Winter Aspect of the Rivers. 7 



so much as a few degrees under freezing in a damp, raw 

 atmosphere. I have often thought what a change to the fishes 

 this freezing over of the rivers must be. In all but total dark- 

 ness for months, first dimly supplied through their ice roofs, 

 then a heavy fall of snow, and it is eternal night to them until 

 the breaking up in April. 



About the middle of November skating is brought to a 

 sudden termination by snow filling up all the rough, uneven 

 surfaces of the rivers, which are now converted into unbroken 

 plains, with the mighty waters flowing on silently beneath. 

 All now is winter-like ; the sleighs glide along to the music 

 of many a merry bell ; every one is well muffled up, for the 

 severest frost takes place before Christmas. The wood-cutter 

 has gone to fell trees, a solemn silence reigns in the forest, 

 save the cracking of the branches at night from cold, which 

 now and then attains to 37 below zero of Fahrenheit. We 

 take long walks on snow shoes, — the sporting community in 

 particular, in order to get themselves into working order for 

 the reindeer and moose hunting. Looking along the bosom 

 of the St John, all is one vast mantle of snow, save a black 

 spot here and there representing a man fishing for cusk 

 through a hole in the ice, or a dead bullock or horse dragged 

 to the surface to await the breaking-up in spring. February 

 and March bring more and more snow, which is piled up in 

 great masses along the streets above the pavements, — some 

 three to four feet on an average covering the country, and 

 quadruple that thickness where it has drifted; then there is no 

 travelling save by sleighs and snow shoes. 



At length, towards the end of March, the struggle between 

 the sun and the cold begins to show signs of terminating In 

 favour of the former, for the day is lengthening out, and 

 although there is hard frost at night, the heat softens the sur- 

 face by midday. The migratory thrush, better known as 

 "Robin," comes in about this time, and the snowbird and Penn- 

 sylvanian sparrow utter their welcome measures on fence and 



