The coincidents attending this short but intense frost were, that the
horses fell sick with an epidemic distemper, which injured the
winds of many, and killed some; that colds and coughs were
general among the human species; that it froze under people's beds
for several nights; that meat was so hard frozen that it could not be
spitted, and could not be secured but in cellars; that several
redwings and thrushes were killed by the frost; and that the large
titmouse continued to pull straw lengthwise from the eaves of
thatched houses and barns in a most adroit manner, for a purpose
that has been explained already.*
(* See Letter XLI to Mr. Pennant.)
On the 3d of January, Benjamin Martin's thermometer within
doors, in a close parlour where there was no fire, fell in the night to
20, and on the 4th to 18, and the 7th to 17.5, a degree of cold
which the owner never since saw in the same situation; and he
regrets much that he was not able at that juncture to attend his
instrument abroad. All this time the wind continued north and
north-east; and yet on the eighth roost-cocks, which had been
silent, began to sound their clarions, and crows to clamour, as
prognostic of milder weather; and, moreover, moles began to heave
and work, and a manifest thaw took place.
Pages:
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426