The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-08-31

l. JuIv. Sometimes, for several successive
davs. the sun shines brightly and pleasant
" All dav: and no rain falls at night. The
air, however. is always refreshing!y cool
and agreeable This is perhaps the most
pleasant time in the year. This is what is
commonly called "the middle dries" 1t
seems as if Providence has special lily order
ed this temporary cessation Of the rsins, for
the purpose Of permitting the riPening and
gathering Of the crops Of rice. which are
generally harvested in August.
September and October are also general
" very rainy months; especially the FORM
er. Sometimes more rain Falls III Septetn-
Der, than in any other month IN the year.
Tow ards the close vt October, the rains
begin to be less copious; and sometimes
slight tornadoes appear, indicative of the
Cessation Of the rainy season. The sea-
breezes are usually very strong. during
these two months; and the atmosphere Is
generally uniformly cool. and inv goratinS
to the physical system.
During the month OF November, the
weather il generally very pleasant, the tenn
perature OF the atmosphere being agreeable
to the teelings-not SO cool as during the
FIVE prec eding months, and not so warm as
during the five or six succeeding ones, the
average height VI the mercury in the ther-
| mometer being about 81 deg. Frequent
showers of rain usually fall during this
month. both in the day and at night; but
generally they are Of short duration.
Slight tornaLoes also generally appear in
this month. The sun may usually be seen,
during part Of every day in the month;
and frequently hc is not obscured by
clouds, during the whole Of the time in
which he is above the horizon. The mid.
die Of this month may be regarded as the
beginning of the dry season.
December is also generally very pleas
ant month. Occasional slight showers of
rain fall during this month, sometimes sew
eral sprinkl.ngs in one day. but seldom for
more than few minutes at time. The
mornings iE this month are peculiarly de-
lightful. The sun usually rises with bril-
liancy and beauty; and the hills and groves,
teeming with the verdure of perpetual
spring, are enriched by the mingled nelo-
dy Of thousand cheerful songsters.
Nothing that have ever witnessed In the
United States exceeds the ioveliness Of q
December morning in Liberia.
On the whole. regard the climate of
Liberia as decidedly pleasant; notwith-
standing the scorching rays Of the tropical
sun. and the - abundance Of rain which
falls during the year, especially during the
months of June, July, September and Oct.
So far as the pleasantness OF the climate
anc weather is concerned. l would de-
cidedIy prefer residence in Liberia, to
one in any part Of the u. States.
The extremes Of the thermometrical state
Of the atmosphere may be set down at s.
and 80 deg 1 have never heard Of the
mercury in a good thermometer having
sunk below the former, nor risen above
the latter point, in the shade. The aver
age height of the mercury, during the rainy
season. may be set down ct about IS deg,
and during the dry season at 81 deg.
In regard to the comparative healthlness
Of the two seasons, I may state, that my
observations fully convinced me, that the
rainy season is decidedly more conducive
to health than the dry season, in both new
comers and old settlers. The oppressive
ness Of the atmosphere, and the enervatin8
effects of the weather, during the dry sea
son. tend to debilitate the physical system,
and thereby to render it more susceptible
of being affected by the local agents Of dis
case. Consequently. those persons who
arrive in Liberia during this season. are
more liable to frequent attacks of fever.
than those are who arrive during the rainy
season. In reference, however, to the ac-
climating process. do not think that any
great advantage can be gained By arriving
ut any particular time Of the year, more
than at any other time. Unnecessary ex-
posure to the heat Of the sun during the dry
season, and to the rain during the wet sea-
son, should alike be avoided. Care and
prudence should be exercised by new
comers at all times during the year.