American Republican And Baltimore Daily Clipper

Total Darkness—A "Sublime Spectacle."

Sagua La Grande, on the Island of Cuba, was the only place where total darkness was produced by the eclipse of the Sun on the 25th ult. A letter from that place to the N. Y. Sun communicates the observations of Dr. Styles:

The eclipse commenced at 9h. 42m. 30s. A. M, sky clear, Fahrenheit's thermometer at 70 deg. As the time of total darkness approached, all animated nature gave signs of approaching night, man only excepted. "He of course repaired to the most favorable points of observation; but the gala day amusements which usually accompany a general turn out here, were wanting on this occasion. The hilarity and mirth of our gay Dons and Senoras gave place to indications of chastened feelings and emotions of awe at this sublime evidence of Almighty Power. The slaves abandoned their occupations, and in many cases they might be seen on their knees, worshipping our great Creator.— Nor were they alone in this. Few could so far forget their dependence on God in the thick darkness which surrounded us at mid day, as to refuse to worship and adore him.

The darkness came upon us gradually, and at seventeen minutes past eleven, the sun was totally obscured! There stood the moon covering the whole face of the sun, and presenting the appearance of a great black ball in the heavens, with rays of light diverging from behind it. The rays gave out a pale aurora like reflection upon the earth, resembling that cast by the moon when half full. This lasted only fifty seconds, and at a little past twelve the eclipse was ended. There was no perceptible change in the thermometer.