Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-20
THE WINTER SEASON.

The greatest objection which some have
to residence in New England, particular
" this eastern part of it, is to its season OF
frost and snow. They admire the genial
breath Of our summers, but are taken
with catarrh or Rheumatism when they
think Of the rough winds and icicles of
winter, and fall to dreaming of that i'm
aginary land where the skies are always
bright with sunshine. Even to read OF a
New England winter without hot brick
at their feet and something warm at hand
to take inwardly, gives them a chill and
threatens them with galloping consump-
ton. How they pity us poor mortals who
have to endure the ills they dread They
take Cowper's picture of Winter, the "ru-
Ter of the inverted year." his hair filled
with sleet, his breath CONCEALED upon his
lips. cheeks fringed with frosty beard,
forehead wrapped in clouds, his see ptre a
leafless branch and his throne sliding
car. and this they believe to be all there
is of Winter, not caring to remember that
the artist who drew the picture referred to
said of Winter in closing it.
II love thee all unlovely as thou scientist
And dreaded as thou art ~
We have had for several days past a
touch of winter as it is in southern chimes.
First day Of sunshine, redolent OF violets
and roses, followed by leaden clouds,
absence of the suns face, fog, drizzle,
shower. rain and snow, lasting fortnight
with mud half-leg deep. and travel except
by rail almost prohibited. The pleasant
effect upon our people of this taste Of
winter as they have it in the mild ATTITUDES
is witnessed in aggravated and general
catarrh, Threats that refuse TO speak except
with pain and in discordant notes, uncon-
querable neuralgia, all faces in the streets
wearing look as if the world were going
to ruin and they cared little how soon, and
aloud call for physicians and nurses, with
fierce execrations of the weather. Per-
haps they can endure this sort of thing
better in the land of the orange andpome-
granate. or is it only "distance" that
makes it appear SO charming to us "down
South ?" The South has reputation for
pleasant winters, but they prove bad
article when imported here and subjected
to experience and common sense criticism.
Now while every body is in love with
our New England summers, and persons
come from all quarters to pass the warm
months at the seaside resorts from Cape
Cod to Mount Desert, they fail to undef-
stand the value Of our New England
winters. These winters, frozen as they are
give to New England physical, mental,
moral and social characteristics not found
in southern ATTITUDES. Possibly "brown
bread, cider. and bean porridge," may aid
in giving growth to body and mind, but
the rough winds have an exhilarating et-
feet, and arouse the energy necessary to
overcome with will and strength the rigors
of the weather. The very act of resist
ance to the sharp attacks of Winter, facing
him in his tiercest mood, defying his pres
GNU out-ol-uOois, anu cAPciihS NM ifuili
the freside where the Goals sparkle and
flowers bloom, fits the character to strtsy-
gle for supremacy in other arenas. Health
comes on the icy breeze, and character
grows in the boy as he slaps his chilled
hands or rubs his frosty face and sticks to
his coasting or skating let the wind blow
ever SO high. There is no one who does
not know that the intellect is keener in
winter than summer. In July ana August
the mind works YEARLY and poorly, drag.
cling out with the greatest effort what it is
obliged to do, but in December and JAN
uary the wits need no stimulus and work
is delight. or the two seasons, summer
and winter, the latter does the most for
he character. building 1t up in mental and
moral strength, and 10 this il is doubtless
argeIv due that New England stock in
mem and women commands premium