877 



this year in England. Sir Hans Sloane is hearty, Miller is well, and 

 so adieu.' 



"'London, Oct. 3, 1748, O. S. — We have had a fine Summer. 

 Great plenty of all sorts of fruits and grain, and a very delightful 

 Autumn. It is now as warm as Summer ; no bearing of fires. My 

 orange-trees are yet abroad. My vineyard grapes are very ripe. A 

 considerable quantity of wine will be made this year in England.' 



" ' May 8, 1749.— On Thursday the 8th of February, at about half 

 past 12 at noon, we had a smart shock of an earthquake, so violent 

 that many ran out of their houses, thinking them falling down. How 

 the Winter has been in Sweden 1 do not know, but at London the 

 like warmth and mildness were never remembered. Our Autumn was 

 long, warm, and dry, with a few slight frosts before Christmas ; but 

 we have had since fine w^arm dry weather, and no frosts or snow. 

 Our gardens were in great beauty in January and February ; almonds, 

 apricots, and peaches in blossom. 



" ' Feb. 23d, I went into the country. The elm hedges had small 

 leaves. Standard plums, almonds, and Cornus in full blossom. 

 Gooseberries shewing their fruit. In short it would be endless to tell 

 you the wonders of this season. 



" * March 5, the fig in my London garden had small leaves, when 

 peas and beans under South walls were in blossom.' 



" ' Ridgeway House, Dec. 25, 1757. — The extraordinary heat of our 

 summer has ripened all sorts of fruits to perfection. In two gardens 

 I saw this year pomegranates against south walls, without any art, 

 ripened beyond what can be imagined in so northern a climate. They 

 look extremely beautiful, and are of the size of some brought from 

 abroad. 



" ' Our autumn has been long dry and warm, and so continues, for 

 a few slight frosts have not stripped the garden of flowers at Christ- 

 mas-day. We have four sorts of Aster and Virga aurea in flower, and 

 plenty of Leucojums, double and single, Chrysanthemums, &c. 



" ' The winter scene is not closed before spring flowers begin ; for 

 there are plenty of Polyanthus-narcissus, Pansies, and sweet Violets, 

 Primula veris. Polyanthus, Aconite, Hepatica, Anemonies both double 

 and single, and Laurustinus. You would have been delighted and 

 surprized to see the large nosegay that was all flowers gathered out 

 of the open garden, without any art, Dec. 27, 1757.' 



"'July 25, 1759. — We had the mildest winter ever known. Our 

 spring was early and very agreeable, and our summer the finest and 

 warmest since 1750. Great plenty of all sorts of grain and fruits. 

 New wheat of this year's produce has been the 21st instant at market.' 



