No. 112.] 755 



The Aurora borealis, displayed in the longitude of Essex 

 county in transcendant splendor and effulgence, exerts, 11 is be- 

 lieved, at times a decisive effect upon the course and character of 

 the winds. The exhibition of that phenomenon, is generally if 

 not uniformly succeeded by a prevalence of southerly winds- 

 The duration and severity of the one seems proportionate to the 

 intensity and expansion of the other. May not this fact shed some 

 light on the theories connected with this meteor? An hypothesis 

 of Dr. Franklin, now well sustained, supposes that the desolating 

 tornadoes of the tropics are often produced, by the air rushing into 

 a vacuum, created by the sudden dissolution of masses of clouds, 

 through some electric action. May not the Aurora be formed by 

 an electric influence, which deranging the equilibrium of the at- 

 mosphere, in the Arctic region, induces the irruption of tbii 

 column of air from the south. The prevalent winds of this region, 

 are south, south-west and north-west. 



The climate of northern New-York, has, since its discovery, 

 gradually, but very decidedly ameliorated. Champlain speaks 

 of observing the mountains of Vermont, capped with snow, in 

 August. The improvements which have removed the forests, and 

 exposed the earth to the action of the sun, and atmosphere, have 

 eminently tended to promote this amelioration. The winters ar© 

 pronounced by aged settlers to be at this time, far less rigorous 

 and protracted, than in their early recollections of the country. 

 The depth of snow and the thickness of ice upon Lake Champlain, 

 are progressively diminishing. The rains are now more equally 

 difl'used through the mild seasons, and not falling as formerly in 

 periodical and severe tempests.* The autumnal season is tha 

 glory of this climate, often lingering late into November, and cloth- 

 ing the forests with its gorgeous and brilliant robes. It is to all 

 nature the most delightful and joyous period of tlie year, fraught 

 wiih blessings and pleasure, and bearing the inspirations ot'health 

 and vigor. 



Hardy stock isoften turned off by the Istof April, altliough the 

 20th of that month may be regarded as the average period when 

 grazing may bo relied upon. The commencement of foddering, 



•John HoffoRgle, Esq. 



