very near the Full or the New Moon. It cannot be too strongly impressed on people's minds, that though intemperance lays the foundation for diseases, nevertheless atmospheric causes commonly bring them on, and vary their particular symptoms. Hence Coughs, Colds, Bleedings at the Nose, and Headaches, often occur in a number of persons at once, and at the same period disappear altogether. The subject is fully illustrated in Dr. Forster's Treatise on Diseases caused by the Atmosphere.* It seems that what are usually called contagion and pestilential diseases, frequently depend on the atmosphere; some peculiar state of which occurring locally, first causes the plague, though that disease may afterwards be propagated by infection, the improper and inhuman way of treating which, under an idea that it is more infectious than it really is, will probably be rectified, as we become more acquainted with the varying states of the atmosphere and its electricities. What need I mention those inclement skies, Forbid to blow a wholesome breeze; and stained The sword and balance: mute the voice of joy, The cheerful haunt of men, unless escaped From the doomed house, where matchless horror reigns, With frenzy wild, breaks loose; and, loud to heaven Inhuman, and unwise. July 12. St. John Gualbert A. SS. Nabor and Felix MM. Julii Caesaris natalis. Fortunae Muliebris.- Rom. Cal. COELUM. We complete today our Catalogue of Prognostics of Weather, continued from p. 104. From the Barometer.-The rising of the mercury presages in general * See Forster's Works, sold by Harding, Mavor, and Lepard, London. fair weather, and its falling, foul weather; as Rain, Snow, High Winds, and Storms. In very hot weather, the falling of the mercury indicates Thunder. In Winter the rising indicates Frost, and in frosty weather, if the mercury fall three or four divisions, there will follow a Thaw; but in a continued Frost, if the mercury rise, it will Snow. When foul weather happens soon after the falling of the mercury, expect but little of it; and, on the contrary, expect but little fair weather when it proves fair shortly after the mercury has risen. In foul weather, when the mercury rises much and high, and so continues for two or three days before the foul weather is quite over, then expect a continuance of fair weather to follow. In fair weather, when the mercury falls much and low, and thus continues for two or three days before the Rain comes, then expect a great deal of wet, and probably High Winds. The unsettled motion of the mercury denotes uncertain and changeable weather, particularly when the thermometer varies also. Respecting the words engraved on the register plate of the Barometer, it may be observed, that they cannot be strictly relied upon to correspond exactly with the state of the weather; though it will in general agree with them as to the mercury rising and falling. When the Thermometer and Barometer rise together in Summer, with Rain in large drops, a wholesome state of the atmosphere is at hand. We quote, in conclusion, the following ancient rules, taken from the reprint of an old set of rules, entitled "Indications of the Change of Weather," and thus prefaced : To be able to ascertain the future Changes of the Weather, is of infinite use to the Farmer and Gardener. Animals are evidently sooner sensible of the ensuing change of the Atmosphere than we are, and from their divers appearance, and apparent sensations, we may in many instances determine what changes are likely to take place. The following may be set down as general rules, and upon minute observation we shall find them correct. When the Raven is observed early in the morning at a great height in the air, soaring round and round, and uttering a hoarse croaking sound, we may be sure the day will be fine, and may conclude the weather is about to clear and become fair. Also, when the Swallow is observed to fly high, the weather will probably be fair. On the contrary, when the Swallow or Martlet are observed to fly low, and dip the tips of their wings in the water as they skim over its surface, we may conclude that Rain will ensue, and probably before the expiration of twentyfour hours. The loud and clamorous quackling of Ducks, Geese, and other water fowl, is a sign of Rain. Before Rain Swine appear very uneasy, and rub in the dust, as do Cocks and Hens. Before Storms Kine and also Sheep assemble at one corner of the field, and are observed to turn all their heads toward the quarter from whence the wind doth not blow. The appearance of Sea Gulls, Petrels, or other Sea fowl in the inlands, indicates stormy weather. In fine weather the Bat is observed to continue flying about very late of an evening. In Autumn before Rain some Flies bite, and others become very troublesome, and Gnats are more apt to sting. When flocks of Wild Geese are observed flying in a Westward or Southern direction in Autumn, it indicates a hard Winter. The floating of Gossamer, and its alighting on the rigging of ships, foretells fine weather. The clamorous croaking of Frogges indicates rainy weather. The appearance of Beetles flying about of an evening in Summer, indicates that the next day will be fair. Before Rain Dogges are apt to grow very sleepy and dull, and to lay all day before the fire. Before Rain Moles throw up the earth more than usual. The appearance of rare foreign birds in this country, such as Rollers, Hoopoos, &c. indicates hard weather. When Spiders are seen crawling on the walls more than usual, Rain will probably ensue. The much barking of Dogges in the night frequently indicates a change in the weather. When the Trees and Hedges are very full of Berries, it indicates a hard Winter. The abundance of Woodseare and Honeydew on Herbs indicates fair weather, as does floating Gossamer. It is said in Wiltshire, that the Dunpickles or Moor Buzzards alight in great numbers on the downs before Rain. Before Storms the Missel Thrush is observed to sing particularly loud, and to continue so till the commencement of the Rain; from which circumstance it is in some places called the Storm Cock. It is a sign of Rain when Pigeons return slowly to the Dovehouses. When Bees do not go out as usual, but keep in or about their Hives, Rain may be expected. Before Wind, Swine run squeaking about as though they were mad; which has given rise to the notion that Pigs can see the Wind. Before Rain the Pintados called Comebacks squall more than usual; as do Peacocks. The early appearance of Woodcocks, Snipes, Swinepipes, Fieldfares, &c. are prognostications of severe Winters. When the Dew lies plenteously upon the Grass in the evening, the next day will probably be fine; when there is little or no Dew, probably wet. The blowing about of feathers or any light substances on the water is also a sign of Rain, as noticed by Virgil:Aut summa nantes in aqua colludere plumas, July 13. St. Eugenius B. C. St. Anacletus. FLORA.-The SCOTCH BELLFLOWER Campanula rapunculoides flowers. This elegant perennial is said to grow wild in Scotland: it may easily be distinguished from Campanula Trachelium, which blows about the same time. COELUM. On this day, in 1808, the Thermometer rose to the great heat of 96° of Fahrenheit in the shade. HYGEIA.Great relief from the thirst produced by the excessive heat of Summer, is derived from the cooling solstitial fruits now in prime. We have known persons with advantage live entirely on Currants, Strawberries, Cherries, and a little Bread, during such fierce weather. On the Great Summer Heat, from the Miscel. Coll. To roam with girls the purling brooke beside! Lines written in the Hot Weather, July, 1757; extracted from Three hours from noon the passing shadow shows And human nature scarce its rage sustains. Now still and vacant is the dusty street, Lost is the lively aspect of the ground, Low are the springs, the reedy ditches dry; Save what yon stream's unfailing stores supply. What Afric's wilds or Peru's fields display, That filled in genial Spring the verdant bowers? Pine through this long, long course of sultry hours. O! for some secret shady cool recess, Some bridge's arch o'erhung with darksome trees, But why these plaints?-reflect, nor murmur more— Ev'n now behold the grateful change at hand! Wide and more wide the darkening clouds expand, O, in the awful concert of the storm, While Hail, and Rain, and Wind, and Thunder join, May deepfelt gratitude my soul inform, May joyful songs of reverent praise be mine! July 14. St. Camillus de Lellis. St. Idus Bp. St. Bonaventure Cardinal, &c. CHRONOLOGY.-Battle of Marengo. This day 4. In 1808 the Thermometer rose in the shade to 94° of Fahrenheit's scale at Ryegate in Surrey: it was said to be still higher in some places. FLORA.-The Convolvulus purpureus now flowers, and with the Convolvulus tricolor forms an elegant hanging bouquet of flowers in our gardens. Roses still bloom, but begin to fade. The Damask Rose produces white and red flowers on the same tree, which have been celebrated in our history, as the emblems of the Houses of York and Lancaster. When those families contended for the crown, the white Rose distinguished the partisans of the house of York, the red the party of Lancaster: and in an old author we have this Epigram on a White Rose being presented to a Lancastrian Lady: If this fair Rose offend thy sight, It in thy bosom wear; "Twill blush to find itself less white, And turn Lancastrian there. The flowers which blossomed in the last month soon mature their seeds, and hasten to decay. The new race of aestival plants succeed, which demand all the fervid rays of the Sun to bring them to perfection. FAUNA. That which on Flora's breast, All fresh and flourishing, Aurora newly drest Saw in her dawning spring, Quite dry and languishing, Deprived of honour quite, Dayclosing Hesperus beholds at night. Fair is the Lily; fair The Rose; of flowers the eye! Both wither iu the air, Their beauteous colours die. The busy Bee still pursues his ceaseless task of collecting his varied sweets to form honey. Still doth the little busy Bee Charlotte Smith thus addresses the Bee :— Good morrow, gentle humble Bee, To take the air; |