climates, where the
distribution of rain is not the same as in the center of Europe.
Hence the differences between the climates of the north and south of
France. _If the winter is mild in the north_, the newspapers are
filled with the lamentations of the _Italians_ and _Provencals_ at
the _severity of the cold_."

These facts seem to indicate a primary action in the counter-trade.
Probably in connection with one class of storms they do, and with another
do not. I shall endeavor to show the distinction when I come to the
classification of storms.

The difference of seasons in this country, and over the entire northern
hemisphere, is often very great. In a remarkable work of a remarkable
man--"A Brief History of Epidemic and Pestilential Diseases," by Noah
Webster, published in 1799, 2 vols.--a history of the weather for about
two centuries--1600 to 1799 inclusive, is given generally, and then in a
tabular form. Those who think that every considerable extreme which occurs
exceeds any thing before known, will do well to consult that work.
Droughts are described, where "there was not a drop of rain for three or
four months, and cattle were fed upon the leaves of the trees." Winters,
so intensely cold that the thermometer fell to 20 deg. below zero, at
Brandywine; or so mild that there was little frost, and people upon
Connecticut River plowed their fields, and the _peach trees blossomed in
Pennsylvania in February_. These extremes generally existed in Europe and
America at the same time, but occasionally they were opposite and
alternate. Says Mr. Webster, in summing up the facts (vol. ii. p. 12): "It
is to be observed that in some cases a severe winter extends to both
hemispheres, sometimes to one only, and in a few cases to a part of a
hemisphere only. Thus in 1607-8, 1683-4, 1762-3, 1766-7, 1779-80, 1783-4,
the severity extended to both hemispheres. In 1640-41, 1739-40, and in
other instances, the severe winter in Europe preceded, by one year, a
similar winter in America. In a few instances, severe frost takes place in
one hemisphere during a series of mild winters in the others; but this is
less common. In general, the severity happens in both hemispheres at once,
or in two winters, in immediate succession; and, as far as this evidence
has yet appeared, this severity is closely attendant on volcanic
discharges, with very few exceptions."

It will be seen that Dr. Webster (LL.D. and not M.D., a