Wood, James George (1843-1928)

Meteorological reports for 1863-1866 (from Chepstow). Compiler's holograph MS. Written in a ruled record-book. Statistics are entered in columns headed: day of month; rainy days; pluvi. read; depth of rainfall; direction of wind; temperature - 11am, 11pm, Mean, Minim.; remarks. Remarks range from single word descriptions to brief sentences (e.g. 'clear', 'squalls', 'fine morning-wet evening', 'fine day', 'rain after sunset', 'light wind', 'dull', 'fresh wind all day with some clouds very fine and calm night - a few drops of rain 12am'). Each month's statistics are initialled by Wood. Written in a clear legible hand.

The last third of the volume comprises various 'remarks and summaries' dating back to 1860: numerous inserted pages, charts or graphs of weather statistics; newspaper cuttings of meteorological observations, letters to the Editor from various sources on weather conditions, articles on meteors and the rain gauge instrument, and weather reports and predictions by S M Saxby, Royal Navy, etc.; summaries of annual weather, averages, rainfall, etc. by Woods; a few pages of manuscript reports by Woods, 'Remarks on thunderstorm of September 9th 1863' (a purely meteorological description), notes on an earthquake on 5-6 October 1863 felt at Chepstow (a few lines only), notes on some severe stormy weather in October 1863. There is also a loose report on Welsh weather characteristics, one letter from S M Saxby to Wood Apr 1865 and a copy of letter from Wood to [Saxby] relating to weather conditions, Jan 1865 (this letter is in a fragile condition).

Produced in Chepstow.

1860-1866

1 volume 76 ll. (last 2 bl.). 4to. 231/2 × 16 cm. Original cloth binding.

Purchased 1928.

The compiler was a Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn.

On the fly-leaf: 'James G. Wood. Emman. Coll. Cam. & Chepstow Mon. 29.5.63.'

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).