Prognostics of the Weather. 165 



January and February are likely to be frosty and cold, ex- 

 cept after a very dry summer. 



22nd Rule. If there is frost and snow in October and 

 November, then January and February are likely to be 

 open and mild. 



Mr. Claridge gives us the following observations, made 

 by our forefathers : 



*' Janiveer freeze the pot by the fire. 



If the grass grow in Janiveer, 



It grows the worse for't all the year. 



The Welchman had rather see his dam on the bier. 

 Than see a fair Februeer. 



March wind and May sun 



Makes clothes white and maids dun. 



When April blows his horn, 

 'Tis good both for hay and corn. 



An April flood 



Carries away the frog and her brood. 



A cold May and windy 

 Makes a full barn and a findy. 



A May flood never did good. 



A swarm of bees in May 

 Is worth a load of hay ; 

 But a swarm in July 

 Is not worth a fly." 



The following Rules are laid down by Lord Bacon. 



" IF the wainscot, or walls, that used to sweat, be drier than 

 usual in the beginning of winter, or the eaves of houses drop 

 more slowly than ordinary, it portends a hard and frosty 

 winter ; for it shows an inclination in the air to dry weather, 

 which in winter is always joined with frost. 



" Generally, a moist and cold summer portends a hard 

 winter. 



" A hot and dry summer, and autumn especially, if the 

 heat and drought extend far into September, portend an 

 open beginning of winter, and cold to succeed towards the 

 latter part, and beginning of spring. 



