16 
all the evidence in favour of Sir W. Herschel’s theory that the 
influence of sun-spots on rainfall would extend to crops and the 
fruits of the earth, and hence influence trade. But so many 
other factors, both political and social, would have to be reckoned 
with, that to connect the fluctuations of trade with sun-spots 
seems more fanciful than true. 
NOTES ON RAINFALL. 
By the Rev. Rh. D. H. GRAY, M.A., January 20th, 1885. 
The Paper began, after a few observations on the general 
interest of the subject to all Englishmen, by dealing with the 
Art and Science of Weather Forecasts. It alluded to the follies 
of so-called Prophetic Almanacs, and to the mistaken ideas, still 
so strangely prevalent, as to the influences of the changes of the 
Moon upon the Weather; and went on to consider the value of 
the results of certain local observations, for which, however, it 
could suggest no scientific explanation. The Forecasts of the 
Meteorological Office were next considered, and some account 
given of the arrangements just made by it for fuller reports from 
America as to the weather of the Atlantic. 
Proceeding to speak of Rainfall and its measurements, the 
fact was noticed that at Towneley Hall, Burnley, was commenced 
the first regular and systematic record of the Fall of Rain, in 1677. 
That date reminded us of the interest in all kinds of scientific in- 
vestigation which was then spreading rapidly through the country. 
The Royal Society had just been started with Dr. Wilkins, 
Bishop of this Diocese (we were then of course in Chester) as 
one of its Founders; and among those who were ready to give 
Lancashire its due place in the new world of science was the 
Squire of Towneley, who has the honour of heading the long 
and increasing lists of observers and observations from 1677 to 
the present time. ‘The growth of these observations was pointed 
out, and some description given of the zealous and most success- 
ful work of Mr. G. T. Symons, F.R.S., who was Chief Assistant 
to the late Admiral Fitzroy, in furthering this branch of Meteor- 
ological investigation. A full account was given of the Gauges 
specially recommended by Mr. Symons, and of the rules set forth 
by him for their due use. Mr. Gray stated that Mr. Symons had 
visited him at Briercliffe Vicarage, and had set his seal of approval 
on his (Mr. Gray’s) Meteorological array. The number of stations 
at which Rainfall was measured, reached 2,000: and in the 
Burnley district there were 8 gauges, 
