( “Saev 2) 
$th ARTICLE, Meteorological Enquiries. 
Changes in the atmofphere have fuch important confequences on the 
affairs of human life ; that the art of prognofticating them is very bene- 
ficial. ‘It has of late years been cultivated with great affiduity in various 
parts of Europe; and the feries of obfervations will gradually form a 
fyitem, that may at leaft, unite probable conjectures with much certain 
knowledge. Several circumitances of the United States point out cor- 
re{ponding inquiries—We are fubject to fudden gufts of wind, and fome 
tornados that rapidly pafs over a {pace of one a two hundred miles : from 
the beginning of Spring till the fetting in of Winter, thefe occafion many 
unhappy atcidents on our extenfive coafts, and ample navigable rivers. 
Their tranfient ftrokes are, however, not comparable to thofe fevere 
ftorms that generally vifit us two or three times in that feafon: after 
thefe the gazettes anounce numerous deplorable fhipwrecks, and other 
difafters: coming from the Eaft with heavy rains, they generally caufe 
inundations, which overflow a vaft extent of meadow grounds, on the 
lengthy rivers and winding creeks, and fometimes damage wharves and 
ftoresof commercial towns. A forefight of all thefe would enable us 
to elude their fury: veffels might ftay in port, or feek a fhelter: mer- 
chandize might be fecured: the hay might be removed, and the cattle, 
which fometimes perifhes by the fudden rife of the water. In fummer 
the fudden gufts happen generally towards evening, after a fultry calm 
for fome hours: when attended with thunder and rain, warning is given 
by the rifing clouds: thofe with a clear fky are lefs frequent, and pre- 
ceded only by light eddies in the air for fome minutes*. |The tornados 
are probably announced by fome remarkable fymptons, though their 
happily rare occurrence has prevented attention: the air is (I believe) 
very fultry for two or three preceding days, and on the laft, fomewhat 
hazy with tremulous light breezes fromthe Weft. The eafterly ftorms 
are ufhered in by the gradual thickening of the clouds, and encreafe of 
the wind for many hours :f 
The irregularity of our feafons, is a great impediment in the bufinefs 
_of focial life—The fallacious appearance of an early fpring often invites 
the hufbandman and gardener to planting and fowing, which will be in- 
jured by fevere froftsand cold rains. The beginning of winter varies 
alfo by feveral weeks : after the firft of December, mild weather is often 
‘changed into acold, that within two or three days fills the rivers of the 
d northern 
* ‘Thefe are yenerally called whirlwinds from their verfatile direction: 
+ When they continue for twe a three days, they are not at their hight before twelve hours. 
