198 THE REV. J. G. WOOD. 



on the banks raised by the ploughs. Then come a number of great 

 snow-carts, into which a second legion of men pitch the snow which 

 has been thrown up. This year the snow was too much even for 

 Boston one hundred and ten hours of continuous snow having 

 taken place. 



There was a very pretty turn-out on "Wednesday evening. The 

 sleigh was very ornamental, and was drawn by four splendid horses. 

 Four strings of bells were hung round the body of each horse, a bell 

 necklace on its neck, and bells of larger size hung like fringes upon 

 the pole and harness. They were beautifully tuned to each other, 

 the tinkling of the horse-bells harmonising with the chime of the 

 harness-bells. Some sleighs are made like vast canoes or ships, and 

 can take a whole school at a time. They carry banners and music, 

 and the heads of the eight horses are decorated with brilliant plumes. 



You should see young ladies going to school. I saw the whole 

 process of the preliminary attiring. First the girl puts on a pair of 

 jack-boots, reaching to the knees. These boots are indiarubber. 

 Then she slings her books, papers, and luncheon-basket over her 

 shoulders. Then she puts on a fur-cap, with the side flaps and peak 

 let down. Next she puts on a waterproof sleeveless coat, pulls the 

 hood over the cap, slips her hands through the coat, and fastens it 

 inside. Lastly, she pulls her fur gloves through the openings, puts 

 them on inside the coat, and then starts off. You meet numbers of 

 them in this costume about 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. I put down all these 

 details while they are new to me, knowing how soon they will be 

 familiar and attract no notice. 



Drivers of covered carts are protected * by a vast waterproof 

 screen, which is fastened to the front of the cart, and drawn nearly 

 to the top. The reins pass through slits in the screen, each slit 

 being covered with a flap, like those in the waterproof cloak. As- 

 the cart approaches you can see nothing of the driver but the top of 

 his head and his eyes. The horses are protected by a waterproof 

 covering, almost exactly like the housings used in the tournaments 

 of the middle ages. You see nothing of the horse except the eyes 

 and the feet. These screens and housings, however, are only used 

 in carts and waggons, where the pace is slow and there are long 

 halts. 



Most thankful I am for the furs and " arctics." Without the 



