_If in the old._----Rain in the New.
BUT as it is observed not only in this Climate, but all the World over,
that great Changes of Weather happen near the Change of the Moon, it
follows that this is the Season when these Exhalations that ascend so
plentifully at Sun-rising are condensed, and consequently is the Season
when we ought to expect _Rain_.
IF therefore the Exhalations rise in the new Moon, it is a Sign that
the Air is in a fit disposition to sustain and support them for a
considerable Time, and therefore we have Reason to expect that they
should continue floating till the next regular change of Weather, that
is, till the old of the Moon, or rather till towards the next Change,
and therefore the Observation is very cautiously and very properly
worded, directing us to expect Rain _in_ the old, and _in_ the new, and
not _at_ the old or new, because it is observed that these Changes of
Weather happen not exactly _at_ the Change of the Moon, but a Day or
two before or after, of which the Reader will meet with many Examples
in Captain _Dampier's_ History of Winds and Storms at Sea.