New-York tribune., 1886-08-15
rs THE tn

| rs THE THERMOMETER UNJUSTLY 1BUSEDf
That popular confidence IN the thermon eter has
lately wanei no longer admits of disguise Its con-
dnct on more than recent occasion has not been
such as would be expected Of thermom 'ter pos
sessing self respect ami sense OF honor. Dav
AT or day. week after week summer after summer,
| he intuitons which have guided us safely through
| life have told that the temperature was well up
| in the nincties If not over 1902 and yet this ln-
noccnt meek little tube has looked US squarriy IN
tho eyo and reported only $50. or 500. or even q
paltry 7oo. What is worse there seems to be n
conspiracy of mcndacity. You cannot get ole
thermometer to rebut tns testimony OF another
There may be trlng variations in the stories they
tell b.t only so tring that their tales are prac-
tically unanimous On:c in while. 10 be- sure.
solitary register will difer conspicuousy from all
others But it is confronted with tho overwhelm-
ing contradiction of his fraternity and in these
DAYS of Jury liking there telling TO what temp
tations this nimble Thermometer has been exposed
Against Thermometers as "a class the prima facie
case IS certainly strong
There arc however several circumstances which
may bc ctcd in behalf of this once trusted ana
honored institution. tending to mitigate. the Sc
verify of public Judgment The thsrnometer Is GER
tainly overworkcd and never gets a summer vaca-
ton We are apt to exact the most from it when
owing to the opprcssiveness OF the weather. we
ourselves are disposed to do tie least. Nor should
we forget its mcrcural disposition and notorously
sensitive feelings While tue Thermometer Is elated
By warmth OF our favor, IL shrlnks into itself at
the chilling breath of criticism, and. treated harsh
Is. has been known to die of broken heart
But its friends spurn any such appeal to popular
pity and enicncy and demand acquittal from the
indictment tor mrndacity upon the strict merits o
the case They insist that tho Thermometer IS
model of upri ghtness ami conscientious devotion 10
duty. They allcge. with great positivcncss. that
the discomfort of midsummer is due quite rs much
to tho moisture Of the air as to absolute heat. and
that people ftcn mistake the ehecs of the latter
for thpse Of the former factor in the weather.
Scientific works are solemnly cit I'll to show that
the relative humidity OF the air ls higher during
4" dog days" than ut any other tImo OF year; that
when the air ls already burdenod with moisture
its appetite for more is langud or dead; that
under such circumstances evaporation IRON the
surface of perspring humanity nearly or quite
ceases; and that when the inadequatey appre-
caed rctresbment of that silent process Is checked,
n moderate de gree of heat Is intolerabc than
oreater one when the air is dry and greedy for
drink.
This argument has ausible sound At any
rate until it upset, judgment ought TO he sns-
pended No Que endowed with the instincts OF
Justice will condemn the Thermometer II the
humidity really be to blame On the contrary. II
investi cation shall demonstrate that faithful
and venerable public servant has been unfairly
treated tho manifest alton OF restored confidence
will be prompt and hearty.