[1] "The two time-keepers being put on each side of the great cabin, I
put a thermometer by each, and before a fire was kept in the cabin, I
never saw them differ more than half a degree; but since there has
been a fire, I have constantly found that thermometer highest, which
happened to be on the weather-side, sometimes by three degrees,
whereas one would naturally have expected it to have been just the
contrary." - W.
The rapidity of the current of moist air would be no doubt greater on
the other side, and therefore, as moisture occasions cold, would lower
the thermometer on that side. On the weather-side, on the contrary,
the air would be less quickly changed, and of course preserve greater
uniformity of temperature. This explanation, however, depends on a
certain supposition as to the form of the cabin, and its kind of
communication with the external air. - E.
[2] "The natural state of the heavens, except in the south-east
quarter, and for about ten degrees of altitude all round the horizon,
was a whitish haze, through which stars of the third magnitude were
just discernible. All round, the horizon was covered with thick
clouds, out of which arose many streams of a pale reddish light, that
ascended towards the zenith. These streams had not that motion which
they are sometimes seen to have in England; but were perfectly steady,
except a small tremulous motion which some of them had near their
edges.
"19th. - In the night the southern lights were very bright at times,
and the colours much more various and vivid than they were on
Wednesday night, their motion also was greater, so that on the whole
they were extremely beautiful.
"20th. - At nine o'clock in the evening, the southern light sprung up
very bright about the east point of the horizon, in a single steady
pillar, of a pale reddish light. Its direction was not directly towards
the zenith, but gradually deflected towards the south, and grew
fainter as it ascended, so as to vanish about south-east, and at
forty-five degrees of altitude.
"15th March. - The southern lights very bright at times, and exceeding
beautiful; their colours being vivid, and their motion quick and
curious.
"18th. - A little after nine o'clock in the evening it was very clear,
and the southern lights were exceeding bright and beautiful, and
appeared of a semi-circular or rainbow-like form, whose two
extremities were nearly in the east and west points of the horizon.
This bow, when it first made its appearance, passed a considerable way
to the north of the zenith; but rose by degrees, turning, as it were,
on its diameter, and passing through the zenith, settled at length
towards the southern horizon.
