( "1’02 ‘)

'smhil figures on either side of zero, or occasionally the burning reflections of a glowing sun upon the snowy prismoins that carpet with whiteneness the le ugth and breadth of the Island’s surface, contrast \vIth almost blistering intensity with the aching des-I pair one feels when prompted by a cmiosity to know how cold it can be, one approaches the ther- mometer, ifhaply it remains faithful to its proper" use. Verily there is something new and fearful in the antagonism of-a burning sun and the fiery crystals that resist his influences. It is as if sparks ot‘light rwere pomed upon the visual apparatus, without re- medy, and a total extinvuishment of sinht aimed at. What is called “snow blindness,” is by no means uncommon, under these circumstances, but the pain and inconvenienceis but temporary, except from long and unavoidable exposure, as in the sport- ing adventures after “ Goose,” which, by=the bye, although a chase after wild goose, is no “ Wild 'Goose chase,” for the sportsmen return, laden with spoils, and provided due precautions have been taken to guard the eyes, very little inconvenience by the exposure to the often, almost petrifying cold they contend against.

The January, February, and March, of i896 were “mild” months, as February wasthe only month in which allfield labor was actuaily suspended. A memorandum at the time says—

“ It is worthy of remark, as a'ff'ordmg 'a striking proofofthe mildness of the past winter that‘in one month only (February) was there a total cessation of field labor. The months of January and March both witnessed the plough at work. 'VVe had, how‘ ever, rather an unseasonable fall of snow last night and-this morning (April 11). It now lies on the ground to~the depth on a level of three or four inches but will speedIly disappear, we have no doubt, with -‘~the first change of wind,at presentfrom-the W N.W. But we will take another year, say 1827, and quote from memoranda made at the time, dot-mi,r the :{nonths we are v-notinthhe first three ot'the year.