THE observations in the preceding journal were made by two celebrated opticians, Mr John Carey and Mr Robert Bancks. To the first of these gentlemen we owe the observations contained in col. 2, 4, 6, 10, 12; and to the second, the observations recorded in col. 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11. The journal kept by Mr Carey is the first in which the dryness of the air has been determined by Mr Leslie's hygrometer, the only instrument of the kind in which any confidence can be placed. It is much to be regret ted that this valuable instrument is

not more universally used in meteorological observations, as well as for various other purposes to which it is applicable. But, even among men of science, there is a prejudice against new inventions, which nothing but time and necessity can overcome. The instruments which are at present in use for ascertaining the humidity of the atmosphere, are completely fallacious, and ought long ago to have been superseded by the ingenious instrument with which Mr Leslie has enriched philosophy and the arts.

JANUARY.

On the morning of Wednesday the 18th of January, the shock of an earthquake was distinctly felt at Alloa, in Scotland, and the noise and tremulous motion were very perceptible along the base of the Ochil Hills.

Sunday the 22d of this month was one of the coldest days in the memory of the present generation. At 8 o'clock in the morning, the thermometer in Edinburgh stood at 11°. At a short distance from town, the mercury stood so low as 8°; and in Queen street, which faces the north, it was observed at 8°. In the evening, it was perceived as low as 5° at Foxhall, about 8 miles west of Edinburgh. The large wet dock at Leith, though filled with salt water, was so completely frozen over, that the sailors went upon the ice from one ship to another. On the 22d, the thermometer in London fell to 21°, which was its lowest position in the month of January. The intense cold began to abate on the 26th. On the 27th, the mercury in the thermometer rose 15° above the freezing point, and heavy showers of rain

having fallen on the 29th, the snow was so rapidly dissolved, that all the level parts of the country were laid under water. The devastation committed in the south of England by this sudden thaw was unusually great. The views upon the Thames from Henley to London were the most interesting that could possibly be seen.

To the writer of this article, who was then travelling from Oxford to London, the whole course of the river had the appearance of a succession of the finest lakes, arranged in the most picturesque manner.

On the last day of this month, and on the 1st of February, the shocks of an earthquake were distinctly felt in the West Highlands, particularly at Arisaig and Moidart.

On the 30th of January, at 2 o'. clock p. m., there was a fall of meteoric stones in Caswell county, New Connecticut. Their descent was distinctly perceived for a considerable distance round, and two reports were heard at Hillsborough, a distance of 30 miles. A fragment, weighing a pound and three-quarters, struck a tree where some wood-cutters were at work: They immediately ran home,

but, being encouraged by a woman to examine the place, they returned with her, and brought away the stone, which was still hot. It was ferruginous, porous, and of a dark-brown colouf.

FEBRUARY.

Very high winds prevailed from the 16th to the 20th of this month, blowing from the west and from the south-west.

On the 19th at London, the moon was encircled with a beautiful halo.

MARCH.

On the 1st of March, the moon was encircled with a very fine halo. Vegetation was about six weeks earlier in the beginning of March, than it was in the year 1808.

On the 30th of the month the hawthorn hedges had begun to put out their buds.

APRIL.

Vegetation, which was advancing with such rapidity, received a severe shock from the sharp frosts between the 3d and 5th of this month. On the 27th, snow fell in a considerable quantity, and the continuance of the nocturnal frosts through the greater part of the month destroyed the blossoms of several fruit-trees, and gave a shrivelled appearance to the young leaves of many shrubs and flowers.

On the evening of the 13th of April, at 9 o'clock, there was a good deal of lightening observed in London. Next morning, at half an hour past 6 o'clock, there was a good deal of thunder, and at 1 o'clock of the same day hail and lightening came on. Towards the end of the month there were several great falls of snow.

MAY.

On the 9th of this month, swallows were observed near Edinburgh, and swifts and martins on the 16th. On the 17th, explosions of thunder were heard at Edinburgh for the first time this season, and they were repeated on the 21st.

On the 2d of May there was a good deal of hail in London in the forenoon, which was followed by lightening and thunder. On the evening of the 14th, at 11 o'clock, lightening was again observed; and on the evening of the 17th, the lightening at London was accompanied with a high wind, and with a sultry heat. On the afternoon of the 19th, there was at London a tremendous storm of thunder, lightening, and heavy rain.

On the afternoon of the 28th of May, a very sudden diminution of temperature was experienced in Edinburgh. On the 29th, a heavy fall of snow and hail commenced, and continued at intervals on the 30th and 31st, so as to cover the ground to the depth of a foot and a half in some places.

JUNE.

Violent rains and strong easterly winds succeeded the late storm of hail and snow, and produced great havock in the gardens.

JULY.

There was a storm of thunder, lightening, and heavy rain, at London, at 2 o'clock p. m. on the 4th, the thermometer retiring 4°. A similar storm took place on the 9th, at 11 o'clock at night, and also on the evenings of the 25th and 26th.

AUGUST.

On the 3d of this month, at half