The Sun.
London, England, 1860-09-12 00:00:00

with gales from S.E., S., or S.W.; the greatest
elevations, with wind from N.W., N., or N.E., or
with calm.

"Though the barometer generally fat's with a
southerly and rises with a northerly win -1, the con-
trary sometimes occurs ; in which cases, the
southerly wind is usually dry with fine weather,
or the northerly wind is violent and accompanied
by rain, snow, or hail; perhaps with lightning.
" When the barometer sinks considerably, much
wind, rain (perhaps with hail), or snow will fol-
low ; with or without lightning. The wind will be
from the northward, if the thermometer is low (for
the season)—from the southward, if the thermome-
ter is high. Occasionally a low glass is followed or
attended by lightning only, while a storm is beyond
the horizon.

"A sudden fall of the barometer, with a westerly
wind, is sometimes followed by a violent storm
from N.W. or N. or N.E.
" If a gale sets in from E. or S.E., and the wind
veers by the S., the barometer will continue falling
until the wind is near a marked change, when a
lull may occur ; after which the gale will soon be
renewed, perhaps suddenly and violently, and the
veering of the wind towards the N.W., N., or N.E.
will be indicated by a rising of the barometer with
a fall of the thermometer.
" Three causes (at least)a appear to effect a baro-
meter :-
66 1. The direction of the wind—the north-east
wind tending to raise it most—the south-west to
lower it the most, and wind from points of the com-
pass between them proportionally as they are nearer
one or the other extreme point.
"N.E. and S.W. may therefore be called the
wind's extreme bearings (rather than poles).
" The range or difference of height shown, due to
change of direction only, from one of these bearings
to the other (supposing strength or force, and mois-
ture to remain the same), amounts in these latitudes
to about half an inch (as read off).
"2. The amount—taken by itself—of vapour,
moisture, wet, rain, or snow in the wind, or current
of air (direction and strength of wind remaining the
same), seems to cause a change amounting in an
extreme case to about half an inch.

" 3. The strength or force alone of wind, from
any quarter (moisture and direction being un-
changed), is preceded or foretold by a fall or rise,
according as the strength will be greater or less,
ranging in an extreme case to more than 2 inches.
" Hence, apposing three causes to act together
—in extreme cases—the height would vary from
near 31 in. (30.9) to about 27 in. (27.0), which has
happened, though rarely (and even in tropical lati-
tudes).

"In general, the three causes act • much less
strongly, and are less in accord ; so that ordinary
varieties of weather occur much more frequently
than extreme changes.
" Another general rule requires attention ; which
is, that the wind usually appears to veer, shift, or
go round with the sun (right-handed, or from left
to right),b and that when it does not do so, or backs,
more wind or bad weather may be expected instead
of improvement.
" It is not by any means intended to discourage
attention to what is usually called weather wis-
dom.' On the contrary, every prudent person will
combine observation of the elements with such in-
dications as he may obtain from instruments; and
will find that the more accurately the two sources
1 of foreknowledge are compared and combined, the
more satisfactory their results will prove.
" A barometer begins to rise considerably before
the conclusion of a gale, sometimes even at its com-
mencement. Although it falls lowest before high
winds, it frequently sinks very much before heavy
rain. The barometer falls, but not always, on the
approach of thunder and lightnings Before and
during the earlier part of settled weather it usually
stands high and is stationary, the air being dry.
" Instances of fine weather, with a low glass, oc-
cur, however rarely, but they are always preludes
to a duration of wind or rain, if not both.
" After very, warm and calm weather, a storm or
squall, with rain, may follow ; likewise at any time
when the atmosphere is heated much above the
usual temperature of the season.
Allowances should invariably be made for the
previous state of the glasses during some days, as
well as some hours, because their indications may
be affected by distant causes, or by changes close at
hand. Some of these changes may occur at a greater
or less distance, influencing neighbouring regions,
but not visible to each observer whose barometer
feels their effect.

" There may be heavy rains or violent winds be-
yond the horizon, and the view of an observer, by
which his instruments may be affected considerably,
though no particular change of weather occurs in
his immediate locality.
"It may be repeated that the longer a change of
wind or weather is foretold before it takes place,
the longer the presaged weather will last, and con-
versely,the shorter the warning the less time, what-
ever causes the warning, whether wind or a fall of
rain or snow, will continue.
" Sometimes severe weather from the southward,
not lasting long, may cause no great fall, because
followed by a duration of wind from the northward,
and at times the barometer may fall with northerly
winds and fine weather, apparently against these
rules, because a continuance of southerly wind is
about to follow. By such changes as these one may
be misled, and calamity may be the consequence, if
not duly forwarned.
"A few of the mere marked signs of weather,
useful alike to seaman, farmer, and gardener, are
the following :
" Wether clear or cloudy, a rosy sky at sunset
presages fine weather; a rei sky in the morning
bad weather or much wind, perhaps rain ; a gray
sky in the morning, fine weather; a high dawn,
wind ; a low dawn, fair weather.d
" Soft-looking or delicate clouds foretell fine wea-
ther, with moderate or light breezes ; hard edged,
oily-looking clouds, wind. A dark, gloomy, blue
sky is windy, but a light, bright blue sky indicates
fine weather. Generally the softer clouds look the
less wind (but perhaps more rain) may be expected;
and the harder, more greasy,' rolled, tufted, or
ragged, the stronger the coming wind will prove.
Also, a bright yellow sky at sunset presages wind ;
a pale yellow, wet ; and thus by the prevalence of
red, yellow, or gray tints, the coming weather may
foretold very nearly; indeed, if aided by instru-
ments, almost exactly.
" Small inky looking clouds foretell rain ; light
scud clouds driving across heavy masses show wind
and rain, but if alone may indicate wind only.
" High upper clouds crossing the sun, moon, or
stars in a direction different from that of the lower
'clouds, or the wind then felt below, foretell a
change of wind
" After fine clear weather, the first signs in the
sky of a coming change ure usually light streaks,
curls, wisps, or mottled patches of white distant
cloud; which increase, and are followed by an over-
casting of murky vapour that grows into cloudiness.
This appearance, more or less oily, or watery, as
wind or rain will prevail, is an infallible sign.
" Usually the higher and more distant such clouds
seem to be—the more gradual, but general, the com-
ing change of weather will prove.
" Light, delicate, quiet tints or colours, with soft,
undefined forms of clouds, indicate and accompany
fine weather, but gaudy or unusual hues, with hard,
definitely outlined clouds foretell rain, and probably
strong wind.
" Miss clouds forming, or hanging on heights,
show wind and rain coming—if they remain, in-
crease or descend. If they rise or disperse the
weather will improve or become fine.
" When sea birds fly out early, and far to seaward,
moderate wind and fair weather may be expected ;
when they hang about the land, or over it, some-
times flying inland, expect a strong wind with
stormy weather. As many creatures besides birds
are affected by the approach of rain or wind, such
indications should not be slighted by an observer
who wishes to foresee weatl.er.

" There are other signs of a coming change in the
weather known less generally than maybe desirable,
and therefore worth notice ; such as when birds of
long flight, rooks, swallows, or others, hang about
home, and fly up and down or low—rain or wind
may be expected. Also when animals seek sheltered
places, instead of spreading over their usual range;
when pigs carry straw to their sties ; when smoke
from chimneys does not ascend readily (or straight
upwards during calm),
probable. an unfavourable change is

" Dew is an indication of fine weather ; so is fog.
Neither of these two formations occurs under an
overcast sky, or when there is much wind. One
sees fog occasionally rolled away, as it were, by
wind—but seldom or never formed while it is
blowing.
" Remarkable clearness of atmosphere near the
horizon, distant objects, such as hills, unusually
visible,or raised (by refraction),fand what is called
' a good hearing day,' may be mentioned among the
signs of wet, if not wind, to be expected. i
" More than usual twinkling of the stars, indis-
tinctness or apparent multiplication of the moon's