of an inch for every hundred feet elevation, then the Ntwton
barometer, by Handing three-tenths lower than that of Selborne, proves
that Newton-houfc muft be three hundred feet higher than that in
which I am writing, inftead of two hundred.
It may not be impertinent to add, that the barometers at Selborne
Hand three-tenths of an inch lower than the barometers at
South Lambeth: whence we may conclude that the former place
is about three hundred feet higher than the latter; and with good,
reafon becaufe the ftreams that rife with us run into the ‘[‘homes
at IVeybridge, and fo to London. O f courfe therefore there muft
be lower ground all the way from Selborne to South Lambeth j the
diftance between which, all the windings and indentings of tire
ftreams confidered, cannot be lefs than an hundred miles.
I am, &c.
OF S E L B O R N E . 287
L E T T E R LXI.
TO THE SAME.
S ince the weather of a diftrift is undoubtedly part of it’s natural
hiftory, I fhallmake no further apology for the four following letters,
which pjjf contain many particulars concerning fome of the great
frofts and a few refpe&ing fome very hot fummers, that have
diftinguifhed themfelves from the reft during the courfe of my
obfervations..
As the froft in January 1768 was, for the fmall time it lafted,
the moft fevere that we had then known for many years, and was
remarkably injurious to ever-greens, fome account of it’s rigour,
and reafon of it’s ravages, may be ufeful, and not unacceptable
to perfons that delight in planting and ornamenting; and may
particularly become a work that profeffes never to lofe fight of
utility.
For the laft two or three days of the former year there were
Confiderable falls of fnow, which lay deep and uniform on the
ground without any drifting, wrapping up the more humble
vegetation in perfeft fecurity. From the firft day to the fifth of
the new year more fnow fucceeded; but from that day the air
became entirely clear ; and the heat of the fun about noon had a
confiderable influence in fheltered fituations.
It