The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-04
TIC polar wave.

The coldest weather since January. 1877,
came suddenly upon us Thursday evening.
That morning the thermometer recorded
$50, the freezing point in Fahrenheit; and
there was every promise OF fair and plea
SAINT weather. At / O'Clock the mercury
in the thermometer recorded 47o. About
that time, however, the wind, which had
been blowing gentle breeze from the
southwest, suddenly shifted to northwest
and blewa perfect gale. The temperature
fell as rapidly rs il an Arctic iceberg lay
to the windward. 4 corresponding fall
in the mercury took place, and at sun
rise yesterday mornin" it read 70 Fahren-
heit, 100 Reamur-which has $50 for its
initial point. This indicated fall Of 400
in eighteen hourse At O'Clock yesterday
it had risen to 16o Fahrenheit, the highest
point reached during the day. The sky has
been perfectly clear, not cloud obscuring
the sun, and no probability OF the fulfil
ment OF the prophecy Of ''Old Prob" that
we should have snow. "
Yesterday morning, wherever there had
been water or moisture, the Frost King had
come and silently waved his wand, and 10
the face of nature had changed. The
ground was hard and firm, the cutters were
frozen over, running streams were, despite
the high winds prevailing. covered over
with shining surface, from which the sum
beams elinted with rare radiance. WIN
dowS were embellished with engravinss far
exceeding the highest works OF art in their
design and delicate tracing. Nothing could
be more beautiful than the sight presented
on the front windows of many of the Main
street stores. All kinds Of plants, inclu-
ding the most beautiful specimens of ferns :;
huge stalactites, as if fresh from some new
~ discovered cavern, were to be seen.
Many of the windows seemed to be curtain
ed with lace Of the most costly manufac-
ture. The sight was q rare one and well
worth a visit to see. Many water-pipes
were bursted, and plumbers will be busy
several days repairing damages. 90
The steamship Wyanoke, after several at
tempts, got off yesterday morning between
II and II O'Clock, but it was difficult un-
dertaking. The river had frozen hard (the
channel), but she managed to get through
the ice, and is now no doubt at sea. The
Philadelphia steamer sailed also. Last
night the river was pretty well closed, and
navigation of course suspended.
The basin was frozen hard except at the
entrance to the gauge-dock, and the skaters
were enjoying themselves as well as the
cutting westerly wind would permit.
The canal was frozen. Indeed it is now
frozen from one end to the other, except
here and there where the water is too swift,
and navigation is entirely suspended. The
packet boat which left here on Thursday
morning got up about twenty-four miles
from this city, where the captain was COM
PEELED to stop on account Of the ice
The fountains in the Capitol Square are
very pretty Just now, especially the one in
the Governors yard. which seems to be
frozen to the bottom, and as fast as the wa
ter falls from the sprinkler it freezes, form
inc beautiful pyramid OF ice.
The streets seemed well nigh deserted
last night. The few persons who were out
were either running along to keep warm or
were walking very rapidly, The reporto.
rial fraternity found no chinners on the
street corners ready to talk politics; and all
who could do so not only kept indoors, but
close in the chimuey-corner beside the fire.
At midnight the mercury stood at 13o.