OF SELBORNE. 301 



could not be secured but in cellars ; that several redwings 

 and thrushes were killed by the frost ; and that the largo 

 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 3rd 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 7th 

 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 intervention of a cloud 

 shall immediately raise the mercury 10 ; and a clear sky 

 shall again compel it to descend to its 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 

 jumpers, be it remembered that they remained untouched 

 amidst the general havoc ; hence men should learn to orna- 

 ment chiefly with such trees as are able to withstand acci- 

 dental severities, and not subject themselves to the vexation 

 of a k/ss which may befall them once perhaps in ten years, 

 yet may hardly be recovered through the whole course of 

 their lives. 



1 See Letter XLI. to Pennant [p. 127]. G. W. 



