Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/227

 on Decem. 14. the wind had a short swing from the North-west, and hastened again toward the East, yet so as to be North-East. During this agitation, or change or Winds, the Mercury descended little; and after, upon the resetling of the wind, the Mercury ascended a little higher, than it had been the day before.

My House and Study, where I keep this Baroscope, is on the side of an Hill; on the higher side of this Country, as I guess near a level with the Head of a River; which River, running slowly, and falling into the Serverne-sea about 20. or 30. miles West-ward of Bristol, we cannot be very much above the level of the Sea.

My Thermoscope, standing close by my said Barometer, was at the just hight of ordinary dissolving Weather. In the following dayes it was colder. Whether the late Summer-drought, or what else, might incline this Winter-air to have more than ordinary Weight, or a stronger Spring, I must refer to the consideration of the more skilful. And if you please to give notice for a general Observation, what Springs do now most fayle, or more abound in any Vertue, Quality, or Quantity, it may probably be instructive for divers inferences; and particularly, it may give sume degree of indication, Whether the Springs proceed from the fall of Rain, or by Subterraneous passages from the Seas, or by change of Air into Water.

But to returne to my Thermometer, I shall give you further notice, that on Decemb. 26. 1669. in the Morning, the Weather was colder than ever I found it, since I could take it by the measure of a Thermometer, that is, since these 5. or 6. years. It was very cold and frezing quick some dayes before, and ever since: And yet in this time the Mercury hath sometimes faln more than an Inch, without any other change of Weather, than some gusts of wind, some sprinklings of Snow* at several times, in all, scarce enough to cover the ground; and some abatements of Cold more especially when the Sun was up.


 * This was written before the great Snow fell.

I have examined my from May 28, 1664. till now: In all which time I find it not remark'd for any such de-