Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-02-03
The mild weather which has prevaileI

nearly all winter was broken up oy .
storm which broke out in the Northwest
three or four days ago and has spread all
over the country. The snow storm
which struck St. Paul last Friday
reached as this morning, and will dsubt'
less extend farther South. A heavy
gale prevailed in New York yesterday,
cutting eff communication with many
places North aud South; q fierce storm
broke oyer " Washington City much dam
sVe was done atthe Centennial grounds
and elsewhere in Philadelphis; the
heaviest snow storm of the winter ragged
in Vermont aud trains were delayed;
NOW fell a foot deep at Montreal q
fearful storm ragged at Whitehall and
Saratoga; in Providence. Z. l., the gale
wal heavy; every description Of sailing
craft was driven from the bay and river
at New York; all through New England
the heaviest storm of the season ragged;
the damage at Baltimore is estimated at
$40 900; at Albany, $50, 900, and con-
siderable throughout the East. Great
damage is done to shipping along the
coast, and the danger signal is flying
from Maine to Florida. 1t is remarks-
Die how nearly the predictions Of the
weather bureau at Washington have
been verified. Take for instance the
probabilities Of this morning:
WASHINGTON. February 3, lam.
For the Gulf States, Tennessee and
Ohio valley. falling barometer, warmer
east to south winds, increasing cloudl'
ness, and probably rain. turning into
snow, in the two last districts.
This has been almost literally fulfilled.
The cold in some quarters lie distressing
At Mackinaw the thermometer was 25'
below zero. A terrific storm Of wind
and snow swept over the State Of Mich
gan. The sudden change from unusually
mild weather to the greatest severity o.
winter will cause much suffering amonG
the poorer classes, and is keenly felt By
all; while its effects upon the frui
aud grain crops will be rathet
favorable; wheat especially will be bene
6ted by this freeze-up and snow. Thu
sap will 90 down in fruit trees, thus Civ
ing US a chance for a fruit crop, and
premature vegetation everywhere will b
set back nearly q month. The storm
has its cheerful suggestions, especial.
for those who are comfortably house
and clothed, as we'll as its gloomy aspect
But here it is the beautiful snow" Il
minding US all Of pleasant Christina
memories and many lopg.forgotte.
scenes aud faces. No man becomes 81
matter-of-fact as to entirely resist thes
inAuences-that come back on the win
Of the snow, chilling his face but warm
ing his heart. and making every cheer
6reside glow the brighter in contras
With the war Of the elements without
There is something grand aud inspiring
in the gusts OF old winter after all tina
makes us forget the price Of coal, i
we only have epough stored, and sue
natters as dollars and cents. We rathe
welcome the storm king if be does no
bring too much misery, and love natur
all the more for her chsngeful mood. b
our charity is often appealed to as vel
IS sentiment and philosophy. The poo
ys have always with you is not less tru
to day than eighteen hundred years age
and this class 6nds little JOY 10 the col
winds that rattle the roofs Of their hun
bic homes or in the capers OF the eddy
ing snow storm. They are commende
often TO their more fortunate brethrer
Yet how seldom practically remembered
Tom Hood sang, "Oh, the rarity
Christian charity under the sun" b.
the world is just as it is, with its sui
shine and storm. its good and bad, az
all the fine theories ever invented cannI
change it,