WEEBE — THE WEATHEE. - 429 
channel for a week past, under the power of a heavy north- 
easter. And so, like the varied hues of the chamelion., 
what is called “ The Weather” is regarded under very in- 
consistent and almost repugnant conditions ; . according to 
the point of view that may be taken by the observer. 
But they who make this branch of Natural Science a 
leading subject of. their studies, apply a very extensive 
meaning to the term “ The Weather.” Meteorologists, in 
the most comprehensive acceptation , of the term, direct 
their attention to all the phenomena presented by the 
changes in the state of the atmosphere : — to the direction and 
force of the wind — to the temperature of the passing hour 
— to the moisture or dryness of the air — to the effects due 
to electricity— and generally to the observation of all such 
phenomena as, it is hoped, may in due time lead to a sysr 
•tamatic knowledge of the causes that produce what we 
term “ the weather.” Meteorological observations, we know, 
have been established for several years past in various 
parts of the world, and competent observers have been em- 
ployed to note and record the various circumstances that 
may occur in relation to meteorology. And yet but little 
progress has been made in deducing anything like settled 
principles by which we may infer the future condition of 
the “ weather.” Nor need we be surprised at this. Let 
us consider, for instance, how many laborious years were 
passed in midnight observations ; and what a host of in- 
numerable calculations had to be performed by men of the 
highest intellects tho world had as yet known, before the 
! planetary system was firmly established as a scientific fact* 
It may safely be asserted that nine persons at least out 
of every ten that we aro acquainted with, deduce their 
expectations of coming weather from certain conditions of 
the moon j and although their expectations aro almost al- 
