Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-02-28
Opening of Winter in st. Petersburg

Opening of Winter in st. Petersburg.
The coming on of winter in st. Pc
tersburg is so different from the way
nature does it in America that L am in
clined to tell you about it. The Neya
generally closes from the Goth of No
yember to the LIST of December. This
year it was earlier--on the 10th OF No
yember From the LIST of November
there were few fair days-in fact no day
when the sun shone all day. 1t was
cloudy, sour weather, with much rain,
but no frost, even at night, till the LIST
of November, when Il cold snap came
on, since which time there has been no
day when the murcury was above freez
ing point. The rays of the sun are so
oblique as to have little or no effect upon
the atmosphere, making the days and
nights of nearly equal temperature. The
sun is not on duty long enough to ac-
eeomplish much, as it rises little before
9 and sets before 3. The twilight is of
course very long
The cold steadily increased for per-
haps ten days, when a little snow began
to fall, and almost every day since lit
tie has fallen, till now perhaps there is
6 inches. There has been little or no
wind, though one day it blew some, and
about Q inches of snow fell, which is
called here quite a storm. ! learn there
are never any storms in this part
of Russia during which more than 2 to
6 inches of snow falls. But the acqui-
sition of snow is constant. 1t does not
appear to come from the clouds, but the
water held in solution in the atmosphere
which is very damp, it being so near the
sea, and country perfectly flat, congcals
and chrystalizes, and thus falls slowly
but constantly half an inch, or perhaps
less, per day. No one carries an UNI
brella, as it does not snow fast enough
to get wet in, and nobody minds it, but
they walk, ride, or skate all the time,
Hundreds of men work constantly sweep
ing the sidewalks, crosswalks, and
streets. 1t is not in sufficient quantity
to shovel, but is swept into heaps and
carried off, leaving only enough to insure
good sleighing.
The mercury has been down to 10
degrees below zero, Fahrenheit, though
it is warmer now. We may expect it,
however, down to 30 and 49, and posi-
bly, so, for days. At such times great
wood fires are built on an open CRATE,
open on all sides, ] mean, but under IA
circular iron cover with hole Ill the
top, i'll front of all the theatres and the
palace. Around these big blazing fires
gather the coachman and servants dur
ing the performances at the theatre,
opera, or balls, us they never go home
after leaving their passengers, but wait
In the street. AS they must often wait
during the greater part of the night,
these fires are absolutely indispensable.
What the poor horses do am not aware,
for | have not yet seen il horse blanket,
but have seen the horses driven up
smoking hot and stand four or five hours
uncovered.
Winter here means business, and one
must prepare for it, and once prepared,
there is apparently no trouble with the
cold Rooms all have double windows,
both sashes fitted in close and tight,
very thick walls are well stocked with
big perdean stoves, which are great
heaters. Except for lack of ventilation,
they are entirely comfortable, but every
body lives in flats, as in Paris and other
continental cities. Correspondence Of
Tie Hartford Post.
Sickening Story of English Low-Llfe,
Here is a true story of low-bfe in En-
gland, which is not without it's pathos
as well as its horror William Parker
enlisted in the English army when he
was twenty-one: he served for ten years
in India and elsewhere: he was a good
soldier, and a remarkably kind, patient.
and pleasant man. He was married
when in the service and two children
were born to him. He was discharged
at the end of his service; his health was
broken down: his wife soon died. and he
was left with his two children. He was
deyotedly attached to them. and there
never was kinder or a better father
Times GREW hard with him. his had
III r. N.i tiii i ~. VT,
owing go los. for rent and not q nennv