58 



And this was proved shortly aftei*, when the valiant Cornish 

 Infantry, under Sir Nicholas Slanning, kept so well the rear- 

 guard of the King's forces on the march to Devizes, and after- 

 wards for three days kept that comparatively open town from the 

 persistent attacks of Waller, who assailed them on all sides with 

 superior force. 



The Cavalry of Charles's Army were at once its great strength 

 and a source of peril. The rash undisciplined valour of the 

 Cavaliers could seldom be kept witliin safe bounds, and they 

 too often threAV away the factory they had won. On the 

 occasion of this skirmish however it would seem that they shewed 

 no less discretion than valour, and thus made this small victory 

 sure and useful to the Eoyal arms. 



Gales of JFind. Bi/ the Rev. Leonard Blomefield, M.A., 

 F.L.S., &c. 



(Read Jamiary, IQth, 1878.^ 



In the following paper on " Gales of Wind," 1 have no idea of 

 bringing under the notice of the Bath Field Club anytliing that 

 is new on the subject or of stating more than what every one may 

 glean for himself who refers to the same sources of information 

 that I have consulted. I simply thought that (there being pro- 

 bably many who would not do this) it might be of interest, and 

 help to fill up one of our evening meetings, if I put together a 

 few notes in connection with the furious gale that occurred in 

 Bath and in most other parts of Great Britain on the night of 

 October 14th-15th last year (1877). I do not mean notes relating 

 exclusively to that particidar storm, which was described in such 



enclosed country, which Somerset was, where every field was as good as a 

 fortification and every lane disputable as a pass,'* to which service he had been 

 condemned by the order.s of Parliament. 



