OF SELBOENE. 297 



LETTER LX. 



TO THE HONOURABLE DAINES BARRINGTON. 



reading Dr. Huxham's " Observationes de 

 Acre," &c. written at Plymouth, I find by 

 those curious and accurate remarks, which con- 

 tain an account of the weather from the year 

 1727 to the year 1748 inclusive, that though 

 there is frequent rain in that district of Devonshire, yet the 

 quantity falling is not great : and that some years it has 

 been very small; for in 1731 the rain measured only 17*266 

 inches; and in 1741, 20'354 ; and again in 1743, only 

 20*908. Places near the sea have frequent scuds, that keep 

 the atmosphere moist, yet do not reach far up into . the 

 country ; making thus the maritime situations appear wet, 

 when the rain is not considerable. In the wettest years at 

 Plymouth the doctor measured only once 36 ; and again 

 once, viz. 1734, 37'114: a quantity of rain that has twice 

 been exceeded at Selborne in the short period of my obser- 

 vations. Dr. Huxham remarks, that frequent small rains 

 keep the air moist; while heavy ones render it more dry, 

 by beating down the vapours. He is also of opinion that 

 the dingy, smoky appearance in the sky, in very dry seasons, 

 arises from the want of moisture sufficient to let the light 

 through, and render the atmosphere transparent; because 

 he had observed several bodies more diaphanous when wet 

 than dry ; and did never recollect that the air had that look 

 in rainy seasons. 



My friend, who lives just beyond the top of the down, 

 brought his three swivel guns to try them in my outlet, with 

 their muzzles towards the Hanger, supposing that the report 

 would have had a great effect ; but the experiment did not 

 answer his expectation. He then removed them to the 

 Alcove on the Hanger; when the sound, rushing along the 

 Lythe and Comb Wood, was very grand ; but it was at the 

 Hermitage that the echoes and repercussions delighted the 



