The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-02-29
CONCERNINi CLIMATES.


climate of Southern California perfection,
and another stoutly maintains that the
Maine climate is second to none. 1t may
as we'll be admitted that the perfect
climate does not exist-that is, a climate
that will suit everybody, all the time.
Perpetual summer appeals to some, but
not to others. The northern winters are
dreaded by some, while others enjoy the
frosty air, the music of the sleighbells,
the cheerful open fires, the winter sports
and festivities. If longevity is test
the Maine climate may challenge COM
parison with any other section of the
country. Nowhere do people attain a
greater age or retain their faculties
longer than in the good old Pine Tree
State.
Because of its agricultural develop
ment, and for other reasons, Texas has
had much prominence of late years.
Western Texas, where no dew falls, has
long been a resort for tuberculosis pa
TENTS. Its climate has been extolled in
the boom literature sent out, and in this
connection some notes of personal ex-
perience may be of interest. When the
writer first visited Texas, in the early
summer of 1857, there had BEEN no rain
for 10 months. The ground was bare,
the trees leafiess, and in places there
were cracks in the ground wide enough
to admit wagon. That drouths were
not uncommon in the earlier days is
shown by the remains of irrigating
bitches about the old Spanish missions.
That fall the rains came, the trees leav-
ed out, the grass sprang up and the
prairies were covered with flowers,
great masses of different colors blend
ing into each other as far as the eye
could see. The sky is of an intense
blue and cloudless for months and
months at time, and one can see to read
the finest print by moonlight. The days
are hot, but in San Antonio, 100 miles
inland, refreshing Gulf breeze makes
itself felt. A feature of the Texas eli
mate which should not be overlooked is
the "norther." 1t usually follows
very hot day. A breeze springs up and
a roaring is heard in the distance which
heralds the approach of what might be
termed a tornado. The mercury falls
rapidly, and those who had been wearing
the ARREST of summer costumes hasten
to get into winter clothing. After
time rain comes, and at the end of three
days the norther has spent its force and
normal temperature has returned.
Such is the Texas climate.
Frost, snow or ice are rarely seen in
New Orleans. Roses in bloom may be
picked every month in the year. The
days in summer are hot, of course, but
at night there is breeze from the river,
and the northern visitor finds the tenn
perature endurable. There is, however,
dampness in the air that in the winter
months makes itself sensibly felt and
there are times when heavy clothing is
necessary for comfort. Mosquitoes are
many and ravenous, and sleep would be
without the protection of net
ting around the bed. And, by the way,
there are no mosquitoes in western
Texas, but there are aeas enough to
take their places.
1t used to be claimed for Washington,
D. c., that there was more pleasant
weather there, more sunshiny days, than
north or west, and personal
iustifies the claim. Storms
all around did not reach the
National Capitol, and its broad tree
shaded streets and avenues and scatter
ed buildings permitted the south wind
that swept over the broad Potomac river
to make itself felt throughout the city.
A room with a southern exposure got
this breeze in summer and the sunshine
in winter. Until the advent of "Boss"
Shepherd there were no pavements save
a cobblestone pavement on 7th street.
Now there are miles upon miles of asph-
alt pavement which absorb the heat in
the daytime to give it out at night; the
vacant places have been built up so that
the south wind no longer circulates freely
and the result has been a measurably
higher temperature. 1t is not desir-
able place of residence in the summer or
early fall, but the winter climate is bet
ter than in some resorts farther south,
and it is delightful place to visit in tn e
early spring, when the foliage is at its
best and the Towering and foliage plants
in the many public reservations add to
the attractiveness of what is known as
the handsomest city in the world.
After all, as said at the outset, the
perfect climate is matter of individual
taste or opinion. While many find eli
mates elsewhere that suit them, not a
few return from sojourns in the south or
west declaring that "Maine is good
enough for Them" It is fortunate for
the general welfare that all are not con-
stituted alike and do not think alike.
ALMOST LOST HIS LIFE.
S. A. Std of Mason, Mich, will never forget
his terrible exposure to merciless storm.
at gave me a dreadful colo" he writes, "that
couood ocvoro Mains in ynv Ghost ao II u,oc