by the nervous and invalids, which
has given rise to the well-known doggerel lines: -
" The wind is in the east,
Good for neither man nor beast."
Deaths from brain disease and consumption reach their highest
during their prevalence in this country.
There are many influences that affect the winds, some purely local,
- the nature of the ground they pass over, whether clothed with
trees or bare; their external form, whether level or mountainous;
the vicinity of lakes or seas; and the passage of storms.
What a mighty force is wind, and all under God's direction. Let
us think of the poor souls on the bosom of the stormy ocean. How
often, when the storm has roared down the galley funnel on board
the ship anchored in the harbour, words of pity for those exposed
and the memories of past storms passed vividly before the minds'
eyes of the "Old Salts" gathered round the fire. What
a beautiful hymn is that of Bishop Heber! In his day they had
to go round the Cape of Good Hope to get to India. And doubtless
he experienced many a storm.
