248 Meteorology, 



Art. V. Meteorology, 



Almanacks. — In the essay on almanacks, in the Companion to the Almanack 

 for 1829, published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, it 

 is stated (p. 7.) that at the present day none of the almanacks of the Conti- 

 nental states contain any misleading matters similar to the astrological pre- 

 dictions of that of Moore. This is a mistake. I have now lying before me 

 an almanack for 1829, professing to be compiled " par Maitre Mathieu Laens- 

 bergh, Math^maticien," and printed at Li^ge for nearly a century past; 

 which is in as much repute in the Netherlands as Moore^s Almanack is in 

 England, being universally read by the Flemish peasantry and lower classes ; 

 and in which not less than twenty-five pages are filled with predictions of 

 the weather, and of political events*, besides an " Extrait des proph^ties 

 perp^tuelles de Thomas Joseph Moult, natifde Naples; pour I'annee 1829 ;" 

 in which this great astrologer, whose name, I fear, is unknown in England, 

 departing from the wary obscurity of his brother Moore, boldly proclaims 

 that the spring will be fine, the summer wet, and the autumn cold and late. 

 This little volume, of about 150 pages (which include some useful matter 

 on agriculture, gardening, &c.), and of the price of about threepence, con- 

 cludes with an " Almanach des Bergers pour I'annee 1829," wholly com- 

 posed of hieroglyphics (previously explained), as a glove for frost, an awl 

 for strong frost, a fan for heat, &c. &c., and in this the actual weather is 

 predicted for every day of the year : as that on the 1st of January it would 

 freeze, on the 6th it would snow, on the 9th it would rain, and so on. 

 Another line of hieroglyphics indicates what days are suitable for sowing, 

 grafting, &c., and also for cutting the hair, and cutting the nails. It is 

 evident, therefore, that we are not single in absurdity, but in fact outdone 

 by our Flemish neighbours ; and, I believe, one astrological almanack is 

 published in France, or more. How the case may be in Germany I am 

 ignorant ; but I am inclined to think that the labours of societies, like that 

 in England for the diffusion of useful knowledge, directed to the reform- 

 ation of the almanacks, are as much wanted throughout Europe as with us. 

 — W. S. Brussels, March 20. 1829. 



* One of the shortest of the " Predictions pour I'annee 1829," will serve 

 both as a specimen of the riddles, over which the Flemings have to ponder 

 during the long winter evenings, and of the tone of political feeling to 

 which they are adapted. The whole series is introduced by this address : — 



" Au Lecteur. — Doutez ou croyez, peu importe; les ^venemens que je 

 predis ne s'accompliront pas moins. 



" Janvier. ~~ Voeux interesses mais superflus. — Puissant qui tombe, 

 mediocre qui s'^leve. — II fallait un calculateur : ce fut un danseur qu'on 

 choisit. — Lutte sanglante etobstin^e. — La croix brille a Torient. — Naza- 

 rin faisait chanter ses contribuables : certain ministre fera pleurer les siens. — 

 Belle alliance qui se prepare. — Ddfaite inattendue, r^sultat inesper^. — 

 Quelle leyon pour les rois 1 Hommes libres, reprenez courage." 



[" To the Reader. Doubt or believe, it matters little; my predictions will 

 not the less be accomplished. — January. Wishes selfish but vain. — The 

 powerful falls, the weak rises. — An arithmetician was wanted : they chose a 

 dancer. — Strife bloody and obstinate. — The cross shines in the East. — 

 Nazarin made his tax-payers sing : a certain minister will make his weep. — 

 A fair alliance is in preparation. — Unexpected defeat, unhoped for result. 

 — What a lesson for kmgs ! Freemen, take courage."] 



