then on the fourth or fifth day comes rain, or else the wind turns north again and continues dry. 17th Rule. If it returns to the south within a day or two, without rain, and turns northward with rain, and returns to the south in one or two days, as before, two or three times together after this. sort, then it is likely to be in the south or south-west two or three months together, as it was in the north before. The winds will finish these turns in a fortnight. 18th Rule. Fair weather for a week, with a southerly wind, is likely to produce a great drought, if ther has been much rain out of the south before. The wind usually turns from the north to south with a quiet wind without rain; but returns to the north with a strong wind and rain. The strongest winds are when it turns from south to north by west. 19th Rule. If you see a cloud rise against the wind, or side wind, when that cloud comes up to you, the wind will blow the same way the cloud came. The same rule holds of a clear place, when all the sky is equally thick, except one clear edge. When the north wind first clears the air, which is usually once a week, be sure of a fair day or two. The following are the observations of Lord Bacon: When the wind changes conformable to the motion of the sun, that is, from east to south, from south to west, &c. it seldom goes back, or if it does, it is only for a short time; but if it moves in a contrary direction, viz. from east to north, from north to west, it generally returns to the former point, at least before it has gone quite through the circle... When winds continue to vary for a few hours, as if it were to try in what point they should settle, and H 5 and afterwards begin to blow constant, they continue for many days. If the south wind begins for two or three days, the north wind will blow suddenly after it; but if the north wind blows for the same number of days, the south will not rise till after the east has blown some time. Whatever wind begins to blow in the morning, usually continues longer than that which rises in the evening. Mr. Worlidge observes, that if the wind be east, or north-east in the fore part of the summer, the weather is likely to continue dry: and if westward toward the end of the summer, then will it also continue dry: if in great rains the winds rise or fall, it signifies the rain will forthwith cease." "If the colours of the rainbow tend more to red than any other colour, wind follows; if green or blue are predominant, rain.” The signs of a Tempest are these: For ere the rising winds begin to roar, DRYDEN'S VIRGIL. Prognostics continued. 20th Rule. If the last eighteen days of February, and the first ten days of March,* are for the most * Old Style. part part rainy, then the spring and summer quarters will be so too and I never knew a great drought but it entered in at that season. 21st Rule. If the latter end of October and beginning of November are for the most part warm and rainy, then January and February are likely to be frosty and cold, except after a very dry summer. 22d Rule. If there is frost and snow in October and November, then January and February are likely to be open and mild. Mr. Claridge gives us the following observations made by our forefathers: Janiveer freeze the pot by the fire. If the grass grow in Janiveer, It grows the worse for't all the year. The Welchman had rather see his dam on the bier, Than see a fair Februeer. March wind and May sun Makes clothes white and maids dun. When April blows his horn, 'Tis good both for hay and corn. An April flood Carries away the frog and her brood, Makes a full barn and a findy. A May flood never did good. A swarm of bees in May Is worth a load of hay. Is not worth a fly. The following Rules are laid down by Lord Bacon: If the wainscot or walls that used to sweat be drier than usual, in the beginning of winter, or the eyes of houses drop more slowly than ordinary, it portends a hard and frosty winter; for it shews an inclination in the air to dry weather, which, in winter, is always joined with frost. Generally, a moist and cold summer portends a hard winter. A hot and dry summer and autumn, especially if the heat and drought extend far into September, portend an open beginning of winter, and cold to succeed towards the latter part, and beginning of spring. A warm and open winter portends a hot and dry summer, for the vapours disperse into the winter showers; whereas cold and frost keep them in, and convey them to the late spring and following summer. Birds that change countries at certain seasons, if they come early, shew the temper of the weather, according to the country whence they came; as, in the winter woodcocks, snipes, fieldfares, &c. if they come early, shew a cold winter; and the cuckoos, if they come early, shew a hot summer to follow. A serene autumn denotes a windy winter; a windy winter, a rainy spring; a rainy spring, á serene summer; a serene summer, a windy autumn; so that the air, on a balance, is seldom debtor to itself; not do the seasons succeed each other in the same tenor for two years together. Mr. Worlidge remarks, that if at the beginning of the winter the south-wind blow, and then the north, it is likely to be a cold winter; but if the north-wind first blow, and then the south, it will be a warm and mild winter. When there are but few nuts, cold and wet harvest generally follow; but when there is a geat shew shew of them, hot, heavy, and dry harvests succeed. If the oak bears much mast, it foreshews along and hard winter. The same has been observed of hips and haws. If broom is full of flowers, it usually signifies plenty. Mark well the flow'ring almonds in the wood; Having at last once more revised this treatise, which through the uncertainty of life, I am not likely to do again; I take my leave of the reader, wishing him health, prosperity, and good sport.I shall now, (following the example of my pious predecessor WALTON,) address THAT POWER, who penetrates and sustains all nature, who brings round the grateful vicissitude of the seasons, who has given us the inhabitants of the watery Element not only for our nourishment, but recreation, and Whom we are sure to please, by receiving his blessings thankfully, and enjoying them with propriety. Hymn. Father of all!-all good!—all wise!- Thou only source of joy and peace; Thy |
