72 Notices respecting New Books. 



or warm period ; a dotted curve, the same for the nine years 1833 

 to 1841, or cold period of the cycle. 



Fig. 3. gives the rain under each month, for the whole eighteen 

 years, represented by a full line ; in connexion with the average 

 temperature of each month for the like series of years, in a curve 

 corresponding as nearly as those in the author's Climate of Lon- 

 don, with the curve of the sun's declination, which is placed in a 

 fine dotted line, in connexion with both. 



In figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 are given the rain and temperature of 

 the four seasons of the year, through the cycle here treated. 



The results in figures from which these lines and curves are laid 

 down, are all given in tables, either introduced into or annexed to 

 the work. 



The mean height of the barometer for the warm period of the 

 cycle, taken at Ackworth School, is 29*851 inches: that for the 

 cold period 29*807 : the mean of the entire cycle is 29*829 ; the 

 warm side having the higher average of pressure by 0*44 inch. 



The mean temperature we have already noticed. 



The rain of the warm years amounts to 238*60 inches ; of the 

 cold to 234*33 ; rain of the whole cycle 472*93, or per annum 

 26 27 inches; the warm side averaging 26*51 inches, the cold 

 26*037 ; but the author has "found cause, on examining into past 

 periods, to conclude that the small excess of rain here found on the 

 warm side is not a constant result ; but that the cold may sometimes 

 be the wetter." The main point affecting our harvests appears to be 

 the different distribution of the rain within the year in each period, 

 which he next proceeds to examine. 



After concluding the discussion of the observations, Mr. Howard 

 remarks, — 



" It is proper I should caution my reader against expecting too much 

 from the information here presented to him. Should he look for the same 

 mean temperature and the same amount of rain in each returning year of the 

 coming cycle, as are found recorded of a corresponding one in the past, he 

 will probably meet with frequent disappointments ; and this more espe- 

 cially in a locality somewhat different. We are yet far from being able to 

 predict seasons in meteorology with the like certainty of date as the astro- 

 nomer does the coming phamomena of the heavens; and it is even possible 

 that, from the very nature of the causes concerned, we may never arrive 

 at this. The judicious observer, finding certain facts fully ascertained and 

 clearly noted for him, ivill know how to make use of these for himself; and 

 by watching their occurrence in detail, making notes as he proceeds, will 

 endeavour to feel his own way towards the future, independently of empi- 

 rical and fallacious predictions. This is the kind of service which I expect 

 my present labour to render to the country; besides gratifying a reasonable 

 curiosity as to the past. We do not expect to become skilful in other arts 

 without a due share of study and practice ; but we seem to forget this self- 

 evident truth when we take up that of foretelling the weather. The facts 

 here detailed cannot fail to be useful to such as will be at the trouble to 

 examine and compare them, though the inferences they may draw from 

 them should differ. And admitting only that in the course of years here 

 treated, we experience in succession the various degrees of warmth and 

 coldness, of rain and dryness, incident to our climate, it must needs help 



