mr. a. w. Preston’s meteorological notes. 595 
East of England during the present century ; but while admitting 
that such seasons are “ few and far between,” there are instances 
upon record of a very similar character. The late Orlando 
Whistlecraft (who died in February, 1893) in his register of the 
weather extending from 1827 to 1892, reports the weather of 
April, 1840, in the following terms, which might almost be taken 
is referring to the same month in 1893 : — 
“April, 1840. — The unusual heat of the latter part of this 
month will long bo remembered, for we find no other instance 
cn record of so great heat at this early period of the year. The 
continuance of violent drought also throughout the month is 
a striking feature of this period. The constant brightness and 
cearness of every day after the 11th, combined with a very high 
temperature, brought on all verdure in haste, causing the landscape 
ai once to Hash into summer beauty, and constituting the earliest 
spring for eighteen years past. Most trees were in full leaf about 
tie 23rd day, and the Oak, Ash, and Elm, were unfolding their 
fdiage by the 30th ; the Hawthorn showing its (lowers on the 
29th and 30th. The effects of the drought are now becoming 
great in many parts of the country. Temperature : — maximum 
(2 Gth) 80 degrees, minimum (10th) 27 degrees, mean 51.8 ; 
jainfall .08 inches.” 
Again, in April, 1844, the same writer says : — “ This month was 
most splendid and magnificent for fineness, brightness, and warmth, 
beyond any recorded. It was the earliest season upon record, and 
the continued blue skies and splendid sunshine will be long 
remembered. The month was perfect summer throughout. Every 
tree in leaf bv the end, and the Hawthorn opening. Temperature : — 
maximum (2Gth) 78 degrees, minimum (8th) 33 degrees, mean 
54.09 degrees; rainfall .30 inches.” 
April, 1865, was very similar, the mean temperature being 52.4 
degrees, and the rainfall, 0.53 inch. 
Much has been said about the flowering of the Hawthorn in 
April, 1893. This phenomenon is no doubt unusual, but not 
unprecedented, it being recorded in April in 1822, 1840, 1854, 
1874, and 1882; in the last named year it was observed in full 
flower on April 28th by the writer. In many years, however, 
it is very much later. In 1837, June 5th is the earliest date 
recorded, and in 1855 and 1887, May 2Gth. Not only was the 
