The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-06-09
WEATHER WAVES AND OTHER THINGS

As the wind is, SO we judge of the
weather probabilities. An East or
South wind betokens rain; North
west wind indicates clear sky. Health
and many other things are affected by
the weather, so that the way the wind
blows is very important matter. The
connection between the wind and the
weather is such that the instrument
which indicates the direction of the
wind is termed "weather vane" or,
more commonly, s'weathercock" from
the fact that very common form of
the instrument is the profile of roos-
ter, often seen on barns in the country.
Lambertville boasts at least three of
these instruments in prominent posi-
ton. That on the school house on the
hill is so far away as TO be of little
practical use for daily observation.
When the railroad station was built
in 1872 n vane was put on it, which
has since given correct indication of
the direction of the wind and may be
consulted with confidence by the lady
who wishes to know whether she had
better take her umbrella with her to
the city or leave il at the station.
The most prominent and the most
easily consulted is that on the spire of
the Presbyterian church, ON Union
street. The church building on the
same site, erected in 1920 and taken
down TO make way for the present
structure, built in 1878, showed on the
steeple, above gilt ball, yane of a
somewhat old fashioned sort, which
swung, When IL moued, upon the rod
supporting it. This vane was not free
of movement and could not be relied
upon.
When the present building was
erected more pretentious affair was
put on the spire. The part to catch
the wind was broad circle, from
which sharp rays diverged, all being
handsomely gilded. This still remains
in use 1t was so arranged as to
swing with the utmost freedom, SO
that the slightest change in the direc-
ton of the breeze was indicated, to the
satisfaction of all beholders.
This freedom of movement was OBJ
tanned by IL set of small wheels, revolv-
ing between two plates. The vane
and its mechanism were devised by
Mr.. Lemuel II. Parsons, commonly
known, in his later years, rs esquire"
Parsons. The work of construction
was done by Mr.. stephen b. Smith,
under the supervision of Mr.. Charles
Ogden Holcombe. A memorandum of
the principal items in the cost of the
building of the church, which the
writer has recently had the opportun-
ity of consulting, shows that Mr.. Par
sons received the sum of five dollars
for his services in the matter.
Mr.. Parsons came TO Lambertville in
1912 and resided here until his death
in 1864. He was one of our most val
ued and respected citizens, IA man of
sterling principles and of varied ne
quirements. He taught school for II
number of years and many of our citi-
zens received their school training UNI
der him He was something of a mu-
stefan, his special instrument being
the bass viol. He possessed consider
able scientific ability, was agood math-
ematician and practical surveyor,
and acted ms Justice of the Peace for
many years.
Mr.. Parsons musical gifts were
brought into prominence in connection
with an effort to introduce instrument
al music in the Presbyterian church
] do not know how far this may
have been his own proposal but, al
any rate, there was considerable senti
ment i'm favor of the movement and
Mr.. Parsons, with his "big fiddle, y
was brought into the choir for short
time. | am told that there was also q
flute, but of this have no recollection.
If this is correct the performer was
doubtless Lawyer John II. Wakefield
or his successor in law and flute play
ing, Mr.. Alexander III. Hocombe.
The conservative element of the CON
gregation strongly objected to the in
novation and IA fierce war of words was
waged in the local paper, one writer
adopting "Big Fiddle" as signature.
The conservatives won and the instru-
ments were banished. AT IA later per-
iod, however, n change came over the
spirit of the congregation and II reed
organ was established in the gallery
where the choir had its place. This
was later superseded by the present
pipe instrument.
The choir had its place in the end
gallery of the church, facing the min
lister. A curtain was hung in front,
which was usually drawn so ms to
shield the singers from observation
when they were not performing. The
material was of such texture that
those behind it were not prevented
from seeing the preacher and the con.
gregation. l have never clearly under
stood the reason for this curtain. Some
were disposed to agree that il was to
protect the members of the choir from
curious eyes, when INDUCING in re
Taxation, by conversation or repose
after the arduous labors of their voca
ton. II might have been simply be
cause of modesty on the part of thu
ladies.
Mr.. Smith, who did the metal work
on this vane, was, for many years, i,
well known citizen of Lambertville
BY trade a tinsmith, he was an exper
worker in metal in other ways. Ev
cry one who had a special job of meta
work to be done went to "Steevy," a.
he was Familiarity called. Broken um
brella frames were brought TO him fol
repair, and after his death number