no visible
or perceptible effect would in any manner be produced. While such
discussions were going on, their subject gradually approached, growing
larger in apparent diameter, and of a more brilliant lustre. Mankind
grew paler as it came. All human operations were suspended.

There was an epoch in the course of the general sentiment when the
comet had attained, at length, a size surpassing that of any previously
recorded visitation. The people now, dismissing any lingering hope that
the astronomers were wrong, experienced all the certainty of evil. The
chimerical aspect of their terror was gone. The hearts of the stoutest
of our race beat violently within their bosoms. A very few days
sufficed, however, to merge even such feelings in sentiments
more unendurable We could no longer apply to the strange orb any
accustomed thoughts. Its historical attributes had disappeared. It
oppressed us with a hideous novelty of emotion. We saw it not as an
astronomical phenomenon in the heavens, but as an incubus upon our
hearts, and a shadow upon our brains. It had taken, with inconceivable
rapidity, the character of a gigantic mantle of rare flame, extending
from horizon to horizon.

Yet a day, and men breathed with greater freedom. It was clear that we
were already within the influence of the comet; yet we lived. We even
felt an unusual elasticity of frame and vivacity of mind. The exceeding
tenuity of the object of our dread was apparent; for all heavenly
objects were plainly visible through it. Meantime, our vegetation
had perceptibly altered; and we gained faith, from this predicted
circumstance, in the foresight of the wise. A wild luxuriance of
foliage, utterly unknown before, burst out upon every vegetable thing.

Yet another day--and the evil was not altogether upon us. It was now
evident that its nucleus would first reach us. A wild change had come
over all men; and the first sense of pain was the wild signal for
general lamentation and horror. This first sense of pain lay in a
rigorous constriction of the breast and lungs, and an insufferable
dryness of the skin. It could not be denied that our atmosphere was
radically affected; the conformation of this atmosphere and the possible
modifications to which it might be subjected, were now the topics of
discussion. The result of investigation sent an electric thrill of the
intensest terror through the universal heart of man.

It had been long known that the air which encir