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CHAPTER V. 



" After long storms and tempests overblowne, 

 The sunne at length his joyous face doth clear e; 

 So when as Fortune all her spight hath showne, 

 Some blissful hours at last must needs appeare ; 

 Else should afflicted wights oftiines despeire." 



SPENSEK. 



SUCH a day as yesterday was not to be forgotten, 

 even in the matter of weather alone, and the more so 

 because the four succeeding ones have been especially 

 distiii guished for the opposite extreme ; storm, rain, 

 and cold prevailing to such an unwonted degree as to 

 cause even the inhabitants of these islands to exclaim. 

 There is an advertisement in one of the papers this 

 week (I need not say which) from a celebrated luminary, 

 which is so neatly worded and pointed that I cannot 

 pass it over : 



" Clerk of the Weather Office. 

 " Notice is hereby given, that in consequence of the 

 zodiac being taken up for repairs, there will be no 

 summer or autumn this year. All contracts made on 

 the understanding that the seasons would go on as 

 usual, hiring of country houses and of moors, arrange- 

 ments for tours, promises to marry, and the like, are 



