Reading the Skies
A Cultural History of English Weather, 1650-1820
- Contents
Table of Contents

Contents
List of Figures
List of Boxes
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Imperfect Mixtures
Meteorologica
Early modern meteors
A dominion of exhalations
2. Observing the Extraordinary
Wonders, marvels, and ominous meteors
"Vulgar Baconians"
Rehabilitating the unusual
3. Public Meteors
Providential visitations
The "Great Storm"
Aerial appearances and astounding apparitions
"Lord Derwentwater’s lights"
4. "Memorials of Uncommon Accidents"
Curious plotting
Collectable weather
The common voice
5. Provincial Weather
The Rev. Borlase and his network of correspondents
Calendars, diaries, narratives
"Stationary Intelligencers"
6. Rustic Seasons
An impasse in theory
The weather in order
Shepherds as experts
A return to the ancients
7. Laboratory Atmospheres
Electrification
Chemical hegemony
What is in a name?
Weather remodeled
Conclusion
Appendix
Meteoric phenomena reported by individuals between 1649 and 1795
Notes
Bibliography
Index
List of Boxes
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Imperfect Mixtures
Meteorologica
Early modern meteors
A dominion of exhalations
2. Observing the Extraordinary
Wonders, marvels, and ominous meteors
"Vulgar Baconians"
Rehabilitating the unusual
3. Public Meteors
Providential visitations
The "Great Storm"
Aerial appearances and astounding apparitions
"Lord Derwentwater’s lights"
4. "Memorials of Uncommon Accidents"
Curious plotting
Collectable weather
The common voice
5. Provincial Weather
The Rev. Borlase and his network of correspondents
Calendars, diaries, narratives
"Stationary Intelligencers"
6. Rustic Seasons
An impasse in theory
The weather in order
Shepherds as experts
A return to the ancients
7. Laboratory Atmospheres
Electrification
Chemical hegemony
What is in a name?
Weather remodeled
Conclusion
Appendix
Meteoric phenomena reported by individuals between 1649 and 1795
Notes
Bibliography
Index
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