time
exerted his full influence on the earth.--From observations made by
several persons, it is well understood that a gradual change has been
taking place in the climate on the American continent within a century
past. The change in this Province since 1783, has been very great--the
summers having abated much of their former heat, and the winters grown
proportionately milder. Neither are there such excessive droughts in
summer, as formerly; the seasons being cooler, with more rain; neither
does the snow accumulate to such a depth on the earth. This may arise
not so much from a less quantity falling, as from the frequent thaws
which now take place in the winter season.

For several years prior to 1816, the seasons had been growing gradually
cooler--less warmth being felt on a mean in each succeeding year till
1816, when the cold appeared to have arrived at its acme; for in that
year it appeared to predominate: from whatever cause has not yet been
ascertained. Some ascribed it to spots on the sun's disc; others
supposed that large masses of ice had been detached from the shores of
Greenland, and floated so near America as to occasion the uncommon
chill of the air,--with other conjectures of a like nature, totally
unsatisfactory. For spots have frequently been observed on the sun, and
it would require an immense quantity of ice to produce any permanent
effect.--Whatever might have been the cause, it is certain the genial
warmth of the sun appeared nearly lost: for when shining in meridian
splendour in the months of June and July, a cold rigorous air was felt.
There was a fall of snow, which was general over the Province and
extended to the United States, on the 7th June, to the depth of three
or four inches in the northern parts of the country. This was followed
by severe frosts in every month in that year. The crops were very
light: fields of wheat were totally destroyed. Even the never failing
potatoe was chilled and did not yield half a crop.

After this year the seasons began slowly to improve; but the shock
given to agriculture, by the failure of several crops, brought great
distress on the poor, and gave a check to the prosperity of the
Province. So great was the distress of the country, that the
Legislature applied L6,000 to be laid out in seed and provisions, and
advanced to such as were in want on a credit. For a few years back the
seasons have been favorable to agriculture; but the extremes of heat
and cold in