The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-21
THE CLOSE or AUTUMN

The season Of autumn Is now drawing to
close. One week moro and we shall be begin
ming our nominal winter.
The weather prophets OF whom we have many.
have been foretelling for some time past long
and bitter season OF cold. The migratory birds.
they inform us, in haste to escape tho coming
rigors, departed southwark Mt an unusually
carly date and the alternating animals have
made preparations for an exceptionally long re-
troment from the active world Still. we have
had no really sharp weather so far and there
are nopresent indications Of speedy and great
decline OF the thermometer
The fact is the weather prophets are unable
to see as far ahead as they pretend and though
they may chance to be right in their predictions.
they are just MS likely to be wrong. as all expe-
rience shows. Even with the aid Of n great
quantity of the peoples money and regiment.
moro or less. Of cuaulcttcd observers, our Sig
nal Bureau docs well il it forecasts the weather
twenty-four hours ahead. II 1t undertook to
tell us just how cold ii will be even a fortnight
from now. whether we shall have snow or thaw
at Christmas. or when the slcighing win begin
and how long II will last. not all the money and
the military prowess Of that costly bureau would
avail to save It from falling into error. It's pre-
dictions might be worth little. II any. more
than those Of some tavern wlseacre who takes
special charge Of the weather.
The reason why a long. cold. and snowy win
ter is predicted is because last winter was 80
remarkably open. the grass appearing nearly
throughout. But two open winters may come
in succession, and up to this time there is little
to show that we are not going TO have one this
year. The frosts certainly did not come early,
and only one slight fall of snow has yet taken
place in the region hcreabouts. Nevertheless.
we may have very cold winter. when once it
really begins and fortunately. II We do. 1t will
not be likely to work us any great harm.
Bitter weather OF course brings much hard
ship to the impoverished and i'll clad. and
everybody who feels for the victims Of pinch
ing necessity and is able to relieve their wants
will have plenty Of opportunity TO manifest his
sympathy in acts this winter. whether it is a
very cold one or not. We know. as a matter OF
fact that our mortality rate is lower in winter
than in summer. The condition Of trade is
perhaps a little better than II has been for SOW
eral years back. but 1t is still unsatisfactory
enough to shut great many people out Of
regular employment.
This is the first year since 1873 in which there
has been no decrease in immigration. The
total number Of immigrants. aliens. who arrived
ut this port from the LIST OF January up to the
lat OF this month was G6.GiS. against As. 1879 for
the same period In 1877. The disturbed condi-
ton Of Europe both financially and politically.
has doubtless had much to do with this slight in
crease: but II is remarkable and suggestive
that at this time. when there is an insufficient
demand for labor in tho United States. and
when wages have in many cases fallen below
the English standard the body Of our workers
should receive augmentation from abroad.
So far as its public amusements go tho metrop-
oils lust now gives few indications that we are
still feeling the pressure OF the hard times, and
the outlook for the winter is one Of exceptional
gayety fol fashionable society. We have never
had more brilliant season Of opera than the
present and the patronage OF the theatres.
wherever they Offer good acting 10 the public.
makes them forget their past failures.