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fuch vaft efFeds ; to a change even of the elements and climates 

 of the earth, may admit of doubt, of oppofition, and even of 

 denial. For thefe reafons I have taken the liberty fimply to pro- 

 pofe them as matters of enquiry, and only beg the indulgence 

 of the Academy for troubling them with matters that may not 

 be attended with fufficient evidence to bring convidion, or even 

 to efcape cenfure. 



PO.STSCRIPT. 



OBober ioih, 1795. 



The prefent year (1795) has been, comparatively, cold in its 

 commencement, and warm in its fummcr; it has been calm, 

 dry, and in many refpeds acontraft to the long feries of preceding 

 years whofe effetls are regiftered in this Memoir. 



Yet the extremes of its temperature have not been equal to 

 thofe of former years, as far as can be inferred from the recorded 

 effeds of heat and cold on natural objeds. The large rivers of 

 the northern province have not been bound firmly in the icy 

 chains of winter ; nor have grapes ripened in favourable afpeds 

 in any part of the kingdom during fummer, as formerly occurred, 

 in feafons whofe temperature was denominated extreme. 



