Singular Phenomenon

On Friday morning last week, between the hours of four and five, a most remarkable phenomenon was observed by all carriers approaching Perth by the north and west roads. The phenomenon was that of the whole surrounding country in the districts of Dunkeld, Crieff, Blairgowria, &c., being suddenly illuminated by a blaze of light, which rendered objects for several miles around more distinctly visible than the clearest noon-day. Sheep, cattle trees and bushes, were beheld with an accuracy, at six and seven miles distance, equal to what would be produced by the finest telescope, so vivid and intensely brilliant was the light.-This curious phenomenon lasted nearly a minute, and, as is described by those who witnessed it, had a kind of unsteady motion, resembling in the impression it created on their minds, the roll of waves of the sea after the subsidence of a storm. The light was dazzling white, and , from what we learn, appeared like the white light, displayed by pyrotechnists, but of course, on a much grander and more extensive scale. Robert M'Donald, the Dunkeld carrier, alleges that he felt distinctly a heat produced by it, similar to what would be experienced in passing the door of premises in which there was a powerful furnace blast working.-He was in the neighborhood of Brinam at the time, and distinctly saw the color and plumage of several chiffinches [chaffinces] perched upon a tree at the road side. From his account, compared with the accounts of the other carriers he appears to have been in the very focus of the meteoric phenomenon, as while they felt no heat, they concur in stating that the centre [center] of its brilliancy seemed to be a little below Dunkeld. The morning was otherwise very dark, with a thick, raw, rhymy atmosphere.-Edingburgh Evening Post.