THEOR T of RAIN. 71 



of a particular place upon the globe, fuch as the ifland which 

 we inhabit. Becaufe, having the opportunity of making me^ 

 teorological obfervations for this place, we ought to find, in 

 thofe obfervations, a certain confirmation of the theory, if it 

 is juft ; and we mould alfo be able to form a certain explana- 

 tion of thofe natural appearances, fo far as the theory, fliall be 

 admitted. 



IN fuch an ifland as this of Great Britain, fituated in a region 

 of variable winds and temperate heat, more or lefs influenced, 

 on the one fide, with the mod extenfive continent of the earth ; 

 on the other, with the Atlantic ocean, there is reafon to con- 

 clude, that fhowers will often happen, without extreme quanti- 

 ties of rain falling at any one time ; and that the climate of 

 this country, with refpect to drought and moifture, will incline 

 towards the latter. This is alfo found to be the cafe, com- 

 paring Britain with the drier regions of the continent. But 

 what is moft interefting at prefent, will be to obferve what are 

 the concomitant circumftances of thofe frequent fliowers which 

 fall in this variable climate ; for here the beft opportunity may 

 be afforded of having the doctrine confirmed, in finding the 

 conditions required in the theory for the obferved effect. 



BEFORE entering on this fubjecl, where latent caufes are to 

 be concluded from obferved effects, it will be neceffary to men- 

 tion fome circumftances which, from the nature of things, 

 render thefe obfervations of phenomena lefs conclufive, on ma- 

 ny particular occafions, although nowife deficient, on the whole, 

 for afcertaining truth, if properly considered. 



IN confidering the meteorological obfervations of this coun- 

 try, with a view to illuftrate and confirm the theory, three 

 things occur, as requiring feparate attention : I/?, The motion 

 of the wind, or the quarter from, whence it comes. 2^/c, The 

 degree of heat, or indication of the thermometer placed in the 

 atmofphere. Lqftly, The changed weight of the atmofphere, 

 or indication of the barometer, Thefe three variable things- 



are: 



