nvhich indicate Changes of the Weather. 373 



the night-time, is not, in general, of long duration ; and, 

 for the moft part, wind is more uncommon in the night 

 than in the day-time. Fine weather in the night, with I'cat- 

 tered clouds, does not lad. 



19. A \^enetian proverb favs, that a fudden ftorm from the 

 north does not la{t three davs. 



10. The hoar-froft, which is firft occafioned by the eaft 

 wind, indicates that tlie cold will .continue a long time, as 

 was the cafe in 1770. 



21. If it thunders in the moath of December, moderate 

 and fine weather may be expefted. 



22. If it thunders at intervals in the fpring time, before 

 the trees hav« acquired leaves, coJd weaiher, is ftill to be ex- 

 pecled. 



23. If the wind does not change, the weather will remain 

 the fanie. 



Such alraofl; are the figns of the variations of the atmo- 

 fpherej but I will not be anfwcrable for the certainly of 

 them all. Plutarch, in his Problems, where it is afked why 

 a horfe who has efcaped from a wolf becomes fleeter, re- 

 plies, that becaufe, by a fmgle aftion, but executed with 

 great force and vigour, he has acquired a difpofition to rurr- 

 ning and a habit of fpecd ; or perhaps, becaufe he is natu- 

 rally fwift and agile : but he adds, perhaps neither of thefe 

 is true. This obfervation, I am afraid, will apply to fome 

 of the vulgar prognoftics of the prefent day. For example, 

 we are told, that it is a fign of fertility in any year when a 

 fly is engendered in an acorn of that year; and that it is the 

 fign of a pcftilcntial year, if there iUues from it a fpider. 

 Should the reafon be aflced, it might be replied, that neither 

 of thefe is true. I might venture to fay as much of thofe 

 popular tales in regard to certain critical days of the month j 

 yet we mufl; ftill have fomc refpcft for popular proverbs, 

 which are often founded on obfervation and reafon. Thus it 

 Ufaid, that if it rains on the 3d of May, the day of the Holy 

 L'ro& J or on the jJ3d of April, St. George's day ; or the 

 B b 3 15th 



