240 The Natural History 



barometer, by standing three-tenths lower than that of 

 Selborne, proves that Newton-house must be three 

 hundred feet higher than that in which I am writing, 

 instead of two hundred. 



It may not be impertinent to add, that the barometers 

 at Selborne stand three-tenths of an inch lower than the 

 barometers at South Lambeth ; whence we may conclude 

 that the former place is about three hundred feet higher 

 than the latter; and with good reason, because the 

 streams that rise with us run into the Thames at Wey- 

 bridge, and so to London. Of course therefore there 

 must be lower ground all the way from Selborne to South 

 Lambeth ; the distance between which, all the windings 

 and indentings of the streams considered, cannot be less 

 than an hundred miles. 



I am, etc. 



LETTER LXI 



TO THE HONOURABLE DAINES BARRINGTON 



Since the weather of a district is undoubtedly part of its 

 natural history, I shall make no further apology for the 

 four following letters, which will contain many particulars 

 concerning some of the great frosts and a few respecting 

 some very hot summers, that have distinguished them- 

 selves from the rest during the course of my observations. 



As the frost in January 1768 was, for the small time it 

 lasted, the most severe that we had then known for many 

 years, and was remarkably injurious to evergreens, some 

 account of its rigour, and reason of its ravages, may be 

 useful, and not unacceptable to persons that delight in 

 planting and ornamenting ; and may particularly become 

 a work that professes never to lose sight of utility. 



For the last two or three days of the former year there 

 were considerable falls of snow, which lay deep and 

 uniform on the ground without any drifting, wrapping up 

 the more humble vegetation in perfect security. From 

 the first day to the fifth of the new year more snow 



