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mortals. I do not know that we poor farmers are always able to 
say ditto to that sentiment; and for us to do so certainly needs 
something of the philosophy displayed in such a season by a 
certain David Hope, on the shores of the Solway, in an anecdote 
related by Carlyle in his “ Reminiscences.” There had been days 
and days of continued downpour; at last a brief spell of fine 
weather intervened, and David’s corn was dry. He was at family 
worship before proceeding to the field, when some one rushed in 
and bade him come at once, for a storm had arisen that was 
driving the stooks into the sea. ‘“‘ Wind,” answered David, “wind 
canna get ae straw that has been appointed mine. Sit down, and 
let us worship God.” 
Let us turn to a somewhat pleasanter subject of contemplation, 
viz., the driest month. And here again my experience accords 
that of Dr. Barnes, and also of Mr. Golding—that April is one of 
the driest months of the year. The average of February is 1°66, 
and of April 1°67: so they run each other pretty close. Mr. 
Golding remarks, “I never knew till now that April was the driest 
month in the year. April showers are so frequently mentioned, 
as to give a general idea that it is rather a wet month than other- 
wise: but the showers in April are seldom stormy or attended 
with great falls of rain.” The driest month registered at Scaleby, 
however, was one very exceptional November in 1867, when only 
‘20 or one-fifth of an inch fell. It being the month preceding my 
marriage, I should have been inclined to think I had made some 
mistake if I did not find it generally described as a most remark- 
able month by all observers ; one from Otterburn, I see, remarking 
that “moors were burnt all the month, and the oldest person 
cannot remember seeing moors burning in November at all.” 
The next driest month was April, 1873, when ‘36 was the amount 
of rain registered. 
The orderly progression of the period of greatest dryness over 
Europe is rather singular ; and for those who wish to take a holiday 
without an umbrella, it may be useful to give it. January is the 
_ season of least rain in countries adjoining on the Volga, February 
in Russia, March in Northern France and Southern Britain, April 
