This _interest_ finds constant expression in our intercourse with each other. A recent English writer has said: "The germ of meteorology is, as it were, innate in the mind of every Englishman--the weather is his first thought after every salutation." In the qualified sense in which this was probably intended, it is, doubtless, equally true of us. Indeed, it is often not only a "first thought" _after_ a salutation, but a part of the salutation itself--an offspring of the same friendly feeling, or a part of the same habit, which dictates the salutation--an expression of sympathy in a subject of common and absorbing interest--a sorrowing or rejoicing with those who sorrow or rejoice in the frowns and smiles of an ever-changing, ever-influential atmosphere. If consistent with our purpose, it would be exceedingly interesting to trace the varied forms of expression in use among different classes and callings, and see how indicative they are of character and employment. The sailor deals mainly with the winds of the hour, and to him all the other phases of the weather are comparatively indifferent. He speaks of airs, and breezes, and squalls, and gales, and hurricanes; or of such appearances of the sky as prognosticate them. The citizens, whose lives are a succession of _days_, deal in such adjectives as characterize the weather of _the day_, according to their class, or temperament, or business; and it is pleasant, or fine, or _very_ pleasant or fine; beautiful, delightful, splendid, or glorious; or unpleasant, rainy, stormy, dismal, dreadful or horrible. The farmer deals with the weather of considerable periods; with forward or backward _seasons_, with "cold snaps" or "hot spells," and "wet spells" or "dry spells." And there are many intermediate varieties. The acute observer will find much in them to instruct and amuse him, and will probably be surprised to find how much they have to do with his "first impressions" of others. But I have a more important object in view. I propose to deal with "The PHILOSOPHY _of the Weather_"--to examine the nature and operation of the arrangements from which the phenomena result; to strip the subject, if possible, of some of the complication and mystery in which traditionary axioms and false theories continue to envelop it; to endeavor to grasp _its principles_, and unfold them in a plain, concise, and systematic manner, to the comprehension of "_the many_," who are equal partners with the scientific in its practical, if not in its philosophic interest; and to deduce a few general rules by which its changes may be understood, and, ultimately, to a considerable extent, foreseen. This is not an easy, perhaps not a prudent undertaking. Nor is my position exactly that of a volunteer. A few words seem necessary, therefore, by way of apology and explanation.