National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-09-22
Weather Science and Prediction.


Weather Science and Prediction.
Is II not high time for the scientific and
business world to rally to the defense, sup
port, and practical use OF what has for
long time proved itself TO be, by the severest
crucial tests Of actual, long advanced, and
often remarkably correct predictions, sci.
ence Of the weather. For years long gone
by, uneducated, yet very practical men, with
good and often superior faculties OF obser-
walton and reasoning, have detected much
logical sequence and occasional periodic
uniformity in the current phenomena of the
weather. These were usually farmers or
sailors, whose out.of-door business brought
them into close contact and constant famil-
iarity with the ever.varying aspects and
characteristics Of weather phenomena. 1t
is very natural that uncducated men, by no
means familiar with the hidden principles
Of physical science which control all the
operations of the physical world and un
Lerlie all the changes that manifest them
selves in the weather, should become over
enthusiastic, self.deceived, and unduly in-
fatuatcd by very superficial acquire
ments In the recondlte realm of
weather philosophy. Yet, even in
their case, their fellow-meu should
readily make large allowance for their
unavoidable lack OF educational advan-
tages aud accord to them, cheerfully, ful
credit for their careful habits OF observl.
ton and studious devotion to very in.
portant and generally neglected matter, al
though one that is universally acknowl.
edged to be Of great ilnarcial value to
mankind. The very fair degree Of occa-
sional success; indeed the now and then
evident skill and the often surprising hits,
alike of farmers aud sailors and careful
amateur observers, for n few days In ad
vance, proves conclusively that the weather,
like every other possible matter affecting
human interests and welfare, is itself the
result OF logical sequence, the chained aud
bonded subject OF that vast, sublime, in
exorable, and infinitely benevolent system
of law that so wonderfully links all begin
nings with their ends, and binds in won.
drous uniformity and stability the myriad
departments Of one stupendous realm,
which seems to throb, from center to center,
with a living and glowing Intelligence that
at once pervades and dominates the whole,
and antedates and legitimates every change.
The natural overjoy Of uneducated men at
their little success in the discovery Of some
of the facts OF knowledge and truths Of
science too often renders them the unofTeud-
ing and innocent objects Of some form OF
malevolence on the part Of their fellow
men, especially II their natural
self.congratulaton engenders in them
a touch of conceit. Aud, even In its
entire absence, it is too apt to be imputed
10 them by the envy or jealousy of the un.
rcstful and censorlous, in whom a little
generous emulation would be more com
mendable and credtable. 1t is natural
enough that men whose misfortune, not
fault, 1t is not to have enjoyed the un-
speakable boon Of early or even later edu-
cation should over-estimate their actual
requirements and become stigmatized by
the enylous with some usmerited sOubrl.
quet. This Is the inevitable consequence
OF the far too limited educational advan-
tages as yet provided for the masses OF man
kind, and the very unjust system and ar
rangements for the distribution and CON
tented enjoyment of the vast and boundless
wealth with which our ieweled planet Is
lined, impregnated, and laden within and
without. "All that have is thine" said the
father to the elder and professelly faithful
son. sit is meet to make merry over the los
and found. Give freely to thy returning
brother" The day is at hand when neither
girls nor boys, Of whatever class, will be
either tied to or tolerated at constant toll
during their minority, which Is the true
nf aHnRatinn NVhnn
their turn comes for toll their tastes
and fitness will be followed
as the true guide. Each ones mental mold
will be fully found out and duly respected
Envy, Jealousy, and consciousness Will
yield TO q more kindly courtesy, aud parti-
san and sectarIan bigotry will give way to
higher tone Of mutual respect. The
Veriest ignoramus, industriously devoted to
the honest pursuit OF useful knowledge, in-
stead Of being branded with the stigma of
crank or charlatan, should be encouraged
and sped on in his chosen pursuit. But
when a lifelong student--an industrious,
ploddng, perseyering, and thoroughly
equipped scholar, who has reaped the full
harvest and CLEANED the precious remnants
of every grade OF the most elaborate edu.
catiOnal provisions-cO challenges
the seyerest scrutiny OF the most rigid aud
exacting examiners TO test the validity OF
his title to the encouragement aud support
Of his fellow men In behalf Ct the rounded
results Of q toilsome life, consecrated to the
good OF his fellow men, he proffers at once
a twofold guarantee Of the genuneuess and
value Of his wOrk-yiz, his unquestionaby
thorough qualifications, backed up by
nearly half century Of devoted work. 1t
IL under such auspices and conditions as
these that the subject Of these remarks,
the scientific prediction OF physical phe.
nomena, In perfected state, Is now thrust
before the world, not by It's modest an 4
scIupulous author, who has held back To
pcIfrct IL, but by the very troublous
and fearfully portentous demonstrations
al the physical world which this science has
lorg since worked out and, as the world
krows, accurately definitely, and with the
utmost confidence, predicted There are
multitudCs of willing and multltudes OF
long reluctant, but now convicted wit.
nesses to the truth Of the statements We
now make, 1t is doubtless because for
more than century coming weather has
lctn tie acknowledged guesswork Of alma.
lac makers, and the butt and rldicule OF
zone portions Of the partisan or sectarlan
pICss, that most scientific men have feared
10 risk their regulations, even by an inygs.