( V ) 
The weather in September during the first half of the month was 
cold, and the readings of the barometer were below their averages, 
the remainder of the month was moderately fine ; there were fre- 
quent showers of rain ; the temperature of the dewpoint was above 
its average, whilst the temperature of the air was below its average, 
so that the air was more humid than usual and nothing would dry, 
greatlj' impeding harvest operations. 
The mean temperature of the quarter was 60^'0, being 0°"3 above 
the average of 110 years. 
The rainfall measured at Greenwich during the quarter was 8*19 
inches, which was three-quarters of an inch below the average 
amount in the corresponding periods of 66 years. The recorded 
amount showed a considerable excess in August, whereas it was 
below the average both in July and September. Rain was 
measured on 12 days in July, 17 in August, and 15 in September ; 
in all, on 44 of the 92 days in the quarter. At 41 stations of 
observation the recorded rainfall of the quarter ranged from 6-19 
inches at Gloucester, to 14-85 inches at Lancaster, and 16-32 inches 
at Bolton. 
The number of hours of bright sunshine recorded during the 
quarter at the Eoyal Observatory, Greenwich, was 420-4, against 
410'6, the average amount of bright sunshine in the corresponding 
quarters of the four years 1877-80. 
Fourth Quarter (October, November, December). — The mean reading 
of the barometer during the quarter was 29-81 inches, and was 
slightly above the average for the corresponding period in 40 years ; 
the mean showed an excess in each month of the quarter, the 
largest excess occurring in October. 
The weather in October was cold, and at times painfully so, 
with winds for the most part from S.E., E., and N.E. The month 
proved to be the coldest October about London for 64 years, 
although the October of the year 1842 was nearly as cold. On the 
13th the barometer reading decreased rapidly, and the wind blew 
heavily from the north-west, increasing in strength during the 
night, to a very violent gale on the morning of the 14th. On this 
day gi-eat damage was done. About London, slates, tiles, and build- 
ings in course of construction were blown down in great numbers. 
Large trees were uprooted, and during the morning locomotion 
was difficult and dangerous. The gale extended all over the 
country, many thousands of large trees being blown down ; there 
was loss of life at many places, and great damage to property 
everywhere both on land and sea. The month was almost free 
from thunderstorms, and but little lightning was seen; snow ftll 
