886 Scientific Intelligence. — Meteorology. 



balmy influence of nature ; and a series of agreeable and un- 

 interrupted sensations invite to repose and oblivion But in 

 the changeable and tumultuous atmosphere of England, to be 

 tranquil is a labour, and employment is necessary to ward off 

 the attacks of ennui. The English, as a nation, is pre-eminent- 

 ly active, and the natives of no other country follow their ob- 

 jects with so much force, fire, and constancy. And, as human 

 powers are limited, there ai'e few examples of very distinguished 

 men living in this country to old age. They usually fail, droop, 

 and die, before they have attained the period naturally marked 

 for the end of human existence. The lives of our statesmen, 

 warriors, poets, and even philosophers, afford abundant proofs 

 of the truth of this opinion ; whatever burns consumes, ashes 

 remain. Before the period of youth is passed, grey hairs usually 

 cover those brows which are adorned with the civic oak or lau- 

 rel ; and in the luxurious and exciting life of the man of plea- 

 sure, their tints are not even preserved by the myrtle wreath, 

 or the garland of roses, from the premature winter of time. — 

 Sir H. Davy. 



2. Winter o/" 1829-30. — It appears that the cold in the south 

 of France and in Spain has long prevailed, and been more severe 

 than has been experienced there for a great number of years ; 

 but that in this country (Scotland), and in places in a higher 

 northern latitude, although they have had very deep snow, yet 

 it has been found comparatively mild for a winter like this ; 

 therefore, the rigour of the frosty air seems to have been con- 

 fined Avithin the parallels of 55° and 38° N. Lat. with prevail- 

 ing N. and N.E. winds from over the continent of Europe. Ire- 

 land being within these parallels, it is curious that its inhabi- 

 tants should, at the same time, also have enjoyed a mild atmos- 

 phere. — Annals of Philosophy, March 1830. 



