The Wilmingtonian., 1823-12-25
FOR THE wILMINGToNIAN.
The Formation and Origin Of ,SnolC.

Il HG TOCWLut GOH afu w tSth " N't"'N' l.
"He saith to the snow, be thou on the earth
stand still, and consider the wondrous works OF
God.''-ELIBU.
Immersed in business, buried in family cares,
or barring up every avenue, to keep out the IN
tense cold, and hug the stove or blazing hre IN
the depth Of Winter, mankind in general are too
na,tentve to the beauties OF this chilling season
of the year. and almost entirely regardless OF the
|" wondrous works of God !" every one sees them,
but few empire after their nature and u.lllty-
|Such is the case with the Phenomenon of Snow !;
1.-The transient gaze-,he faint admiration-or the
|cursory remark, and all is forgotten; while the
mighty hand of God is totally dsregarded
Perhaps few thoughts on this subject may
not be useless or unacceptable TO the rcspecta-
bile readers of the WILMINeToSIAS.
Snow is formed of watery particles, which are
frozen in the air frozen drop ofwater becomesl
lice The difference between snow and it, Is this
1.-The water of the ice freezes when OF its usual
density or thickness; but the water of the snow
freezes when its PARTICLES are still separate, or|
reduced to vapour. When particles of collected
lyapour freeze in the atmosphere, the nitre dis \
persed in the air untes with it in the form of al
be received on sheet of white paper. Snow isl
thin and light perhaps it is twenty.four times
lighter than water: it is composed Of many parts
more or less compact and full of air. We may
easily conceive how these aqueous particles are
frozen, and this facilitated by the clouds, which
are generally, extremely heavy and numerous du
ring snowy weather, the air being extremely cold
and dense, the heavier the clouds are, the more
they intercept the influence of the sun, when
these vapours CONCEAL, and fall in large flakes
lupon the earth-these substances not admitting
1.-The sun beams, but strongly rejecting them, gives
Ito snow that beautiful white VIC all admire. In
This climate, these fakes are moderately large;
but in Lapland they are so small as to resemble
lime dust. occasioned by the intense cold, the in
Icrease of which dmnshes their size. There is
certainly, something very remarkable in the for
|mstion of snow; and it would appear wonderful
Ito us. were we not annually accustomed to its
appearance. Such are the particulars to be gath.
lered from naturaliss and philosophers, upon
this subject but how beautifully does the in
spired volume lead us up through all the maze
land links of natural causes, TO the great author
uf every good and perfect gift. "IIe saith to the
lsnow"-He who said, let the earth be and it was,
HE who will say, let the earth blaze, and the
Iworld shall be consumed-He before whose face
1.-The elements shall melt, and the universe be an
Inihilated, He saith 10 the snow, be thou upor
the earth.'' How inimitably beautiful How ma
ljesticslly sublime I! He saith to the snow-h
ready servant waiting his nod-submssivel,
crouching at his feet, ready to descend, "tor cor
Erection or for mercy"-Be thou upon the earth
land the earth is covered What an astonishing
display of Almighty power. All the beings OIL
1.-THE earth, could not cover the hills and vales S,
quickly, SO beautifully, and so completely. If w
!, ',llttentively observe the works of God, we ma,
y trace the wisdom of the DEITY in the exact ant
regular formation of this brilliant meteor.
How should we be struck with astonishment
if we we're told, at the first sight of snow, tha
ut only arose from. vapours, which congealcd il
the atmosphere! How quickly is it formed iii
Il moment we are surrounded with it, and tn
,urface Of the earth is covered Is it not sourc
Iof the most exalted pleasure, thus TO behold ou
Iglorious iMMANUEL, as the God Of nature, dis
lpensng his gifts What an ample subject TO
lmeditation. Without him nothing was made
that is made; and he upholds all things BY th
word Of his power. Justly might the pion
lBRooa affirm, "that even frost and snow llav
their charms and Winter has its sweets. Nom
can want innocent and pure pleasures. but thos
who are SO dull and insensible, that they do no
reflect upon things, or give any attention TO tn
wonderful works of God" Adorcd be our heu
venly father, for all the enjoyments Of this life
!" Praise the Lord, from the earth, yc dragon
and all decps; fire and hail, snow and vaponr
stormy wind, fulfilling his word. Praise til
Lord, my soul" I.