Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-05-28
WHOLE NO. 1921.

I DluNS OF THE W hEATHEHs-DT Humphrey
Davy, in his ''Salmonia," explains severa
weather proverbs, signs, and superstitions.-
Thus, when the clouds are purple-tinted red in
the west, it portends fine weather, because the
air, when dry, refracts more red or heat max
ing rays and as dry air is not perfectly trans
parent, they are again reflected in the horizon.
\ coppery or yellow sunset generally foretells
rain but, as an indication Of wet weather ap-
preaching, nothing is more certain than halo
round the moon, which is produced by the
precipitatcd water; and the larger the circle
the nearer the clouds, and consequently the
more ready to fall. The old proverb
s. A rainbow in the morning is the shepherd S
warning,
A raiHbow at night sthe shepherds delight"
is often correct, because rainbow commonly
occurs when the clouds containing or depos-
iting the rain are opposite to the sun; now, in
the evening the rainbow is in the east, and in
the morning in the west and as our heavy
rains in this climate are usually brought by
the westerly wind, a rainbow in the west lndi'
Gates that the bad weather is on the road, by
the wind, TO us; whereas the rainbow in the
east proves that the rain in these clouds ispas
sing from us. When swallows fly high, hne
weather is to be expected or continuedi but
! when they fly low, or close to the ground, rain
is almost surely approaching for swallows
follow the flies and gnats, which delight in
strata of warmar. Now as warm air is lighter, and
!
| strata of air arc high there is less chance OF
moisture being thrown down from them by their
mixture with cold air; but when the warm and
moist air is close to the surface it is almost cer-
tain that as the cold air flows down into it, a de-
position of water will take place. When sea-
gulls assemble on the land, very stormy and
rainy weather is approaching. The cause of
this migration to the land is the security of
these birds finding food and they may be OBJ
served at this time feeding greedily on the
earth-worms and larva driven out of the ground
by severe Hoods while the fish on which they
| prey in fine weather in the sea leave the sur
face and go deeper in storms. The search after
4 food is the principal cause why animals change
their places. Thodiderent tribes of the wading
birds always migrate when rain is abontto take
place. The vulture, upon the same principle,
| follows armies; and the augnry of the ancients
! was doubtless a good deal founded upon the
observation of the instincts Of birds. There
are many supersttions of the vulgar owing to
the same source, For anglers, in spring, it is
always unlucky to see single mag-pies but to
may be always regarded as favorable omen.
The reason is, that in cold and stormy weather
one magpie alone leaves the nest in search OF
food, the other remaining sitting upon the
eggs or the young ones ; but two go out to-
| gethor only when the weather is warm and
mild, and favorable for fishing. The singular
connections of causes and effects make super
|
among the vulgar ; and when two facts natur-
ally unconnectcd have been accidentally coin
cident, it is not singular that his coindence
Shond have been observed and registered, and
that omens of the most absurd kind should be
trusted in. In the west Of England, about a
century ago, particular hollow noise on the
seacoast was referred to as spirit or goblin,
called Bucca and was supposed to toretell a
shipwreck. Now the philosopher knows that
sound travels much faster than currents in the
air and the sound always foretold tho ap-
pruach of very heavy storm, which seldom
, takes place on that wild and rocky coast with
ont a shipwreck on some part OF the extensive
shore surrounded by the Atlantic In the Is
book of Kings, CHI xviii, is described clon'
(which forctold wind as well as rain: &c Behol'
tI,.,ra aIoastl, Ittia s,Isssd fosa tiesea Of ~
" bigness OF mans hand. And il came 20 pass
in the meantime, that tho heaven was BLACK
|, with clOuds and wind, and there was great
rain" Sir John Chardin Informs us that, in
his time, great storms were wont to begin with
such kind of cloud, and that it was the sign
of them at sea in the Eastern countries. Ara
go has left us this important dictum: What
ever may be the progress of the sciences, new
er will observers who are trust worthy and
careful OF their reputation, venture to foretell
the state Of the weather."
YoUNG LADY fS 4 SCRAPE.-HooPs AND IIIGH
HEELS IN CHURcH.-The Richmond Wing says;
/
of our acquaintance attended the morning SER
vice in one of our fashionable churches. He
was kindly shown into luxuriously cushioned
pew, and had hardly settled himself, and taken
an observation of his neighbors, before bcau-
tiful young lady entered, and with graceful
wave of the hand preventing our friend from
rising to give her place, quietly sunk into n
seat near the end. When hymn was given
out she skilfully found the page, and with a
sweet smile that sot h heart humping, hand
ed her neigheor the book. The minister raised
his hands in prayer, and the fair girl lSnelt, and
this posture porpexed her friend 10 know
which most to admire her beauty or her de-
voutness. Presently the prayer was concluded,
and the congregation resumed their seats. Our
friend respectfully raised his eyes from the fair
form he had been so earnestly scanning, lest
when she looked up, she could detect him sta
ring at her. After 4 couple Of seconds he
darted fugitive glance at his charmer and was
astonished to see her still on her knees; he
looked coselo and saw that she was much ai-
tectsd, trembling in violent agitation, no doubt
from the eloquent power of the preacher
Deeply sympathizing he watched her closely.
Her emotion beclpe more violent; reaching
her hand behind her, she would cOnvulsively
grasp her clothing, and strain, as 1t We're, to
rtnd the brilliant fabric of her dress. The sight
was exceedingly painful to behold, but he still
gazcd, like one untranced, with wonder and as
constituent. After minute, the lady raised
her face, heretofore concealed in tho cushion,
and with her hand made an unmstab.e beckon
, to her frienl. He quickly moved along the pew
towards her, and Inclined his ear as she eyi'
/ dently wished to say something.
y "Pleasc help me sir, she whispered, ''m!
i dress has caught, and can't get up" A brie
: examination revealed tho difficulty the TAI
i girl wore fashionable high-heeled shoes kneel
n ing upon both knees, these heels stuck out a
a right angles and IN this position the highes
# hoop Of the new tangled skirt caught over item
!. and thus rendered it impossible tor her to rails
: herself or straighten her limbs. The more sl
o struggled the tighter she was bound so sh
i was constrained to call for help. This was in
: madiately, if not scientifically rendered an
Q when the next prayer was made, she merel
: inclined herself upon the back of the front po'
c thinking, no doubt that she was not in praa
ing costume.
T THE HtNpsoME SoUL.-ope day last wintc
: a little boy from the South, who was on Wis
to the city, was taking his first lesson in the al
OF 'ssliding down hli,' when lie suddenl
found his feet in rather too close contact wit
a lldy's rich silk dress. Surprised, mortified
and confused, he sprang from his sled aud cal
in hand; commenced an earnest apology.
81 beg your pardon, ma'am | am very sor
,, ry."
; "Never mind, exclaimed the lady, 'sther
. is no great harm done, and you feel wors
! about it than l do.''
: 'sBut, dear madam" said the boy, us his eye
, filed with tears, s'your dress is ruined.
4 thought that you would be very ang.y with m
= ! for being so careless.'
3 ''Oh, nc" replied the lady, "better have
n soiled dress than a rufled temper"
. 'sOh, isn't she beauty 2' exclaimed the Ia,
# as the lady passed on.
/ ''Who : that lady ~ returned his conrad
ggif unt oufxy NJ