nd to impress those who may read
what I have written with the belief, that _they will derive a degree of
pleasure from a daily familiarity with, and intelligent understanding of,
the "countenance of the sky," not exceeded by that which any other science
can afford them_.

I have examined, with entire freedom and fearlessness (but I trust in a
manner which will not be deemed censurable or in bad taste) the theories
and supposed erroneous views of others, for, in my judgment, the
advancement of the science requires it. Says Sir George Harvey, in his
able article on Meteorology, written for the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana:

"It is humiliating to those who have been most occupied in
cultivating the science of meteorology, to see an agriculturist or a
waterman, who has neither instruments nor theory, foretell the future
changes of the weather many days before they happen, with a precision
which the philosopher, aided by all the resources of science, would
be unable to attain."

The admissions contained in this paragraph, in relation to the comparative
uselessness of instruments and theories, and the value of practical
observation, are both in a good measure true. And the time has come, or
should speedily come, when "_pride of opinion_," and "_esprit du corps_,"
among theorists and philosophers, should neither be indulged in, nor
respected; and when their theories should be freely discussed, and rigidly
tested by the observations of practical men. Such measure, therefore, as I
have meted, I invite in return. Let whatever I have advanced, that is new,
or adopted that is old, be _as_ rigidly tested, and _as_ freely discussed.
Let the errors, if there be any--and doubtless there are--be detected and
exposed. Let the TRUTH be sought by all; and meteorology, as a PRACTICAL
SCIENCE, advance to that full measure of perfection and usefulness, of
which it is unquestionably susceptible.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

Heat and moisture are indispensable to the fertillity of the
earth--Arrangements exist for their diffusion and distribution,
and all the phenomena of the weather result from their
operation--Heat furnished or produced mainly by the direct
action of the sun's rays--Manner in which it is diffused over
the earth--Other causes operate besides the sun's rays--The
earth intensely heated in i