entous of the last scene. I wish it may
have some good effect on the minds of the wicked, and that they
may be excited to prepare for that solemn day."

The _Independent Chronicle_ of June 22, 1780, printed a letter from Dr.
Samuel Stearns, who had been appealed to because of his knowledge "in
philosophy and astronomy." First, he disposed of one suggestion that had
been made:

"That the darkness was not caused by an eclipse is manifest by
the various positions of the planets of our system at that
time; for the moon was more than one hundred and fifty degrees
from the sun all that day."

Then, in the rather heavy language of the science of that period, this
writer told how the action of the sun's heat was continually projecting
into the atmosphere particles of earthy matter; and in his opinion it
was some "vast collection of such particles that caused the late
uncommon darkness." But as to the real accounting for the phenomenon he
wrote:

"The primary cause must be imputed to Him that walketh through
the circuit of heaven, who stretcheth out the heaven like a
curtain, who maketh the clouds His chariot, who walketh upon
the wings of the wind. It was He, at whose voice the stormy
winds are obedient, that commanded these exhalations to be
collected and condensed together, that with them He might
darken both the day and the night; which darkness was, perhaps,
not only a token of His indignation against the crying
iniquities and abominations of the people, but an omen of some
future destruction."

Thus men's minds were exercised by this sign "in the sun, and in the
moon."

The early records of New York City tell of the interest excited there,
though evidently the darkness was not so marked as it was farther north.

In the Connecticut Legislature

President Timothy Dwight, of Yale College, a contemporary, left the
following account of one of the historic incidents of the day:

"The legislature of Connecticut was then in session at
Hartford. A very general opinion prevailed that the day of
judgment was at hand. The house of representatives, being
unable to transact their business, adjourned. A proposal to
adjourn the council [a second legislative body called the
Governor's Council] was under consideration. When the opinion
of Colonel Davenport was asked, he answered, 'I am against an
adjournment