OF SEL:bOBNE. 
301 
could not be secured but in cellars ; tbat several redwings 
and thrusbes were killed by the frost ; and tbat the large 
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.^ 
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 17J°, 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 
junipers, 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 l«jss which may befall them once perhaps in ten years, 
yet may hardly be recovered through the whole course of 
their lives. 
See Letter XLI. to Pennant [p. 127].— G. W. 
