42 INTRODUCTION. 



their anxioufnefs by bringing it into converfation, 

 when no other fiibjed is going forward. In the 

 courfe of his labours the farmer is obliged to be con- 

 formable to it ; the journies of the traveller is regu- 

 lated by it; to the failor it is matter of life and 

 death ; armies are greatly concerned in it ; and the 

 gardener, in his labours and produdions, is no lefs 

 afFeded by it than either. 



After all the knowledge which men can acquire, 

 they will (till remain under much uncertainty ; but 

 they may acquire fo much as may be the means of 

 avoiding much inconvenience. If the heat and cold 

 of the weather depended entirely on the courfe of 

 the year, and if the heat of climates were dependant 

 on their latitude, then the weather might be brought 

 to fome regular theory. However, as general rules, 

 in this part of the world, are fubjeded to many in- 

 terruptions, in this cafe we are at a lofs to-day to 

 know what fort of weather to-morrow may bringforth; 

 for the weather depends on caufes with which we 

 are but little acquainted. Therefore, inftead of having 

 principles and rules to direft us, as in other fciences, 

 we are obliged to betake ourfelves to the arts of pro- 

 gnoflication, and it is a work of time and great ob- 

 fervation to attain any (kill in it, though every per- 

 fon, arrived at the years of maturity, pretends to 

 fome degree of it. 



In general, the fpring and autumn are mild, the 

 fummer warm, and the winter cold ; but rains and 

 fhowers, winds and ftorms, mills ahd vapours, are 

 uncertain and occafional. The fouth and fouth-weft 



winds 



