THE WEATHER. 
249 
such unseasonable warmth awakens the inhabitants too early 
from their slumbers ; and, by putting their juices into motion 
too soon, subjects them afterwards to inconveniences when 
rigorous weather returns. 
The coincidents attending this short but intense frost were, 
that the horses fell sick with an epidemic distemper, which in- 
jured the winds of many, and killed some ; that colds and coughs 
were general among the human species; that it froze under 
people's beds for several nights ; that meat was so hard frozen 
that it could not be spitted, and could not be secured but in 
cellars ; that several redwings and thrushes were killed by the 
frost ; and that the large titmouse continued to pull straws length- 
wise from the eaves of thatched houses and barns in a most adroit 
manner, for a purpose that has been explained already.* 
On the 3d 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 1 7 4. 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 w^ind continued north 
and north-east : and yet on the 8th roost-cocks, which had been 
silent, began to sound their clarions, and crowds 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 ap- 
proach ? 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 ten degrees ; and a clear sky shall again compel it 
to descend to its former gage.f 
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 im- 
mediately from intense freezing ; as men in sickness often mend 
at once from a paroxysm. 
To the great credit of Portugal laurels and American junipers, 
* See Letter XLl. to Mr. Pennant. 
t Of course the cloud tends to hinder, or rather obstructs, the radiation of" heat from the 
ground. — Ed. 
