( 179) 



January 19. Two oxen were roasted whole on the ice. 

 Vast quantities of snow fell at different times (Walter 

 Thornbury). 



A severe frost from November 24th to February Qth, 

 1716 (Farmer? Almanack). 



Aurora borealis, March 6th. 



April 22. A total eclipse of the sun about 9 a.m., 

 when the darkness was so terrible for three minutes and 

 thirteen seconds that the stars appeared, and the birds 

 and other animals were in a state of great consternation 

 (Beyle). 



1716 Wheat, 48^. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). 

 Wheat, 42 s. %d. per qr. (Tovey). 



Cold dry spring and summer till the end of August. 

 Wheat scarcely to be seen at end of March. Small crop 

 of hay. Turnips a failure. Aftermass very short (Lisle). 



Fair on the Thames. Great frost and snow. 



February 23. Aurora borealis unusually brilliant. 

 March 18, 19, and 20. Surprisingly brilliant, especially 

 on the 6th, which lasted from 7 p.m. to 3 a,m. Halley 

 says nothing of the kind had occurred in England for 

 more than eighty years, nor of the same magnitude since 



1574. 



A long drought ( ) 



September 14. The Thames lay perfectly dry both 

 above and below bridge, leaving only a very narrow 

 channel. It was occasioned by a strong westerly wind 

 that blew all the preceding day and night, which forced 

 back the tide and drove forward the ebbing waters 

 (Boyle). 



1717 Wheat, 45^. M. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). 

 Wheat, 4os. ^d. per qr. (Tovey]. 



No rain from middle of March to 22nd May. Showery 

 summer. Clover to a great height in barley. About this 

 time white arable land was rented in Wiltshire at sixpence 

 per acre (Lisle). 



