No. 63.] 199 



of July and August, when rain was desirable, but they did not touch 

 on the south side from the narrows to Princes' bay. 



A change in the weather is indicated when the sun rises clear with 

 a low bright arch in the east, overhung with clouds. If the clouds 

 like a curtain gradually rise, the weather will become clear; but if 

 the bright arch become clouded and close upon the horizon, a storm 

 may be expected. 



A storm or change of weather is sometimes preceded by a moaning 

 of the water of Raritan bay, coming from the southwest, as it rolls 

 upon the shore, even though there be no surf. A similar but louder 

 moaning from the surf of the Atlantic rolling in from the east, is not 

 indicative of a change. A low and horizontal smoke bank in the 

 east and northeast is observed by the fishermen to denote an ap- 

 proaching storm. This appearance is caused by the smoke of the 

 city of New-York, which is carried to the southward across Long- 

 Island, and hangs in a low streak over the Atlantic, as seen from the 

 south side of Staten-Island. The first time that phenomenon was ob- 

 served by the writer after being informed by a fisherman, the smoke 

 bank was low, narrow and long, extending as far south as Sandy- 

 Hook, although the wind blew from the southward; and it was fol- 

 lowed by a storm. He has observed it twice this season, (autumn of 

 1842,) when it spread, became thin, was gradually dissipated, and not 

 followed by bad weatht-r. 



During a northeasterly storm of snow, wind, or rain, we look for 

 sions of clear weather in the southwest and west. If the wind come 



O ... 



out from the west or northwest it will certainly clear up. But 

 when the wind is baffling, or backs, the weather will continue unset- 

 tled. Backing of the wind, is when it goes round against the appa- 

 rent course of the sun, beginning for instance at the south, then be- 

 coming southeast, then east, &c. An east wind brings unpleasant 

 weather, and will sometimes blow a day or two from that point, back 

 into the northeast and bring a storm; but if an easterly wiiul should 

 veer round by the south, it will be clear. Sudden showers in sum- 

 mer occur when the Jersey shore, seen from the south side of Staten 

 Island, appears by looming to be quite near. 



VALUE OF LAND. 



On the north and east sides of the Island, near the M^ater, where 

 the daily communication with New^-York is frequent and easy, land 

 has been held high, and heretofore sold at extravagant prices; but 

 that time is past, and speculation no longer regulates the value of 

 land or farms. On the east and northeast point of the Island is the 

 State Quarantine establishment, wdth its hospitals and other buildings; 

 adjacent to which has arisen the large village of Tompkinsville, and 

 a short distance to the south, is Stapleton, and that excellent estab- 

 lishment for sick sailors, denominated the "' Seamari's Retreat^ In 

 fact, the whole eastern shore is becoming almost a continued village 

 from the Quarantine to the Signal poles at Fort Richmond, being oc- 

 cupied by country seats and town plots. Th^ summer prospect from 

 this part of the island, is a most inviting one. In looking to the 

 south, we observe the Atlantic, from which a constant succession of 



