A warm, but not a scorching sun.'"
A very amusing and philosophical conversation on those natural phenomena, which have been vulgarly viewed as prophetic of dry or wet weather, may be well adduced as illustrative of that genius which, by the aid of a light of its own, imparts to the most trite objects all the charms of novelty.
"Poietes.—I hope we shall have another good day to-morrow, for the clouds are red in the west.
"Physicus.—I have no doubt of it, for the red has a tint of purple.
"Halieus.—Do you know why this tint portends fine weather?
"Physicus.—The air when dry, I believe, refracts more red, or heat-making rays; and as dry air is not perfectly transparent, they are again reflected in the horizon. I have generally observed a coppery or yellow sunset to foretell rain; but, as an indication of wet weather approaching, nothing is more certain than a halo round the moon, which is produced by the precipitated water; and the larger the circle, the nearer the clouds, and consequently the more ready to fall.
"Halieus.—I have often observed, that the old proverb is correct—
'A rainbow in the morning is the shepherd's warning;
A rainbow at night is the shepherd's delight.'
—Can you explain this omen?