FEBRUARY. 
Ill fares the traveller now, and he that stalks, 
In ponderous boots, beside his reeking team ; 
The wain goes heavily, impeded sore 
By congregated loads, adhering close 
To the clogged wheels ; and, in its sluggish pace, 
Noiseless, appears a moving hill of snow. 
Cowper. 
FEBRUARY, the shortest month of the year, is 
usually one of the most disagreeable and uncom¬ 
fortable, owing to the extreme changeableness 
and uncertainty of the weather. To-day we may be in 
the depths of Winter; to-morrow we may fancy our¬ 
selves in smiling Spring ; when, lo ! ere the day is 
gone, we may have stern Winter back again ! We 
may congratulate ourselves, however, that this joyless 
and miserable season will not be of long duration. 
The dry wind of March will speedily come, and clear 
away the dark clouds and the moisture, now too plenti¬ 
ful everywhere. 
