ISO BEST'S ART OF ANGLING. 



fourth day, it prognosticates a troubled air for 

 the whole month. 



If the moon, cither at her first appearance, or 

 within a few days after, has her lower horn ob- 

 scured or dusky, or any wise sullied, it denotes 

 foul weather before the full ; but if she be dis- 

 coloured in the middle, storms are to be ex- 

 pected about the full, or about the wane, if her 

 upper horn is affected in like manner. 



When the rnoon, on her fourth day, appears 

 fine and spotless, her horns unblunted, and nei- 

 ther flat nor quite erect, but betwixt both, it 

 promises fair weather for the greatest part of 

 the month. 



An erect moon is generally threatening and 

 tin favourable, but particularly denotes wind; 

 though if she appear with short and blunted 

 horns, rain is rather expected. 



Most of the foregoing rules are taken from 

 the following beautiful passage of Virgil: 



Observe the daily circle of the sun, 

 And the short year of each revolving moon : 

 By them thou shait foresee the following day ; 

 Nnrshalt a starry night thy hopes betray. 

 AVhen first the rnoon appears, if then she shrouds 

 Her silver crescent, tipp'd with sable clouds, 

 Conclude she bodes a tempest on the main, 

 And brews for fields impetuous floods of rain. 

 Or if her face with fiery flushings glow, 

 Expect the rattling winds aloft to blow. 

 But four nights old, (for that's the surest sign) 

 With sharpeiVd horns if glorious then she shine, 

 Next day, not only that but all the moon, 

 Till her revolving race be wholly run, 

 Are void of tempests both by sea and land. 



Above the rest, the sun, \vho never lies, 

 Foretels the change of weather in the skies ; 

 For if he rise unwilling to his race, 

 Clouds on his brow and spots upon his face ; 



