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page xlii:-
[of] them than those of the plains, because their weather is
subject to greater and more numerous variations. Pliny has
taken notice of many of those signs which were in vogue
amongst the Romans; he has, however, done little more than
copy them from Virgil: and it is a thing not unworthy of our
curiosity to observe what a similarity there is between the
prognostics of countries so remote from each other; a
similarity which, however, proves that they have both been
founded on strict observation of the nature of things, and
that they carry along with them not a little of that
authority which is due to truth; though we can assign no
better reason for many of them at this day, than what Virgil
has done in a truly philosophic manner, and the most
exquisitely beautiful language. Thus the swell of waters in
the Firths, and the sound from the mountains, the deeper
murmur of woods, the motions of Sea-Mews, &c. the lofty
flights of the Moss-Drum, Mire-Drumble or Bittern, the
shooting of stars, the mock-battles of Crows, and indeed
almost all Virgil's prognostics, with a great many more not
mentioned by him, are still taken notice of, and furnish to
the attentive observer no inconsiderable knowledge of what
is to come. I will add to those already mentioned, that
appearance in the heavens called Noah's Ark; which being
occasioned by a brisk West-wind rolling together a number of
small bright clouds into the form of a ship's hull, and
exhibiting a beautiful mottled texture, is pointed North and
South, and said to be an infallible sign of rain to happen
within twenty-four hours.
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Thus have I finished what I intended to say as prefatory to
the descriptions included in this Work. I acknowledge that
my principal meaning in the hints which I have thrown out,
and the observations which I have made, has been to
stimulate others whose leisure and abilities are greater,
and whose opportunities of information may be more
extensive, to prosecute those, or similar subjects, on a
larger scale: for I am fully persuaded, that a great deal of
good information remains yet to be gathered, and may with
ease be collected in these parts, not only by the inquirer
after ancient manners, but by the Etymologist, the
Grammarian, the Historian of the works both of men and
nature, the Antiquarian with respect to inscriptions and
coins, the Botanist, and the Painter. As to myself, it is
necessary further to acknowledge, that being obliged, in
this part of the Work, to quote principally from memory, I
may possibly have fallen into some inaccuracies. That being
immersed in business of a very different nature, and
applying to this only at stolen intervals, there will be
found in the stile a sort of inequality, which the human
mind, from its different aptitude and vigour at different
seasons, and after different degrees of exercise, cannot
prevent: and that from thinking on some of the subjects, I
may possibly here and there have been led, as it were by
sympathy, to the use of quaint or obsolete expressions, and
may not have preserved that classical purity of language
which I could have wished. I am conscious also, that my
arrangements may be found fault with; and to this charge I
must answer, that not intending, when I set forward, to
write any regular essay, nor ought further than a few
cursory notes, I paid no attention to that circumstance;
till one idea calling forth others, and those in their turn
giving birth to fresh ones, I began to startle at the bulk
of this Introduction, deficient as it is in form and order,
and forthwith I endeavoured to contract my observation into
as little room as possible. I must also frankly own, that
the necessity of publishing the Whole Work as soon as
possible, on account of the delays it has already met with,
utterly prevents me from transcribing it in a more correct
form, and compels me to present the first copy of this to
the Public. Such therefore as it is, I hope, that if any new
information is furnished by it, the faults, which must from
the circumstances of its execution be attached to it, will
be overlooked and forgiven.
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