The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-07-20
The Tyranny of the Thermometer.

The Tyranny OF the thermometer.
1t is a fact that has been noted by
staisticians and oldest inhabitants Tor
many years that the severity of our
summer weather has increased, pdrj |
pdsSu, with the spread of theirmome-
tiers. Before these delusive instru.
ments came into use it is'notoriouS |
that we have no record of such in
tense heat as has afflicted us now these
many summers. In those temperate
times, sun-struck, saltwater, paper |
collars, and other midsummer nui-
sances were unknown. 1t becomes a |
question worthy Of study whether
our recent sufferings are not largely
due to the use of thermometers and
the delusiOn and worry generated by
frequent inspection of the tiny
tombstones on which they record the
fluctuations of the weather. There
can be no doubt that they have exer-
ted an enormous influence over the
llulIitlll lctNCt lllOlC OoBNNl-tliy III
crowded cities, where their numbers
have been recklessly multiplied, and
that they have aggravated our dis
comfort to an almost intOlerable de-
gree. Were there no thermometers,
we should not know how hot it was,
and should be free from much of the
fret that Immediately sets in when
we notice the mercury passing the
ninetieth parallel of latitude on the
chart Of its navigation. Then, with
one accord, men begin to groan and
curse the intOlerable heat. They
leave their comfortable homes and
rush off to dingy attics and meagre
fare in the country where Their
mometers are scarce and weather re-
ports come in but once week, and
declude themselves with the notion
that they have found a cool place.
They go and wander on the blazing
sands by the sea-shore, or cOngregate
on the deSolate eXpanse of hotel
piazzaS, in the vain hope Of escaping
the effects of the remOrseless mcrcu-
ry in the tiny tube.
1t is only necessary to note the
effect of thermometers on the ordi-
nary citizen in summer, to be con-
WINGED that they beget the most de-
plOrable decisions and cause an i'm
mense amount of discomfort. No
sooner does ones eye catch sight of
the slender metallic colum crawling
among the nineties than it has wild
and unnatural glare, and the forehead
is suifused by an unhealthy moisture.
The sufferer spends his money for
insidious drinks, INDUCES in absurd
excursions, or possibly, if the delu
| sion comes upon him very strong, he
even goes to Europe, rushes wildly
oyer the continent in iiISutferable
railroad trains, and lives at hotels
! where their business is to make
travellers miserable. 1t is sad thing
to note these results of immoderate
indulgence in thermometers, when
we might pass the summer months
quietly and serenely at home, if we
were not continually excited and
worried by this instrument of tor
ture. Its a serious question whether
we are to allow this relentless contri-
vance, which is plainly in league
with the hotel keepers and the
vendors of soda water and fermented
drinks, to tyrannize over US any
longer? Perhaps thermometers can
not be wholly eXterminated, though
they seriously threaten the safety Of
society, but they may be brought I'M
der control. AS they seem to be more
dangerous in the shade than any
where else-that is to say in exposed
doorWays and inside of window
trames-they should be kept out Of
such positions. Doubtless the best
plan would be to pack them in ice
and keep them in the cellar. Then
they could do no harm.-N. Y. Times.