A GREAT TIDAL WAVE. 14! 



of us remember how a predicted high tide some two 

 years ago turned out to be a very moderate, or, if we 

 may use the expression, a very * one-horse ' affair indeed, 

 because the winds had not been consulted, and ex- 

 erted their influence against the astronomers. A long 

 succession of winds blowing off-shore would reduce a 

 spring tide to a height scarcely exceeding the ordinary 

 neap. On the other hand, if we should have a long 

 succesbion of westerly winds from the Atlantic before 

 the approaching high tide, it is certain that a large 

 .amount of mischief may be done in some of our river- 

 side regions. 1 



As for the predicted weather changes, they may be 

 regarded as mere moonshine. A number of predictions, 

 founded on the motions of the sun and moon, have 

 found a place during many months past in the columns 

 of a contemporary; but there has been no greater 

 agreement between these predictions and the weather 

 actually experienced than anyone could trace between 

 Old Moore's weather prophecies and recorded weather 

 changes. In other words, there have been certain 

 accordances which would be very remarkable indeed 

 if they did not happen to be associated with as many 

 equally remarkable discordances. Eandom predictions 

 would be quite as satisfactory. 



A very amusing misprint has found its way into 



many newspapers in connection with the coming tide. 



It is interesting as serving to show how little is really 



known by the general public about some of the simplest 



1 The wave did little mischief, the winds being easterly. 



