Carlisle Patriot, 30 Jul 1825 - Local News (2)
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Saturday 30 Jul 1825 (p. 2, col. 5-6 and p. 3, col. 1 + 6) [continued]
On Sunday evening last as three gentlemen were walking between the Knells and Houghton, they were both amused and surprised at the sudden ascension into the air of a considerable portion of several hay cocks that were arranged in a field, some of which returned to the earth in a short time, but the greater part whirled up out of sight. As the air was perfectly still, and a dense thunder cloud overhung the field, from which there was a single thunder-clap, this phenomenon must be referred to electrical agency, the influence of which was of very short duration, for the cloud dispersed in a few minutes after the hay ascended.
In the Philosophical Transactions for the year 1703, appears the following from the pen of the Rev. Abraham DE LA PRYME, F. R. S.—the phenomenon occurred at Hatfield in Yorkshire, and is called by POLEHAMPTON 'a mimic or false prester, or spout with little or no water':—
The weather in this part of the country has been exceedingly wet and cool, so that it seemed to be spring rather than midsummer. Yet June 21, was pretty warm, on the afternoon of which day, about two o'clock, no wind stirring below, though it was somewhat great in the air, the clouds began to be much agitated and driven together; on which they became very black, and were visibly hurried round, from whence there proceeded a most audible whirling noise, like that commonly heard in a mill. After a while, a long tube or spout came down from the centre of the congregated clouds, in which there was a swift spiral motion, like that of a screw, or the cochlea Archimedis when it is in action, by which spiral nature and swift turning, water ascends up into the one, as well as into the other. It proceeded slowly from west to north-east, broke down a great oak tree or two, frightened the weeders out of the field, and made others lie down flat upon their bellies, to avoid being whirled about and killed, as they saw had happened to several jackdaws, which were suddenly snatched up, carried out of sight, and then thrown a great way off among the corn. At length it approached over the town of Hatfield, to the great terror of the inhabitants, filling the whole air with the thatch it took off from the houses; then touching on a corner of the church, it tore up several sheets of lead, and rolled them together in a strange manner; soon after which it dissolved and vanished, without doing further mischief."
Mr. PRYME goes on to say that if this spout had been at sea it would have drawn up a large quantity of water: on shore the tube is invisible on account of its pellucidity; but when water begins to ascend it, it becomes opaque and visible—"Air ascending or descending," says Dr. FRANKLIN, "may form the same kind of eddies or whirlings, the parts of air requiring a circular motion, and receding from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy. If descending, it will be the greatest above and lessen downwards; if ascending, it will be greatest below and lessen upwards, like a speaking trumpet with the largest end on the ground." The precise nature of the phenomenon of Sunday cannot be ascertained, because it was not observed with the necessary closeness and accuracy, but whether it partook of the nature of the whirlwind, or spout, the cause is on all hands allowed to be an irregular diffusion of atmospheric electricity.
There was a most splendid exhibition of the Aurora Borealis on Tuesday night. It was seen by many persons in the neighbourhood of Carlisle, and further North. It is thus described by a correspondent in a Glasgow paper, and his description strictly applies to what was observable here, except that it was seen a little earlier:—"It first became visible in the northern horizon about half. past eleven, and shooting entirely across the western heavens, sustained itself in an arch of the most beautiful corruscations. I could compare it to nothing but the silvery gloss reflected from the polished mirror; with this difference, however, that it was never stationary or connected, but always flitting and radiant. Now it seemed to glow with the sparkling brilliancy of the diamond, anon it would appear to melt into vapour, but such a vapour only as can be imagined of the serenest morn in Autumn. It is inconceivable with what velocity its pencilled rays went and came, or darted and sprung from one pole to the other. In various other quarters of the sky, also, detached specimens of it were visible, which, although not equal in magnificence to this, were yet alike productive of unmingled admiration and surprise."
The improvement at St. Cuthbert's church-yard, lately agreed to by the parish vestry, is already in progress. In taking down the eastern wall of the burial ground to the foundation, the ends of a considerable number of rather fresh-looking coffins were unavoidably exposed to the public gaze;—several of them were examined by the curious, and were found emptied of their original contents, there being nothing within but a little dust. From this it would appear that the body-stealers have carried on their operations for a longer period in this neighbourhood than was previously suspected.
Preparations are making at the Carlisle Academy of Arts for a third Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture. Several artists of note have thus early signified their intention of contributing their works; and some pictures and busts are already arrived in the academy.
On Sunday last the Rev. Walter FLETCHER, M. A. Chancellor of the Diocese of Carlisle, read himself into the Prebendal Stall of Bugthorpe, in the Cathedral of York. His Grace the Archbishop afterwards delivered a most impressive discourse to a numerous and attentive congregation, from the 5th chapter of Ephesians, verse 20—"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Judges, High Sheriff, &c. attended.
The corn harvest, though not general, has commenced in various parts of the vicinity of this city. The wages, during the past week, have been from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per day.
The Lord Bishop of Chester will hold a confirmation at Trinity chapel, Whitehaven, on Tuesday the 23rd of August next.
Much interest is excited at Whitehaven by the athletic sports announced there for next week. The Earl of Lonsdale has kindly consented to permit the diversions to take place in his beautiful meadows near Foxhouses, and his Lordship has subscribed five guineas.
An inquest was held at Whitehaven on Saturday before Peter HODGSON, Esq. coroner, on view the body of John KINLEY, aged 21 years, seaman on board the Fancy, CHRISTIAN. About two o'clock in the morning of that day when the vessel was off Whitehaven harbour from Douglas, and whilst the deceased was in the act of handing the gaftopsail, he unfortunately fell from the mast head upon deck and was killed. Verdict: "Accidental death."
On the 19th instant, an inquest was held before Mr. BRAGG, coroner, at Great Clifton, on the body of Ann MILLER, who was attacked on the high road between Clifton and Brigham by an Irish cow, and killed. Verdict, "Accidental death."
On the 22nd inst, Mr. CAPE of St. Helen's, near Flimby, cut a fine field of Barley. "The farmers in this neighbourhood," says our Maryport correspondent, "are fearful that if this hot dry weather continues, the back-sown grain, in hot, sandy soils, will not be well filled. The pastures on this coast are very much burnt up."
A correspondent informs us that a number of idle and disorderly persons assemble every evening behind the Swifts to amuse themselves with the cruel practice of duck-hunting; but we are glad to hear that means will shortly be taken to prevent this exercise of cruelty, by indicting those who assemble as trespassers.
[to be continued]
Margaret Walsh
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