We conclude this chapter with a poetical enumeration of the benefits arising from the wind:—
“Of what important use to human kind,
To what great ends subservient, is the wind!
Where’er the aërial active vapour flies,
It drives the clouds, and ventilates the skies;
Sweeps from the earth infection’s noxious train,
And swells to wholesome rage the sluggish main.
For should the sea unagitated stand,
Death, with huge strides, would desolate the land;
The scorching sun, with unpropitious beam,
Would give to grief an everlasting theme;
And baneful vapours, lurking in the veins,
Would fiercely burn with unabating pains.
Nor thus alone air purities the seas,
O’er torrid climes it pours the healthful breeze:
Climes where the sun direct flings scorching day,
Feel cooling air his sultry rage allay;
Unceasing goodness, with unceasing skill,
Educing certain good from seeming ill.
His guardian care extends o’er ev’ry shore,
And blends his favours with what men deplore;
The sable nations hence, and burning skies,
See luscious fruits in varying beauty rise;
Spontaneous Nature laugh at culture’s toil,
And rich luxuriance bless the grateful soil.”
CHAP. L.
CURIOSITIES RESPECTING SHOWERS, STORMS, &c.
Surprising Showers of Hail—Singular Effects of a Storm—The Mirage—Sand Floods—Showers of Gossamers—Winter in Russia.
| Ye vapours, hail, and snow, Praise ye th’ Almighty Lord, And stormy winds that blow To execute his word. Watts. |
| Then from aërial treasures downwards pours Sheets of unsully’d snow in lucid show’rs; Flake after flake, thro’ air thick wav’ring flies ’Till one vast shining waste all nature lies. Then the proud hills a virgin whiteness shed, A dazzling brightness glitters from the mead; The hoary trees reflect a silver show, And groves beneath the lovely burden low. Broome. |
Surprising Showers of Hail.