THE WEATHER. 249 



such unseasonable warmth awakens the inhabitants too early 

 from their slumbers ; and, by putting their juices into motion 

 too soon, subjects them afterwards to inconveniences when 

 rigorous weather returns. 



The coincidents attending this short but intense frost were, 

 that the horses fell sick with an epidemic distemper, which in- 

 jured the winds of many, and killed some ; that colds and coughs 

 were general among the human species; that it froze under 

 people's beds for several nights ; that meat was so hard frozen 

 that it could not be spitted, and could not be secured but in 

 cellars; that several redwings and thrushes were killed by the 

 frost ; and that the large titmouse continued to pull straws length- 

 wise from the eaves of thatched houses and barns in a most adroit 

 manner, for a purpose that has been explained already.* 



On the 3d of January, Benjamin Martin's thermometer within 

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

 to 20, and ,on the 4th to 18, and on the 7th to \7k, 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 clamour, as 

 prognostic of milder weather ; and, moreover, 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 vapours which arise ; else how should 

 subterraneous animals receive such early intimations of their ap- 

 proach ? Moreover, we have often observed that cold seems to 

 descend from above ; for, when a thermometer hangs abroad in 

 a frosty night, the intervention of a cloud shall immediately raise 

 the mercury ten degrees ; and a clear sky shall again compel it 

 to descend to its former gage.f 



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 im- 

 mediately from intense freezing ; as men in sickness often mend 

 at once from a paroxysm. 



To the great credit of Portugal laurels and American junipers, 



* See Letter XLI. to Mr. Pennant. 



t Of course the cloud tends to hinder, or rather obstructs, the radiation of heat from the 

 ground. ED. 



