30 IDLEHURST : 



means of telegrams, are of course without educational 

 force ; but here, living mostly sub Jove, and with all 

 the heaven from Ditchling Beacon to Camp Hill to 

 study, we are miserable meteorologists. The main 

 difference, the Rector says, between most modern 

 Christians and the Jews of the New Testament, lies 

 in the ability credited to the latter of reading the 

 physical weather. Bish, as far as my observation 

 goes, fairly represents the village mind in the matter. 

 He has large faith in the Almanack. " The Almanack 

 says as how we shall have floods in June ; " and in 

 the June drought "dryth," Bish calls it a new 

 interest wakes in the Almanack's prediction of snow 

 for the end of August. He believes in the influence 

 of the moon : if you will tell him what day the moon 

 " changes " (he is quite unable to make the observation 

 for himself) he will announce such and such conse- 

 quential disturbances. He tells me that in whatsoever 

 point the wind sits when the sun " crosses the line," 

 thence it will prevalently blow for the quarter. Other 

 guides he has, as that a certain star (he is not sure 

 which, but once pointed out Vega in a doubtful way) 

 governs the winds at certain junctures ; that the 

 reflection of the fire in a room, seen brightly on the 

 window panes, presages rain ; and, of course, that 

 curious and universal belief that the visit of a German 



