, cold, and drooping,
when the _Mercury_ is lowest, and the Air lightest, besides other causes, I
guess, That as Air is to us the breath of life, as water is to Fishes; so,
when we are deprived of the usual measure of this our food, 'tis the same
to us, as when the water is drawn ebb from Fishes. But I would much rather
be instructed by others, then offer much in this kind.

5. The lowest descent of the _Mercury_ in all the time, since I have
observed it, was _Octob._ 26. 1665. in the Evening, when it was very near
at 271/2 Inches. Which I find thus circumstanced with the weather in my
notes.

_Oct._ 25. Morning; _Mercury_ at 281/2 Inch. Great storms and much rain.

_Oct._ 26. Morning; _Merc._ at 28. winds quiet, thick dark clouds.

_Oct._ 26. Evening; _Merc._ at 271/2. That day, and some daies following,
the weather was variable, frequent rain, and as you see, the _Mercury_
lower, than usual.

6. Over the place, where this _Mercurial Cane_ stands, I have set a _Wind
vane_, with purpose of exactness, of a Streamer in Brass so large, and
pointing to a Board indented in the Margin, that I can at a sure Level upon
the _Vane_, take every of the 32. points of the Wind, half points, and
quarter points, at good distance. Otherwise we may find our guesses much
deceived, as the best guessers, upon trial, do acknowledge. And this
exactness may become the _Wheel-ballance_, which shews the minutest
variations almost beyond imagination. And thus any servant, at the approach
of a thick Cloud, or other _Meteor_, higher or lower, or at the rising of a
storm or fresh wind in the night, or day, may bring a report of the Weight
of the Air, as certainly and almost as {166} easily, as of the Sun from the
_Dial_ in a Sunshine. It were good to have an _Index_ of Winds, that
discover'd as well their Ascent and Descent, as their Side-coastings.

* * * * *

_A Relation concerning the late _Earthquake_ neer _Oxford_; together with
some Observations of the sealed Weatherglass, and the Barometer both upon
that _Phaenomenon_, and in _General_._

This Relation was communicated by the excellently learned Dr. _Wallis_, as
follows:

On the 19. of _January_ 1665. _Stylo Angliae_ (or _Jan._ 29. 1666. _stylo
novo_) at divers places neer _Oxford_, was observed a small _Earthquake_
(as at _Blechington, Stanton-St. Johns, Bril_, &c.) towards evening. In
_Oxford_ it self, I doe not hear, that it was o