cled us was a compound of
oxygen and nitrogen gases, in the proportion of twenty-one measures
of oxygen, and seventy-nine of nitrogen in every one hundred of the
atmosphere. Oxygen, which was the principle of combustion, and the
vehicle of heat, was absolutely necessary to the support of animal life,
and was the most powerful and energetic agent in nature. Nitrogen, on
the contrary, was incapable of supporting either animal life or flame.
An unnatural excess of oxygen would result, it had been ascertained
in just such an elevation of the animal spirits as we had latterly
experienced. It was the pursuit, the extension of the idea, which had
engendered awe. What would be the result of a total extraction of the
nitrogen? A combustion irresistible, all-devouring, omni-prevalent,
immediate;--the entire fulfilment, in all their minute and terrible
details, of the fiery and horror-inspiring denunciations of the
prophecies of the Holy Book.

Why need I paint, Charmion, the now disenchained frenzy of mankind? That
tenuity in the comet which had previously inspired us with hope, was
now the source of the bitterness of despair. In its impalpable gaseous
character we clearly perceived the consummation of Fate. Meantime a day
again passed--bearing away with it the last shadow of Hope. We gasped
in the rapid modification of the air. The red blood bounded tumultuously
through its strict channels. A furious delirium possessed all men; and,
with arms rigidly outstretched towards the threatening heavens, they
trembled and shrieked aloud. But the nucleus of the destroyer was
now upon us;--even here in Aidenn, I shudder while I speak. Let me be
brief--brief as the ruin that overwhelmed. For a moment there was a wild
lurid light alone, visiting and penetrating all things. Then--let us
bow down Charmion, before the excessive majesty of the great God!--then,
there came a shouting and pervading sound, as if from the mouth itself
of HIM; while the whole incumbent mass of ether in which we existed,
burst at once into a species of intense flame, for whose surpassing
brilliancy and all-fervid heat even the angels in the high Heaven of
pure knowledge have no name. Thus ended all.

SHADOW--A PARABLE

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Shadow:

--Psalm of David.

YE who read are still among the living; but I who write shall have long
since gone my way into the region of shadows. For indeed strange things
shall hap