MAN AND NATURE. 269 



indeed, the climate of particular countries and places, 

 all common notions are singularly vague, and common 

 phraseology still more so. Tables of observation are 

 perpetually correcting the errors of ignorance, and of 

 that fashion in belief which mixes itself, more or less, 

 in all matters of worldly concernment. 



Professor Dove, of Berlin, justly described by Dr. 

 Daubeny as the highest authority in meteorology, has 

 collected many most valuable results in reference to 

 the phenomena of Climate ; and has well indicated by 

 his own methods the manner of research best fitted to 

 extend the science and render it more exact. That 

 much will yet be done in fulfilment of these objects, 

 we regard as certain. The very complexity of the 

 physical relations concerned in the enquiry, while 

 greatly enhancing its difficulties, does at the same time 

 give more various access to the truths sought for. 



Meanwhile, the admission we are obliged to make 

 of our imperfect understanding of these phenomena, so 

 vast in scale and so complex in action, is virtually an 

 admission that Man can do but little to control them 

 by any exercise of his own powers. Such at least is 

 the case as regards all the greater elements concerned. 

 He cannot alter the course, or arrest the energy, of 

 those great atmospheric and ocean currents which 

 sweep around the globe beneficent, or even neces- 

 sary, in their general influence, destructive only in 

 their excess. He cannot change the total amount of 

 light and heat derived from the sun, though he can 

 vary in different ways its local distribution. He has 

 no power, save indirectly and in limited localities, over 



