NEW ENGLAND.

grounds. On those elevated summits, the winds have greater force in
driving the snow into the long and deep gullies of the mountains, where
it is so consolidated, as not to he dissolved by the vernal sun. Spots of
snow are seen on the south sides of mountains as late as May, and on
the highest till July. A southeast storm is often as violent, but com
monly shorter, than one from the northeast. If it begin with snow,
it soon changes to rain. A brisk wind from the W. or S. W. with sno\y
or rain, sometimes happens, but its duration is very short. Squalls of
this kind are common in March.

One of the greatest inconveniences suffered by the inhabitants of our
country, is derived from the frequent changes in the state of the atmos-
phere. The temperature has been known to change 44° in twenty four
hours. Changes are frequent, though seldom in the same degree.
Changes from wet to dry, and from dry to wet, are at times unpleasant,
and probably unhealthy. There is no month in the year which is not
sometimes very pleasant, and sometimes disagreeable. In a series of
years, our most pleasant months are June, September and October.
Often the first two, and not unfrequently the first three weeks in Sep-
tember are, however, very warm. From the 20th of September to the
20th of October, the weather is delightful. The temperature is mild,
tbe air is sweet, and tbe sky singularly bright and beautiful. This is
the period denominated the Indian Summer. Some persons think June
to be a more pleasant month than either September or October. In June,
there are usually a few days of intense heat. In all other respects,
except the brilliancy and beauty of the heavens, this month must be
confessed to have the superiority over all others. The progress of vege-
tation is wonderful; and it seems as if the creative hand was, in a
literal sense, renewing its original plastic efforts, to adorn the world with
richness and splendor. All things are alive and gay. “ The little hills
rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks. The
valleys are also covered with corn, and shout for joy.” Health at the
same time prevails in a peculiar degree. The Spring is often chilled by
easterly winds and rendered uncomfortable by rains. The Winter months,
when the earth is clad with its mantle of snow, is the season for relaxa-
tion and pleasure.

The number of fair days in a year compared with the cloudy, is as
three to one. We have had but few meteorological journals kept. For
several years past they have become more frequent, and it is hoped, that
from the increasing attention to the subject, comparative results of the
weather will become more numerous and exact.

Navigation and Commerce. The people of New England,
from the first settlement of the country to the present time, have been
1*