Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-03-15
MARCH Is, 1SA9.
miscellaneous.
Brief Sermons,

oses its fuidity, and becomes solid body
which we call ice. This change, which at this
season Of the year comes so frequently under
our notice, is well deserving of attention. Ice
is Of less specific gravity than water; for if we
put vessel containing water, the surface Of
whichis frozen over, into temperate heat. the
ice soon detaches itself from the sides of the
vessel, and floats on the top of the water. One
cause of Its lightness is the increase of volume;
for although the general law of cold is to CON
ract, IN this instance, at the time Of congeation
such an expansion takes place that vessels are
frequently broken by 10 power II lha dilation,
ths-4ssfsace II which Il saiiisief elssse u
globe Of copper of such thickness as to require
a force of $4,000 pounds weight to produce
similar effect.
When ice first shoots in crystals over the sur
face Of the water it ia transparent, but as it in
creases in thickness becomes Opaque, which is
owing to the air contained in the ice occasion
ing more frequent refracion of the rays of
light. Exhalalions continually arise from the
ice even during the greatest cold. 1t is found
from experiments, that during the most intense
cold four pounds Of ice lose one pound weight
by evaporation IN the space of eighteen days.
The manner in which ice begins to form is
very curious: when it slightly freezes, nun.
Der of needle shaped crystals shoot in all direc.
tons from the inner circumference of the vessel
making numerous angles, and, uniting together,
form upon the surface Of the water very thin
pellicle of ice; to these succeed more, which
multiply and enlarge IN form of plates, and be-
ing increased in number and thickness, unite to
the first pellicle. AS the ice thckens, a multi
tude Of air bubbles are seen, and the greater the
degree of cold, the mnre these increase. When
it freezes very strongly, thin crust is formed
which shoots from the circumference to the CEN
tire; under this others are seen of triangular
shape, with the base parallel to the sides of tie
vessel, and these soon increase so much that a
very thick mass of ice is formed
By frequently rejecting upon these phenome,
ma, we shall be more and more convinced OF the
beauty of nature, and of the harmony and regu-
larity that pervade her minutest productions, all
tending to fulfill the views Of just and wise
God; and though we have not the satisfactory
consolation of knowing the full extent of those
views the little we are permitted 10 understand
Of them is enough to excite in us the desire o.
adoiug the al.wise Creator, and celebrating hi.
power, whilst we magnify his holy name.
H-ShOH duration Of tSnoAe.-We see the
instability of the snow, and the rapidity with
which it disappears when played upon by the
sunbeams, or exposed to the effect of a humid
mild air and frequent showers. Frequently the
whole aspect of nature, in Few hours, assumes
II new appearance, and scarcely trace of snow
is left behind. By these sudden changes we
may justly be reminded of tine Inconsistency and
vanity Of all human affairs. Every season and
every variation that their succession induces, de.
clares to US with loud and impressive voice
that all is uncertain, all vain, and of short dTa
ton. 1t we look around US through the vast
field of nature, shall we find anything which i,
not fri ge anil pershable? How soon are We
bereh of the pleasures of sense; scarcely do We
begin to enjoy them when they eude our cage
grasp! Often whenth sun first gids the earth
we arc light, easy, gay, and content, smiling witt
comfort and plenty. but ere night has draw
her sable curtain, our pleasure is fled, our enjoy
ment ceased, and grief weighs heavy on on
aching heart. Where exists the individual who
at some period or other, has not crually felt thu
uncertainty and short duration of terrestrial joys
and who has not known the pangs of disappoiI t
ed hope? What is more inconstant than tn
favors Of fortune, or more uncertain than TIN
continuance of life and the blessings of health
Yet while we are in possession of these bene
fits, such reflections seldom or never occur; Xix
= those who, tempted by the beauty of some win
ter's nom, sally out unprepared for the storm
which at that season they ought to expect
, While fortune smiles, and we live in a round {
= gayety and pleasure, we laugh at all fears
their ever failing, and despise all thoughts
preparing Tor an evil day. But fleeing as til
snow beneath the sunteam are all the enjoy
ments and qualifications which do not arise irol
the influence of religion, the exercise of til
mind, and the feelings of the heart; cultivat
. these, and you will be enabled to enjoy POI
lion of that felicity which endureth forever-th
/, sure reward of virtue and a well spent life.
Ill Hoar GOst,-At this season of the yes
we often ,bserve the bushes, and other matter
, exposed to the morning or evening air, acquil
a sort Of crust on the surface, as if they wei
candied. This is called hoar-frost, which is b.
the exhaatons and moisture condensed and FRI
zen by the GOODNESS of the surrounding air. I'll
, dew which during the day has evaporated fro
the earth, descends in the night, and in CO
weather becomes CONCEALED, putting on tn
white appearance we SO often observe in morl
ing; and as the large bodies retain their he
the longest, we generally see more of the fro
upon the hedges and grass than on the larg
i trees. This dow, coming in contact with bodi
II colder than itself, imparts to them portion
Il its heat, the loss of which, if considerable, o
casions it to lose its hujdity when its partic
II condensed unite more closely, and form slend
n coating Of ice. In this manner our hair, as We
as that of animals, is sometimes covered wi
: hoar-frost: the perishable matter exposed to ii
1t cold air becomes CONCEALED, and this effect
e produced. Thus also are formed the icicles '
st see hanging from the houses in winter the W
a ter dropping down impurts the heat it contai
G to the colder air, and thus losing its huidity
/ comes CONCEALED.
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