Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/228

 gree of Cold, as hath been, since Christmas began, and continues every Night and Morning to this very day of Decemb. 29; though the extremest was, as hath been said, on Decemb. 26. To note this degree of Cold more particularly, I must acquaint you, that in my stanch Thermometer on the said 26 of December, the Liquor was at three inches and an half. This morning (Decemb. 29.) and one or two other mornings it was at three inches and three quarters. Most other times of these Cold days, Morning and Evening, it was at the height of four inches, in ordinary Brisk Frosts it is at seven inches. Yet here I must observe, that sometimes the Frost dissolves, when it is at the 7th figure, and sometimes I find it at the 8th figure in a smart frost: Whether the Winds, which come not to the Thermometer, may cause this difference, or what else, I know not. But to proceed, 'tis warm May-weather, when 'tis at the 10th figure, and 'tis not much above the 12th figure in the hottest weather of June, July, and August. To compare with former Winters, the lowest mark is upon Decemb. 17. 1665; and then it was at the height of five inches and an half. And in Decemb. 31. 1666, it was about the same height, and there I find these words; Very cold, above all of this year, hitherto. Neither do I find any note so low, till this present, which is considerably lower.

I think it remarkable, that the 7th Inch, and sometimes the 8th in my Thermometer should abide Freezing, and the Frost increase, till the Liquor descended 4½ inches; and yet, that it should not ascend from the 8th inch more, than 4½ inches in our hottest Summer, being hung in the same place within 18 inches of the Glass-window, facing the North-west, and in a little Writing-room, in the second row of Buildings. But now I am strongly perswaded, that the degrees of Heat and Cold are not exactly indicated by the inclosed Spirit of Wine: For, when the Snow melted, and the Frost was first dissolved without Sunshine, the Liquor was not above the height of five inches and an half. Possibly it retains some part of the Cold a while after the ambient Air becomes more tepid.