nature's pyrotechnics. 33 



sor of a severe storm. For several days, up to and past minor 

 storm days, 12th and 13th, it will be showery, with frequent hail 

 and thunder, resulting in some locailities in violent tornadic 

 storms. The second regular storm period, i8th to 21st, will feel 

 the full force of earth's summer solstice on 21st and cause an ab- 

 normal amount of thunder, lightning, heavj' rains and hail, espe- 

 cially in the evenings and at night. Minor storms, 24th and 25th. 

 The last day of the month is the center of a Vulcan storm period, 

 which will run into July. 



It will be observed that about ordinary weather is pre- 

 dicted. That shows the wisdom of Mr. Wightman. It is 

 far the safest. There was an abundance of rain. 



" I told you so." 



There was no mention, however, of the unprecedented 

 drought in New England during May, nor of the floods, 

 the worst for more than a generation, in the Mississippi 

 valley ; and the unusual rainfall in the East in later June 

 would hardly be inferred from the printed prophecy. 



There is no law against long-distance weather predic- 

 tions, and there probably never will be. It is a harmless 

 diversion and is interesting to some. Moreover, it is 

 pleasant to be assured when the wintry winds do blow that 

 in early October the weather will be "a little cool, but 

 with a tang in the air that will soothe like a balm but be a 

 spur to energy and heartiness in its crispness " — the whole- 

 some touch of fall. 



Nature's Pyrotechnics. 



BY CHARLES H. OAKES. 



Hot was the air in a windless swoon, 



And night crept on apace ; 

 I marked the clouds, and stars, and moon, 



Gild Nature's veiling face. 



Throughout a bank of clouds, low cast, 



The lightning played so rare, 

 I fancied that the gods, at last. 



Held Fourth of July there. 



