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On the top of Chalke-downe, 16 or 18 miles from the sea, the oakes
are, as it were, shorne by the south and south-west winds; and do
recline from the sea, as those that grow by the sea-side.
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A Wiltshire proverb:-
"When the wind is north-west,
The weather is at the best:
If the raine comes out of east
'Twill raine twice twenty-four howres at the least."
I remember Sr. Chr. Wren told me, 1667, that winds might alter, as the
apog?um: e.g. no raine in Egypt heretofore; now common: Spaine
barren; Palseston sun-dried, &c. Quaere, Mr. Hook de hoc.
A proverbial rithme observed as infallible by the inhabitants on the
Severne-side:-
"If it raineth when it doth flow,
Then yoke your oxe, and goe to plough;
But if it raineth when it doth ebb,
Then unyoke your oxe, and goe to bed."
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It oftentimes snowes on the hill at Bowden-parke, when no snow falles
at Lacock below it. This hill is higher than Lacock steeple three or
four times, and it is a good place to try experiments. On this parke
is a seate of my worthy friend George Johnson, Esqr., councillor at
lawe, from whence is a large and most delightfull prospect over the
vale of North Wiltshire.
Old Wiltshire country prognosticks of the weather:-
"When the hen doth moult before the cock,
The winter will be as hard as a rock;
But if the cock moults before the hen,
The winter will not wett your shoes seame.
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