16 Effects of Heat. 



spotless garment, the threads wavering and twisting 

 as they are carried along by the current, diminishing 

 till they fade and are lost in the ocean of blue. This 

 breaking of the clouds is commonl}- seen in weather 

 that promises to be fine. From the brow here, you 

 may note a solitary cloud just risen above the hori- 

 zon ; it floats slowly towards us ; presently it divides 

 into several parts ; these, again, fall awa}- in jagged, 

 irregular pieces lilve flecks of foam. B^'^ the time it 

 has reached the zenith these flecks have lengthened 

 out, and shortl}' afterwards the cloud has entirely 

 melted and is gone. The dehcate hue, the contrast 

 of the fleecy white with the deepest azure, the ever- 

 changing form, the light shining through the gauzy 

 texture, the gentle dreamy motion, lend these clouds 

 an exquisite beaut}'. 



After a while the faint breeze increases, but 

 changes in character ; it blows steadih'', and the 

 'sish, sish' of the bennets as it rushes through them 

 becomes incessant. A sense of oppression weighs on 

 the chest — in the midst of the wind, on the verge of 

 the hill, 3'ou sigh for a breath of air. This is not air : 

 it is simply heat in motion. It is hke the simoom of 

 the desert — producing a feeling of intense weariness. 

 Previousl}^ the distant ridges of the downs were 

 shaded by a dim haze hovering over them, toning the 

 rolling curves and softening the bolder bluffs. Now 

 they become distinct ; each line is di-awn clearly and 

 stands out ; the definition is like that which occurs 

 before rain, onl}' without the illusion of nearness. 



But the hot wind blows and the rain does not 

 come : the sky is open and free from clouds, less blue 

 perhaps, but harder in tint. The nights are bright 



