282 On the Revolution of the Seasons. [Mat, 



1826,"| 



1 827 



i«9s' Threat drought in N. S. Wales; Lieut. Brereton's Travels. 



1829 J 



1832. Public prayer by the Emperor of China for rain on account 

 of extraordinary drought. Minimum of rain by Calcutta Register. 



1833. Great drought through all the Upper Provinces, extending 

 from Bundelkhand to Kashmir. 



Let us next turn to Mr. Kyd's Register of the Height of the Hugh, 

 (see Journal, April, 1835 ;) and as that has been objected to as evidence, 

 I must be allowed to say a word in its defence. It is true that the 

 level of the Hugh at Calcutta is affected by the tides in the Bay ; 

 but according to Mr. Kyd's account, such an occurrence is very rare, 

 an inundation from the sea not happening more than once in a century. 

 Remembering then that the ninth year before 1829 or 1820, was that 

 of the moon's maximum declination, we find that the three or four 

 years immediately before or after that were higher, on the average, 

 than those farther off. Again, if we take 1811, the ninth year before 

 1820, and 18 years before 1829, we find that in the years nearest 

 to it the river was lower than in those farther off. If we take 

 the joint evidence of the height of the river, and the Calcutta register, 

 we may assume that 1813 was the minimum year of rain ; the 10th 

 year after that or 1 823, was the maximum year of rain : and in the 

 ninth year again after that, or in 1832, came a minimum again; a 

 period of 1 9 years, or a complete lunar cycle, having intervened between 

 one minimum and its succeeding one. 



With a view of ascertaining whether such a variation held in other 

 localities, I obtained from the collector's office here, a memorandum 

 of the character of the seasons as to rain for 21 years back. It was 

 dictated from memory by an old native officer of the establishment, 

 who would of course have the records of the office to refer to ; and 

 these in a climate where the crops depend so much upon the quantity 

 of rain, would of themselves be a tolerable guide. 



It begins thus : 1812, great drought; 1813, moderate; 1814 to- 

 1823, (both inclusive, a period of 10 years,) four years very abundant, 

 four years, abundant, two years moderate. From 1824 to 1833, (both 

 inclusive, a period of 10 years,) one year very abundant, two years 

 abundant, three years moderate, three years, drought ; one year, 

 1833, great drought. The seasons of great drought are here placed 

 21 years apart, instead of 19, as in the former case. Evidence of this 

 kind, like that from the height of the river, though not free from 

 objection, can hardly be deemed unworthy of credit, when it is corro- 

 borated from other sources. There is one advantage, however, which 



