New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-11
THE FIRST FALL DAY.

It IS permissible we trust, for us to break
somewhat protrac ted silence on the fascinating
topic of the weather with the remark that yes
terday was the first fall day Of 1902. That Is
not TO say It was the first day OF fall. AS
matter of fact. it was not the latter, elthel
scientifically or popularity. According 10 the
calendar. there are yet twelve days before fali
begins. while according TO the popular casslh-
cation of the months fall began ten days ago.
Technically OF course, the calendar is right ana
popular nomenclature is wrong. 1t is really 40
surd to call September the first fall month, as
everybody has been doing from time imme-
mortal. For. in the first place. il is more tnan
two-thirds summer and less than one-third fail.
according TO the calendar and therefore, under
majority rule. must belong TO the former and
not TO the latter season; and, in the second
Mace. if often contains a couple of weeks or
more of the hottest and most typical summer
weather of the year. Wherefore it should be
called a summer month. and likewise. for SINH
lar reasons Of both calendar and weather, De-
cember should be called fall instead of winter,
March winter instead Of spring. and June spring
instead of summer.
However 10 return TO orr muttOns. yesterday
was the first fall day OF the year. 1t was the
first that gave US the genuine. typical fall
weather of this part OF the world. the finest
weather OF the whole year. 1t is a curious
anomaly that in spring. the season Of newneSs
Of life and abundance of growth. there should
be an all pervasive and compelling Ianguor and
lassitude in the air. and the average son Of
Adam should be afflicted with that tired feel
ing" of general diSincnation toward effort
which has long been known as spring fever:
while in the fall the season OF decline and
decay and ebbing of natures forces, men should
brace up" and feel buoyant and energetic. find
ing in the air fine tonic and stimulating quail
ties. Yet so ii is. as the ethereal champagne Of
yesterdays atmosphere most joyously reminded
us though the reason why may be something no
fellow can ever find out.
Once more. then. il is TO he observed that yes
terday was the first day OF fall, In the quality
Of the air the temper Of the breeze, the hue Of
the sky. May ii be the precursor OF many such
days, The summer OF 1902 has been a not alto
gether admirable season. It has reminded rs OF
the old English definition of May. as month 80
called because II May rain. May snow. May
freeze. May anything. SO it has been with the
summer which is now waning. Anything was
possible. and pretty nearly everything has been
realized to some extent. But then, summer
has long been an uncertain season. There is
more reliance TO be put upon fall than upon all
the rest Of the year. II usually gives Us
month or two of practically perfect weather.
with genial sunny days cool nights. crystalline
skies. bracing breeZes and indescrihably rich
colOrings on every hand y few weeks of such
weather. following and emulating yesterdays
unsurpassed beginning. would do much to make
US forget the capricious patchwork of dust and
mud. of drouth and food. which chiefly COM
posed the summer of 1902.