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f 194 THOMPSON'S COAST PILOT. deed, serve to make up a day's work. But since the computation of a ship's way depends much upon the accuracy of this allowance, it would be proper for the officer of the watch to note this on a log slate every four hours. The lee way may be estimated by observing the angle which the wake of the-vessel makes with the point right astern, by means of a semi-circle marked on the taffrail, and divided into points and quarter points, by means of which the angle con- tained between the direction of the wake and the points of the com- pass directly astern, may be easily ascertained. The lee way thus determined is to be allowed on all courses steered to the right hand, when the port tacks are aboard, but to the left when the starboard tacks are aboard. HOW TO JUDGE WEATHER BY THE SKY. The color of the sky, at particular times, afford wonderfully good guidance. Not only. sunset presages fair weather, but there are other tints which speak with equal clearness and accuracy. A bright yellow sky in the evening indicates wind ; a pale yellow, wet ; a neutral grey color constitutes a favorable sign in the evening and an unfavorable one in the morning. They are full of meaning in them- selves. If their forms are soft, underlined and feathery, the weather will be fine ; if the edges are hard, sharp and definite, it will be foul. Generally speaking, any deep, unusual hues betoken wind and rain ; while the more quiet and delicate tints bespeak fair weather. Sim- ple as these maxims are, the British Board of Trade has san fit to publish them for the use of seafaring men. - RECIPES FOR BLACKING SHIP'S STANDING RIGGING, To half a barrel of tar add six gallons of whisky, four pounds of litharge, four pounds of lamp black, two pails of boiling beef pickle, or hot salt water ; mix well together and apply immediately. For Making Black Varnish, No. 1--Two pounds of gum shel- lac, two pounds of umber, one gallon linseed oil, and a quarter pound of lamp black ; boil together for four hours over a slow fire. -- | For Making Black Varnish, No. 2.--One gallon spirits tur- pentine, one pound and four ounces of rosin, one pound and four ounces lamp black, and one quart of linseed oil; to be boiled on a slow fire for half an hour, then used or laid on cold.