Mr. G. J. Symonds, the F.R.S. who usually informs the
Times on meteorology, denies that the rainfall of the year has been at all exceptional, February having been so unusually dry as to correct the averages. Nor has October been wet beyond precedent, there being in London always one wet year in seven. It is true, however, that the rainfall in the Metropolis in the four months ending October 31st has been excessive, the reports showing 14.40, against an average of 9 96, an increase of 44 per cent., which has, moreover, been distributed over an unusual number of days. We should fancy, too, if popular impressions may be trusted at all, that the drier days of the same period have been distinguished by unusual humidity. Certainly London has felt wetter than usual, and as mechanicians have not yet invented an um- brella which will not drip, or a waterproof which will not heat the wearer, Londoners have been unusually uncomfortable.
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