I shall not pretend to make a comparison between the weather of the two fore-mentioned years, nor inquire how far Mr. Dudley’s conjecture (_Phil. Trans._ Nº. 437. p. 66.), as to the influence of the weather in producing the earthquake of 1727, might be affected by such a comparison. I choose to leave this to you, Sir, and to the other gentlemen of the Royal Society, who, I know, are much better able to make a proper judgment in this matter; and beg leave to subscribe, with the greatest respect to that illustrious Society and yourself, Reverend Sir, Your most obedient, and most humble Servant, John Winthrop. Cambridge _in_ New England, 10 Jan. 1756. II. _The strange Effects of some effervescent Mixtures; in a Letter from Dr._ James Mounsey, _Physician of the_ Russian _Army, and F.R.S. to Mr._ Henry Baker, _F.R.S. Communicated by Mr._ Baker. Moscow, Sept. 20th, 1756. [Read Jan. 20, 1757.] MR. Butler, a paper-stainer, trying to make some discoveries for the better fixing of colours, was put in great danger of his life by the following experiments: Having put into one gallipot a quarter of an ounce of verdegris, and into another pot two leaves of false-gold leaf, to each he poured about a spoonful of aqua-fortis. They began immediately to ferment, especially the gold-leaf. He was very assiduous in stirring them, to make the solution perfect. Having nothing else at hand, he did this with a pair of small scissars, at arm’s length, carefully turning away his face, to prevent the fumes from entering his lungs. He was called away, about other business, before he had quite ended his process; and soon after washed and shifted himself: but had scarce finished before he felt a burning pain in the ring-finger of his right hand, which he imputed to his having inadvertently touched the aqua-fortis. This increased every moment, and affected the whole hand with burning pain and swelling, which very soon subsided; but then it flew into the left hand, and, a few minutes afterwards, into the insides of his legs, as if scalding water had been thrown on them. His stockings being immediately pulled off, there appeared a great many red spots, as large as six-pences, something raised above the skin, and all covered with very small blisters.