CLIMATE of RUSSIA. 225 



commotion, they account for it, by fuppofing that it is owing 

 to the air and phlogiflon ruQiing with violence together, (from 

 great affinity) and fuddenly fetting loofe the heat contained in 

 the air, according to Crawford's theory, which then becomes 

 fenfible, and in fome cafes vifible. I muft take the liberty of 

 fuggefting a doubt if this new theory will account for fo many 

 phenomena in elecSlricity, as the beautiful and fimple one of 

 Franklfn and ^Epinus, particularly for Earl Stanhope's re- 

 turning ftroke, which his Lordfhip proves to have been the 

 death of Mr Bryden's carter and horfes, in fo fatisfacElory a 

 manner, that no man in future will think himfelf fafe in a 

 thunder-ftorm, however diftant from the explofions. 



It might be fuppofed, from the feverity of the froft men- 

 tioned above, that we fuffer much cold during this period ; but 

 the fadl is jud the reverfe : for people in eafy circumftances, 

 who ai'e not obliged to remain much out of doors, but drive, 

 or even walk from one houfe to another, fuffer lefs than in 

 moft countries, as there reigns conftantly a fummer heat from 

 14° to 16° of Reaumur in our apartments, where flowers 

 blow all the winter ; and when out of doors, the warm fur 

 dfefs, with the fkin furniture of the fledges, (a coach requires 

 none) keep the body fo comfortable, that I am Convinced lefs 

 cold is felt (difference of drefs confidered) in driving through 

 the ftreets of Peterflaurg in ovlt cold dry air, than through thofe 

 of London or Edinburgh, during the cold moift weather that 

 obtains there during a great part of the winter ; efpecially as 

 this ftate of the atmofphere in Britain is often accompanied by 

 bleak winds, whilfl: the air in Ruflia, during our greateft cold, 

 is generally ferene and calm. In fadl, we have only the face to 

 guard againft the froft when out of doors, by occafionally 

 raifing the cape of our fur garb, as all the reft is fecured againft 

 its attack by the well contrived drefs of the north ; and at 

 home, if the door is only kept fliut, the cold can enter from 

 no other quarter, (the windows being double, well caulked and 



Vol. II. // papered 



