and of Rural Improvement generally, during 181-2. G59 



Mural Architecture is undergoing improvements, slowly in 

 most places, but comparatively rapid in others (see p. 610.). 

 By the improvement of cottages we do not mean merely orna- 

 mental chimney tops or labels over the windows, but a greater 

 attention to drainage, raised floors, large windows, higher ceil- 

 ings, and the other requisites to better health and comfort. We 

 do not desire to have cottages in general otherwise than simple in 

 their architecture: but we would have them ample in regard to 

 room; always substantial in regard to execution ; with high steep 

 roofs to throw off rain and snow, and to prevent the wind from 

 getting underneath the slates or tiles so as to blow them off; 

 and high chimney shafts, so as to carry away the smoke. To 

 every cottage Ave would add, and if possible surrounding it, a 

 garden, of at least an eighth part of an acre. We repeat our 

 opinions about cottages at the risk of being tiresome, in the 

 hope that gardeners will enter into our views, and do what they 

 can with their employers in favour of country labourers ; for we 

 believe, with a humane and enlightened writer, " that by far 

 the greater number of our nobility and landed gentry would 

 willingly stoop to the assistance of the wretched labourers, if 

 they knew the dreadful privations under which the latter are 

 suffering; and, if knowing the extent of that suffering, they 

 could see the means by which it could be permanently re- 

 lieved." (Letter XIII. of One who has whistled at the Plough, 

 in Morn. Chron. Nov. 16. 1842.) 



The Weather and Crops. — The weather of 1841 was remark- 

 able for its great humidity ; and in continuation, the same cha- 

 racter generally prevailed till March, 1842. But in April a 

 decided change to the opposite took place, and a warmer summer 

 followed, with less interrupted and much brighter sunshine than 

 had been experienced for several previous years. In general 

 the crops were excellent, the shoots of woody plants well 

 ripened, and the bulbs and roots of herbaceous plants well 

 stocked with nutriment for the succeeding year.* 



History and Statistics. — A considerable number of country 



* " In November, 184-1, the mean temperature was about the average ; the 

 amount of rain was nearly 3k in., being an inch in excess. On the 16th 

 there was an unusually severe frost for the period of the season, the ther- 

 mometer being 17° below freezing. With the exception of a few days about 

 the middle of December, rain more or less fell on every day throughout the 

 month, the amount being H in. above the average. The usual temperature 

 was maintained. Slugs were never remembered to be so numerous or so 

 destructive, not only to various kinds of garden crops, but also to those ot 

 the agriculturist. 



" In January, 184-2, the weather during the first week was dry, but cold. 

 The mean temperature averaged about the freezing point, or 3h° below the 

 average for the month. The thermometer indicated a continued low grade 



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