Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-11-25
California for Consumptives.

California Tor ConSumpC1veS.
A correspondent Of the Salem Registe,
writing from Sacramento, CAL, gives the
following interesting account Of the eli
mate of California as it effects the con
sumptive -
1t is now more than year since came
to California. I have rounded year
| have seen all the seasons; l have ex-
pcrienced the various annual changes Of
the climate have been close observer
of its influence on health, especially Of
those having lung troubles. Having had
hemorrhage each spring, for three or four
years, while in Salem, and having come
to California, physically, for my health,
[ have thought that some of your New
England readers might like to know the
results of my observation and experience.
have lived in Sacramento, ard shall
speak principally of the climate SIS it is
here, though there is little dE.ssnce in
this respect between Sacramento and the
other towns in any OF the great valleys
of the state, away from the coast and
mountains.
There are remarkable pcculiarities about
the climate in California. There is no
place in the world, probably, where it has
so much regularity and where the elements
of change are so calculable. During the
summer, from April to October-early or
late-the wind from the frozen regions Of
the Pacific sweeps down from the north.
west to the southeast, dashing spitsfully
against our western coast, and passing on
towards Peru and Chili,-one Of the most
uniform and strong OF the currents which
make up the complicated system Of trade
winds. The great weight of this cold
northern air aud the barrier presented by
the coast range of mountains make it hug
the surface of the ocean, and prevent it
from breaking over and spreading through
the interior, till it reaches the Golden
Gate. Here an opening presents itself.
resembling the union of the small ends of
two tunnels with the large ends turned,
the one out into Pacific towards the north
west, and the ether into the country,
opening eastward, northward, and south.
ward. OF course, after the inland air is
heated and rariied by each days hot sun,
the wind rushss through the throat of the
tunnels with great violence, till the re-
turn of night brings an equilibrium of
temperature, when the wind lulls. San
Francisco situated exactly on one side OF
the throat of the tunnels, where it is al-
ternately caressed by the genial and quiet
influence OF the early sun, and then rasp-
ed by winds fresh from the northern ocean
and the embrace Of iceburgs. This cir.
cumstance explains the fact that its eli
mate, during the summer season, is gen.
orally regarded as fats to those with lung
disease. In wiuter the trade wind does
not blow.
But this same wind which breaks thro'
the Cate during the summer, is the grand
meteorological luxury and salvation of the
whole iutorioG Of the state. Having
passed the throat, it sweeps inward
north, south, east, following up all the
streams and valleys, which centre, like the
rays Of an open fan, in Suisun Bay, the
inmost extension of the Bay of San
Francisco. 1t soon encounters the in.
huence of the heat of the sun, and is
modified. 1t looses its violence and
sharpness, and visits the whole interior
the purest, balmiest, sweetest, most invig-
Grating and welcome breeze imaginable.
Here in Sacramento, ewing to the situa-
tion Of the valley, it comes from the
south, and blows with great regularity
for six months Of the year, less in the
fore part of the day, more towards night
but more or less nearly y all the time. 1t
is generally blowing from that quarter
when you 90 to bed and when you get
up. Hence you know which the dusty
side of the street will be, aad where to
build your touse, plant your vines, and
hang your clothes line, to keep them from
the dust.
Occasionally, however, north wind
bows,-from what cause, or what orig gin
al source, no one knows. 1t is . mystery
and sorrow. to man, beast, aud tree
When it begins, it rarely continues more
than three days, and it comes perhaps
once in month,-hot, dry. debilitatiug.
blasting.
Besides these features. of uniformity
and regularity in the climate, there is no
rain to look out for during the long sum.
mer, no dew, no electrical disturbances,
no lightning or thunder, and few clouds.
la the winter, the weather cannot be
calculated on with such nicety and GER
tainty. But even then it seldom rains,
unless the wind has come for some hours
from the southeast.
The daily changes of temperature, dur
ing the dry season, may also be anticipate
cd with exactness. During the afternoon
and evening the southern or sea breeze
sweeps the land with increased vigor, and
after the sun sets, the thermometer in
dicates that the heat is becoming slowly
less. less, less, till one needs = heavy
ceat when ost doors, and two blankets to
sleep under during the night. In the
morning the sun shines out bright, but
cool, and smiles coldly on a cool land.
scape. You doubt whether there is any
great heat in it, or can be to-day: but
as the day advances, the sun goes up. up,
up, bot. hot, hotter, till the heat as heat
NOT by its debilitating, feverish or
nervous effects-produccs an unpleasant
sensation, just as you dislike to hold your
fingers on hot teapot. This midday
heat, however, has a popularity. 1t is