X. 



WEATHER SIGNS. 



We are continually surrounded by perils arising from 

 the changes of the weather; and man has always 

 looked anxiously up to heaven, with the hope that 

 some kindly foreboding might be revealed to him from 

 on high, of the changes that may hajipcn. There are 

 cycles in the heavens as there are seasons on the earth, 

 and the former may be calculated with the same pre- 

 cision as the latter. All periodic changes belong to 

 these exact calculations ; but such as are nut periodical, 

 can never be certainly foreknow;!, and the aim of the 

 observer of the weather, is to guess at the principles by 

 which they are governed, and to learn as much of their 

 operation as may be calculated by attending to visible 

 phenomena. 



Nature gives intimations of all approaching changes ; 

 but these forewarnings ate so numerous and appertain to 

 so many elements, that it is difficult to ascertain them, 

 and to fit them together so as to convey any certain 

 knowledge to the mind. It is not that nature is varia- 

 ble in her laws, or in the signs she displays to indicate 

 the operation of those laws; but in the infinitude of 

 these combinations, we can seldom read her meaning 

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