80
Proofs^/* the Enquiry into
Sect. The Eruptions of this Fire, (frequently atXI. tended with Earthquakes) broke forth at three J Vents or Craters ; and, by observing the various Degrees and Appearances of the Flame and Smoke, Eolus is said to have become a great Master in the Branch of natural Divination that respects the Weather. P u,% £ ' The Art of natural Divination, %s the 2,7 P; ' great Lord Verulam, is sometimes prettyfare,
'
and at other times is more Jlippery, according to the Nature of the things it treats of. If the Subject be in it self constant and regular, it affords a certain Prediction : if wholly
' '
'
changeable, or even mixed (as depending partly upon Nature, and partly upon Chance) in that Case the Prediction may be delusive. But even in a mixed Subject, if carefully canvassed and reduced to Rules, the Prediction may hold for the most part. It may not perhaps be so exact as to answer to a Minute or an Hour ; but it will not be far wide of the thing itself.' History of the Winds. In this Case of foretelling the Weather, no Chance intermixed its Influence with the natu ral Effect, that a Change of Air must have up on such vast subterraneous Fires as lurk under the
Neapolitan Shore. t49.(g)_
- All this Stretch of Coast, says Strabo, be"258. isT * ginning at Cumœ till you come to Sicily, is un' dermined with Fires, and has many Cavities,
j
' that