246 
CLIMATE AT TABREEZ. 
One morning, about the middle of the month, snow began to 
fall, accompanied by a tremendous wind from the north-east; 
and before evening, the whole country was covered for several 
feet in depth. When the sky had quite unburthened itself, the 
weather became settled, and the sun continued to shine with a 
splendour only to be seen in countries of such transparent 
atmosphere, where the brilliancy of the frosty medium gives to 
the air the dazzling effect of diamonds. This peculiar radiance 
of the day, with the cold at eight degrees of Reaumur, and the 
brightness of the night, at twelve, fourteen, and sixteen of the 
same, was certainly winter drest in its fairest garb. But owing 
to the long prevalence of frost, the snow became like dust; 
and when the wind blew, it was whirled in clouds, like the sand 
of the desert, filling up every path, high road, or hollow, in its 
way. This inconvenience is redoubled, when the snow already 
down meets accumulation from above. Hence it is considered 
great rashness, to attempt going any distance from the city, when 
either the heavens are loaded, or the air turbulent; for to be 
caught in any of these snow-storms, is almost certain destruction. 
Many instances have occurred, where not only solitary indivi¬ 
duals, but whole companies and caravans have been overwhelmed, 
and perished. The track being soon covered, and the snow 
coming on in every direction from drift, whirlwind, and the fall¬ 
ing clouds, every land-mark is obscured, and the lost travellers, 
exhausted, benumbed, and abandoned to despair, are speedily 
sunk under the tremendous mass. 
One of the British officers, now residing at Tabreez, during a 
journey he made to Teheran two winters ago, narrowly escaped a 
similar fate. Every vestige of road was obliterated; and he, 
with his attendants, had wandered, and ploughed their way, for 
