would rather laugh at
any that should talk of _March_ and _September_, as being the dangerous
times. And since that time, I have my self very frequently observed (both
at _London_ and elsewhere, as I have had occasion), that in those months of
_February_ and _November,_ (especially _November_), the Tides have run much
higher, than at other times: Though I confess, I have not been so diligent
to set down those Observations, as I should have done. Yet this I do
particularly very well remember, that in _November_ 1660. (the same year
that his Majesty returned) having occasion to go by Coach from the _Strand_
to _Westminster_, I found the Water so high in the middle of _King-street_,
that it came up, not onely to the Boots, but into the Body of the Coach;
and the _Pallace-yard_ (all save a little place near the _West-End_)
overflow'd; as likewise the Market-place; and many other places; and their
Cellars generally filled up with Water. And in _November_ last, 1665. it
may yet be very well remembred, what very high Tides there were, not onely
on the Coasts of _England_, (where much hurt was {277} done by it) but much
more, in _Holland_, where by reason of those Inundations, many Villages and
Towns were overflow'd. And though I cannot so particularly name other
years, yet I can very safely say, that I very often observed Tides
strangely high about those times of the year.

This Observation did for divers years cause me much to wonder, not only
because it is so contrary to the received opinion of the two _AEquinoxes_;
but because I could not think of any thing signal at those times of the
year: as being neither the two _AEquinoxes_, nor the two _Solstices_, nor
the Sun's _Apogaeum_ and _Perigaeum_: (or Earths _Aphelium_ and
_Perihelium_;) nor indeed, at contrary times of the year, which at least,
would seem to be expected. From _Alhollandtide_ to _Candlemass_ being but
three months; and from thence to _Alhollandtide_ again nine months.

At length it came into my mind, about four years since, that though there
do not about these times happen any _single_ signal Accident, which might
cast it on these times, yet there is a _compound of two_ that may do it;
Which is the _Inequality_ of the _Natural day_ (I mean that of 24. hours,
from noon to noon) arising at least from a double cause; either of which
singly would cast it upon other times, but both joyntly on those.

It's commonly thought, how unequal soever the length be of the _