The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-05 00:00:00

METEOROLOGY.

A pamphlet of 16 pages octavo has been published
recently by Hall and Co., of 25, Paternoster-row,
which merits •the attention of meteorologists,
although they may not concur with the senti-
ments of the author, who it appears, in March last,
read a paper upon this subject in the hall of the
Society of Arts in London. The pamphlet is
addressed officially to the President of the Scottish
Meteorological Society, with the title of " Admiral
Fitzroy, his Facts and Failures." By Chr. Cooke,
author of " A Journey due East," &c.

The author having quoted the opinions of se-
veral naval officers upon the subject, and of
northern meteorologists, respecting the real utility
of the storm-signal system, carried on by the late
Admiral Fitzroy, and having quoted the opinion
of Mr. G. Symons, respecting the us 3 which might
be made of the barometer in the foreknowledge of
mine explosions, describes various weather theories,
apparently desiring to do justice to the various
theorists—Kirwan, Saxby, Pu Boillay, Plant, &C.,
who have written upon this subject.
The author then proceeds to describe the theory
of astro-meteorology, based upon the idea that
planetary light, including solar and lunar light, acts
upon the earth's atmosphere according to certain
angles, formed by the planets amongst themselves,
and with respect to the earth. Hence he expects
that the 21st of October next will be fine and mild,
owing to Jupiter's gaseous influence. This theory
will be deemed questionable, doubtless, but it merits
more examination and fair play than hitherto it has
received.

The author shows, from numerous testimonials
and statistics, that the late Admiral Fitzroy had
predicted truly in many cases, according to the
report of the Board of Trade Committee, which was
published in 1866, and wherein it was recommended
that the system of signalling should for the present
be discontinued.

Meanwhile the author recommends that at the
chief coast-guard stations signals should be dis-
played, pointing out the rise and fall of the
barometer, BO that fishermen and sailors may have
some warning beforehand—namely, coloured flags
by day and coloured lights by night. Something
of this kind has been demanded by numerous
petitions and testimonials, recently presented by
Colonel Sykes, M.P., and other members of Par-
liament ; and it seems to deserve official notice, for
although the plan might not be successful in all
cases, the probability is that it would succeed fre-
quently, and tend to lessen the fearful sacrifice of
human lives which now prevails annually on and
near the British coasts.

Every movement which tends to decrease the wreck
list is worthy of notice and support. It would ap-
pear from this pamphlet that the Fitzroy system,
although far from perfect, was more successful than
is generally supposed, and that the good seed already
sown may yet produce good fruit when more ma-
tured by time and experience. For the above-men-
tioned reason, " Admiral Fitzroy, his Facts and
Failures," may be recommended for public perusal,
and even for the perusal of professed meteorologists,
although they may not feel disposed to believe in
the author's theories, or in the theories of the Astro-
meteorological Society, for which, it seems, he was
solicitor during its existence.

HORRINGER FAlR.—This important Suffolk fair
was held on Tuesday. Business was not very active, but
a lot of half-bred Leicester lambs sold at 30s. each, and
some useful ewes at 455. each. The Marquis of Bristol
was, as usual, an exhibitor, and his entry comprised some
excellent half-bred lambs. Some of Mr. Aylmer's well-
known long-woolled rams found purchasers at from £6 to
£9 each. Some ram lambs bred by Mr. G. Kent, of Gaze-
ley, realised 345. to 555. each ; some shearing rams by the
same breeder made 50s. to 90s. each, and ten ewes 13s. 6d.
each.