In the wettest years at Plymouth the Doctor measured
only once 36 in.; and again once, viz., 1734, 37.114 in.: a quantity
of rain that has twice been exceeded at Selborne in the short period
of my observations. Dr. Huxham remarks, that frequent small rains
keep the air moist; while heavy ones render it more dry, by beating
down the vapours. He is also of opinion that the dingy, smoky
appearance of the sky, in very dry seasons, arises from the want of
moisture sufficient to let the light through, and render the
atmosphere transparent; because he had observed several bodies
more diaphanous when wet than dry; and did never recollect that
the air had that look in rainy seasons.
My friend who lives just beyond the top of the down, brought his
three swivel guns to try them in my outlet, with their muzzles
towards the Hanger, supposing that the report would have had a
great effect; but the experiment did not answer his expectation. He
then removed them to the Alcove on the Hanger: when the sound,
rushing along the Lythe and Combwood, was very grand: but it was
at the Hermitage that the echoes and repercussions delighted the
hearers; not only filling the Lythe with the roar, as if all the
beeches were tearing up by the roots; but, turning to the left, they
pervaded the vale above Combwood-ponds; and after a pause
seemed to take up the crash again, and to extend round Harteley-
hangers, and to die away at last among the coppices and coverts of
Ward le ham.
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