VIRGINIA 73 



80-90-95 degrees, and this oppressive heat is accom- 

 panied by frequent sudden changes almost every day, 

 and dreadful thunder-storms. The severer winter 

 cold is commonly from January to the middle of 

 March, but the cold does not continue equal for long: 

 for the temperature of the air depending so much on 

 the winds prevailing, there are very pleasant warm 

 days in the middle of winter. The frequent and fear- 

 ful thunder-storms of the warmer season of the year 

 are regarded by the Virginians and not without 

 reason, as a contributory cause of the great fertility 

 of their lands throughout the most of that province. 

 Commonly heavy falls of rain follow these storms ; but 

 if there is no rain-fall for a long time it appears as if 

 the low situation of the fore-country and the many 

 streams and swamps there form substitutes for the 

 water of the air. By reason of the numerous storms, 

 which rage especially here and in Carolina, but are 

 little sparing of the entire coast of North America, and 

 everywhere work great destruction, the people gen- 

 erally have spared neither cost nor trouble in protect- 

 ing their houses by electric conductors, that beneficent 

 discovery of the great Franklin. One fails to see them 

 almost nowhere in the great towns or on the larger 

 houses in the country. 



Tobacco being the especial staple of this province, it 

 is a matter of careful attention on the part of the gov- 

 ernment ; and here, as I observed also of Maryland, 

 the regulations are excellent for keeping this branch of 

 trade in esteem, and securing buyers against deception. 



The James River tobacco is reckoned the best sort 

 which Virginia produces, and keeps its price pretty 

 well unchanged at 6 Span, dollars the hundred. For 

 6 



