Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-07-13
The Tyranny of the Thermometer.

1t is a fact that has been noted by StatiSti-
taRS ,f and oldest Inhabitants Tor many years
increased pdrT pdSStt, with the spread of Their
mOmeterS. Before these delusiye instruments
came into use it is notorious that we have no
record of such intense heat as has afflicted us
now these many summers. In those temper
ate tines sun-Struck, soda water, paper col
lars, and other midsummer nuiSances were I'M
knIWn. 1t becomes a question worthy of
study whether our recent Suferings are not
largely due to the use Of thermometers and the
deu>lon and worry generated by a frequent
/ pee, ion of the tiny tomb tones on which
t ~ record the fluctuations of tie weather.
1fere can be no doubt that they have exerjed
an enormous influence over the human race,
MO especially in crowded cities, where their
mbers have been recklessly multiplied. and
thai they have aggravated our discomfort TO
an almost lntoleraoIe degree. Were there no
thel m"meterS, 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 niuetieth parallel of lati
tuoe on tie chart of its navigation. Then,
Will O.ie accord, men lie lin 10 groan and curse
the it. Oi@rabie heat. They leave their com
I: bic homes and rush of to dingy attlcS
and meas re fare in the country where ther-
m"MeierS are scarce and weather repor,S
come In but once week, and delude them
selves with the potion that they have found a
G. o. place. They go and wander on the blaZ-
ing sands by the SeaShore. or cOngregate on
the desoiate expaDse of hotel piazzas in the
vain hope of escaping the effects of the re-
morse ess mercury in the Tiny tube
IL 10 only utCtSSdIS 10 nDtS the eject OF
thermometers on The ordinary citizen in sum-
mel, TO be convinced that they beget the most
Geplorable decisions and cause an immense
amount of ScOmfort. No sooner does ones
eye catch sight of the slender metallic column
crawling among the ninetieS than it has a
wi ID and unnatural glare and the forehead s
Sutfused by an unhealthy moisture. Tie
sufferer spends his money for iuSidiouS drinks,
INDUCES in absurd excursions. or possibly 4
the deluSIOn comes upon him very strong, he
even goes to Europe, PUSHES wildly over the
continent in inSuferable railroad trains and
lives at hotels where their business is to maj e
travellers miserable. 1t is a sad thing to noe
these results of immOderate indulgence in
thermometers, when we might pass the sum-
mer months quietly and serenely at home, if
we were not continually excited and worried
by this instrument of torture. 1t is a seriOi S
question whether we are to allow thus relen :
less contrivance, which is plainly in league
with the hOtel-keeperS and the vendors of
soda water and fermented drinks tOtyrannize
over us any longer? Perhaps thermometers
cannot be wholly eXterminated, though they
seriously threaten the safety of society, but
they may be brought under control AS they
seem to DE more dangerous in the shade than
anywhere else-that is to say in exposed door
ways and inside of window -frameS-they
should be kept out OF such positions. Doubt
less the best plan would be to pack them in
ice and keep them in the cellar. Then they
cOuId no harm-( " Y Times