A COLD DAY. 19 



the surface of the bay, that seems to bound the horizon. 

 Such a fog always denotes an intense cold. It is 

 formed from the steam that may be seen issuing from 

 the brink of the waters, just beyond the ice that girds 

 the shore. Often during the day, a sleety snow, 

 scarcely visible, on account of the minuteness of the 

 crystals, will pour down from the skies, making the cut- 

 ting blast still more severe, as it beats against the face 

 and eyes of the traveller. At such times, it may be 

 observed that the sky is not perfectly transparent, being 

 dimmed by this sleet, which resembles a thin cloud of 

 dust rather than of vapor. This phenomenon is caused 

 by the steam which has risen from the ocean, in an in- 

 visible form, and crystallized as it ascended into the at- 

 mosphere. 



On this day many a little bird will perish in the forest, 

 struck by a shaft from the inclement skies ; and the 

 fishes that swim in the shallow waters will be imbedded, 

 like petrifactions, in the ice ; for all the little rivulets are 

 frozen, and their gurgling is not heard beneath the 

 snows. The crows, and jays, and other winter birds 

 are almost silent in the woods, and the bleating of 

 flocks is not heard upon the hills. No living creature 

 dares come forth to an encounter with the winds. All 

 nature is still, save the fresh biting blast that is sweep- 

 ing over the earth, and striking all living things with 

 the stillness and coldness of death. 



The poultry in the yards are gathered together in 

 sunny corners, or under the shelter of a fence, apparently 

 torpid. Here and there is a scattering one, moping 

 around the door step, with its feathers frizzled, and its 

 limbs almost too benumbed to support its weight. 

 When the door is opened, they suddenly arouse from 

 their torpidity, and then sink back again to their retreat. 



