MILDNESS OF THE AIR. 
153 
to us the exhalations of the Atlantic, cause the pro¬ 
fusion of rain we receive, and the continuedly humid 
state of the air, and greatly prevent our experiencing 
extreme heat in summer and extreme cold in winter. 
The causes here named conspire to render the 
general character of the climate of South Devon 
mild and genial, interrupted only by (usually) short 
periods of wintry cold. However unsuitable to the 
human constitution for reasons elsewhere assigned, 
the celebrity of the Devonshire air for softness and 
genial effects has spread far, and causes numerous 
visits from restless valetudinarians confiding in the 
unjust comparison of a Devonshire to an Italian 
climate,*—a comparison indeed hardly allowable 
after the vicissitudes of the former have been sub¬ 
tracted. Still however it has a genial power, and 
though the moisture which ordinarily forms the 
accompaniment of this mildness is inimical to 
human vigour and muscularity, its effects on vege¬ 
tation are in some manner highly favorable. In the 
small towns situate on the sea side, the myrtle de- 
velopes its pleasant foliage and sweet flowers in 
high perfection, unimpeded by the accession of 
winter frosts. The geranium in like manner is 
found, though deteriorated thereby in richness, often 
to withstand the cold of the same season in such 
spots;—Babbicombe, Salcombe, (sometimes termed 
the English Montpelier) &c. may perhaps espe¬ 
cially be quoted. But, more northwards in the centre 
of the South Hams, how often does it occur that 
during a severe winter some myrtle fondly and at¬ 
tentively watched and guarded in its growth, is in 
one night sacrificed, even after it had attained to 
considerable bulk and strength ! Our county 
therefore can hardly be regarded as the especial 
* Devon has been termed the “ Italy of the West,” from its 
climate and its scenery. 
U 
