portance, since it thereby appears that the nu cleus in the first days transmitted its own light, perhaps on account of the incandescence to which it was raised by its near proximity to the sun. M. Poey, the meteorological observer at the Havannah, Cuba, states that he has hundreds of times proved by his experiments that the polarization of luminous bodies in the celestial space is more or less combined with atmospheric polarization, especially so with the polarization of the clouds, except when they are black or stormy. This may combine with the light of a comet by reflection, but it is easy to eliminate it by means of Nicol's prism or a tourmaline.

At Peru a local paper, the Bolsa, thus speaks of it:

On the 9th of June there appeared within the hori zon of this city a beautiful comet, with a nucleus of the size of a star of the second magnitude, a very distinct coma, and a tail about 2 degrees wide, extending diagonally across the heavens over a space of about 80 degrees. By observations taken on the 14th and 15th, it rose the first day at 4.26 A. M., the second at 4.24, the first appearance of the tail taking place 40 minutes previously. On the 14th its position was in 24 degrees south, i. e., outside the ecliptic, and close to the Tropic of Capricorn, occupying the constellation "River Eridanus," the tail extending as far as the star of the first magnitude, "Achernar." On the 16th it first appeared in 22 degrees, showing that its course is toward perihelion. This comet bears a great resemblance to that of 1860, the return of which was predicted by Newton for 2,255, and its position is identical with that occupied by the great comet which was visible in this city in March, 1843.

AREQUIPA, June 17.

Professor Bond further remarks:

"It is obvious from the elements computed by Professor Hubbard, of the U. S. Naval Observatory, Washington, that this comet is not the same as the comet of 1556, (called Charles the Fifth's comet,) whose return has been anticipated for several years; nor do these elements bear any resemblance to those of any comet in the published catalogues. We must conclude, then, that this comet is a new one, whose orbit has never before been computed.

"The nucleus admitted of very precise observations; indeed, it is a curious fact, that it would be quite possible, by means of proper comparisons with neighboring stars, to obtain the differences of terrestrial longitudes of the principal points at which it was observed with a degree of precision only surpassed by the more refined methods known in astronomy.

"The near approach of the present comet to the earth, and the sharply defined points of its nucleus, illustrate the practicability of a method of determining the solar parallax with perhaps greater exactness than can be attained by any other means. Many comets have stellar points for their nuclei, visible in the larger telescopes, which admit of as accurate comparisons with neighboring stars as is practicable in measurements among the stars themselves. Many such have appeared within the last fifteen years. Suppose such a comet to be suitably placed so as to be observed simultaneously in

different quarters of the globe, when at a distance from the earth of less than one-twentieth of the sun's distance; under favorable circumstances it would not be hazarding too much to say, that in the course of its apparition the probable error of the solar parallax could be reduced within smaller limits than is possible by means of transits of Venus or of any other method. Such an opportunity might possibly afford an improved value of the mass of the earth.

"From the elements computed at the observatory, by Messrs. Safford and Hall, the diameter of the nucleus may be variously estimated at from 150 to 300 or 400 miles. On July 2d, the breadth of the head at the nucleus was 156,000 miles, the height of the inner envelope 11,500 miles, and the length of the tail about 15,000,000 miles."

The discovery of Asteroid No. 66, (Maia,) on the 10th of April, was made at Harvard College Observatory. On April 17th, No. 67 was discovered at Madras, India, by Mr. W. R. Payson, lately appointed Director of that Observatory. It was then of the 11th magnitude, and has been named Asia. On April 29th, No. 68 was first seen by Luther, at Bilk, Germany, and named Lato; on the same day No. 69 was discovered at Milan, by Sr. Schiaparelli; and on May 5th, No. 70, at Paris, by Goldschmidt, and named Hesperia.

The display of meteors in August was quite brilliant. On the night of the 10th as many as twenty-nine were observed at Newark, New Jersey. Several of them were of unusual brilliancy. On the same evening the display was noticed at Providence, Rhode Island, of which an eye-witness remarks that they were visible at times in all parts of the heavens, being most numerous, however, in the southwest. Those observed in that quarter radiated from a point about ten degrees south of the zenith. Between eleven and twelve they were most numerous, appearing in rapid succession, and frequently two and three being visible at a time. One was very large and brilliant; the head or nucleus was about five times the apparent size of Venus, and emitted a very bright light. It was followed by a trail about five yards in length, which was visible nearly a minute. Others appeared like stars of the first magnitude, and were also followed by trails which were visible from ten to thirty seconds. Those which were smaller were not followed by any trails. At intervals throughout the night the portion of the heavens near the zenith described above continued to send off meteors. In other portions of the heavens they were not so numerous, and appeared at less regular intervals. Some were very small, and were visible only for a moment. Most of them shot downward, in different directions and at various angles.

ATHENS, a small village of Clarke County, in the extreme northeast of Missouri, on the Des Moines River, where a severe skirmish took

place on the 5th of August, between a body of Missouri Home Guards from 300 to 400 in number under command of Col. Moore, and a Confederate force of 1,200 to 1,500, commanded by Martin Green, brother of ex-Senator Green of Missouri. Green had been marauding through Clarke and Knox counties, and had finally expressed his determination to annihilate the little body of Home Guards at Athens. Col. Moore had at first about 400 men posted on the hill, on the slope of which the village stands, and with wings extending to the river, and on the opposite side of the river were about 70 Iowa soldiers from Keokuk; but he had no artillery. Col. Green had one eight-pounder, and two imitation cannon, and came on very confidently. About 100 of Moore's men were panic-struck, including a cavalry company, and fled; but the remainder stood their ground, and after a fight of an hour and a half, charged upon the Confederates, who broke and ran. They were mostly mounted, but they leaped from their horses and fled on foot. The result of the battle was a loss of 12 Unionists killed and 8 wounded; while the Confederate loss was 23 killed and 44 wounded. The Federal troops also captured forty horses, 5 wagon loads of supplies, the mock cannon, and a quantity of arms. They pursued the Confederates for several miles.

ATKINSON, THOMAS WITLAM, an English traveller and artist, born in Yorkshire, March 6, 1799, died at Lower Walmer in Kent, Aug. 13, 1861. He was early left an orphan, and compelled to obtain his education where and how he could. He was apprentice for some years to an architect, and acquired some distinction by his architectural designs; but his earnest love of high art led him to devote his whole time to landscape painting, in which he soon attained a high reputation. Humboldt's description of the sublime and majestic scenery of Higher Asia, impelled him to seek among the mountains and unexplored regions of Siberia and Chinese Tartary, landscapes hitherto unknown to the artist, and in 1846, having secured the approval and protection of the Czar, he set forth alone on a tour of exploration in regions unknown to civilized men. Seven years were spent in his wanderings in those distant and inclement lands; years of toil, privation, and danger, but replete with interest in the incidents which came under his observation, and the insight they afforded of human life and character under circumstances entirely diverse from those of civilized lands. After many perilous adventures, and hair-breadth escapes, he returned in 1854, with impaired health, but with a rich collection of sketches of the country he had visited, which he gave to the public four years later, in connection with his "Oriental and Western Siberia: a narrative of seven years' exploration," London, 1858; a work of highly fascinating character, though marked by a most provoking absence of dates.

In 1860, he published "Travels in the regions

of the Upper and Lower Amoor," a work of less merit, though containing many fine descriptive passages. From the time of his return from the East, his health had been steadily though gradually declining. His exposures and exertions had impaired his naturally vigorous constitution, and he succumbed to disease at the age of 62. AUSTRIA, an empire of Central Europe, bounded north by Poland, Silesia, and the Kingdom of Saxony; west by Bavaria, Switzerland, and Sardinia; south by the Pontifical States, the Adriatic, and Turkey; east by Moldavia and Russia. It is 670 miles long by 420 broad, without reckoning its extreme prolongations; reckoning them, it is 800 miles in extreme length from east to west, and 690 in extreme breadth; area, 249,943 square miles; pop. in 1860, 36,401,864. It is divided into nine German, one Polish, one Italian, and six Hungarian provinces. The German provinces are Bohemia, Austrian Silesia, Moravia, Lower and Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Illyria, and Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The Polish province is Galicia and Bukowina. The Italian, Venetia. The six Hungarian are Hungary proper, (divided into the five districts of Pesth, Ödenburg, Presburg, Kaschau, and Grosswardein,) Transylvania, the Banat and Servia, Croatia and Sclavonia, Dalmatia, and the Military Frontier.

At the beginning of the year 1861, war seemed imminent. Victor Emanuel had not only succeeded in conquering and attracting to his sway all of Italy except Venetia and the small remnant of the States of the Church which still owned allegiance to the Pope, but he had assumed the title of "King of Italy," which was especially offensive to the Emperor of Austria, who had till lately exerted so large an influence in the affairs of Italy. Garibaldi, too, was believed to be only waiting for the opening of the spring to attack Austria in its weakest point, by assisting Hungary. Meantime, the Magyar race, who had for thirteen years been restive under the Austrian yoke, gave unmistakable signs of their determination to throw it off, and by their passive but determined resistance to all the measures of the Austrian Government seemed fast approaching a crisis in their history; and Venetia, though powerless to act alone, was ready at the slightest sign of aid from other quarters to revolt.

The Austrian emperor, with such probabilities of war before him, and the imperial finances in a condition which would make a long and expensive war inevitable ruin, was induced to take measures which have had the effect of postponing, if not of averting the conflict. On the 20th of October, 1860, he had issued a decree which conferred jointly upon the provincial diets and the Council of the Empire the power of making, modifying, and repealing laws; while it reserved to the Council alone the decision of all questions cencerning the administration of the laws, finances, banks, posts, telegraphs, railways, military affairs, taxes, the management of the national debt, and the sale

or renting of the national estates. By this decree he had also reestablished with some modifications the ancient constitutions of Hungary, Croatia, and Transylvania; and restricted the action of the Council of the Empire to the other countries of the empire, in regard to many of those matters in which it had hitherto extended its power over these constitutional states.

On the 26th February, 1861, he issued a further decree, declaring the ordinance of October the fundamental law of the empire, and restricting the Council of the Empire, in its regulation of all matters of legislation, to the non-Hungarian provinces. This decree not only established provincial diets organized after a uniform model in each of the provinces of Austria proper, but provided for the organization of an elective legislative assembly or Reichsrath for the empire, in two Chambers; the first to be composed of the older princes of the imperial family, the heads of the principal families of nobles, and members named for life by the Government, among whom were to be included men who had been distinguished in science or literature. The Chamber of Deputies was composed of 340 members elected by the provincial diets.

He had already, on the 9th of Jan., 1861, published an amnesty for offences committed in Hungary, Transylvania, Croatia, and Sclavonia, as an evidence of his intention to modify his former course toward those States. On the 16th of January, he addressed an imperial manifesto to all the county assemblies and civil magistrates of Hungary, rebuking them for the revolutionary measures they had adopted, such as the election of political refugees, the refusal to pay taxes, the suspension of existing courts of justice, &c., &c. This manifesto produced great irritation throughout Hungary, and each county assembly for itself (that of Gran, under the presidency of the Cardinal Primate of Hungary, leading in the movement) sent a solemn written protest to the emperor in reply. The Cardinal Primate himself counselled mild measures, and the confiding to the diet the regulation of the affairs of Hungary, but the people were too strongly incensed to listen to counsels of moderation. A change of the Austrian ministry followed on the 4th of February; and the new ministers were known or believed to sympathize more fully with Hungary.

On the 11th of February, the Court Chancellor for Transylvania, Baron Kemeny, opened a conference of the prominent men of the country at Karlsburg, Transylvania, to deliberate upon the introduction of a constitutional organization into Transylvania. The result of their deliberations was, that a majority declared for the validity of the laws of 1848, which could only be modified by the re-united diet. By this movement Transylvania was detached from the Hungarian movement.

On the 14th of February, the Court Chancellor for Hungary, Baron de Vay, held a conference with the president of the County Assembly of Pesth. The Assembly were cautious, but

firm; they declared their regard for the chancellor, but averred that it was contrary to their consciences and the national law, to render the payment of the taxes of the empire obligatory on Hungary. The same day the Hungarian diet was convoked to meet on the 2d of April at Buda-Pesth.

On the 26th of February, the emperor published the statutes of the new constitution of the Austrian monarchy, to which we have already referred.

แ

On the 2d of March, the Austrian emperor, through his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Rechberg, protested, in a circular to the nations of Europe, against the adoption of the title of King of Italy," by Victor Emanuel.

A national Servian congress was called for the 1st of April, to express the wishes of the people concerning the maintenance of their old privileges relative to their nationality and language.

On the 24th of March, the emperor by a decree gave his consent to the administration and political re-organization of the government of Transylvania.

On the 29th of the same month, the laws regulating the discussion of public affairs in the communes were relaxed in severity, independent provincial authority in minor matters reestablished, and the ancient tribunals invested again with their former powers.

On the 8th of April, the emperor issued a decree that his Protestant subjects of the sects heretofore recognized, should enjoy the same civil and political rights with the Catholics. From this provision Hungary and its dependencies, and Venetia were excepted; previous regulations on this subject having been made for them in 1859, and rejected by the Protestant congregations of Hungary. Against this decree the diet of Tyrol protested, and demanded that it should not be applied to that government, in which a large majority were Catholics.

On the 29th of April, the Reichsrath met, and was formally opened by the emperor in person on the 1st of May; but no deputies were present from Hungary, Croatia, Transylvania, Venetia, or Istria.

In Hungary, at the session of the diet in May, the relations of the kingdom of Hungary to the empire were fully discussed, and an address representing to the emperor the demands of the nation was voted on the 5th of June, 155 yeas to 152 nays. Meantime, the dissatisfaction which had long existed between the Slovacks of Upper Hungary and the Magyars was becoming more and more intense, and on the 6th of June a Slovack congress was convened at St. Martin, which, in the latter part of the month, decided against any fusion with the Magyars, even for the purpose of maintaining their national rights.

The Minister of State announced, on the 19th of June, that the emperor refused his consent to the petition or demand of the Tyrolese diet.

The address of the two Chambers of the Hungarian diet to the emperor offered by the

presidents of the Chambers, was refused recognition by the emperor, because it addressed him merely as monarch, and did not confer on him his legitimate title of "King of Hungary." The condition of excitement in Hungary still

BAKER, EDWARD D., an American Senator and soldier, born in England about the beginning of the present century, and killed at the head of his column, at the battle of Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, 1861. He came to this country when five years of age, and found a home in Philadelphia, to which place his father, who was a member of the Society of Friends, was attracted by the large number of Friends in that vicinity. Before he reached the age of early manhood his father died, and left Edward and a younger brother with no near relatives in this country and portionless. Stout-hearted and self-reliant, the boy found work by which he could support his brother and himself, as a weaver, in a small establishment in South street, Philadelphia. His leisure moments were earnestly occupied with reading, and most of his reading was of an instructive character. The West was then a region of romance, and its broad prairies and fertile soil presented attractions to those who looked forward to fortune in the future. Young Baker resolved to go thither, and taking his brother with him, the two youthful emigrants started westward with their packs upon their shoulders, with light hearts and purses as light. Crossing the then new States of Ohio and Indiana, they finally reached Springfield, Illinois, which Edward deemed the place for their future home. Here he soon commenced the study and the practice of law, and having a natural gift of oratory, to which his extensive reading had added a large vocabulary, he soon became one of the most popular advocates in the State. Uniting his fortunes with those of the Whig party, he soon won his way to political honors, and in 1846-7 was elected to Congress from his district, and was fast becoming recognized as one of the leaders of his party, when the commencement of the Mexican war attracted his ardent spirit, and returning to Illinois, he raised a regiment, and took it to the Rio Grande. Availing himself of a brief furlough, he resumed his place in Congress long enough to press his views and give his vote in behalf of the war, and hastened back to his regiment, which he overtook on the march from Vera Cruz. He distinguished himself at every action on the route to Mexico, and when Gen. Shields was wounded at Cerro Gordo, he succeeded to the command of the brigade, and led it through all the subsequent conflicts of the war. Returning to Illinois, he was again elected to Congress, and served his district there till 1850, when he visited Panama on business, and though attacked by the Chagres fever and compelled to return, he had

continued, and on the 30th of September, the Assembly of the Comitat or district of Pesth were prevented from meeting on their authorized day of assembling; a body of Austrian soldiers having taken possession of their hall.

learned too much of the new Eldorado of the West, California, to be contented to remain east of the Rocky Mountains, and in 1851 he removed to San Francisco, where he soon took rank as the leader of the California bar, and the most eloquent speaker in the golden State.

His impressive and touching oration over the body of his friend Broderick, will never be forgotten by those who heard it. He soon after removed to Oregon, where in 1860 he was elected to the U. S. Senate. He there distinguished himself as one of the firmest and loftiest patriots of the Senate, and in debate proved bimself the most effective orator of that body. The taking of Fort Sumter fired his soul anew with military ardor, and on the 20th of April, at the mass meeting in Union Park, New York City, he delivered an address which thrilled the souls of all who heard it. He there pledged his personal services to the country as a soldier, and closed his speech with these impressive and eloquent words, which were greated with a thunder of applause:

"And if, from the far Pacific, a voice feebler than the feeblest murmur upon its shore may be heard to give you courage and hope in the contest, that voice is yours to-day; and if a man whose hair is gray, who is well-nigh worn out in the battle and toil of life, may pledge himself on such an occasion and in such an audience, let me say, as my last word, that when, amid sheeted fire and flame, I saw and led the hosts of New York as they charged in contest upon a foreign soil for the honor of your flag; so again, if Providence shall will it, this feeble hand shall draw a sword, never yet dishonored-not to fight for distant honor in a foreign land, but to fight for country, for home, for law, for government, for constitution, for right, for freedom, for humanity, and in the hope that the banner of my country may advance, and wheresoever that banner waves, there glory may pursue and freedom be established."

The pledge thus made was speedily fulfilled. Though having a strong presentiment that he should fall in battle, he raised a fine regiment, called the California Regiment, which he led into the war, and had been nominated Brig. adier-General, when the disastrous battle of Ball's Bluff occurred. He commanded a brigade in that battle, and after exhibiting the most heroic bravery and daring, exposing himself for some hours in the hottest of the fight, he fell pierced with six wounds. His colleague in the Senate, and Senators Latham and MacDougal of California, and Sumner of Mass., pronounced touching and eloquent eulogiums on his memory.

BALL'S BLUFF, OR, LEESBURG HEIGHTS, is the name given to a part of the bank of the Potomac River, on the Virginia side, east of Leesburg and opposite Harrison's Island. The height of the bluff is variable, in some parts being one hundred and fifty feet. It is steep, with brush, trees, rocks, and logs on its front, and at the point of ascent was, on the day of the battle there, rendered soft and muddy by the passage of the troops. Opposite the bluff and about one hundred yards distant is Harrison's Island, a long narrow tract of four hundred acres, between which and the Virginia shore the river runs with a rapid current. On the other side of the island, which is one hundred and fifty yards broad, the distance to the Maryland shore is two hundred yards, and the stream not quite so rapid. At the head of the island passes Conrad's Ferry from the Maryland to the Virginia shore. Six miles below is Edwards' Ferry, which is on the direct road from Poolesville to Leesburg.

On the opposite banks of the Potomac the hostile forces of the North and South had confronted each other for many months. The distance thus occupied extended from Great Falls up the river beyond Harper's Ferry. It was here that the Confederate Government contemplated an advance into the State of Maryland, and an opportunity to flank the force on the Virginia shore opposite Washington, placed for the defence of that city. The Federal Government, anticipating such intentions, had stationed a strong force to prevent them. This was in several divisions: the first under General Banks was stationed from Great Falls nearly to Edwards' Ferry. From that point to Conrad's Ferry was the division under General Stone; next was Colonel Lander's force and that of Colonel Geary. The principal points occupied by the Confederate troops on the Virginia borders of the Potomac were Dranes ville, Leesburg, and Charlestown. It became an object to learn with what strength the former of these positions was then held. For this purpose a reconnoissance was ordered by the Commander-in-Chief, General McClellan, to be made toward Dranesville, and the duty was assigned to General McCall, who was in command of a division on the extreme right of the force beyond the Potomac opposite Washington. These orders were successfully executed on the 19th of October, and on the forenoon of the 20th he returned to his former position, in compliance with orders received the afternoon previous. At the same time notice was given to General Stone of this movement on the part of General McCall in the following despatch: To Brigadier-General Stone, Poolesville:

General McClellan desires me to inform you that General McCall occupied Dranesville yesterday, and is still there. Will send out heavy reconnoissances today in all directions from that point. The General desires that you keep a good look-out upon Leesburg to see if this movement has the effect to drive them away. Perhaps a slight demonstration on your part would have

the effect to move them.

A. V. COLBURN, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Later in the day General Stone replied to this despatch as follows: OCTOBER 20, 1861.

To Major-General McClellan :

Made a feint of crossing at this place this afternoon, and at the same time started a reconnoitring party toward Leesburg from Harrison's Island. The enemy's pickets retired to intrenchments. Report of reconnoitring party not yet received. I have means of crossing one hundred and twenty-five men once in ten minutes at each of two points. River falling slowly.

C. P. STONE, Brigadier-General.

On communicating General Stone's report of the battle to the Secretary of War, General McClellan, in a note, said: "My despatch did not contemplate the making an attack upon the enemy or the crossing of the river in force by any portion of General Stone's command."

Immediately upon the receipt of these instructions, General Stone went to Edwards'Ferry with General Gorman's brigade, the Seventh Michigan, two troops of the Van Alen cavalry, and the Putnam Rangers. This was at one o'clock P.M. At the same time he ordered four companies of the Fifteenth Massachusetts to proceed to Harrison's Island, under Colonel Devens, who already had one company on the island. To Conrad's Ferry above, which was in his department, he also ordered Colonel Lee with a battalion of the Massachusetts Twentieth, a section of the Rhode Island battery, and the Tammany Regiment. These three movements of troops were ordered-one to Edwards' Ferry, one to Harrison's Island, and one to Conrad's Ferry above. General Stone says that at this time General McCall's movement on Dranesville had evidently attracted the attention of the enemy, as a regiment appeared from the direction of Leesburg, and took shelter behind a hill about one mile and a half from his position at Edwards' Ferry. This day is Sunday, and at half-past four P. M. Van Alen's battery of two twelve-pound Parrott guns opens with shell upon the Confederate force upon the Virginia side. Their explosion can be distinctly heard. Seven are thrown within ten minutes, and no response comes across the water. direction given to the shells is varied so as to find out the location of the force, which is supposed to be concealed in a thick wood to the southwest, on the hill. At five o'clock P. M. the battery in charge of Lieut. Frink, a quarter of a mile from the ferry, also opens with shell, and the two batteries keep up the fire with rapidity. Just as the sun is going down the First Minnesota and Second New York come down over the hill and take the road to the ferry. The sun sets gloriously, his rays reflecting from the thousands of bayonets which line the road.

The

Gen. Gorman is ordered to deploy his forces in view of the enemy, making a feint to cross the river with a view of trying what effect the movement may have upon the enemy. The troops evince by their cheering that they are all ready, and determined to fight gallantly when the opportunity is presented. Three flat-boats are ordered, and at the same time shell and