42 J. HOPKTNSOX — EEPOB.T OX THE 



(1-63 in.), Rosebank, Berkhamsted (1-62 in.), "Weston Park, 

 Stevenage (1-55 in.), Great Gacldesden Vicarage (l-50in.), and 

 Brocket Hall, Welwyn (1-50 in.); very great at Faii'lield, Berk- 

 hamsted (1-48 in.). High Down, Hitchin (1-36 in.), Kensworth 

 (r32in.), Benning-ton Honse (l-29in.), and Cowroast (1-25 in.); 

 great at ISTew Barnet (1-21 in.). The Firs, Hitchin (l'19in.), Ban- 

 croft, Hitchin (M9 in.). The Rectory, Welwyn (1-15 in.), Fanhams 

 Hall, Ware (1-13 in.), Throcking Rectory (1-12 in.), Broxhourne, 

 (1-11 in.), Datchworth Rectory (MO in.), Thcrfield Rectory 

 (1-07 in.), Hamels Park (1-06 in.), Southgate (105 in.), and 

 Odsey (r02in.); and very considerable at six stations. On 17th 

 there was a considerable fall at two stations, and on 21st at one. 

 A very violent thunderstorm occurred on the 7th. The wind rose 

 to a gale, many trees were blown down, and other damage was 

 done. The gale was most destructive in the neighbourhood of 

 Bushey. An account of its effects there is appended. 



NovEiiBEii. — Rainfall rather hea\'y but not exceeding the aver- 

 age, November being usually a wet month, and although rain was 

 recorded on half the days in the month, the usual number was not 

 quite reached. On 14th the fall was very considerable at seven 

 stations and considerable at fifteen; on 18th considerable at seven; 

 and on 25th very considerable at two and considerable at thirty. 

 The fall on the 18th was due to a snowstorm which commenced 

 on that — Saturday — night and continued into Sunday morning. 

 The wind being very high, the snow drifted, and blocked roads 

 and railway lines all over the county, from Hitchin and Royston 

 in the north to Rickmans worth in the south-west and Bishop's 

 Stortford in the east. To clear the line between Hitchin and 

 Royston a snow-plough had to be employed, and the line 

 between Bishop's Stortford and Takeley (in Essex) was so com- 

 pletely blocked that trains could not be worked over it on the 

 Monday morning. The roads were in places blocked with snow 

 several feet in depth. At Throcking no service could be held on 

 the Sunday owing to the approach to the church being snowed up. 

 At Rickmansworth the gale was so violent that windows were 

 blown in, fences were blown down, chimney-pots fell in all direc- 

 tions, and trees were uprooted. 



December. — Rainfall rather above the average, but less than in 

 November, and on the usual number of days. On 12th there was 

 a considerable fall at four stations, and on 20th at three. The fall 

 on the 1 2th was accompanied with a furious gale which blew down 

 many trees and did otber damage, but not so great as that done by 

 the gale of the 18th of November. The fall of a large fir tree 

 blocked the railway-line between Cole Green and Hertingfordbury, 

 and the London Road near Hertford was blocked by a tree falling 

 right across it, while some damage was done to houses in Hertford 

 and other places. Rickmansworth again sufi^ered severely, 

 chimney-pots and tiles being blown off the houses, fences being 

 blown (lown and conservatories damaged, some trees being uprooted, 

 and others having large branches broken off them. 



