 |
 |
Weather
 |
"It had been
a frosty morning, to be sure, a sharp frost, which hardly one woman
in a thousand could stand the test of."
|
 |
| A Cloudy Issue | |||
| London Snow &c. | |||
| Rain of Geo. III. 1800 | |||
| Send in the Clouds | |||
| A Very Windy Day | |||
| Weather 1804-1810 |
LONDON SNOW,
&c.
(From Robert Southey’s “Letters from England...,” written in 1802-3)
Jan. 2, 1803
“If you would live in health,” says the proverb, “wear the same garment in summer which you wear in winter.” It seems as if the English had some such fool’s adage, by the little difference there is between their summer and winter apparel. The men, indeed, when they go abroad put on a great coat, and the women wear muffs, and fur round their neck; but all these are laid aside in the house. I no longer wonder why these people talk so much of the weather; they live in the most inconstant of all climates, against which it is so difficult to take any effectual precaution, that they have given the matter up in despair, and take no precautions at all. Their great poet, Milton, describes the souls of the condemned as being hurried from fiery into frozen regions: perhaps he took the idea from his own feelings on such a day as this, when, like me, he was scorched on one side and frost-bitten on the other; and, not knowing which of the two torments was the worst, assigned them to the wicked both in turn. “Why do you not warm your rooms like the Germans,” I say to them, “and diffuse the heat equally on all sides,“ “Oh,” they reply, “it is so dismal not to see the fire!” And so for the sake of seeing the fire, they are contented to be half starved and half roasted at the same time, and to have more women and children burnt to death in one year than all the heretics who ever suffered in England in the days when heresy was thought a crime.
I happened to sleep in the country when the first snow fell; and in the morning when I looked out of the window everything was white, and the snow flakes like feathers floating and falling with as endless and ever-varying motions as the dance of musquitos in a summer evening. And this mockery of life was the only appearance of life; and indeed it seemed as if there could be nothing living in such a world. The trees were clothed like the earth, every bough, branch, and spray; except that side of the bark which had not been exposed to the wind, nothing was to be seen but what was perfectly and dazzlingly white; and the evergreens in the garden were bent beneath the load. White mountains in the distance can give no idea of this singular effect. I was equally delighted with the incrustations upon the inside of the windows. Nothing which I have seen equals the exquisite beauty of this frost-work. but when I returned to London the scene was widely different. There the atmosphere is so full of soot from the earth coal, that the snow is sullied as it falls; men were throwing it from the top of every house by shovels full, lest it should soak through the roof; --- and when it began to melt, the streets were more filthy and miserable than I could have conceived possible. In wet weather women wear a clog, which is raised upon an iron ring about two inches from the ground; they clatter along the streets like horses.
The cold in this country is intense; and because it is not quite severe enough to nip off a man’s nose if he puts it out of doors, they take no precautions against it, and there fore suffer more than the Germans or Russians. Nay, the Russian soldiers who were in England during the late war died of the cold; they had been accustomed to their stoves and their furs, for which regimentals and English barracks were such bad substitutes, that they sickened and died off like rotten sheep. Liquids freeze in the house. My water-bottle burst last night with a loud report. An exorcist would have taken it for a signal gun of the enemy, and have discharged a volley of anthems in return. I was startled, and could not divine the cause till day-light explained it.
I happened to go into a pastrycook’s shop one morning, and inquired of the mistress why she kept her window open during this severe weather -- which I observed most of the trade did. She told me, that were she to close it, her receipts would be lessened forty or fifty shillings a day -- so many were the persons who took up buns or biscuits as they passed by and threw their pence in, not allowing themselves time to enter. Was there ever so indefatigable a people! --- I man here mention, that the first confectioner who ever carried on the trade in England was a Spaniard, by name Balthezar Sanchez, who founded a hospital near London at the close of the sixteenth century. Some of the English sweetmeats exceed ours: the currant and the raspberry, fruits which flourish in a cold climate, form delicious preserves. Their iced creams are also richer than our iced waters; but these northern people do not understand the management of southern luxuries; they fill their cellars with ice instead of snow, though it is procured with more difficulty and greater expense, and must be broken to the consistency of compressed snow before it can be used.
|
1804
|
1805
|
1806
|
1807
|
1808
|
1809
|
1810
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
degrees
|
100ths
of a deg. |
degrees
|
100ths
of a deg. |
degrees
|
100ths
of a deg. |
degrees
|
100ths
of a deg. |
degrees
|
100ths
of a deg. |
degrees
|
100ths
of a deg. |
degrees
|
100ths
of a deg. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The lowest temperature of the Atmosphere, indicated by the Thermometer, on the Two coldest Days in the last Seven Years, according to observations made at 8 o'clock in the Morning. |
||||||||
|
The months noticed numerically.
|
Months as denomi-nated in the calen-dar.
|
Days of the month.
|
Degrees of Temp-erature.
|
Years.
|
The months
noticed numerically. |
Months as denomi-nated in the calen-dar
|
Days of
the month. |
Degrees of Temp-erature.
|
Years.
|
|
6 |
June... |
25 |
86 |
1804 |
3
12 2 11 1 11 1 12 1 12 1 11 2 12 |
March.
Dec.... Feb.... Nov... Jan..... Oct.... Jan.... Dec... Jan.... Dec... Jan.... Nov... Feb.... Dec... |
23 24 & 30 02 21 30 24 15 23 22 21 23 20 18 31 |
20
21 23 18 20 29 18 16 12 19 10 16 06 21 |
1804
1804 1805 1805 1806 1806 1807 1807 1808 1808 1809 1809 1810 1810 |
|
The average state of the Barometer for each month,
from observations
made at eight o'clock in the morning. |
|
Numerical order of
the months. |
Months
as delin- eated in the Calendar |
1804
|
1805
|
1806
|
1807
|
1808
|
1809
|
1810
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 |
Jan..... Feb.... March.. April... May... June... July.... August Sept... Oct.... Nov... Dec... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An account of the quantity of Rain fallen in each month |
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 |
Jan..... Feb.... March.. April... May... June... July.... August Sept... Oct.... Nov... Dec... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total each Year
|
29
|
77
|
26
|
1
|
34
|
38
|
31
|
31
|
32
|
8
|
29
|
51
|
35
|
1
|
|
The quantity of rain fallen in each month, upon
an average of the last 7 Years.
|
|
The following is a table of the comparative quantities of rain that fell
at different places in
England during the year 1800, expressed in inches and decimals, tenth parts
of inches.
|
MONTHS.
|
London.
|
Cambridge.
|
Lyndon, in Rutland.
|
West
Bridg- ford, in Notting- hamsh. |
Lincoln.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
22.93
|
25.62
|
32.35
|
26.90
|
24.11
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
MONTHS.
|
Chats-
worth, Derby- shire. |
Lancas-
ter. |
Kendal.
|
Exeter.
|
Ply- |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
26.73
|
35.93
|
48.20
|
24.56
|
35.50
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Cloudy issue explained.
(from The Gentleman's Magazine for December, 1810)
Dec. 7, 1810
Mr. Urban,
SEVERAL of your readers having represented to me, that
the reference which I have given to Rees's Encyclopedia, for explanation of
the various terms used for Clouds, is insufficient, inasmuch as, in all probability,
nine out of ten of your readers do not possess that work, I must request you
to insert at length the following Definitions and Observations.
CIRRUS. Def. Nubes cirrata tenuissima, undeque crescent, constans fibris vel parallelis, vel flexuosis, vel divergentibus.
Obser. Clouds of this modification occupy a very high region; they are usually the first which make their appearance after a continuance of clear weather: they often appear like faint white lines, pencilled along the blue sky; at other times, they diverge and ramify in several directions, giving the appearance of a horse's tail in the wind, whence the country people call them Mares' tails. In this case, they usually precede high wind; and, indeed, their appearance, in any form, indicates a troubled state of the atmosphere, and, consequentially, a change of weather. This will be best illustrated, by considering their appropriate use, which seems to be, that of serving as conductors, to equalize the electricity of different portions of air, or aqueous vapour, placed at a distance from each other. Suspend a lock of hair to an insulated conducting body, and then give to that body a strong charge; the hair will immediately diverge to equalize, as speedily as possible, the electricity of the conductor with that of the surrounding air, and you will have a complete artificial Cirrus.
CUMULUS. Def. Nubes densa cumulata sursum crescens, soepe conica.
Obser. The Cumulus is a large aggregate of aqueous vapour, suspended in the atmosphere. It varies in form considerably; sometimes appearing like a conical heap of dense structure; at others, it spreads so as quite to obscure the sky. Its proper office appears to be, that of conveying large quantities of water from place to place, for the more equal irrigation of all parts of the earth; whence it is called in the country, Water Waggon. The change which takes place before it can descend in rain will be noticed under Nimbus.
STRATUS. Def. Nubes liquoris modo expansa, deorsum crescens, terrae incumbens.
Obser. This Cloud constitutes what we call fogs and mists. It is to be observed, however, that all fogs are not Strati; those commonly called wet fogs, are, by some, supposed to be of the modification of Cirro-stratus. See Howard on Clouds, p. 21.
CIRRO-CUMULUS. Def. Nubes nubeculis multis subrotundis et agmine appositis constans.
Obser. This Cloud often appears like a collection of fleeces of wool, scattered about in the sky; which Virgil calls vellera lanoe. This modification is more frequent in summer, than in winter: it is often seen in the intervals of showers; and frequently precedes an increase of temperature.
CIRRO-STRATUS. Def. Nubes extenuata subconcava, vel undulata; soepius nubeculis hujuv generis in aqmine appositis constans.
Obser. The Cirro-stratus, like other Clouds, varies very much in its general appearances. Sometimes it is disposed in parallel bars, or streaks; at other times, it gives the idea of shoals of fish. Its prevalence generally prognosticates rain, snow, or hail; and sometimes all. I have observed, that when the Cirrus appears alone, very often only wind succeeds; but, if it be followed by the Cirro-stratus, rain almost always is the consequence. It is this Cloud which refracts the light of the sun, moon, and stars, in such a manner, as to produce those lucid rings, called Halos: which, for that reason, almost always indicate a fall of rain or snow.
CUMULO-STRATUS. Def. Nubes basim planam undique supercrescens, vel cujus moles longinqua partim plana, partim cumulata videatur.
Obser. This Cloud seems to result from the blending of the Cirrus, or Cirro-stratus, with the Cumulus. It is this modification which forms those heaps of clouds, piled mountainous which in summer precede thunderstorms.
CIRRO-CUMULO-STRATUS, or NIMBUS. Def. Nubes vel nubuim congeries, in pluviam se resolvens.
Obser. Any of the preceding modifications may increase, so as to obscure the sky; and they may all exist separately in the atmosphere at one time: but it appears, that rain will not be produced, except by the confusion of two or more of them together, which forms the true Nimbus. The present theory of rain seems to be, that the minute particles of water composing each modification, being similarly electrified, cannot collapse so as to produce rain; which must result from the confusion of two or more modifications, differently electrified.
Having given a brief sketch of the several modifications of Cloud, it will be proper to observe; First, that any one of the above modifications may pass into any other; or may remain for some time in an intermediate state. Secondly, that the figure or shape of a Cloud, is a thing quite different from its modification. Thirdly, that a Cloud will sometimes consist of two modifications, one end of a Cirro-cumulus having passed into the modification of Cirro-stratus sooner than the other. Fourthly, a Cloud will sometimes become alternately Cirr-cumulus and Ciro-stratus.
Your limits will not permit me, at present, to say more on this interesting subject. I shall therefore reserve the farther consideration of the phenomena of rain and thunder storms, for a future occasion.
Yours, &c. THOMAS FORSTER
A Very Windy Day.
(from The Gentleman's Magazine for November, 1812)
Tuesday, October 27.
One of the Hampstead stages was overset by a gust of wind, and a gentleman riding on the outside had his leg broken.--Three unfinished houses at Somers-town were blown down.--In town several buildings sustained material damage.--Seven persons were killed in the metropolis, by tiles falling, &c.--A lamplighter named Burke, while lighting the lamps on the East side of Blackfriars Bridge, was by a sudden gust blown into the river, in the presence of his son, a child of ten years old, and sunk before assistance could be procured.--Part of the roof of a villa at Putney, inhabited by Mad. Chery, was unroofed by the wind. Several persons were in the ruins, but no lives were lost.
SEND IN THE CLOUDS
(from The Gentleman's Magazine for August, 1811)
view
a print depicting the
different types of clouds.
Mr. URBAN July 12.
With a view to assist your Meteorological Readers in affixing to the various clouds which are continually presenting themselves to the eye, their proper technical names, according to the new nomenclature, which I have adopted for my journal, I have procured from my ingenious friend Mr. Luke Howard, of Plaistow in Essex, some Rouen, but accurate sketches of different modifications, which I shall trouble you to engrave. (See Plate II.)
To the generic names of clouds which relate only to their modification, I have added certain specific names, calculated to express their particular shape, figure, or manner of arrangement; which are circumstances quite different from their modifications: at the same time I must remind the reader, that clouds, in passing from one modification to another, often remain for some time in an intermediate stage; and it is then impossible to class them at all.
Figures 1. 1. represent Cirri; the large one to the right hand is called Cirrus Comoides, from its appearing like a distended lock of hair; the straight lines which constitute the cloud on the left have suggested the propriety of calling it Cirrus linearis. The former of these, when it prevails, usually indicates windy and unsettled weather; it is in many parts of the country called Marca Tail, and in Lincolnshire Sea Tree. In giving specific names to the Cirrus it must be observed, that its metamorphoses are so numerous as to preclude the possibility of giving a distinct name to each of them. Sometimes it appears like an erect feather, at others loose fringes hang from a confused mass of vapour; it frequently looks like a confused bundle of threads, and is then termed filliformis; often it forms beautiful network, consisting of light transverse bars or streaks, intersecting each other at right angles; it is then called reticularis.
Figs. 2. 2. represent a light and a dark Cirro Cumulus; these circumstances depend only on the relative situation of this cloud with respect to the sun; the nebulae constituting this cloud, vary something in size and aggregation.
Fig. 3. is a dark Cirro Stratus seen near the horizon.
Fig. 4. is the Cirro Stratus Cymoides; a variety which is often seen before storms. The Cirro Stratus is a cloud varying much in figure: when it is composed of long parallel bars, it is called Straitus; when finely undulated, Undulatus; when it gives the idea of the fibres of a muscle, Myoides; when a large continuous sheet, Planus; this often exhibits the halo, &c. I must refer your Readers for more particulars to Definitions and Observations of Meteorological Terms in your Magazines for March and May.
Fig. 5. represents a Cumulus; the common cloud of fair and settled weather, when it appears alone; when it looks rocklike and mountainous, it is called Petroides; in this stage it frequently changes into Cumulo Stratus. Sometimes the Cumulus seems composed of numerous roundish turbercles, and is then termed Tuberculatus; when divided into loose fleeces, Floccosus.
Fig. 6. exhibits a Cumulo Stratus, which is a compound cloud, and its formation is most frequently the result of the operation of two or more modifications on each other; long streaks of the Cirro Stratus may be seen as it were permeating rocky Cumuli; and the consequence is the formation of Cumulo Stratus, which generally precedes Nimbification, and is very prevalent before thunder-storms, when it often forms beautiful and picturesque skies; as it approaches to Nimbus it increases in density, and exhibits various tints as its irregular edges happen to catch the Sun's light; Cirrose fibres extend from its top and form a crown, and at last it resolves itself into rain. After the storm has spent itself, the several modifications which preceded it may again be seen occupying their several stations in the atmosphere. That these effects are produced by the agency of electricity there can be no doubt, after the experiments and observations of Signor Cavallo, Mr.Howard, M. Van Mons, and others. Indeed varieties in the electric state of the atmosphere appear to be the causes of all the different modifications and species of cloud. To me the subject of atmospheric electricity seems of great importance; for I cannot help thinking that the degree and kind of influence which the atmosphere exercises in the production of of many disorders of health, has never been sufficiently reflected upon. I speak with great deference to the judgement of those who have more opportunities and capability of observation than myself, but many circumstances have induced me to think that many disorders which, occurring in great numbers at once, are attributed to the influence of atmospheric changes on our bodies, are not caused chiefly by heat or cold, dampness or drought of the air, nor by the sudden transition from one to another of those states; but by the operation of certain peculiarities in the electric state of the atmosphere, which do not appear to affect immediately the thermometer, barometer, or hygrometer, but are found to influence the action of De Luc's Electric Column, or Aerial Electroscope.*
It may not be improper to present the Reader with a short account of M. De Luc's Electric Column, or Aerial Electroscope, as this instrument has been frequently alluded to in my journals.
It is composed of a great number of small circular and very thin plates, about the diameter of a sixpenny piece of silver of paper and of zinc, alternately arranged, forming a column; the two ends of which are made to approximate, and at each end of them is attached a small bell; a metallic clapper is then hung between them, and the whole apparatus is insulated by being fixed on glass stands. One end of the Column is observed to become electrified plus, as it is termed, and the other minus; consequently one of the bells becomes electrified plus, or positive, and the other minus, or negative; and the metallic clapper moving rapidly from one to the other to equalize the two electricity's, a pulsation is produced, and the bells ring. Neither the heat or cold, dryness or moisture of the atmosphere appear to have any considerable influence on the action of this instrument; but it is considerably altered by peculiarities in the electric state of the atmosphere. The prevalence of Cirri ramifying about the sky in various directions, and accompanied often by other modifications, by dry Easterly and changeable winds, and by numerous small meteors of an evening, certainly indicates a disturbance in the atmospherical electricity; and such kind of weather I have noticed to be accompanied by an irregular action of the Electric Column of M. De Luc; the bells ring at intervals, and with a kind of hurried pulsation. When such weather as I have described is followed by rain, the bells have been found silent. There are also other varieties in the kind of pulsation of the bells; sometimes they ring weak and regular, at others strong but irregular; the intervals of quiescence are sometimes of longer duration than at others; these minute variations are probably connected with peculiarities in the state of the atmosphere, as I have said above, which are worthy attention, because they may be principally concerned in producing many disorders of health which are attributed to atmospheric influence; when the weather is settled, when only diurnal Cumuli prevail with Westerly winds, then the action of De Luc's Column is the most regular, and this is generally allowed to be the most wholesome kind of weather.
Yours, &c. THOMAS FORSTER.
* It is much to be wished that medical practitioners would attend to what peculiarities may be observed in the atmosphere during the prevalence of epidemic diseases. The disturbed state of the stomach of many weak persons before thunder-storms, and the pain felt in limbs where the bone has been formerly fractured, in particular kinds of weather, shew the influence of the atmosphere on our system.
