[ 756 ] 
extremely liable to error ; but I prefume I cannot 
now be miftaken, either in the goodnefs of the in- 
ftrument, or in the fairnefs of the trials, which I have 
repeatedly made with it. This fame thermometer 
I have had thrice in the equatorial parts of Africa * 
as often at Jamaica, and the Weft India iflands j and, 
upon examination of my journals, I do not find, that 
the quickfilver ever rofe in thofe parts above the 
87th degree, and to that but feldom : its general fta- 
tion was between the 79th and 86th degree j and 
yet J think I have felt thofe degrees, with a moift 
air, more difagreeable than what I now feel. 
In ray relation of the late expedition to the north- 
weft, if I recoiled; right, I have obferved, that all 
the changes and variety of weather, that happen in* 
the temperate zone throughout the year, may be 
experienced at the Hudfon’s Bay fettlements in 24 
hours. But I may now extend this obfervation ; for 
in my cellar the thermometer ftands at 81,. in the 
next ftory at 102., and in the upper one at ioy; and 
yet thefe heats, violent as they are, would be toler- 
able, but for the fudden changes that fucceed them. 
On the 1 oth of December laft the mercury was at 
86 ; on the 1 1 th it was fo low as 3 8 of the fame 
inftrument. What havock muft this make with an 
European conftitution ? Neverthelefs, but few people 
die here out of the ordinary courfe ; tho’ indeed one 
can fcarce call it living, merely to breathe, and trail 
about a vigorlefs body j. yet fuch is generally our con- 
dition from the middle of June to the middle of 
September. Dear Sir, 
Yours moft aftedionately, 
Henry Ellis. 
cm. 
