day, when the _Mercuries_ height is taken, but (in a distinct _Columne_)
the weather, especially the Winds, both as to the Quarters, whence they
blow (though that be not always so easy nor necessary,) and as to the
Violence or Remisness, wherewith they blow. For, though it be more
difficult, {185} than one would think, to settle any general rule about the
rising and falling of the _Quick-silver_; yet in these parts one of those,
that seem to hold oftnest, is, * that when high winds blow, the _Mercury_
is the lower; and yet that it self does sometimes fail: For, this very day
(_March_ 3.) though on that hill, where I am, the somewhat Westerly Winds
have been blustering enough, yet ever since morning the _Quick-silver_ has
been rising, and is now risen near 3/8 of an _Inch_.

I had thoughts to add something about another kind of _Baroscope_ (but
inferiour to that in use) whereof I have given some intimation in one of
the _Praeliminaries_ to the _History of Cold_. But you have already too much
of a letter, and my occasions, &c.

[Sidenote: * _Dr. _Beale_ concurs with this Observation, when he saith, in
a late _Letter_ of _March 19_. to his Correspondent in _London_;_ By change
of Weather and Wind, the _Mercury_ is sunk more than an Inch, since I wrote
to you on _Munday_ last. _March_ 12. This last night, by Rain and South
wind, 'tis sunk _half an Inch_.]

_So far that Letter._ Since which time, another from the same Noble
Observer intimates, That, as for that cause of the height of the
_Quick-silver_ in Droughts, which by him is suspected to be the elevation
of steams from the _Crust_ or Superficial parts of the Earth, which by
little and little may add to the Weight of the _Atmosphere_, being not, as
in other seasons, carried down from time to time by the falling Rain, it
agrees not ill with what he has had since occasion to observe. For, whereas
about _March_ 12^{th}, at _Oxford_, The _Quick-silver_ was higher, than,
for ought he knew, had been yet observ'd in _England_, viz. above 5/16
above 30. _Inches_, upon the first considerable showers, that have
interrupted our long Drought, as he affirms, he foretold divers hours
before that the _Quick-silver_ would be very low, (a blustering Wind
concurring with the Rain) so he found it at _Stanton_ to fall 3/8 beneath
29. _Inches_.*

{186}

* * * * *

_General Heads for a _Natural History of a Countrey_, Great or Small,
imparted likewise by