"Having been importun'd by sundry friends (some of them being
worthy persons) to make publique for their further benefit what
they have found by experience to be useful for themselves and
others, I could not deny their requests; but was willing to
satisfie them, as also my own self, to do others good as well as
myself; lest I should hide my talent in a napkin, and my skill
be rak'd up with me in the dust. Therefore I have left it to
posterity, that they may have the fruit when the old tree is
dead and rotten. And because I would not be tedious, I shall
descend to some few particular instances of my skill and
foreknowledge of the weather, and I shall have done.
"First, in the year 1665, at the 1st of January, I told several
credible persons that the then frost would hold till March, that
men could not plow, and so it came to pass directly.
"2. I also told them that present March, that it would be a very
dry summer, which likewise came to pass.
"3. The same year, in November, I told them it would be a very
open winter, which also came to pass, although at that time it
was a great snow: but it lasted not a week.
"4. In the year 1666, I told them that year in March, that it
would be a very dry spring; which also came to pass.
"5. In the year 1667, certaine shepheards ask'd my councel
whether they might venture their sheep any more in the
Low-fields? I told them they might safely venture them till
August next; and they sped very well, without any loss.
"6. I told them, in the beginning of September the same year,
that it would be a south-west wind for two or {375} three months
together, and also great store of rain, so that wheat sowing
would be very difficult in the Low-fields, by reason of wet;
which we have found by sad experience. And further, I told them
that they should have not above three or four perfect fair days
together till the shortest day.
"7. In the year 1668, in March, although it was a very dry
season then, I told my neighbours that it would be an
extraordinary fruitful summer for hay and grass, and I knew it
by reason there was so much rain in the latter end of February
and beginning of March: for by that I ever judge of the summers,
and I look that the winter will be dry and frosty for the most
part, by reason that this November was mild: for by that I do
ever judge of the winters.
"Now, I refer you unto the book itself, which will sufficiently
inform you of sundry other of my observations. For in the
ensuing discourse I have set you down the same rules which I go
by myself. And if any one shall question the truth of what is
here set down, let them come to me, and I will give them further
satisfaction.