Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-01-05
Fop TIE RIcHMoNp VINO.
To ..cssrs. WIthc, R:res Of Campbcii, ord


Our climate has greatly changed within half cen
fury. The change is Still going on and III n few
years more, may hope to see Virginia indeed the
nildest and plcasanest country known, and consenal
to the of the greatest nJGbcr and variety Of
valuable productions.
There is abundant historical evidence to show that
all countries, as they are opened and cultivated inn
provo in climate.
Enly, for several hundred years after the foundn-
ton OF Rome, covered with forests. During this
PERIOD we are told by Historians the Tiber was FREE
quenty frozen over, aud SHOW common thing
III the winter season.
There is another evidence that the s'lIesperian
cline" very cold and spindle i'll the first ages
of Roman history. The vine, which ilourishes only
i'll warm regions, was not native Of Italy. When
first brought from the East, it cultivated with
the greatest difficulty; account of the inclcncncy
of the seasons. Bat the country was opened and
improved the climate grew sensibly mdcr; and
cold and freezing winters became less frequent The
vine began to be successfully cultivated; and in less
than three centuries after the arc OF Ronulus vine
yards were very cunnion; and vine abundant that
/ its use was carried to the gTcaicst excess.
! France and Germany, which the saine par-
alles of latitude with Canada and y. England had at
the beginning the christian era, precisely tho same
climate.
Tire Historian Diodonus Sicuus, who Gourishcd a.
bout the time of Augustus, mentions that Caul and
Germany were extremely cold regions. Snow con-
tinrel the whole winter. Tnc rivers Rhine, Rhone,
and Danube were frequently frozen through their
whole depth, tina; not only the casual traveller could
cross i'll safety, but armies, cavalry and Wagons
were in the hunt of passing
As the wandering hordes settled down, cleared a.
way the forests and cultivated the lands the rig0uIs
otthe climate began To moderate. Vines were plan
ted the hills of France about the middle OF the
third century; they continued to advance towards the
North, as the country cultivated, until in little
more than two hundred years they went through the
whole length oft!ic kingdom TO the border of Elan
ders.
Similar changes arc to be observed in the climate of
Der when it 10 uncommon thing for James Riv-
or to be frozen 90 that Wagons might pass in
saicty--when fell early III winter, and disap-
pcared only under tic influence the ycrna sun.
During the 18TH century, so fnr as we can learn, n
winter without much SHOW and ice rarely expert
cnccd. But extremely cold season for moro
than week at time, is very unusual
Naturalists say that the wren can only iulIabit cx-
treIncly cold regions. They fuudin abundance a.
long the frozen COASTS Iceland Spilsbcrgcn Wher-
over they are discovered il indicates inhczpable
ollrnc When they disappear FROM n. country. which
they ire1ucted, j, is evidence that the
cliIn1te is about to undergo radical charge.
Wrens were very abundant in this State. Mr.
Jefferson mentions them i'll his lit indigenous ami
mails ofVirginiu. But they arc scarcely ever TO
be seen.
years are required from the hfst attempt towards
Improvement, before any material alteration is efcc-
ted in the climate Of country; aud as Virginia has
been settled about that length of time, may rcnsou-
ern years past is not owing 20 accidental circum-
stances but that it is the natural consequence OF civil
cation.
The reasons why cultivation modcratcs the climate,
have been yariousiy stated by different persons Some
suppose that 1t ought to have contrary effect. They
think that the should be made colder becouse
opening country gives free circulation 10 the at
mosphcre, which causes rapid evaporation.
And rapid evaporation is always attended with dm-
mutton OF temperature. But as facts do not support
this theory will cndcavour 90 explain the phcn1nae-
M III different way-prelnising, however that my
conclusions have not been ascCranIcd with ony decree
Of philosophical accuracy.
In autumn, amer the trees have been stripped Of their
foliage and the ground covered with flick coat Of
leaves, great quantity of rain lails In extensive
forests where the Gun has little or 40 power the waicr
thus fallen remains above the suracc many weeks.
evaporation - constantly going ON the atIo plorc il
Kept cold aud humid.
While In this statcthc water that pages through
The atmosphere congcoisand is Deposited in te form
OF snow. When tho suow hJs filen the same cir
cun5tonces which caused te lll now prevent its i'm
mediate Disappearance.
IN tjnck woc''s tic action Of The .,,r (which in
W'H'pr - iecbe at bcet scarcely felt md ~ leaves
or' poor aDsOrbiDg surfaces, hs cny way In Which the
SHOW eau disappear is byt slow pro co.'s ~ cva-,ra
non But without fec circulation If sif or . sirono
neat Use atmosphere Lcon,,s soturg,cd will,
WitcT' Wich so.s ts fl-'i 49, f-..s 81 Of vsp,fat,t