Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 053.djvu/48
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the midst of summer never reaches till 6 o'Clock P.M. and in winter never: and the case in which the tube of Quicksilver is fixed communicates with the open air, by three holes lined with tin, pierced through the munnion of the window to which it is fixed; so that tho' it is not in the open air, yet must the Quicksilver be exposed to every extremity of the Atmosphere by constant intercourse.
You will judge that our cold was no ways excessive, when I add, that the balm of Gilead, in the natural open ground, has not suffered: the myrtles are in perfect health: the mignonettes in flower: the cluster rose and white Violet in bloom at Christmas; and at the same time I had the scarlet double ranunculus full blown given me by a neighbour. The double hyacinths have formed their bells, and some are now ready to unfold.
It has not (I believe) been remembered in the age of man, that in the west of Cornwall we have ever had such a long continuance of easterly winds.
About the middle of Nov. for 14 days the wind had its prevailing turn from the east.—It was easterly, with a variation now and then (a point or two) to the north or south, every day of December, excepting the 21st, when it blew W.S.W. and S.S.W.—and to this 22d day of January it has blown every day from the east, varying half a point or so to the S. or N.
Since I have entered into these latter disquisitions on the season, give me leave to add the quantity of water fallen here in the year 1762.
January