JANUARY. 3 1 



changes accompany those of the winds and weather with considerable con- 

 stancy. The fluctuations of the barometric column are much greater and 

 more frequent there than in lower latitudes ; and sudden alterations which 

 in other climates would be alarming, may occur there without being fol- 

 lowed by any corresponding change either in the wind or the weather. A 

 constant attention to the instrument can alone enable one to appreciate tliose 

 decisive indications of the mercury which seldom or never prove deceptive. 

 The following facts may be noticed : — 



When, after a continuance of westerly winds and fine weather, the ba- 

 rometer has risen to nearly its greatest height, say some tenths above 30 in- 

 ches, or begins to fall a little, an easterly Avind may soon be expected. If 

 to this notice given by the barometer be added a warm, hazy atmosphere, 

 during the day, and a heavy precipitation of dew at night, with very bright 

 twinkling stars, or a colored aurora borealis, the approach of an east wind 

 is almost certain. Both rain and fog will follow, and continue during the 

 prevalence of the east wind, with little intermission, until they are dissipated 

 by a fresh breeze from the contrary quarter. 



If the fall of the barometer, during the continuance of the easterly wind, 

 be very slow, the gale will probably continue, and not be very violent : if 

 rapid, it will probably be of short duration and of greater strength : at any 

 rate, when the mercury falls to 29 inches, a change is certainly at hand, 

 and the gale will in general come from the northwest. The strength of 

 the westerly gale is usually greatest soon after its commencement, and di- 

 minishes as the barometer rises, veering gradually to the west and south- 

 west. It is worthy of remark, that the circumstances just mentioned are 

 exactly the reverse of those attending the eastern gale. This gale usually 

 commences with clear weather and a high barometer, light at first, from the 

 south or southeast, and gradually increasing as it bears to the eastward, 

 with a falling barometer. 



There is so great a difference in the phenomena of the weather in differ- 

 ent seasons, tliat it is difficult to write anything respecting it, that shall not 

 be liable to many exceptions. There are, however, some strongly marked 

 cases of connection between the indications of the barometer and changes 

 of the winds and weather, which are subject to few exceptions. The first 

 of these cases is that most common one, of an easterly gale, Avith a falling ba- 

 rometer, being always wet and foggy, and succeeded by a strong wind from 

 the opposite quarter, with a rising barometer. A second case, not of so fre- 

 quent occurrence, in common seasons, excepting in spring, or early in sum- 

 mer, is the easterly wind with a rising barometer ; which, although it may 

 not be at first for a few hours, will almost always become fine and clear 

 and end in fine weather. 



A third case may be considered certain: if the barometer fall suddenly 

 and greatly, at any time, a northerly and most probably a northwest gale, 

 of great strength, may be confidently expected. It does not follow that it 

 will be immediate, for it may be preceded by a stormy gale from the south- 

 west, for a few hours, during which the barometer will seldom rise, and 

 even probably continue to fliU : but when the southwest gale dies away, 

 ^le nortlierly or northwest wind will soon succeed, with a rising barometer. 



