GENERAL PROGNOSTICS.

A good October and a good blast,So blow the hog-acorn and the mast.

A good October and a good blast,

So blow the hog-acorn and the mast.

November.

As at Catharine (25th) foul or fair, so will be the next February.

As November, so the following March.

Thunder in November indicates a fertile year to come.

Flowers in bloom late in autumn indicate a bad winter.

November, take flail;Let ships no more sail.

November, take flail;

Let ships no more sail.

If there be ice in November that will bear a duck,There will be nothing thereafter but sleet and muck.

If there be ice in November that will bear a duck,

There will be nothing thereafter but sleet and muck.

December.

If it rains on Sunday before mass it will rain the whole week.

If Christmas finds a bridge, he’ll break it; if he finds none, he’ll make one.

As Ash Wednesday, so the fasting time.

A warm Christmas, a cold Easter.

A green Christmas, a white Easter.

If windy on Xmas day, trees will bring much fruit.

If the wind blows much on Stephen’s day (26th), the grape will be bad in next year.

If it snows on Xmas night, we expect a good hop crop next year.

Christmas wet gives empty granary and barrel.

At Christmas meadows green, at Easter covered with frost.

Wet causes more damage than frost before, than after Christmas.

December cold, with snow, brings rye everywhere.

Days.

The first three days of any season rule the weather of that season.

The general character of the weather during the last twenty days of March, June, September, and December will rule the following season.

A bad day has a good night.

As the days lengthen,So the cold strengthens.

As the days lengthen,

So the cold strengthens.

The three days of September (20th, 21st, and 22d) rule the weather for October, November, and December.

The first three days of January rule the coming three months.

The last twelve days of January rule the weather of the whole year.

When there are three days cold, expect three days colder.

The twelve days commencing December 25th and ending January 5th are said to be the keys of the weather of the year.

Wednesday.

Wednesday clearing, clear till Sunday.

When the sun sets clear on Wednesday, expect clear weather the rest of the week.

Thursday.

The first Thursday in March, the first Thursday in June, the first Thursday in September, and the first Thursday in December are the governing days for each season. Whatever point of the compass the wind is on these days, that will be the prevailing direction of the wind for that season.

If it storms on the first Thursday, or any subsequent, of a month, count the remaining days of the month, add to this the number of days remaining of the moon, and they will give the number of storms for that season. (Wm. R. Ryan.)

Friday.

If the sun sets clear on Friday, it will blow before Sunday night.

If on Friday it rain,’Twill on Sunday again;If Friday be clear,Have a Sunday no fear.

If on Friday it rain,

’Twill on Sunday again;

If Friday be clear,

Have a Sunday no fear.

Rain on Good Friday forebodes a fruitful year.

Friday is the best or worst day of the week.

If the sun sets clear on Friday, generally expect rain before Monday.

A wet Good Friday and a wet Easter day,Makes plenty of grass but very little hay.

A wet Good Friday and a wet Easter day,

Makes plenty of grass but very little hay.

As the Friday, so the Sunday.

Saturday.

There is never a Saturday without some sunshine.

Sunday.

If it rains on Sunday before mass it will rain all the week.

When it storms on the first Sunday of the month it will storm every Sunday.

First Sunday in month rain, it will rain every Sunday of the month.

Sunday clearing, clear till Wednesday.

The last Sunday of the month indicates the weather of the next month.

If sunset on Sunday is cloudy, it will rain before Wednesday.

Christmas.

A light Christmas, a heavy sheaf.

If the sun shines through the apple tree on Christmas day, there will be an abundant crop the following year.

If on Christmas night the wine ferments heavily in the barrels, a good wine year is to follow. (German.)

The shepherd would rather see his wife enter the stable on Christmas day than the sun. (German.)

If ice will bear a man before Christmas, it will not bear a mouse afterward. (English proverb.)

If Christmas day on Thursday be,A windy winter you shall see.Windy weather in each week,And hard tempests strong and thick.The summer shall be good and dry,Corn and beast shall multiply.

If Christmas day on Thursday be,

A windy winter you shall see.

Windy weather in each week,

And hard tempests strong and thick.

The summer shall be good and dry,

Corn and beast shall multiply.

(Copied from old MS.)

A green Christmas makes a full graveyard.

A green Christmas indicates a white Easter.

Candlemas Day.

If Candlemas day be fair and clear,There’ll be two winters in that one year.

If Candlemas day be fair and clear,

There’ll be two winters in that one year.

On Candlemas day the bear, badger, or woodchuck comes out to see his shadow at noon; if he does not see it he remains out; but if he does see it he goes back to his hole for six weeks, and cold weather continues six weeks longer.

Have on Candlemas dayOne-half your straw and one-half your hay.

Have on Candlemas day

One-half your straw and one-half your hay.

Candlemas day if it be fairThe half of the winter’s to come and mair.Candlemas day, if it be foul,The half of winter’s past at yule.

Candlemas day if it be fair

The half of the winter’s to come and mair.

Candlemas day, if it be foul,

The half of winter’s past at yule.

On Candlemas dayThrow the candle and stick away.When Candlemas is come and goneThe coal lies on a red-hot stove.

On Candlemas day

Throw the candle and stick away.

When Candlemas is come and gone

The coal lies on a red-hot stove.

Just half your wood and half your hayShould be remaining on Candlemas day.

Just half your wood and half your hay

Should be remaining on Candlemas day.

If Candlemas day be fair and bright,Winter will have another flight;But if Candlemas day be clouds and rain,Winter is gone and will not come again.

If Candlemas day be fair and bright,

Winter will have another flight;

But if Candlemas day be clouds and rain,

Winter is gone and will not come again.

On Candlemas day just so far as the sun shines in, just so far will the snow blow in.

I would rather see my wife on a bierThan to see Candlemas clear.

I would rather see my wife on a bier

Than to see Candlemas clear.

Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi day clearGives a good year.

Corpus Christi day clear

Gives a good year.

If rain on Corpus Christi day, the rye granary will be light.

Dog Day.

Rain on first dog day, it will rain for forty days after.

Easter.

Rain on Easter gives slim fodder.

If fair weather from Easter to Whitsuntide, the butter will be cheap.

Easter in snow, Christmas in mud;Christmas in snow, Easter in mud.

Easter in snow, Christmas in mud;

Christmas in snow, Easter in mud.

Good Friday.

Good Friday rain brings a fertile year.

Hollantide.

If ducks do slide at Hollantide,At Christmas day they’ll swim;If ducks do swim at Hollantide,At Christmas day they’ll slide.

If ducks do slide at Hollantide,

At Christmas day they’ll swim;

If ducks do swim at Hollantide,

At Christmas day they’ll slide.

Lent.

Dry Lent, fertile year.

Martinmas.

If the wind is in the southwest at Martinmas, it keeps there until Candlemas. (French.)

Pentecost.

Rain at Pentecost forebodes evil.

Paster Sunday.

If it rains on Paster Sunday, it will rain every Sunday until Pentecost.

Palm Sunday.

If the weather is not clear on Palm Sunday, it means a bad year.

Shrovetide Day.

When the sun is shining on Shrovetide day, it is meant well for rye and peas.

Saint Andrew’s Day.

On Saint Andrew’s night a glass of water should be placed on the table. If the water has run over in the morning, a good year is to follow; if it does not, expect a poor year for crops. (German.)

Saint Bartholomew.

If it rains on Saint Bartholomew’s day (August 24th) it will rain forty days after.

Saint Bartholomew brings cold and dew. (Italian.)

Saint John’s Day.

Before Saint John’s day (24th of June) no early crops are worth praising. (German.)

Before Saint John’s day we pray for rain; after that we get it anyhow.

Saint Lawrence Day.

If on Saint Lawrence day (August 10th) the weather be fine, a good autumn and good wine may be hoped for. (German.)

Saint Margaret’s Day.

Rain on Saint Margaret’s day (22d of July) will destroy all kinds of nuts. (German.)

Saint Matthew’s Day.

If it freezes on Saint Matthew’s day, it will freeze for a month together.

Matthew’s day (February 25th) breaks the ice; if he finds none, then he’ll have some.

Saint Martin’s Day.

Saint Martin’s day (11th of November) if the wind is in the southwest at Martinmas, it keeps there till after Candlemas. (Scotch.)

Saint Paul’s Day.

If Saint Paul’s day is fair and clear,It does betide a happy year.

If Saint Paul’s day is fair and clear,

It does betide a happy year.

If Saint Paul’s be fair and clear,It promises a happy year;But if it chances to snow or rain,There will be dear all sorts of grain;Or if the wind does blow aloft,Great stirs will vex the world full oft;And if dark clouds do muff the sky,The fowl and cattle oft will die.If Saint Paul’s day (25th January) be fair and clear,It does betide a happy year;But if it chance to snow or rain,There will be dear all kinds of grain.If clouds or mist do dark the sky,Great store of birds and beasts shall die;And if the winds do fly aloft,Then war shall vex the kingdom oft.

If Saint Paul’s be fair and clear,

It promises a happy year;

But if it chances to snow or rain,

There will be dear all sorts of grain;

Or if the wind does blow aloft,

Great stirs will vex the world full oft;

And if dark clouds do muff the sky,

The fowl and cattle oft will die.

If Saint Paul’s day (25th January) be fair and clear,It does betide a happy year;But if it chance to snow or rain,There will be dear all kinds of grain.If clouds or mist do dark the sky,Great store of birds and beasts shall die;And if the winds do fly aloft,Then war shall vex the kingdom oft.

If Saint Paul’s day (25th January) be fair and clear,

It does betide a happy year;

But if it chance to snow or rain,

There will be dear all kinds of grain.

If clouds or mist do dark the sky,

Great store of birds and beasts shall die;

And if the winds do fly aloft,

Then war shall vex the kingdom oft.

(Old English.)

Upon Saint Paul’s dayPut oats and barley in the clay.

Upon Saint Paul’s day

Put oats and barley in the clay.

Saint Patrick’s Day.

Saint Patrick’s day the warm side of a stone turns up, and the broad-back goose begins to lay.

Saint Stephen’s Day.

If it be very windy on Saint Stephen’s day, there will be a poor wine crop next year. (German.)

Saint Swithin.

A rainy Saint Swithin is well described by Gay:

Now on Saint Swithin’s feast the welkin lours,And every pent house streams with hasty showers;But when the swinging signs your ears offendWith creaking noise, then rainy floods impend;Soon shall the kennels swell with rapid streams,And rush in muddy torrents to the Thames.

Now on Saint Swithin’s feast the welkin lours,

And every pent house streams with hasty showers;

But when the swinging signs your ears offend

With creaking noise, then rainy floods impend;

Soon shall the kennels swell with rapid streams,

And rush in muddy torrents to the Thames.

All Saints’ Day.

If All Saints’ day will bring out the winter, Saint Martin’s day will bring out Indian summer.

All Fools’ Day.

If it thunders on All Fools’ day,’Twill bring good crops of corn and hay.

If it thunders on All Fools’ day,

’Twill bring good crops of corn and hay.

Ascension Day.

As the weather on Ascension day, so may be the entire autumn.

Saint Thomas’s Day.

Look at the weathercock on Saint Thomas day, at 12 o’clock, and see which way the wind is, for there it will stick for the next quarter.

Saint Vincent’s.

If the sun shines on Saint Vincent’s day (22d January), a fine crop of grapes may be expected. (German.)

Whit Sunday.

If Whit Sunday brings rain, we expect many a plague.

Whitsuntide.

Whitsuntide rain, blessing for wine.

Rain on Whitsuntide is said to make the wheat mildewed.

Strawberries at Whitsuntide indicate good wine.

Whit Sunday bright and clearWill bring a fertile year.

Whit Sunday bright and clear

Will bring a fertile year.

Whit Sunday wet, Christmas fat.

GENERAL PROGNOSTICS.

Some of the various signs of coming rain, which will be found in their respective places, are thus recorded by Swift:

Careful observes may foretell the hourBy sure prognostics when to dread a shower.While rain depends, the pensive cat gives o’erHer frolics and pursues her tail no more;Returning home at night you’ll find the sinkStrike your offended sense with double stink.If you be wise, then go not far to dine,You’ll spend in coach-hire more than save in wine.A coming shower your shooting corns presage,Old aches will throb your hollow tooth with rage.Sauntering in coffee-house is Dulman seen;He damns the climate and complains of spleen.Meanwhile the South, rising with dabbled wings,A sable cloud athwart the welkin flings,That swilled more liquor than it could contain,And, like a drunkard, gives it up again.Brisk Susan whips her linen from the rope,While the first drizzling shower is borne aslope.Such is that sprinkling which some careless queanFlirts on you from her mop, but not so clean.You fly, invoke the gods; then, turning, stopTo rail; she singing still, whirls on her mop.Not yet the dust had shunned the unequal strife,But, aided by the wind, fought still for life,And wafted with its foe by violent gusts,’Twas doubtful which was rain and which was dust.Ah! where must needy poet seek for aidWhen dust and rain at once his coat invade?Sole coat; where dust, cemented by the rain,Erects the nap and leaves a cloudy stain.

Careful observes may foretell the hour

By sure prognostics when to dread a shower.

While rain depends, the pensive cat gives o’er

Her frolics and pursues her tail no more;

Returning home at night you’ll find the sink

Strike your offended sense with double stink.

If you be wise, then go not far to dine,You’ll spend in coach-hire more than save in wine.A coming shower your shooting corns presage,Old aches will throb your hollow tooth with rage.

If you be wise, then go not far to dine,

You’ll spend in coach-hire more than save in wine.

A coming shower your shooting corns presage,

Old aches will throb your hollow tooth with rage.

Sauntering in coffee-house is Dulman seen;He damns the climate and complains of spleen.Meanwhile the South, rising with dabbled wings,A sable cloud athwart the welkin flings,That swilled more liquor than it could contain,And, like a drunkard, gives it up again.Brisk Susan whips her linen from the rope,While the first drizzling shower is borne aslope.Such is that sprinkling which some careless queanFlirts on you from her mop, but not so clean.You fly, invoke the gods; then, turning, stopTo rail; she singing still, whirls on her mop.Not yet the dust had shunned the unequal strife,But, aided by the wind, fought still for life,And wafted with its foe by violent gusts,’Twas doubtful which was rain and which was dust.Ah! where must needy poet seek for aidWhen dust and rain at once his coat invade?Sole coat; where dust, cemented by the rain,Erects the nap and leaves a cloudy stain.

Sauntering in coffee-house is Dulman seen;

He damns the climate and complains of spleen.

Meanwhile the South, rising with dabbled wings,

A sable cloud athwart the welkin flings,

That swilled more liquor than it could contain,

And, like a drunkard, gives it up again.

Brisk Susan whips her linen from the rope,

While the first drizzling shower is borne aslope.

Such is that sprinkling which some careless quean

Flirts on you from her mop, but not so clean.

You fly, invoke the gods; then, turning, stop

To rail; she singing still, whirls on her mop.

Not yet the dust had shunned the unequal strife,

But, aided by the wind, fought still for life,

And wafted with its foe by violent gusts,

’Twas doubtful which was rain and which was dust.

Ah! where must needy poet seek for aid

When dust and rain at once his coat invade?

Sole coat; where dust, cemented by the rain,

Erects the nap and leaves a cloudy stain.

Another author observes of a wet Saint Swithin:

Twice twenty days shall clouds their fleeces drain,And wash the pavements with incessant rain.Let not such vulgar tales debase thy mind;Nor Paul nor Swithin rule the clouds and wind.If you the precept of the Muse despise,And slight the faithful warnings of the skies,Others you’ll see, when all the town’s afloat,Wrapt in the embraces of a kersey coatOr doubled-bottom frieze; their guarded feetDefy the muddy dangers of the street,While, with hat unlooped, the fury dreadOf spouts high streaming, and with cautious treadShun every dashing pool, or idly stopTo seek the kind protection of a shop.But business summons; now with hasty scudYou jostle for the wall; the spattered mudHides all thy hose behind; in vain you scour.Thy wig, alas! uncurled, admits the shower.So fierce Electos’ snaky tresses fellWhen Orpheus charmed the rigorous powers of hell;Or thus hung Glaucus’ beard, with briny dewClotted and straight, when first his amorous viewSurprised the bathing fair. The frightened maidNow stands a rock, transformed by Circe’s aid.And now sharp hail falls down in hasty sallies,And all the tiles with dancing showers rattle,And the fair Jewess hies to sheltered alleysTo sell her strawberries in brimful pottle,And farmers praise Saint Swithin come againTo wet the crops with forty days of rain.

Twice twenty days shall clouds their fleeces drain,

And wash the pavements with incessant rain.

Let not such vulgar tales debase thy mind;

Nor Paul nor Swithin rule the clouds and wind.

If you the precept of the Muse despise,

And slight the faithful warnings of the skies,

Others you’ll see, when all the town’s afloat,

Wrapt in the embraces of a kersey coat

Or doubled-bottom frieze; their guarded feet

Defy the muddy dangers of the street,

While, with hat unlooped, the fury dread

Of spouts high streaming, and with cautious tread

Shun every dashing pool, or idly stop

To seek the kind protection of a shop.

But business summons; now with hasty scud

You jostle for the wall; the spattered mud

Hides all thy hose behind; in vain you scour.

Thy wig, alas! uncurled, admits the shower.

So fierce Electos’ snaky tresses fell

When Orpheus charmed the rigorous powers of hell;

Or thus hung Glaucus’ beard, with briny dew

Clotted and straight, when first his amorous view

Surprised the bathing fair. The frightened maid

Now stands a rock, transformed by Circe’s aid.

And now sharp hail falls down in hasty sallies,

And all the tiles with dancing showers rattle,

And the fair Jewess hies to sheltered alleys

To sell her strawberries in brimful pottle,

And farmers praise Saint Swithin come again

To wet the crops with forty days of rain.

Air Currents.

Currents of air change their course frequently, in the higher regions of the air first, and are afterwards continued to the earth’s surface; whence we can often foresee a change of wind by observing the clouds. Both the strength of a coming gale and the point from which it will blow may usually be determined by noticing the velocity and direction of the clouds floating along in the upper currents.

Appetite.

When everything is eaten at the table, it indicates continued clear weather.

Aurora.

The aurora when very bright indicates approaching storm.

Barometer.

If it freezes and the barometer falls two or three tenths of an inch, expect a thaw.

If the weather gets warmer while the barometer is high and the wind northeasterly, we may look for a sudden shift of wind to the south. On the other hand, if the weather becomes colder while the wind is southwesterly and the barometer low, we may look for a sudden squall or a severe storm from the northwest, with a fall of snow if it be winter time.

A sudden rise of the barometer is very nearly as dangerous as a sudden fall, because it shows that the level is unsteady. In an ordinary gale the wind often blows hardest when the barometer is just beginning to rise, directly after having been very low.

A rapid rise of barometer indicates unsettled weather. A slow movement the contrary, as likewise a steady barometer, which, when continued, and with dryness, foretells very fine weather.

Bells.

Bells are heard at greater distances before rain.

Boots and Shoes.

Boots and shoes easy to pull on and off indicate dry weather.

Brick Walls.

Brick walls become damp before a rain.

Breeders.

Fine, warm days are called “weather breeders.”

Calm.

A dead calm often precedes a violent gale, and sometimes the calmest and clearest mornings in certain seasons are followed by a blowing, showery day. Calms are forerunners of the hurricanes of the West Indies and other tropical climes.

Camphor Gum.

Camphor gum is said to rise in alcohol before rain.

Clouds.

If clouds drive up high from the south, expect a thaw.

Coals.

Coals covered with thick white ashes indicate snow in winter and rain in summer.

Coals becoming alternately bright and dim indicate approaching storms.

Coffee Bubbles.

When the bubbles of coffee collect in the centre of the cup, expect fair weather. When they adhere to the cup, forming a ring, expect rain. If the bubbles separate without assuming any fixed position, expect changeable weather.

Corns.

Corns giving trouble indicate bad weather.

When corns ache rain follows.

Cream and Milk.

Cream and milk, when they turn sour in the night, often indicate thereby that thunder-storms are about, and will probably shortly take place.

Creeks and Springs.

In dry weather, when creeks and springs that have gone dry become moist, or, as we may say, begin to sweat, it indicates approaching rain. Many springs that have gone dry will give a good flow of water just before rain. (J. E. Walter, Leavenworth, Kans.)

Dandelion.

When the dandelions bloom early in the spring there will be a short season. When they bloom late expect a dry summer.

Dreams.

Dreams of a hurrying and frightful nature and imperfect sleep, are frequent indications that the weather is changed or about to change. Many persons experience these nocturnal symptoms on a change of wind, particularly when it becomes east. In all these cases the effect seems to be produced immediately on the nervous system, and through it on the stomach, so that the stomach shall again react on the sensorium. The symptoms are enhanced by a full stomach and other sources of indigestion. (Forster.)

Dust.

Dust rising in dry weather is a sign of approaching change.

Ears.

Ringing in the ear at night indicates a change of wind.

Ears, when there is a tingling noise, or what is called a singing in them, afford thereby a sign of a change of weather, not simplyof rain, as has been said, but of barometrical pressure in general. The sudden increase of pressure, like the descent from high mountains, or from balloons, causes in many persons a temporary deafness and roaring in the ears. A sudden fall of the barometer affects also the ears, but in a different manner, like mounting a high hill. (Forster.)

Noises in the ears are frequently precursors of marked atmospheric changes.

Eclipse Weather.

Eclipse weather is a popular term in the south of England for the weather following an eclipse of the sun or moon, and it is vulgarly esteemed tempestuous and not to be depended on by the husbandman.

Epidemics.

Epidemics are disorders of health brought on by atmospherical influence; and modern discoveries have shown how much most prevailing diseases partake of an epidemical nature. Scarlet fever, typhus, the plague, and indeed most diseases of this sort, are now considered epidemical. It would seem that there is a most immediate connection between the peculiar state of the air and the kind of disorders which might be thereby excited. For it may be observed that, even of those disorders which are not generally admitted to be contagious, one particular kind will prevail for a long time. Thus, in winter, the different symptoms of that state of body which we call a cold, appear in some measure to prevail and vary together, so that it is common to hear people talk of the fashionable complaint. Coughs, for a while, are the prevailing symptoms; then sore throats are the most common. It is in spring that certain kinds of cutaneous eruptions usually appear, and in autumn that those irregularities in the functions of the digestive viscera called cholera morbus, &c., happen, and which have been erroneously attributed to eating much fruit. On the other hand, it cannot be considered that atmospheric peculiarities alone produce epidemic and other complaints, which must be regarded as having a compound origin, and as resulting from the operation of peculiar states of the atmosphere on persons of particular states of constitution, otherwise all persons would be affected, which is contrary to experience. There are, probably, innumerable varieties of temperament, of general habits of life, and of pre-existing diseases, which in different subjects vary the effects of the air. And many persons perhaps enjoy a state of health and perfect action, which may be capable of resisting its evil influence altogether. It would perhaps be productive of useful results, if physicians of extensive practice would make accurate meteorological registers during the prevalence of any epidemic or contagious disorders. (Forster’s Encyclopædia of Natural Phenomena.)

Epizootic.

Epizootic is a name for epidemic disorders occurring among animals, of which we have many and various instances on record. The state of the electrometer and other meteorological instruments should be carefully examined during the prevalence of such pestilence.

Elder Bush.

A number of superstitions may be traced back to the former connection of the elder bush with the goddess. Witches were thought to produce bad weather by stirring water with branches of elder.

Electric Lights.

Last night I saw St. Elmo’s stars,With their glimmering lanterns all at playOn the tops of the masts and the tips of the spars,And I knew we should have foul weather that day.

Last night I saw St. Elmo’s stars,

With their glimmering lanterns all at play

On the tops of the masts and the tips of the spars,

And I knew we should have foul weather that day.

Fire.

If the fire burns unusually fierce and bright in winter, there will be frost and clear weather; if the fire burns dull, expect damp and rain.

Fire always burns brighter and throws out more heat just before a storm, and is hotter during a storm.

Blacksmiths always select a stormy day in which to perform work requiring extra heat.

A fire hard to kindle indicates bad weather.

When the fire crackles and crackles lightly, it is said to be treading snow. (Old woman.)

Floors.

Floors saturated with oil become very damp just before rain.

Fog Smoke.

When with hanging fog smoke rises vertically, rain follows.

Gale.

If, during the absence of wind, the surface of the sea becomes agitated by a long, rolling swell, a gale may be expected. This is well known to seamen.

General.

But the best sign of allIf soot down the chimney fall.The dog long asleep so sound,We know moisture is in the ground.The guinea at night groans so loud;It says the rain is in the cloud.The peacock appears on the scene,And, with its spots both black and green,Flies up to roost and screams so shrill,He is heard o’er all the hill,Saying that the sun is set;In the morning we will be wet.Old master sits and look with sorrowOn the prospect of the morrow.Other signs just as goodCome from the vermin of the wood.The owls hollow, the children scare,Thus he tells when the rain is near.If you kill the snake and hang it up,You will find this is good luck;And this will always bring the rainTo people who are not profane.The gnats bite and I scratch in vain,Because they know it is going to rain.The cat, with her silken paws,Washing there her whiskered jaws.When these signs together come,Nigger, you had better be at home.(Negro.)

But the best sign of all

If soot down the chimney fall.

The dog long asleep so sound,

We know moisture is in the ground.

The guinea at night groans so loud;

It says the rain is in the cloud.

The peacock appears on the scene,

And, with its spots both black and green,

Flies up to roost and screams so shrill,

He is heard o’er all the hill,

Saying that the sun is set;

In the morning we will be wet.

Old master sits and look with sorrow

On the prospect of the morrow.

Other signs just as good

Come from the vermin of the wood.

The owls hollow, the children scare,

Thus he tells when the rain is near.

If you kill the snake and hang it up,

You will find this is good luck;

And this will always bring the rain

To people who are not profane.

The gnats bite and I scratch in vain,

Because they know it is going to rain.

The cat, with her silken paws,

Washing there her whiskered jaws.

When these signs together come,

Nigger, you had better be at home.

(Negro.)

The cow looks up, and from afar can findThe change of heaven, and muffs it in the wind.The swallow skims the river’s watery face;The frogs renew the croaks of their loquacious race.The careful ant her secret cell forsakes,And drags her eggs along the narrow tracks.At either horn the rainbow drinks the flood;Huge flocks of rising rooks forsake their food,And, crying, seek the shelter of the wood.Above the rest the sun, who never lies,Foretells the change of weather in the skies;For if he rise unwillingly to his race,Cloud on his brow and spots upon his face;Or if through mist he shoots his sullen beams,Frugal of light in loose and struggling streams,Suspect a drizzling day; * * *If fiery red his glowing globe descends,High winds and furious tempests he portends;But if his checks are swollen with livid blue,He bodes wet weather by his watery hue;If dusky spots are varied on his brow,And streaked with red a troubled color show,That shallow mixture shall at once declare,Winds, rain, and storms, and elements at war.(Virgil.)

The cow looks up, and from afar can find

The change of heaven, and muffs it in the wind.

The swallow skims the river’s watery face;

The frogs renew the croaks of their loquacious race.

The careful ant her secret cell forsakes,

And drags her eggs along the narrow tracks.

At either horn the rainbow drinks the flood;

Huge flocks of rising rooks forsake their food,

And, crying, seek the shelter of the wood.

Above the rest the sun, who never lies,

Foretells the change of weather in the skies;

For if he rise unwillingly to his race,

Cloud on his brow and spots upon his face;

Or if through mist he shoots his sullen beams,

Frugal of light in loose and struggling streams,

Suspect a drizzling day; * * *

If fiery red his glowing globe descends,

High winds and furious tempests he portends;

But if his checks are swollen with livid blue,

He bodes wet weather by his watery hue;

If dusky spots are varied on his brow,

And streaked with red a troubled color show,

That shallow mixture shall at once declare,

Winds, rain, and storms, and elements at war.

(Virgil.)

[From “Weather Folk-Lore,” by Rev. C. Swainson, M. A.]

Wind.

The hollow winds begin to blow,

Clouds—Barometer.

The clouds look black, the glass is low,

Soot—Dogs.

The soot falls down, the spaniels sleep,

Spiders.

And spiders from their cobwebs peep.

Sun.

Last night the sun went pale to bed,

Moon.

The Moon in halos hid her head. The boding shepherd heaves a sigh,

Rainbow.

For, see! a rainbow spans the sky,

Walls—Ditches.

The walls are damp, the ditches smell,

Pimpernel.

Closed is the pink-eyed pimpernel.

Chairs and Tables.

Hark! how the chairs and tables crack;

Joints.

Old Betty’s joints are on the rack.

Ducks.

Loud quack the ducks, the peacocks cry,

Hills.

The distant hills are looking nigh.

Swine.

How restless are the snorting swine!

Flies.

The busy flies disturb the kine,

Swallow.

Low o’er the grass the swallow wings;

Cricket.

The cricket, too, how sharp he sings;

Cat.

Puss on the hearth, with velvet paws,Sits wiping o’er her whiskered jaws;

Puss on the hearth, with velvet paws,

Sits wiping o’er her whiskered jaws;

Fish.

Through the clear streams the fishes rise,And nimbly catch the incautious flies;

Through the clear streams the fishes rise,

And nimbly catch the incautious flies;

Glowworm.

The glow-worms, numerous and bright,Illumed the gloomy dell last night;

The glow-worms, numerous and bright,

Illumed the gloomy dell last night;

Toad.

At dusk the squalid toad was seenHopping and crawling o’er the green.

At dusk the squalid toad was seen

Hopping and crawling o’er the green.

Dust.

The whirling dust the wind obeys,And in the rapid eddy plays;

The whirling dust the wind obeys,

And in the rapid eddy plays;

Frog.

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