North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-11-25
Weather Predictions for Dece mber.

Cold, cloudy and dull. and perhaps fog
gy near the beginning, followed by fair
weather and frost for few days. Milder
towards the middle of the month, then
cloudy and unsettled with showers of
snow or cold rain. The last week severe
frost, with snow at times. High winds or
downfall, more or less, near the Sd (per-
haps the Gth), 18th, 18th and 2sth.
Among the Meteorological phenomena
Of this month is the often appearance of
the Aurora Borealis cheering the gloom of
night, by throwing its most majestic and
magnificent shaded columns of light across
the vault of heaven; at other times
streaming blaze of various tinted splen-
dour Of the colours of the rainbo,c, shoot
ing from vast arch of light, shone as it
were over a dark space in the north.
During their appearance, the wind general
ly blows from the neighbourhood of the
western cardinal, and the nights IRE in
lined to frost, also snow or rain general
ly follows within "a hours of their occur
ence. They arc often accompanied with
degree of haziness, and frequently OBJ
scured by clouds when the sky was other
wise clear. In the cold regions of the polar
circle, where they are common, the cleo
trio matter is evolved during the conden-
sation of vapour into snow.
Apart from my usual subject. was
somewhat amused on reading in your issue
of the 18th instant, story whereia the
late eminent Astronomer and Meteorolc-
gist. DR.. John Partridge, is made the hero.
The tale is entirely fabulous, and Gerry
stale. heard it related more than SO
years ago. Is was manufactured to suit
the simon pures and simpletons of the
day, that good laugh might follow. The
learned Doctor was for many years the
Editor of an almanack, for
He had happy mack
OF cooking of an almanack.
There is another good story told of the
late great Mathematician and Astronomer,
Sir Isaac Newton, name presume most
Of your readers have heard of. Sir Isaac
resided in Lincolnshire England, and was
considered mighty aceother-scise man.
One beautiful morning early, he had oc-
casion to ride on horse back to neigl
boring town, when on the road lie
passed field where a shepherd WIS
attending flock Of sheep. lie hailed
Sir Isaac in the following manner: "Iow
came you to leave home without your
great coat" "Why So" said Sir Isaac.
"Why So" said the shepherd. "Why
you will be drenched with rain before you
get back" Sir Isaac laughed, and passed
on. In a few hours the rain indeed came,
and wet enough he got. On his way back,
he called to the shepherd, and asked him
how he came to know of the rain. II
will tell you" said he. "You see that
black sheep amongst the flock, we'll then,
when he leaves the other sheep, and goes
to that knoll and feeds there, rain falls
within six hours, which was the case early
this morning." So that you see the great
Sir Isaac Newton, with all his superior
knowledge, was outwitted by shepherd.
This tale like Partridges' is all a fudge,
invented to delight the ignorant and
funny.
Eleven months are gone Of this old year,
And cold December follows in the rear;
Farewell till next year, then come again,
Mean time your humble servant remain.
THos. S. SHAW.
Eastman, Nov. 2lst, 1868.