climate and Weather, 17 



exceptions, and these exceptions must be provided 

 against. 



It may easily happen that north-westerly winds, ac- 

 companied by sleet and rain, will rule the roast, and refuse 

 to be ousted for a month or two. 



The sun may assert his power now and again, and 

 upon each occasion summer appears to have arrived ; but 

 without warning the wind shifts back to the old quarter, 

 and the murky clouds retrace their steps. 



In the morning I have set out under a brilliant sun 

 and cloudless sky, anticipating a hot day, and my hopes 

 were realized until perhaps about three p.m., when 

 suddenly the wind has backed, and I have been treated 

 to an icy draught from the snow-clad mountains, and have 

 turned up my coat-collar and shivered. 



The system of clothing adopted by the natives of any 

 particular portion of the earth's surface is always indicative 

 of the climate's nature and vagaries, and the visitor in 

 Norway cannot fail to remark what care the natives take 

 of their chests and throats. They frequently wear what 

 may be named a chest-protector — a kind of thick pad 

 which commences under the waistcoat, and reaches nearly 

 to the chin ; they also show partiality for a woollen scarf 

 around the neck, which a deal of hot sun will fail to 

 remove, and yet they will wade in icy water, and be wet 

 all day, without anxiety as to health. The reason of these 



