The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-26
THE VALUE OF THE BAROMETER.

Torricelli invented, and Pascal perfected
this instrument, and it is Of great use, not
only in (oreiellng the changes Of the weather
and thus saving the lives of ayigators, and
preventing the loss Of millions OF property
on the ocean, but also in enabling us read
lily to ascertain the height ofmountains, or
OF any other situation to which il can be
taken.
In Illustration Of the use first mentioned,
] ON going 10 tell YOU an anectote which
have read Of Lord Colingood, who sue
ceeded Lord Nelson in the command Of
the British feet, after Nelson's death at the
battle Of Trafalgar, in 1903. DR.. Gray, a
surgeon in Lord Collingwood's ship, was
very fond Of observing the weather, and
kept regular register Of it. But his Lord
ship had little or no faith in the barometer,
and used 10 laug h at the Doctor for his cred
aliiy. The fleet, at one time, was cruising
of Sicily, near Syracuse, little before sua-
set; the weather was very fine, and the sky
gave no indications Of change. DR.. Gray,
on going TO consult his glass, and enter his
observations as usual, was surprised to find
that the mercury had fallen nearly an inch.
This alarmed him, aud he mentioned the fact
10 Lord Colingwood, who was greatly
amused by his anxiety, The Doctor how
ever urged that the fall was unusually great
and he had no doubt before midnight they
would have 10 encounter gale which though
il might not be Of long duration. would be
extremely heavy. He added, il in this cas-
The glass deceived him, lie would admit thai
II was a false prophet. "Well,'' said his
Lordship, smiling, "we will put you on
your trial, and you shall have The manage
ment Of the fleet for once A signal was
accordingly made TO prepare for bad weather.
One Of the captains told DR.. Gray. next day,
they were quite at loss what 10 make Of
such an order, as the afternoon was so fine,
and the sky looked 50 settled. However,
before midnight, they all acknowledged the
wise foresight OF the order, for it blew
hurrican for several hours, which must,
had they not been prepared for it. have done
Them great damage.
Another occasion offered, some time after,
to scatter his Lordship's doubts. They had
gone ashore, and in the morning it blew
gale, which alarmed them greatly for the
safety of little vessel in which was the
son OF one Of their agents. For some rea
son, il had been taken in tow by one OF the
ships, and was in danger OF being drawn I'M
der water The poor father stood, there
fore, on the shore, almost distracted. DR..
Gray, however finding that the mercury
in his barometer had risen considerably and
very quickly, comlored him, by telling
him that he had very little doubt, but that,
high as the sea was then, in an hour or two he
might go on board his sons vessel in a boat;
and he actually did so.
Thus we see that this instrument, as a
prophet Of the weather, is OF great conse-
quence TO the sailor, and carries the records
Of life and deaIh in its prognosiics. Life
may be secured to him by the knowledge
which il gives; for even au hours warning
Of the approach Of storm, gives him time
20 lower his sails, and render as secure as
possible, the few lrail planks, which alone
separate him from eternity.
his is certainly the highest use Of the
barometer, but its other uses are by no
means un1mponant The mercury falls
Whep IL rs carried from any lower to any
hisher spot, aud ,he degree Of falling tells
exacuy nov much air has been left below.
Thus, II thirty inches high on the barometer
mark the whole pressure al The surface of
the ocean, aud II The instrument be found. |
when carried to another place, 10 stand Al
only twenth inches, it proves tha, nne.b;,d
Of the atmosphere exists below The level If
she new situation - The Lotus,
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IT,. The Baltimore Patriot is respectfully
informed that their paper does not como N .