ROMETER.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, 26 March 1842, Page 12

ROMETER.

The barometer has been called a weatherglass. Rules are attempted 'to be established by which, from the height of the mercury, the coming state of the weather may be predicted ; and we accordingly find the words "rain," " changeable," " fair," " frost," &c, engraved on the scale attached to common domestic barometers, as if, when the mercury stands at the height marked by these words, the weather is always subject to the vicissitudes expressed by them. These marks are, however, entitled to no attention ; and it as only surprising to find their use continued in the present times, when knowledge is so widely diffused. They are, in fact; to be ranked scarcely above the " Vox SteUarum," or astrological almanac. Two barometers, one near the level of the River Thames, and the other on the heights of Hampstead, will differ by half an inch, the latter being always half an inch lower than the former. If the words, therefore, engraved upon the plates are to be relied on, similar changes, of weather could never happen at these two situations. Hut, what is even more absurd, such a scale would inform us that the weather at the foot of a high building, such' as St. Paul's, must always be different from the weather at the top of it. It is observed that changes of weather are indicated, not by die actual height of the mercury, but by its change of height. One of the most general, though not absolutely invariable, rules is^ that where the mercury is very low, and therefore the atmosphere very light, high winds and storms maybe expected. The following roles may generally be relied upon, at least to a certain extent : — 1.. Generally the rising of the

mercury indicates the approach of fair weather; the falling of it shows the approach of foul weather. 2. In sultry weather the fall of the mercury indicates coming thunder; in winter the rise of the mercury indicates frost ; in frost its fall indicates thaw, and its rise indicates snow. 3. Whatever change of weather suddenly follows a change in the barometer maybe expected to last but a short time. Thus, if fair weather follow immediately the rise of the mercury, there will be very little of it ; and, in the same way, if foul weather follow the fall of the mercury, it will last but a short time. 4. If fair weather continue for several days, during; which the mercury continually falls, a long continuance of foul weather will probably ensue i and again, if foul weather continue for several,' days, while the mercury continually rises, a lons' succession of fair weather will probably succeed. 5. A fluctuating and unsettled state of the mercurial column indicates changeable weather. The domestic barometer would become a much more useful instrument if, instead of the words, usually engraved on the plate, a short list of the best established rules, such as the above, accompanied it, which might be either engraved on the plate or printed on a card. It would be right, however, to express the rules only with that degree of probability which observation of past phenomena has justified. There is no rule respecting these effects which will hold good. — Dr. Lardner. LAW. Of law, no less can be said than that her seat is the bosom of God, her voice the harmony of the world; all things in heaven and earth do her homage, the very least as feeling her care r the greatest as not exempted from her power ; both angels and men, and creatures of what condition soever, though each in different sort and manner, yet all with uniform consent admiring her as the mother of their peace and joy. — Hooker.