307. Those who have opportunity to make observations, and choose to satisfy themselves whether the Tides are really affected in the above manner by the different positions of the Moon; especially as to the unequal times of their returns, may take this general rule for knowing, when they ought to be so affected. When the Earth’s Axis inclines to the Moon, the northern Tides, if not retarded in their passage through Shoals and Channels, nor affected by the Winds, ought to be greatest when the Moon is above the Horizon, least when she is below it; and quite the reverse when the Earth’s Axis declines from her: but in both cases, at equal intervals of time. When the Earth’s Axis inclines sidewise to the Moon, both Tides are equally high, but they happen at unequal intervals of time. In every Lunation the Earth’s Axis inclines once to the Moon, once from her, and twice sidewise to her, as it does to the Sun every year; because the Moon goes round the Ecliptic every month, and the Sun but once in a year. In Summer, the Earth’s Axis inclines towards the Moon when New; and therefore the day-tides in the north ought to be highest, and night-tides lowest about the Change: at the Full the reverse. At the Quarters they ought to be equally high, but unequal in their returns; because the Earth’s Axis then inclines sidewise to the Moon. In winter the Phenomena are the same at Full-Moon as in Summer at New. In Autumn the Earth’s Axis inclines sidewise to the Moon when New and Full; therefore the Tides ought to be equally high, and unequal in their returns at these times. At the first Quarter the Tides of Flood should be least when the Moon is above the Horizon, greatest when she is below it; and the reverse at her third Quarter. In Spring, Phenomena of the first Quarter answer to those of the third Quarter in Autumn; and _vice versa_. The nearer any time is to either of these seasons, the more the Tides partake of the Phenomena of these seasons; and in the middle between any two of them the Tides are at a mean state between those of both. [Sidenote: Why the Tides rise higher in Rivers than in the Sea.] 308. In open Seas, the Tides rise but to very small heights in proportion to what they do in wide-mouthed rivers, opening in the Direction of the Stream of Tide. For, in Channels growing narrower gradually, the water is accumulated by the opposition of the contracting Bank. Like a gentle wind, little felt on an open plain, but strong and brisk in a street; especially if the wider end of the street be next the plain, and in the way of the wind. [Sidenote: The Tides happen at all distances of the Moon from the Meridian at different places, and why.]