Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-06-18

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1888.
In November, 1878, Mr.. A. Robertson.
one Of the editors Of the Glasgow Scots
man, visited Los Angeles and vicinity,
and the result Of his observations ap-
peared in a long but highly interesting
article in the Scotsman portion OF
which we quote;
"From January TO December the
weather Is such that work can he carried
on ont doors with comfort; and woolen
upderclothng is worn almost universally
all the year round. Aud this IN semi
tropical land. There is, in fact, no
sharply defined succession OF seasons.
The range Of temperature in Los Angeles,
which may be taken as fair index OF
the country generally, snominally large.
the lowest recorded since the establish
ment Of the United States Signal Service
being 20 degrees, the highest l05 de-
grees; but these are exceptional figures,
and are only what one might call
indices of the possibilities Of the eli
mate. In six Winters since July, 1877,
the freezing point ut "a feet above the
ground has only been touched ten times
and ground frosts have been registered
on seventy mornings IN the same time,
the coolest hour being usually about
sunrise. During the like period the
thermometer registered above 30 de-
grees only ON thirty nine DAYS. The
great charm OF tbe climate is is even.
ness. Spring, summer and Winter
blend imperceptibly into eaeh other, and
all through the Winter flowers and fruits
grow aud flourish luxuriantly. There
are certainly days In midsummer when
the heat Ia great the thermometer get
ting up beyond 100 degrees In the shade;
but the nights are invariably cool and
refreshing, and Il blanket is al
ways acceptable for sleeping pur-
poses. Sunstroke Is unknown, and the
extraordinary dryness Of the atmos-
phere. by the rapid evaporation Of the
perspiration, keeps the skin cool and
prevents appreciable discomfort 30 long
as the thermometer remains below 30
degi ees. There are, in all, four or five
"spells" each year, of three to six days
each, called "hot SPELLS" generally in
May and June and In September, which
nre pretty trying; but then the coolness
Of the nights must be kept In mind, and
the fact that these spells are sandwiched
by long periods Of more oven tempera.
ture. In autumn aud winter, again the
nights and mornings are chilly, and fires
are necessary. Yet / can speak from
experience Of the pleasant warmth of the
days and of the beautiful luxuriance of
flowers and fruit In the winter months.
The trees and shurbs, till the arrival of
the rains are clothed In cheerful foliage;
and roses and other garden pets, which
with us would be dead and withered,
grow abundantly, and form very glory
Of bloom about the houses of Angelefios.
Strawberries, green peas, radishes, let
tuoe, ETC., are produced every month
In the year. The unbearabe heat of
the summers and fierce winds and
prolonged rains Of the winters of
Southern Italy are here unknown. The
best test, perhaps, in most cases as to
the character OF a climate Is the looks of
the people. ] never saw finer, healthier
looking men, women and children any.
where, the women aud children partic.
ularly. Not even in the most favored
hooks Of our own country could one sc o
ruddier or BONNER lasses or bairns. There
are none of the nervous troubles and
malarial diseases present so frequent in
tropical climes. The valleys near Los
Aogeles are favorite resorts for invalids
affected by lung and throat diseases. In
those valleys, such as are Pasadena, San
Gabriel, and Others, ranging from 1000
to 1000 feet in height about the sea
level, the perfection OF climatic ad-
vantages is reached. Pure, clear, dry,
warm mir, exemption from extremes of
heat and cold-these are their charae.
teristios, the mean of their Summer tenn
peratures being about 81 degrees, aud the
Winter temperature averaging 56degrees.
can conceive of no more delightful in
valid's home, for climate, for scenery,
for society, and, il it is desired, for
pleasant and profitable employment,
than such spot say, as Pasadena, at the
base Of the Sierra Madre, about eight
miles from Los Angeles. The air is de-
hciously warm, balmy, and invigorating.
There is an electric feeling in the atmos-
phere, as far removed Ms possible from
the enervating properties usually pre-
dicated Of southern climates, which
tempts one to be about and doing, and
the work is at hand and of fascinating
kind. For miles the settlement stretches
along the base OF the mountains, en-
bosomed in avenues OF eucalyptus, Mon
terey cypress, Lombardy poplar, or wal
nut trees, and laid out in 8. 10 or 20
acre lots, on which are cultivated to the
last pitch of perfection oranges, olives,
lemons, figs, almonds, pears, aprieots,
peaches, walnuts and the omnipresent
vines. Churches and schools are numer-
GUS and good; food is extremely cheap
and of the best. And all this is the work
of six or seven years.