DECEMBER. 559 



greatest blandness until September, and a northeaster that 

 brings snow in April, will bring rain in December and January. 

 . The average of the weather throughout the year might prove 

 the advantages in favor of a residence on the coast. Bat 

 whether we live near the sea-shore, or a hundred miles back 

 of it, the American climate is so cold at one time, and so hot 

 at another, and so variable at all times, that the true art of 

 enjoying it consists in using the best means to avail ourselves 

 of its benefits, and to secure ourselves from its evils. It does 

 not involve the question whether we shall live in this latitude 

 and longitude or another ; but what rules should govern our 

 choice of a location for our dwelling-houses, and what means 

 should be used to protect them from the cold winds, and se- 

 cure to them the advantage of the sun's rays. None will 

 dispute that, in the same township, certain locations are more 

 favorable for comfort, as well as for prospect, than others ; 

 and were all men to pay proper regard to the selection of a 

 site, and to the use of all available means of protection from 

 the disagreeable effects of the weather, I am persuaded that 

 the people would enjoy more comfort, both at home and 

 abroad. We should also hear less fault-finding with the cli- 

 mate, which, on account of the great proportion of clear, sunny 

 days, admits of improvement, both by adopting the means of 

 shelter from the cold winds, and of collecting and reverberat- 

 ing the heat of the sun. If our climate were a cloudy one, 

 a hill or a grove would be of equal value to protect us from 

 the winds ; but, under present circumstances, they may be 

 contrived to aflford no positive heat when the sky is clear, in 

 the coldest of weather. Hence a well protected enclosure 

 may be comfortable during all clear days in winter ; while an 

 unprotected one is no warmer on clear days than at other 

 times, because all the heat reflected from the surface is imme- 

 diately dissipated. 



By considering the great cause of the difference between 

 the climate of America and that of the same latitudes oti the 

 old continent, we might easily be convinced of the importance 

 of a natural or artificial bulwark, to increase the comfort of 

 our enclosures, and to make a pleasant climate about our 



