Chap. XX. 
CLIMATE. 
endurance, notwithstanding the low temperature 
of the climate and of the poorhouse, are rather 
remarkable. During the coldest days of winter, 
many were seen in the streets in a state of nudity, 
excepting a small rag round their loins. Such 
beggars were noticed to be remarkably fat; and 
it was supposed by some that this was owing to 
the quantity of carbonic acid gas inhaled in their 
close, ill-ventilated sleeping-places. Others rather 
attributed it to a provision of nature, which corre- 
sponded with what was observed in birds and 
other animals at this time of the year. 
The climate of this part of China is very cold 
in winter and warm in summer. It is subject to 
those excesses of cold and heat which are expe- 
rienced on the eastern side of large continents* — 
a fact noticed long ago by the immortal Hum- 
boldt. The following table, for which I am 
indebted to Dr. Lamprey, gives the maximum and 
minimum as shown by a registering thermometer 
during twelve months : — 
