The times., 1899-06-06
THE MERCURY'S star
IN THE ASCENDANT
Humidity and Torridity Form
a Great Combine.
The Warm Wave to Continue
Throughout the Week.
The First Touch OF Summer weather
Reaches Neutrality-suspicious.
of the Thermometers.

The hottest day of the year arrived In
Washington yesterday morning and re-
mained until after sunset At one time
during the day the mercury went slightly
beyond the 80 degree mark, and the above
figure was the average temperature during
the twelve hours.
This is considered very warm in Weather
Bureau circles, and exceedingly hot by the
painting citizenry. The point reached yes
terday was the highest during the first
week in June in many years. During this
period in 1898 the average was So degrees
and the 80 mark was not reached. The
highest previous temperature this year
was sc degrees. which was registered on
Sunday
Poor old Humidity has come in for his
share of the blame. and the weather men
offer no encouragement save that the hot
wave Will continue during this week, prob
ably until next Sunday. The wise man Will
act accordingly and will don his linens and
doff his heavy clothing, for summer is here
and here to stay.
Yesterday was one of these long rounds
of misery which the people will enjoy
reading about next winter much as they
regard at present the stories anent the big
blizzard of last winter. The greatest Gu
riosity in the city yesterday was photo
graph of f Street which was taken during
the big storm last winter and is now on
exhibition in a store window in Ninth
Street Great sweltering crowds stood be-
fore this window and gazed longingly at
the snow drifts and the cold perspective,
as all unconscious of the humor of the sit
uation as is the tramp who shiveringly
eyes in January weather a picture of the
winter delights Of Florida
At high noon yesterday the heat was al
most unbearable and the humidity in
creased early in the afternoon. The streets
were practically deserted and all who were
not actually compelled to be out of doors
hunted the cool a slight breeze was
moving. but this only aggravated the
roasting pedestrian, and there was no joy
in the District.
Matters were not much better indoors,
save where the shade CT trees and fortu-
nate altitude for breeze blessed the resi-
dents, and while one class of citizens hunt
ed indoor relief. another hunted outdoor
shade. The beautiful parks of the city
were never more gladly welcomed than
yesterday, and every shady nook was
crowded. The benches were compelled 10
afford resting places for thousands, and
as the sun moved, so did the thousands.
Wilted shirt bosoms and collars were
everywhere Ii was the first taste of high
summer and it was nauseous to the ma
/ jority. The man who would dare sigh his
belief that it was hot was in danger, and
no man dared express himself Cool
drinks were In order and the dispensers
of such coined much cash.
1t was such day as brought up long
ings for the Klondike, and for cool waters
and shady groves. The local bathing beach
had a star attendance, and the Potomac
| in this region resembled Sunday section
of the beach at Atlantic City. Myriads OF
| sweating souls found relief and refuge in
I the cooling waters and 1t was, indeed. a
pleasure spot. Something over 1,200 bath
ers were registered, and each is willing to
/ state that the beach is a bigger institu-
| tion than even the United States Treas
/ ury.
! 1t was a hot day. and in any other city
save the shady Capital it would have been
/ broiling hot day. The genial weather
man claimed with his usual conservatism
that it was only such normal temperature
as may be expected during the summer
but the weather man was far from the
maddening crowds and was in no danger
| The fact that the hot spell will remain
| for the balance of the week is. indeed
1 alarming, but it is well to know these
/ things beforehand so that preparation may
I be made.
/ The indications for the latter portion OF
! this week are cloudy weather with in
/ creasing humidity and extreme heat. The
95 degree mark may be reached before
! Thursday. Next week will be cooler with
cloudy and showery conditions, but few
electric storms will occur. Local thun-
| derstorms may be expected during the
! latter portion of this week and higher
temperatures will be prevalent until June
! TO- 1t is expected that July will be cool
in comparison with June.
Those who are fortunate are making a
general exodus to cooler spots and sylvan
glades, where the merry mosquito may get
] in his work while the sun Is cheated of his
prey. II will be great season for the ice
man, although the summer will not be SC
hot in spells as was that of last year
While former first weeks in June have
| as far back as 1885. this is not an abnormal
temperature. and may be expected to in
crease. August will be extremely sultry
while the outlook for September is decided
| ly unpleasant.
| While no heat prostrations were reported
yesterday. the happy result was more due
to care than lack of heat. The suburban
ite is being cuddled by his friends, and
woe betide that man who cannot find
refuge from the rays of Old Sol and the
curves of old humidity, for league hath
been formed this year, and it will be red
hot.