Every one in the northeastern States remembers the brilliant sunsets that occurred in the latter part of November. The persistent, intense, red light that streamed up the sky almost to the zenith, was so unusual a phenomenon that many theories have been given in explanation. Of course the first was that of unusual refraction produced by differences of density in the atmosphere; but as the light was observed so far, so long, and before sunrise as well as after sunset, another explanation seems necessary. Prof. Brooks, of western New York, has advanced a reasonable explanation in the suggestion that it was caused by reflection from clouds of meteoric dust in the upper portion of the atmosphere. In confirmation of this, Prof. Brooks claims to have discovered, on the night of November 28, a shower of telescopic meteors near the place in the sky where the sun had set. * * * * * The annual report from the United States Mint shows that the total amount of gold and silver received and worked during the year was $87,758,154, of which $49,145,559 was gold and $38,612,595 was silver. The coinage consisted of 98,666,624 pieces, worth $66,200,705. Of this amount $28,111,119 was in standard silver dollars. The total amount of fractional silver in the country is $235,000,000. The earnings of the mints during the year were $5,215,509, and the expenses $1,726,285. The total value of the gold and silver wasted at the four coining mints was $30,084, while there was a gain from surplus bullion recovered amounting to $62,658. The director estimates the total coin circulation of the United States, on July 1, 1883, at $765,000,000, of which $537,000,000 was gold and $228,000,000 silver. The estimate on October 1, 1883, was $544,512,699 of gold, and $235,291,623 of silver. * * * * * The “Children’s Aid Society” of New York City held its annual meeting in the American Exchange Bank, in December. It could appropriately be called a society for “diminishing crime and vice,” because that is just what the Society is doing among neglected and wicked children. The secretary said: “There were during the past year, in our six lodging houses, 13,717 different boys and girls; 297,399 meals and 231,245 lodgings were supplied. In the twenty-one day and fourteen evening schools were 14,132 children, who were taught, and partly fed and clothed; 3,449 were sent to homes, mainly in the West; 1,599 were aided with food, medicine, etc., through the ‘Sick Children’s Mission;’ 4,140 children enjoyed the benefits of the ‘Summer Home’ at Bath, L. I. (averaging about 300 per week); 489 girls have been instructed in the use of the sewing machine in the Girls’ Lodging House and in the industrial schools; $10,136.12 has been deposited in the Penny Savings Banks. Total number under charge of the Society during the year, 37,037. The treasurer, George S. Coe, reports that $251,713.94 was received and $255,865 paid out.”