OBJECTION TO THE THEORY REMOVED.
242. It may be objected to the above Theory, that the Wind plainly blows in an horizontal Direction, as may be seen from the Motion of Clouds and Trees.
To which it may be answered, that if Clouds are not beside the Question; as it is not asserted that a single Column of Air presses from so great a Height to the Earth; (tho’ it be the Case in Squalls;) yet it is extremely difficult to determine whether Clouds move in a Direction exactly parallel to the Plane of the Horizon: and it is much more probable that they are in a perpetual Change, encreasing or melting; rising or falling, according to the Pressure and specific Gravity of the Medium in which they float; its Tendency to Moisture or Driness, Cold or Heat; also the different Combinations and Decompositions, with Respect to which, the Atmosphere is in perpetual Variation.
The Motion of Trees, if carefully attended to, seldom shew Effects of a regular horizontal Current.
And since the more powerful the Wind; the more evident and accurate may be the Observation; it will be found, that the first general Effect is an oblique Depression, succeeded by a Recovery or instant Exaltation: then a momentary Pause, or actual Retreat of the Wind; and in a few Seconds, a Return of the depressing Torrent.
But the strongest, and, at the same Time, an irrefragable Proof, is by Appeal to Men of Science in the Navy, or to skilful Pilots, who are conversant with Winds and Waves; who have weathered Storms off Cape Hatteras in Latitude 36; (where probably the Wind is perpetual;) or have made an East-India Voyage:—whether, if a Gale blew in an horizontal Direction only; the Ocean coud produce such an Inequality of Surface: or whether when the Sea runs mountains high; the tremendous Surges must not arise from the violent Action of Winds repeated at Intervals, sometimes descending perpendicularly; but oftener in forcible elastic Torrents of oblique depression, and instant Resilition?
