xxx LETTERS TO MARCO 203 



describes them, of paltry shapelessness. I 

 have been noting in my diary for the last two 

 years the state of the weather, and find that 

 the wind in question has been blowing with 

 its curiously pertinacious character almost 

 entirely from the north and north-east. Even 

 when, in the winter, we had the wind from 

 the south it was not accompanied by warmth 

 or rain, some of the severest frosts having 

 taken place when the wind was south. I have 

 waited in vain for any explanations, or even 

 recognition, from the meteorological experts 

 of this singular state of affairs. These gentle- 

 men would, of course, pay little attention to 

 Mr. Ruskin's lectures, regarding them, no 

 doubt, as unworthy of any serious scientific 

 consideration ; but for all that I am convinced, 

 from my own experiences, the Professor never 

 wrote anything that was more true in fact and 

 description. 



To-day and yesterday the character of the 

 wind has been remarkably baneful, and these 

 two days might be taken as good types of the 



