New-York tribune., 1883-06-17

Frum thIsit would appear that although Santa
Barbara has the higher relative humidity, San Ber-
nardno is actually the damper, which is probably
not the case, for it Is situated on O sandy plain
sixty miles from the sea. at an elevation of more
than 900 feet while Santa Barbara is directly on
the ocean. IL only serves to show how little the
random figures of guide-books can be trusted for
comparison. and how pressing is the Deed Of ac-
curate and above all systematic observations under
a competent general direction, in order that the
best use may be made of the sanitaria OF Cali
fornia
few general observations, however may be
useful in the lack of scientific data. Sufferers from
lung trouble need three things: first, climate;
second facilities for living out of doors third the
means of living fairly well. These almost
equally important and the best place for an invalid
Is he place where he can most nearly obtain all
three EquabiIity is not characteristic of any of
the California climates. The changes in winter are
sudden and frequent; the daily range Of the ther-
mometer is extensive, aud prolonged sirocco blasts
from the sandy desert follow close upon sharp
frosts. Neither have | found at any Of the health
resorts really dry climate. Santa Barbara and
San Diego are by far the best of the coast towns
in this respect; bat you can only say OF them that
they are remarkably dry for the seaside. and that
the fogs to which they are subject are by no
means as scnslbly damp as the fogs of the Atlantic.
In point of humidity. they are far superior to
Florida for example. The INLAND towns, so-called.
Of which San Bernardino may be taken as type,
are not far enough from the sea TO escape the
fogs and all of them are more or less exposed to
the salt breezes but of course the moist winds are
modified in passing over forty fifty miles of land.
East of the first range of mountains lies a moro
Il h.,t nfia no apcOmnOd atiOua for
inyalids Land-wlnds, bringing clouds of dust.
and often filing the air with fine
,lkali-haze are serious Inconvenience both on the
coast and inland. Santa Barbara San Diego, San
Berparuino, Riverside. San Gabriel, all the best
known resorts are subject to them, and thev are
very trying to people with weak throats or lungs.
| mention these drawbacks at the beginning be-
cause it has been TOO much the custom to speak OF
the climate of California as absolutely perfect.
There is no such thing as perfect climate Inc
well and strong who come here for pleasure find
almost all the days delightful. The delicate and
sensitive. who come here for health,
complain great deal at first of the exaggerations
of travellers but they generally become as enthusi-
astic as anybody after few months.
The frequent winds are irritating, but
they have an important function In purify
ing the atmosphere, and to this process of renova-
tiou and disturbance, together with the
absence of moist exhalations from the soil, we may
attribute in great measure the tonic quality of the
California air. Then the temperature is favorable
TO out-ofdoor life. The figures of average tempeta-
ture. which ought to be the mean OF day and night
observations, DO not indicate the character OF the
days. Roughly speaking. the Thermometer at
Santa Barbara, during five or six of the warmest
hours of winter day, ranges from 600 to 700; at
San Diego it is about the same; at San Bernardino
it is. suppose, six or seven degrees higher AT
either of these places, therefore, an invalid can
spend nearly all day 10 the open air. unless there
bappen 20 be unfavorable conditions OF wind or
fog The rainy days are 81 few that It is not neces
sary to make any account Of them. Now most
writers on California climate assume that SICK
man can stay out-of-doors whenever there is warm
sun. This is not quite true. Riding, driving aud
walking must be practised In moderation: sitting
out of doors is impossible when the wind is strong
or when chill air comes from the sea, and hun
dreds of people come here every winner who are lar
too weak 10 take exercise. For them, and indeed
for all nvalids the best place is one so sheltered
from the winds that they can recine as long as
they please with their books and papers under the
trees, and gather strength for active exertion.
found these conditions at Santa Barbara in the
frat months of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and Decem-