190 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 



which injured 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 lengthwise from the eaves 

 of thatched houses and barns in a most adroit manner for 

 a purpose that has been explained already. 1 



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 

 yth, to 17^, 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 approach. Moreover, we have often 

 observed that cold seems to descend from above ; for when 

 a thermometer hangs abroad in a frosty night, the inter- 

 vention of a cloud shall immediately raise the mercury 10 

 degrees ; and a clear sky shall again compel it to descend 

 to it's former gage. 



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 immediately from intense freezing ; as 

 men in sickness often mend at once from a paroxysm. 



To the great credit of Portugal laurels and American 

 junipers, be it remembered that they remained untouched 



1 See Letter XLI. to Mr. Pennant. [G. W.] 



