416 Mr. Slee on the Helm Wind of Cross Fell. 
tion. It does not appear to have any dependence on the presence 
of the sun ; for it happens during the night as well as during the 
day. 
The circumstance of the Helm only oceurring when the wind is 
easterly, has led me sometimes to conjecture that an accumulation 
of air takes place on the eastern side of the mountain, which after 
a time overcomes the weight of the superincumbent atmosphere, and 
forces itself over the summit, and down the opposite side. 
But if such were the case, why is not the cloud dissipated by 
the elastic force of the accumulated mass? Besides it is not easy 
to see how so gradual a slope, as is the eastern side of the range, 
can act as a barrier to the moving fluid; at least how so large a 
mass of air can be collected as would be necessary to account for . 
the Helm. 
I believe similar phenomena have been observed in other parts 
of the world ; but as I never met with any book containing a de- 
scription of them, I am ignorant both as to the analogy which may 
exist between them and the one to which this paper relates, and 
the theory or theories which have been advanced for their expla- 
nation. 
ART. IV. On the growing power of Russia, and her late Acqui- 
sitions, especially those in Asia. By JAMES BELL, Esq.—(Con- 
cluded from p. 340. ) 
THE religious prejudices are all in favour of Russia, and with 
such a preponderance on her side, the probability is, that the whole 
will become a part of the Russian empire. Once in possession of 
Constantinople, the Greek republic will be a mere phantom com- 
pared to the Russian colossus, and will naturally merge into that 
power whose creed and religious opinions are similar to her own. 
Constantinople is too important a city to be the capital of a 
merely secondary power ; and were it in the hands of a naval 
independent empire, able to assert and support its indepen- 
dence, it might, when it pleased, shut the Bosphorus and the 
Hellespont, and cut off all communication between the Mediter- 
ranean and the interior seas of the Euxine, and the Sea of Azoff, 
and thus stop the Russian commerce. This would not serve the 
Russian purpose at all ; and it would be better for her to allow the 
sultan to resign as her humble vassal at Constantinople, and keep 
the keys of the Bosphorus and the Hellespont in her own hand, 
than allow a European naval power to possess Constantinople.. The 
fact is she will take it herself. It is teo precious a station to be in 
any other hands than her own, and by means of it she will become 
the most formidable maritime power Europe ever beheld. The 
Russian cabinet is perfectly aware of this, and has been long en- 
deavouring to be as powerful at sea as on land, and the possession 
