\1S FACTS IN METEOROLOGY. 



all by puliciit observation, been ascertained and reduced to their respec- 

 tive laws, and have proved of the highest advantage to mankind. The 

 same may be expected in reference to those atmospheric changes, which 

 have hitherto appeared, to many, so far beyond the reach of human in- 

 vestigation. We must first ascertain the facts, and then endeavor to de- 

 duce the laws. This is our present object. 



3. But even if we can ascertain the latcs of the weather, wiU it he 

 of any advantage to us to knoio them? hi the first place, the possession 

 of such knowledge will be of as much importance to us, as that of any 

 other species, viz. its own intrinsic interest, hi the second place, it is 

 important, because it may be turned to the best practical account. It 

 concerns our comfort and the business of every day life. We esteem as 

 valuable a knowledge of every thing which concerns the nature of the 

 different kinds of soil, the best manner of cultivating and rendering it 

 productive, and the times of depositing in it the seed, because we derive 

 from it our bread, and most of the comforts of life. But in calling forth 

 this very productiveness of the soil, the atmosphere plays a most im- 

 portant part. Besides this, as it is the element in which we live, the 

 health and comfort of our bodies, and our business arrangements are 

 materially affected by the various conditions of the atmosphere. Surely 

 then a knowledge of its laws cannot be useless. 



4. Would it then be considered as any thing remarkable, if, upon 

 close observation it shouhl appear, that, if on some particular day of the 

 week it should be cloudy and perhaps there should be rain or snow, the 

 same kind of weather should occur in the next week on the same day, 

 only a little later in the day, and so on in the next, from month to month ; 

 the day gradually changing to the next succeeding, and that to the next, 

 ik.c. ? In reply, it may be said that it is somewhat remarkable that the 

 existence of such a fact, thougli not entirely unknown, should have so 

 generally escaped attention. It jias often been remarked as something 

 singular, that three or four successive Sundays, or Wednesdays, or Fri- 

 days, for example, should be cloudy, or rahiy days; but it is equally 

 singular that the frequent occurrence of such facts did not suggest the 

 inquiry whether these might not be only particular cases belonging to 

 a great law of atmospheric change. To make this appear probable, let 

 lis take some examples. And here it is importani to remark that the 

 law, which if it exist at all, must be general, is subject to more apparent 

 exceptions during Sunmicr than Autumn, Winter or Spring. The ex- 

 amples, as beiug of a more decided character, will be selected from Au- 

 lunm, for surli will be more easily appreciated by those whose acquaint- 

 ance with Aleleorologv is but limited. 



