228 WHITE 



in a most adroit manner, for a purpose that has been explained 

 already. 



On the 3rd January, Benjamin Martin's thermometer within 

 doors, in a close parlor where there was no fire, fell in the 

 night to 20, and on the 4th, to 18, and on the /th, to i/^- , 

 a degree of cold which the owner never since saw in the same 

 situation ; and he regrets much that he was not able at that 

 juncture to attend his instrument abroad. All this time the 

 wind continued north and north-east; and yet on the 8th roost- 

 cocks, which had been silent, began to sound their clarions, and 

 crows to clamor, as prognostic of milder weather ; and, more- 

 over, moles began to heave and work, and a manifest thaw 

 took place. From the latter circumstance we may conclude 

 that thaws often originate under ground from warm vapors 

 which arise ; else how should subterraneous animals receive 

 such early intimations of their approach ? Moreover, we have 

 often observed that cold seems to descend from above ; for, 

 when a thermometer hangs abroad in a frosty night, the inter- 

 vention of a cloud shall immediately raise the mercury 10 ; 

 and a clear sky shall again compel it to descend to its former 

 gauge. 



And here it may be proper to observe, on what has been 

 said above, that though frosts advance to their utmost severity 

 by somewhat of a regular gradation, yet thaws do not usually 

 come on by as regular a declension of cold ; but often take 

 place immediately from intense freezing ; as men in sickness 

 often mend at once from a paroxysm. 



To the great credit of Portugal laurels and American juni- 

 pers, be it remembered that they remained untouched amidst 

 the general havoc: hence men should learn to ornament chiefly 

 with such trees as are able to withstand accidental severities, 

 and not subject themselves to the vexation of a loss which may 

 befall them once perhaps in ten years, yet may hardly be 

 recovered through the whole course of their lives. 1 



As it appeared afterwards, the ilexes were much injured, 

 the cypresses were half destroyed, the arbutuses lingered on 

 but never recovered ; and the bays, laurestines, and laurels 

 were killed to the ground ; and the very wild hollies, in hot 

 aspects, were so much affected that they cast all their leaves. 



