Of course many days occur which it is difficult to assign to either class, especially of the two middle divisions. But a constant endeavour was made to keep a fair proportion. If one doubtful day were placed, for instance, in the V division, the next equally doubtful day would be carefully placed in the I division, to ensure accuracy.
At the end of each month all these four classes were added up separately. Also, to simplify results, the Good and the Half-good, the Bad and the Half-bad, were classed in two columns as comprehensively Good and Bad. From these two columns curious results were obtained.
It should be stated that the lady in question lived at Reigate, and was seldom absent from home, never more than for a few weeks at a time. The record is thus mainly of one place. Now and again a short absence occurred, and her observations were then carried on wherever she might be; but the absences were so few and generally so short as to be unimportant.
Before going farther, it is worth while for the reader to ask himself, perhaps also to ask one or two friends, what might be the proportions of “Good” and “Bad” days that he or they would expect to find in the English climate, as the result of such a computation?
Would it be three-quarters bad and one-quarter good? Or could it be possibly half bad and half good?
Here is the actual result:—
| A.D. | Bad Days. | Good Days. |
|---|---|---|
| 1886 | 89 | 276 |
| 1887 | 59 | 306 |
| 1888 | 85 | 280 |
| 1889 | 107 | 258 |
| 1890 | 85 | 280 |
| 1891 | 91 | 274 |
| 1892 | 77 | 288 |
| 1893 | 71 | 294 |
| 1894 | 109 | 242 |
| 1895 | 88 | 277 |
| 1896 | 86 | 282 |
If the second column be added up, the sum-total amounts to three thousand and fifty-seven days. If the first column be also added up, the sum-total amounts to nine hundred and forty-seven days. A very simple calculation, which anybody may work out, will show that the proportion of “Good” days towards “Bad” days is that of about Three to One.
Who would have thought it? Not certainly the majority of friends to whom I have appealed for an opinion. Not even an able scientific man, who frankly confessed his astonishment.
Over three-quarters of fairly Good Weather, as opposed to under one-quarter of fairly Bad Weather—and this the average of eleven years! Have we not given the rein too freely to our National grumbling tendencies? Would it not be better if we thought more of the sunshine, less of the clouds and rain?