THE WEATHER.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5350, 21 November 1885, Page 2

THE WEATHER.

[to the editor.]

Sir, — We are all complaining, and with evory reason, of this mest unseasonable, boisterous weather. I think, however, I can offer some explanation for it. I was reading last night in the London Times of 25th Sept., a masterly speech of Lord Id: desleigh's (Sir Stafford Northcote that was) delivered at Aberdeen, in which he criticises, in his polished style, Mr Gladstone's now famous manifesto, and Mr Chamberlain's speech at Warrington, upon opening the electioneering campaign. In the course, of his remarks Lord Iddesleigh likened Mr Chamberlain to the new moon, in the fine old ballad of Sir Patrick Spens, carrying the old man, Mr Gladstone, in his lap ! Tn the ballad mentioned Sir Patrick Spens _ is cautioned not to go.jto \ sea, because his faithful and weatherwise attendant had noticed the new moon with the old moon in its lap— a sure sign of bad weather. He went to sea notwithstanding, and was drowned some 20 or 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen many years ago. How, I noticed very particularly that our new moon this month, when she came in on the 7th instant, had what is called the " old moon in its lap," that ia to say the rim of the old moon was clearly visible all round until absorbed in the new moon's crescent. I did not think of the old ballad of Sir Patrick Spens at the.time, but it has occurred to me after reading Lord Iddesleigh's speech. Had this anything to do with the frightfully bad weather we have experienced since the 7th instant? With the exception of the Prince of Wales Birthday, and two or three more fine days, we have had uothing but bad weather all this month so far, nor do I expect to see any settled weather until after the full moon, 22nd instant. Many people say the moon has nothing to do with the weather at all. Perhaps so ; I dont know enough about it, and will not hazard an opinion. But I think the appearance of the moon is a pretty sure indication of what the weather is going to be. At any rate, I will refer this appearance of the "new moon haying the old moon in its lap" to nautical and weatherwise men who may perhaps tell us something about it.— l am, &c, James Garland Woon, (Not Old Moon). • November 20. """The number of visitors to the Public Library, Museums, and National Gallery of Victoria during September was 47,130, of whom 30,472 visited the Library.