COLD WINTERS. 131 



ceedingly severe cold of December, 1784, which will 

 presently be referred to more particularly. From November 

 6 to the end of the year 1784, fog, rain, and hard frost 

 alternated, the frost continuing longest and being severest 

 in December. On January 2 a thaw began, and rainy 

 weather with wind continued to January 28. Thence to 

 March 15 hard frost ; to March 21 mild weather with 

 sprinkling showers ; to April 7 hard frost. 



After rainy weather till December 23, 1786, came frost 

 and snow till January 7, 1787. Then a week of mild and 

 very rainy weather, followed by a week of heavy snow. 

 From January 21 to February n, mild weather with fre- 

 quent rains ; to February 2 1 dry weather with high winds ; 

 and to March 10, hard frost. Then alternate rains and 

 frosts to April 13. 



Early in November, 1786, there was frost, but thence to 

 December 16 rain with only * a few detached days of frost. 1 

 After a fortnight of frost and snow, came 24 days of dark, 

 moist, mild weather. Then four days (from January 24 to 

 January 28, 1787) of frost and snow; after which mild 

 showery weather to February 16, dry cool weather to 

 February 28, stormy and rainy weather to March 10. The 

 next fortnight bright and frosty ; then mild rainy weather to 

 the end of April. 



November, 1787, was mild till the 23rd, the last week 

 frosty. The first three weeks of December still and mild, 

 with rain, the last week frosty. The first thirteen days of 

 January mild and wet ; then five days of frost, followed by 

 dry, windy weather. February frosty, but with frequent 

 showers. The first half of March hard frost, the rest dark 

 harsh weather with much rain. 



The winter of 1788-89 was very severe, hard frost con- 

 tinuing from November 22, 1788, to January 13, 1789. 

 The rest of January was mild with showers. February 

 rainy, with snow showers and heavy gales of wind. The 

 first thirteen days of March hard frost, with snow , and then 



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