11 



But leaving the subject of Antiquities, I pass on to other 

 matters of which I think the Club might take cognisance. I 

 conceive everything connected with topography (taking a hint- 

 from the caravan of Dalecarlian naturalists before spoken of) — 

 everything whicli throws light upon the manners of the people 

 and their mode of life, either now cr at any former period, — 

 provincial words — etymology of the names of places — local sayings- 

 — obsolete customs — superstitions and so forth, — all this might 

 be followed out as a legitimate object of inquiry, — in additipn ta 

 Avhat relates to the physical features of the district, its geology, 

 or its natural history. And there is yet another subject I would 

 recommend to the notice of any members of this Club, who are 

 inclined to take it up, — and that is the climate of Bath and its 

 meteorology. When we consider how much Bath is resorted to 

 by invalids — availing themselves, in the winter especially, of its 

 undoubtedly milder climate at that season — it is of much import- 

 ance that we should know on far better data than any we possess 

 at present, or which at least have been made public, what is the 

 exact difference between its mean temperature and that of other 

 places lying farther either to the E. or W. — not merely in winter, 

 but at each respective season of the year — taken in connection 

 with its mean rainfall and humidity, nor overlooking the position 

 of the city, situated as it in a bason surrounded nearly on all 

 sides by lofty hills, Avhich must have some effect upon the circu- 

 lation of the air and the state of the atmosphere, in a sanatory 

 point of view. It would take me too much awiiy from the imme- 

 diate purpose of this address to go into details on this subject : — 

 I will simply remark that very erroneous notions are entertained 

 respecting the climate of Bath, persons often imagining that 

 because it is milder than many other places in winter, it must 

 necessarily be very hot in summer, attributing its relaxing 

 character at that time to a higher temperature than it really 

 possesses — instead of to other causes, which, in my opinion, 

 exercise a more decided influence that way. 



