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
In the first place, by means of stoves they keep their habitations as
warm and comfortable as can be desired. In large houses they generally
have four or five stoves placed in the hall, and in the apartments on
the ground floor, from whence flues pass in different directions through
the upper rooms. Besides these stoves, they likewise frequently have
open fires in the lower apartments; it is more, however, on account of
the cheerful appearance they give to the room, than for the sake of the
warmth they communicate, as by the stoves the rooms can be heated to any
degree. Lest any cold blasts should penetrate from without, they have
also double doors, and if the house stands exposed, even double windows,
about six inches apart. The windows are made to open lengthwise in the
middle, on hinges, like folding doors, and where they meet they lock
together in a deep groove; windows of this description, when closed, are
found to keep out the cold air much better than the common sashes, and
in warm weather they are more agreeable than any other sort, as they
admit more air when opened. Nor do the inhabitants suffer from cold when
they go abroad; for they never stir out without first wrapping
themselves up in furs from head to foot. Their caps entirely cover the
ears, the back of the neck, and the greatest part of the face, leaving
nothing exposed except the eyes and nose; and their large and thick
cloaks effectually secure the body; besides which they wear fur gloves,
muffs, and shoes. It is surprising to see how well the Canadian horses
support the cold; after standing for hours together in the open air at a
time when spirits will freeze, they set off as alertly as if it were
summer. The French Canadians make no scruple to leave their horses
standing at the door of a house, without any covering, in the coldest
weather, while they are themselves taking their pleasure. None of the
other domestic animals are as indifferent to the cold as the horses.
During winter all the domestic animals, not excepting the poultry, are
lodged together in one large stable, that they may keep each other warm;
but in order to avoid the expence of feeding many through the winter, as
soon as the frost sets in they generally kill cattle and poultry
sufficient to last them till the return of spring. The carcases are
buried in the ground, and covered with a heap of snow, and as they are
wanted they are dug up; vegetables are laid up in the same manner, and
they continue very good throughout the whole winter. The markets in the
towns are always supplied best at this season, and provisions are then
also the cheapest; for the farmers having nothing else to engage them,
and having a quantity of meat on hand, that is never injured from being
sent to market, flock to the towns in their carioles in great numbers,
and always well supplied.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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