138 NATURAL HISTORY 



and hence dry Autumns are seldom fol- 

 lowed by rigorous Winters. 



January 7th. — Snow driving all the day, 

 which was followed by frost, sleet, and 

 some snow, till the 12th, when a prodigious 

 mass overwhelmed all the works of men, 

 drifting over the tops of the gates and fil- 

 ling the hollow lanes. 



On the 14th the writer was obliged to 

 be much abroad ; and thinks he never be- 

 fore or since has encountered such rugged 

 Siberian weather. Many of the narrow 

 roads were now filled above the tops of 

 the hedges ; through which the snow was 

 driven into most romantic and grotesque 

 shapes, so striking to the imagination as 

 not to be seen without wonder and plea- 

 sure. The poultry dared not to stir out 

 of their roosting places ; for cocks and 

 hens are so dazzled and confounded by 

 the glare of snow, that they would soon 

 perish, without assistance. The hares also 

 lay sullenly in their seats, and would not 

 move till compelled by hunger ; being con- 

 scious, poor animals, that the drifts and 



