328 mhcellaneoiis reflections; Feh.'2^, 



and opposing the southerly winds in the higher regi- 

 ons of the air, by their mutual conflicts occasion those 

 incefsant rains and tremenduous thunder-storms so re- 

 markable along the whole of this uncomfortable coast. 

 It has been observed by mariners, that there is a 

 tract of sea, to the west of Guinea, from five to ten 

 degrees of north latitude, in which the trade-wind 

 blows with lefs steadinefs than in any other part of 

 that ocean, being almost constantly troubled with 

 calms and tornadoes. The cause of this the reader 

 -will perceive by inspecting the map, as he will easi- 

 ly see that the winds are drawn from this quarter, al- 

 xnost in every direction, so that there can be here no 

 constant wind ; but being exhausted of its air, it 

 must become lighter than the circumjacent parts, and 

 ■must then be svipplied from either side as chance or 

 occasional circumstances may direct, which occasions 

 tliose sudden flurries and tornadoes here observed. 

 To be continued. 



REFLECTIONS OF FREDERICK THE GREAT. 

 Continued from p. 248. 

 No, my dear Anaxagoras, my philosophic zeal 

 does not vent itself against you, who are a true sage, 

 but against those blocklieads, who, afsuming the 

 specious title of philosophers, take upon themselves to 

 make worlds according to their whimsical hypotheses. 

 I had taken it for granted, from the progrefs of 

 good, sense, that science would at last haveundc^.-i- 

 ved those who scrutinise nature ; but I see I have 

 Ijeen mistaken. . Such world-makers I consign to the 

 •hospital for learned lunatics." Letter ccxx. 



"To he continued. 



