LETTER LXI. 



To the same. 



|INCE the weather of a district is undoubtedly 

 part of its natural history, I shall make no further 

 apology for the four following letters, which will 

 contain many particulars concerning some of the 

 great frosts, and a few respecting some very hot 

 summers, that have distinguished themselves from 

 the rest during the course of my observations. 

 As the frost of January 1768 was, for the small time it lasted, the 

 most severe that we had then known for many years, and was remark- 

 ably injurious to evergreens, some account of its rigour, and reason 

 of its ravages, may be useful, and not unacceptable to persons that 

 delight in planting and ornamenting ; and may particularly become a 

 work that professes never to lose sight of utility. 1 



1 This is the first overt indication White has given of the deliberate intention 

 to write a book. ED. 



