1838.] (IS ci Mavhie I ustvumsnt' 313 



been found by which these can be explained -it readily grasps at any 

 plausible explanation, and v,^hat at first it admitted only as a means of 

 removing dissatisfaction, becomes, when harboured as a frequent guest, 

 a strong and rooted prejudice, and if future experience tends to confirm 

 tlie idea, it cares not about farther investigation, because certainty would 

 again be succeeded by uncertainty, and the prejudice gradually passes 

 into firm conviction, capable of resisting for a long time any amount of 

 counter evidence. Such may have been the origin of the almost un|, 

 versal opinion in regard to the moon's influence on the w^eather — for, 

 the latter being so exceedingly variable, there is every probability, that 

 numberless coincidences with its changes, and those of the moon, may 

 be expected ; but how the same cause can produce such diametrically 

 opposite effects as she has the credit of doing, I confess seems to me 

 exceedingly puzzling ; it would be foreign to the subject of this paper 

 to enter on such a question in detail, the subject has been treated at con- 

 siderable length in the National Journal of Science, &c., by Sir David 

 Brewster, and I was pleased to find the views there taken were similar 

 to those expressed above, but supported by tabular data of long con- 

 tinued observations. My own remarks on the voyage fully confirmed 

 these sceptical views ; the prejudice is however by no means an useless 

 one, for it often comes, most opportunely, to offer its aid both to the 

 agriculturalist, and the seaman, for they look forward with hope to 

 the change of the moon, in bad weather, as the harbinger of better, in 

 good weather, as the means of its continuance ; at one time, it is ex- 

 pected to bring rain, at another, it is to drive it away; it ushers in the 

 fi-ost, and commences the thaw, and on the whole it has certainly most 

 multifarious and diversified duties imposed upon it; and, if it really per- 

 forms them, must be looked upon not only as one of our greatest 

 blessings— but as one of the most singular phenomena of creation, 

 puzzling alike to the simple and the sage. 



