er than in others. But this belongs to the _particular_
considerations, (of which we are not now giving an Account:) not to the
_general_ Hypothesis.

Having thus endeavoured to give an account of the _Diurnal_ and _Menstrual_
Periods of Tides; It remains that I endeavour the like as to the _Annual_.
Of which there is, at least, thus much agreed; That, at some times of the
year, the Tides are noted to be much higher, than at other times.

But here I have a double task; _First_, to rectify the Observation; and
_then_, to give an account of it.

As to the _First_; It having been observed (grosly) that those high Tides
have used to happen about the _Spring_ and _Autumn_; it hath been generally
taken for granted (without any more nice observation) that the _two
AEquinoxes_ are the proper times, to which these _Annual high Tides_ are to
be referred; And such causes sought for, as might best sute with such a
Supposition.

But it is now, the best part of twenty years, since I have had frequent
occasions to converse with some Inhabitants of _Rumney-marsh_ in _Kent_;
where the Sea being kept out with great Earthen walls, that it do not at
high water overflow the Levell; {276} and the Inhabitants livelyhood
depending most on grazing, or feeding Sheep; they are (as you may believe
they have reason to be) very vigilant and observant, at what times they are
most in danger of having their Lands drowned. And I find them generally
agreed, by their constant Observations, (and Experience dearly bought) that
their times of danger are about the beginning of _February_ and of
_November_; that is, at those Spring Tides which happen near those times;
to which they give the names of _Candlemass-stream_ and
_Allhallond-stream_; And if they scape those Spring-tides, they apprehend
themselves out of Danger for the rest of the year. And as for _March_ and
_September_ (the two _AEquinoxes_) they are as little solicitous of them, as
of any other part of the year.

This, I confess, I much wondred at, when I first heard it; and suspected it
to be but a mistake of him, that first told me, though he were indeed a
person not likely so to be mistaken, in a thing wherein he was so much
concerned: But I soon found, that it was not onely his, but a general
observation of others too; both there, and elsewhere along the Sea coast.
And though they did not pretend to know any reason of it, (nor so much as
to enquire after it;) Yet none made doubt of it; but