
the night, namely from 10 to II o'clock, and more
frequently a little before 11 ; and that Auroras of
Ihe highest order frequently continue all night,
while ihose of un ordinary character commonly
eud before midnight.
2. That a great aurora is usually preceded by a
large bank, or cloud, of a jiecuhur viqior, differing
in us nature from ordinary clouds, commonly exhibiting
a nulky appearance, hut sometimes a smoky
hue, or the two mixed together ; and that the extent
and density of this auroral vapor, resting upon
the northern horizon, forms the best prognostic we
have of the probable intensity of the exhibition
which is to follow, cotn|<osiiig, as we believe, the
material of which the successive forms of the aurora
are constituted.
3. That the auroral waves, when peculiarly grand,
make their appearance later than the streamers and*
itches, and ueually later than Ihe corona, continued
toa laterhour of the night, appear at a lower
evel than the streamers, and roll upward, in the
iirection of the streamers, toward the |>oint of
'eneral concourse.
4. That auroral exhibitions ef the higher order
?re eommonly of great extent, spreading over no
ncon*iderable part of the earth's Biirface, and
reaching to a gitut, hut variable, height.
6. That auroras of the first class have three dis:inct
loinis of jieriodieity?a diurnal periodicity,
:ommtncing, arriving at the maximum, and endug
at definite hours of the night, a? already aserted;
an annual periodicity, rarely or never
iccurring in June, and the greatest number of the
nghest order clustering about November, these
axt bearing a striking resemblance to each other;
tnd a secular periodicity the most remarkable of
ill, recurring in great series which we have denoinnated
" Auroral Visitations." That the visitatons
most marked and best defined, occur at ineivals
of about W> years, reconing from the middle
>f one period, to the middle of the next j>enod,
ind last from 20 to 22 years, making the interval
rom the end of one to the beginning of the next,
bout 45 years.
<i. That, while the forms of the aurora usually
.ppear to be under the control of magnetic forces,
el this is not always the case, since the arches do
lot alwats culminate in the magnetic meridian,
lor do they always place themselves at right
ngles to the meridian, nor does the eflect on
he needle correspond to the different states of
nteosity of the aurora.
7. That the aurora has remarkable geographical
rlations, belonging chiefly to the higher latitudes,
nd only in the great visitations descending below
he latitude of <10 degrees, but descending lower on
he western than on the eastern continent, and prevailing
more in the northern than in the southern
lemispheres.
The foregoing seven propositions appear to emirace
the most important facts respecting auroral
xhibiuons, and are, therefore, deemed to be, in
he present state of our knowledge, the laws of the
turora borealis Hut we cannot rest satisfied to
et this great visitation of the phenomenon?which,
n its whole progress and duration, we have enjoyed
air opportunities for obs rving?pass by, without
in enort to assign its true origin, end to explain
he causes of its inyterious phenomena.
After the phenomena of thunder and lightning
sere first proved, by Franklin, to be caused by
lectricity, it was taken for granted, almost with>ut
discussion, that the aurora borealis i* produced
>y the same agent; and this hyjiothesis has Mill
rery numerous adherents. We endeavor then,
irst, to show that the aurora berealis is not proluced
bv electricitv i?1. That it is unsafe to pre
licate an identity of origin, from a resemblance
Jet ween the aurora and certain appearances of elecricity
in passing through an exhausted tube, and
hat the resemblance itself is greatly overrated. 2.
rhat such an origin is inconsistent with the great
xtent of the phenomenon. 3. That the electroneters
do not indicate the preaence of electricity in
,ny unusual degree, during an aurora. 4. That
beae exhibitions are scarcely known in the equaonal
regions, where electricity ismost abumUnt,
nd prevail moat in the polar regions, where thuner
and lightning are unknown. 6. That this
ause la incompetent to account for the aurora vaor,
the material of the aurora itaelf. 0. That the
notions of the auroral vapor, in ita corruaoationa,
re too rapid to he cauaad by electrical attractions
nd repultions, but not aulhcu-ntly rapi I for the
lectric fluid liaelf. Finully. That electricity la
oadequate to account for the pendicity of the auroa,
if not entirely inconsistent with the aecular
eriodicity.
But magnetism his more claima than elaaticity
o be considered as the true cause i f the aurora
>orealia, since it ia acknowledged that the forms
ind positions which the streamers, the archea, and
he corona, aaMme, are intimately related to
nagnrtioni, anil that the magnetic needle it->elf
,'onfirms and establishes this relation. Hut thia
irovea tnetely thut the matter of the aurora Ins
nngnetie properliea, but decidea nothing with reipect
to the origin of the aurora, which is the pnn il?l
thing to be accounted for; wbile magnetism,
ike electricity, ia inadequate to account for the
xtent, for the lufht, for the motions, for the mateis
I, and especially for the periodicity of the aurora.
1 >ia?ati#fied with the attempts which have been
nude to account for the origin, or to explain the
henomencn of the aurora, from either electricity
r magnetism, or from any other cause of a terriaisl
nature, we next look for the MM to the
lunsiary ipuces, and arrive at the coqclua on that
he utigin ia cosmic*!.
The phenomrna of the aurora belong, indeed,
o the atmosohere. since tbrv are nflpcifil bv tHe
arth'a diurnal rotation; but the aourre ot the
natter of which the meteor ?* contxiard. we hol?l
o be derived from N^MI dm w
Riia diMisction we deem of much importance
n inveatigating true theory of the aurora, namev,
that the exhihitiona are aimo*|>ii<rri<', while
ne aource or origin if coamicul We, therefore,
n<i?nre firat at what height in the alimxphere the
> n n no I rxbibittoM take i>lacel
We concliida that while aome of the forma of the
neteor, aa the corona, are unmntable for t hi* in Ventilation,
being merely the effect of perspective, yt
bat there ure other forme, which may I*- wwd for
rallai no leaa than a common cloud, a? the uiyrr
ine of a well defined arch, or aome mimic irngiiant
of an auroral cloud, unconnected with other
*rta of lhe exhibition, and of a form m> peculiar
a to arreat the attention of observer* at enme d.jincc
from each other. From an extrnmvf c<?maricoa
of data, we arrive at the conclusion that
he height of the kurnra ia very Variable, acme,
iroea reaching an elevation of at leaat IWi milee, and
t other time* unrig but a lilile ab< . > Mm r< ifi"n >>f
lie clouda; atiU we atteni|>t to prove that tli>- teaimony
of Kar^narMin, that auroraa are eometimea
ren below the clouda, ia not cooclumve; nor that
f l'atrv, Rjchardium, and othera, who have aarrltd
that, in the I'olar eeaa. auroraa eometimea
I'p?ar brtw-frn th? !?< taior aud ibe ictbrrf*, at
httlr dtatance
It in rrquirtd of a theory that it be a legitimate
eduction of well etubluhrd truth*. nnd it ia reuir?d
of a hyioihraia th*t it r?;,|ain the leading
icta, and that it b? not incoaeutent with miy
n<wn facta. An tiylaatioi which iiniiea the
haractera of both?which ia, at once, an iof-- rce
fn'm acknowledged truth*. and w hich afford.*
n adrquate aoluiion of the leading ph-nnmena,
'bile it ia not iscooaiatent with any known facta.
It hough it may sot be re?dy to account fi>r th? m,
?urb a* <>?|>lanation ia deemed peculiarly worthy
r confidence ui.til a letn r can h? proponed In
rnfornntjr with ih>*e principle* we endeavor lirat
> tnfcrthe rmmcial oriftn of the auror? borealia
i ra known facta; ee?oixll?, we in * - . a* far
? ** can, th? nature of the bo.ly or h I" n fr >tn
huh thr material of the our?ra ia derived; nnd
nrdly, we applr the thn.g ihua formed, to the
rnrral facta or lawa of th>- phenomena.
In the fir?t plafe, we argue the cixm cil r?ri|rin
f the aurora; I Iront the ritent of the eihibitiona,
bich i? grmter than roul<i artr> from any terr^aal
rpitmiiii'tia or aifn<>f|>heric riaitatlnii; '2
i n. the vel-ictty of the motion*. which ?re i<*>
real tor mv teneatial fore*; 3. fr? m the nnotrace
of the dirt-rent ?t <g?? of aa it irora, (the bei.ninp,
w??*'i?n.m wf?H e?it,) at the *?me hotir of
ie i t|thi in placea difl- nni? widely in longitude;
fich iid'Chtea that nit ?whp portion* of the
nlLa' Hirface, ia Ibe dturnal N?tln|, come
d?*< r ihe ortyin of th* aurora aiitMtrrf in *pic*{
tiahy, fr?m the perotrtn ity of the exhibition*,
te diurnal, whf h ?h< w? a r? Mi.in to the pooitinn
1 fl e ton with renpect t<? the twiftriHl, the dorinal,
hirh indiraf* a relnton vf the auroral body to
i. ' atthV orbit, and ?-1 fi.' \ tl- - "!*r, whi<-h
r | ti* a a r>< le at the nd of whi<-h the anroml
' <1) ?rd ihr ?mih rrttitri if? thr aamr r?lali?"
?iii? n in ihr whilr th?- vrrjr flint>r<
?I ui#k a arrular j*t<rdiHiy t*kra 'b"-i?h?- '
m-iiw. rmi cf ihf |?|f if and | Uc a '
wuh'B Ihr ftI* ?f ar'n n<>itiirnl r f?. t
! llkr 'front |>l?? r, *< iefrf that thr atirnnl |
rrtjr, ?li?*nir l|>r mil >i ?l of Ihr aurora ladrnvrd, |
i u< hulouft Koily, totifi.-liiiit of net rfiunl/liithi,
IV it it, *1.1#, i?-nit?tr?ti?t*rrnt, m fnrtm irntor; '
h! it turn revolution inwd i|?* ?on; tint pro'*- I
ijr ihrir arr R flt,^ nrk Wlhtilll* ?f RfRtibM (
;atirr rtif i? <1 tlirVii^ |i thr , Ihi inr)
i' iff a tr?o1utir?n <n.| rn-H of it* '> ?: an f tint
r i b'H tnrni t?f ihr aiitoti arif ? Ift'tlW of thnar I
mil y otcramnallj into Dm ctrlfripl*f mtatlraei
n. lo Mtlwiw, w? rii'IftTH to ?'ioir ilmt thr
>??? krr? a??i^r?r,t ami ( ? >? d lo ru?t, is ?H >.
Mtr in ?m>nal ft>r ih? W-adiry (ai la wf 't?r cmm-*, I
I thr jtrti rit?M ami ??Ifxltj, tl.r p ,
i iti'-n, ifi*- mHjra* tic relation*. mid !?? yrriodicii:
* hitr. in i? M'd in th niim r fart?, it * 'ii^on- '
fcl-? fl |.< I , i.'' #> :'l? } i* U f d, V
: explain them all until all the modifying eircuini
luneri are fully understood. [i may be remarked
that there is, according to uiy view*, agreat analogy
in the origin of the auroia ImmvmIim, *u<1 of meteoria
showers. 1 hope, her? after, to he able to
develope this analogy more fully than can be dene
tin the present occasion, and (o investigate the
question of any poaaible connection with either
phenomenon und the zodiacal light.
lnvcubtfion* on the communications at afiernoon
tecsious being excluded, the reading of the next
paper wa8 called for.
Lieut. II. C. Davis then read hi* observations on
the Nautical Almanac. Hp commenced by stating
thut Congress had evinced ? determhMlion to
establish a Nautical Almmiac, by appropriating a
mall sum for its pre|>urution, of which he (Lieut.
l> ) was called upon to superintend; and he felt
that, while the work served ih?* present purposes,
it should endeavor, also, to improve the meana of
sale navigation?that hi* own labors ahould be
turned lo the beat account, in order M render the
predictions the most valuable to the practical aationnner;
that it ahould make worthy contributions
to astronomical science the moat
honorable term of acknowledgements to those
upon whom they have nil now de|>ended;
that it ahould add iih own testimony; that
noble science was not neglected among ns;
and that it should promote . he pursuit of that science
by encouraging, and in some measure compensating,
some of those laborer* hi this field, who,
though eminently worthy oi ibeir hire, have as yet
borne the heat and burden of rhe day, without any
other rewurd than our gratitude for the honor they
have conferred u|khi the eonutry, and that good
name which is better th hi richer He considered
that it belonged to his office 10 adv nice that which
is, and always lias be> n. the principal object of
astronomy; und that ir, in ilie language of Bessel,
to supply precepts by which (tie movements of the
heavenly bodies, as they ap|iear to us from the
earth, cnn lie calculated. All else that we can
learn of the heavenly bodu-a-for example, their
appearance, or the uatute ot their surfaces?is not,
indeed, unworthy ?f aitenti u. but does not embrace
the purely ahtrouoii h'hI inte rest. Whether
the mountains of the moon are tunned in one way
or another>is of no more concern i?> the astronomer
than is a knowledge of the mount mis of the earth
to one who ia not au astronomer Whether the
surface of Jupiter exhibits darker bands, or appears
euuallv illuminated throughout, engages as little
his curiosity, and even the four inooii* themselves
interest him only by their motions The problem
that has been, ami is to be by Mironomy, is
to acquire such a knowing of rhe motions of the
heavenly bodies as to be able to give a satisfactory
account of them at all tunc*. Lieutenant Davis
then said he had procured ?li<- co-i>|>* ratios of Professor
Pence, of Cambridg', to whose talents he
paid a high complimeut, ami ulso that of several
others ol scientitic eminence.
" Suggestions on Cliiinges of Level in North
America, during the Drill Period," by Professor C.
13. Adams, tf Amherst College. He said?it is
not the design of this communication to discuna
the glacial theory of drift; its object requires that
this theory should b? assumed as a fact, and used
as a uoint of de|>arture. The objections to the
glacial theory lie agaiui-i the origin of the required
glacial sheet rather iban against the dynamics of
the theory $ while the objections to the other theories
lie against their dynamics with a serious if not
with a fatal force The suggestion, therefore, of a
possible cause of a vhm glacial sheet, 0,000 feet
thick, may not be uselei-s, even il somewhat improbable.
The hypotheeii- n- this, that the glacial
sheet was produced by a umt elevation of land in
the northern regions above the .resent level. Besides
the direct refrigerating influence of elevation,
the flow of the tropical waters into ihe North Atlantic
may have been essentially diminished by
the contraction of the area of the ocean. This
contraction must have been much greater, if, as is
highly proj>able, the similar levation of Northern
Luro]ie was synchronous with that of North America.
Whether or not this elevation can account
for the origin of the glacial sheet, there is direct evidence
of a greater elevation than the present during
the drift period, in the continuation of ihe drift strise I
beneath the sea level, for it is well known that
glaciers cannot advance intothe *ea Unfortunate
us from the knowledge <>l Mir unut important fact?
the greatest depth at which strie exist. The passage
of drift materials across bwint which are now
filled with water, sugt.'> st* <he same conclusion
Such of the right mtlenals of Cape Cod, Nantucket,
and Long I aland, ax could not have been
taken from the mainland by marine agencies, must
have been carried by gl?cial agency, and consequently
the intervening bumm must have been
above the aea level. The p isaige of the (lacta)
heet, acroaa the basin of Lake Superior, presents
some difficulties, which ate diminished by the
theory of elevation. The bottom of this baain is
now. at leaat, one hundred ,iml sixty-five feet bent
at li the < a level. Without elevation drainage
would have been impossible.
It is eaav to asorrtain ap >roximately, the
amount of submergence which clos-d the glacial
period Submergence to a depth of not leas than
two thousand feet below the prevent level effected
the dissolution of the glaciers and introduced the
pleistocene period.
1. The general proof of such submergence is the
present existence of altered drift at a corresponding
elevation.
2 Special proof is found in the existence of near*
at great elevations A senucirnil tr one, well chiracterized,
occurs in the town of Peru, Vermont, at
an elevation between one nnd iwo thousand feet.
3 Other p|>ecial proof may Te foun 1 in the lines
of sncient sea margins, which are much more rare
than the ffuviatile f-rr tce* < ! a later dale. Such a
margin was found by Presid-nt Hitchcock in Pelham,
Massachusetts, at an eletation of one thousand
two hundred feet
4. The most forcible argument is derived from
the existence of regular atr?'iti?-l d<-|>o?ta of fine
sand and cluy at the aumuiit irw i of longitudinal
valleys.
Professor Henry I>. lingers, of Dos:on, thea
tave his ohsenatiou'- <>n the coal formation of the
'nited States, and especially hi Pennsylvania. I
rimnoi givr, in mia ? "iiin.unic*!!"!!, rvra ool
line of thr PtofrMOt'a imauia and able observation*.
This wait follow# .1 l>v *if wa on thr nrwW
dootrd in lh? coaat aiirvry, for charta of cam-nia,
hjr l*rofrMor A I). Mac lie, .v lytnutcndal of tl??
U. ?. I'onat Survry
Ob thr velocity ol thr ynlvanio current in the
lrl? Kra|>h wirea, by l)r II A Uould, of Camliridge.
Thr following ar?- illr vi?'w* nf i'rufraaor W. U.
Hoocaa uiion thr ditlrrrni mwurra of mechanical
nower. H? referred to tli* writing of the late FroIrrrorHobinaon,
of i.dlnouruli.M ,'m., ?a he irliert*,
had fin>l *et in a rlmr ami |'IiiI..>i>(>Iiu:?I light tfcf
origin ol tlir dtflrrrncr, a lot Imd liowti thai, properly
umler*too<l, thr two liieaautra ?rni nlirely coincident.
Ftof H. th-n proc??drd to r?p|?ia thr
i'*p which, in monliiiicr wnh t'rof Ki?t?i?on'a
r?|iOMiion, lir had loriK Iwm accuatomrd I?
maintain and trach ll?- illuatiaird lit.- <iifter*nrr
N iwun thr two mode* of ineaom lug power, bjr thr
rxamplr ol xn nriow , hot v. rti< il!> upward*, and
a cannon b<ll rli-< Im m,i ni.i?a ol homoprnrotia
wai or wiMtl. 'Ih arrow whrn diailmifi
huh n di nt . will .i**in1 ton
i]tiat1ru|.lr hriuhl, an i a cannon hnll ?h?i with m
rtouMr >rlocitv agaui?t a ltitr? of ho:n<igeMenaa
wai or wood, will ,? nitrate to ijiMftrupte depth.
In both c??< t> it i> i(, i iii it (h?- n??aa,
moving * ith a doiibl* vel... Ity, will f tjnirr thr rr otunf
e I?| Iw I ol. it r I for a rtout'lr |.inr, m ordrr
that it mi) lr l>roiight to n al. I leu *, h t?in l ft
rltrtihle vrlority, anH a double tone of motioa, thr
pat r ?Wi rit* n it.-ir ! . j., lr>1, Tlt i?, m ht>th
raara th* wmh rloiir, iha*. ia, ihr prodn 't of thr
ij .f into th' h ; .. !, tari-a m thr aqtmre
?f thr V> locitJP
I'roft a??.t K . n ffinnii in iK? ? ? <J *-??
in iwi lixnical nlijMH to the poa"'I
'mn ki u?i al him u* |4i)mrw< >( t|??- trumftr* i'ift?
of power. Thm lb*' Mlrtnf im?r< r
ip * HiMmrt fntiiy, nmnfihinf Irmn nnr
nut*, and rapaMe, if were, ol h wig piaaed off
o another Thna, n h' l? in ni tn?ti, vtukinf a
Mwtjr hi ifti, and t!?u?iiitf it to to iriu>?KT
it* motion lo the vt tx r Hut ** ,?>*rr and motion
ire hut conditional a 'ire ni iltrr, it M>*m< un|4ul<> o|>lnc*l
to ?|*itli of lh? ii h' lii? '-.uivryid fr.iin one
toidy to anoilirr I'ow.-r iiMJt hr eicited or
hfciij'ht into i'l iy by lli' at, '-.'h of on? body to
within a 1-rit.nn di-'mre . wtioth>>r, >ind motion
than I* run <1 ( ? ih<? menial >. , ' i?f the |>roiima'e
|*r?a : ho' n th'? ca-?- the <tlm?ni?Jt'd imKm*
nf the trtfcinf ?? ?fy, and ibr acquired motion of
that | tr?k.ii-lf quo hml, are ?,tn II,. reiwlta r.f thia
i'd 'i" ii ' injf lindy Cinaot h?
ronetderrrt aa Iranifernng talirr motion or power
lo the ntlw r.
t >n TuerdaT errit HIT the aoeiety were invited lo
he holier IWee-T .H?l ?? iff, <ah?re the* ?r*tw
koejiifnHy en'??Uir>?il. Tii? I l.ea contributed
Irir fair fl>?te to '.lie rm.ivi l 4 i l lia MV
< mtlM In tn in atirm a el<>cr miM, Mi, |?mM*.
a a*tf1 n.orr ffi? wdly nfi'l* r?t ia.lio*, ninoaz
lie firrml ' ia of thi? f.,?i ^r? v, ir,/ a.< "OtiAliwa.
The t?tra?dimry e?(*iJiu?in of the New York
f/M,? 7, U| | . I-1 .. U ' 'fl 'lj< Of
lif Ant'fi"m Afni ulinn h< Id in tl.w city ?p In
>il o"rlo<-k, thick amounted to n?*rlv four rloaely
natei| ciilari na i.f report, and which cmM sot
iiir Ih nrrn i?r?l ?t the oflir* in New York till
art totdr'ukf, h<ia created ?>ry faeral aurprtrc
iere, aril m?n? ha?e en>rean d th?u admiration
if !h? admirable ?v-tem < f m niir-mrnl whu li
?uft l>e nWttfd in ihe eatablialuiie t to aecootliali
rat k a fril.
f v t:\HO MNMRi
At I'alf part ?e?? 11 (i'i-Iih k )e*t>-r<lay errntnf.
itj'hlv trotortam and mtereatiaff cofnmaaicatioa on
he trlcanoa ?f f'ettrnl Aroer.ra, *Nfh r>h*er*atio?a
lithe |enfr<|l,ii<il aad toja-fachiral fratare* of
Niif'l It 1} L 4 - ,,