Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 [Vol. 1 of 2]Weld, Isaac
History
Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 [Vol. 1 of 2]
Weld, Isaac
Canada -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; United States -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
I observe now that meat can never be kept, but in an ice house or a
remarkable cold cellar, for one day, without being tainted. Milk
generally turns sour in the course of one or two hours after it comes
from the cow. Fish is never brought to market without being covered with
lumps of ice, and notwithstanding that care, it frequently happens that
it is not fit to be eat. Butter is brought to market likewise in ice,
which they generally have in great plenty at every farm house; indeed it
is almost considered as a necessary of life in these low parts of the
country. Poultry intended for dinner is never killed till about four
hours before the time it is wanted, and then it is kept immersed in
water, without which precaution it would be tainted. Notwithstanding all
this, I have been told, that were I to stay in Philadelphia till the
latter end of July or beginning of August, I should find the heat much
more intolerable than it has been hitherto. Most of the other large
sea-port towns, south of Philadelphia, are equally hot and disagreeable
in summer; and Baltimore, Norfolk, and some others, even more so.
The winds in every part of the country make a prodigious difference in
the temperature of the air. When the north-west wind blows, the heat is
always found more tolerable than with any other, although the
thermometer should be at the same height. This wind is uncommonly dry,
and brings with it fresh animation and vigour to every living thing.
Although this wind is so very piercing in winter, yet I think the people
never complain so much of cold as when the north-east wind blows; for my
own part I never found the air so agreeable, let the season of the year
be what it would, as with the north-west wind. The north-east wind is
also cold, but it renders the air raw and damp. That from the south-east
is damp but warm. Rain or snow usually falls when the wind comes from
any point towards the east. The south-west wind, like the north-west, is
dry; but it is attended generally with warm weather. When in a southerly
point, gusts, as they are called, that is, storms attended with thunder,
lightning, hail, and rain, are common.
[Sidenote: WINDS.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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