arsenic pills; but, in every case, the constitution is injured, and prepared for other more fatal maladies by the application of this metallic poison. At Washington, the bilious has sometimes degenerated into a putrid fever; but this may have been owing more to unskilful management, and to want of cleanliness, than to the climate. One of the powers of the corporation, truly important in its object, is to prevent the introduction of contagious diseases. How this is to be effected is not explained. Great benefits might result from the constant removal of all putrid substances, from draining marshes and planting trees. The condition of the poor might be ameliorated, and also that of slaves, whose place of repose is generally a cellar, the dampness of which is favourable to the propagation of contagion.

Much indisposition might be avoided by wearing warm clothing till the beginning of summer, and resuming it early in autumn. The north west winds, which prevail in winter, are very penetrating; and the weather is subject to sudden and frequent changes, particularly in spring and at the close of autumn. The facts stated by Mr. Jefferson

in his "Notes on Virginia", shew that this climate has undergone a considerable change; for it is observed by this author, "that in 1780, the Chesapeak Bay was solid from its head to the mouth of the Potomac. At Annapolis, where it is five miles and a quarter over, between the nearest points of land, the ice was from five to seven inches thick quite across, so that loaded carriages went over it." "The extremes of heat and cold, of 6° and 98°, were distressing." We were informed, by Mr. Gabriel Duval, that near the close of Jan. 1772, the snow, in the district of Washington, was generally three feet in depth; and that in some places, it was drifted to the height of even ten, or twelve feet. During the last ten years, the average depth has not been more than eight or ten inches.

1

The summer is sometimes visited by tremendous storms of thunder, lightning, and hail. On the 10th of June, 1811, there was one of this description, which continued about a quarter of an hour, and destroyed every pane of glass of the windows in the

* Formerly Comptroller of the Public Treasury, and now Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. ›

north side of the houses in the town of Alexandria. Some of the hail-stones were said to weigh four ounces.

Awful peals of thunder, sharp lightning, torrents of rain, and the sudden destruction of all the windows in the direction of the storm, were sufficient to dismay even stubborn breasts. On the 11th of June, 1811, a person named John Bowie, standing at a door in Alexandria, was killed by lightning: several others were, at the same time, struck; but gradually recovered by means of bleeding, and immersion in cold water. At West-End, near Alexandria, a woman, Mrs. Wry, was killed by lightning; while a child which she held in her arms, received no injury. At Ravensworth, nine miles south-west of Alexandria, a negro, and several horses in the stable were also destroyed. No symptom of life appeared after the stroke. It is worthy of observation, that most persons in the United-States, struck by lightning, were standing, or sitting near a door, or window. The utility of electric conductors is demonstrated beyond all doubt, and though their expence is inconsiderable, they are not in general use. A residence of a few months at Washing

ton, in 1811, enabled us to make the following thermometrical observations, and we have to regret that the table is not more extensive and complete.

The following observations were communicated to us by Gabriel Duval, esq.

July 91 greatest temperature.

About the close of July, musquitoes, ants, and various insects give great annoyance. On the borders of the Potomac the light of houses, after the close of day, attracts swarms of ephemeral insects of aquatic origin, of different size, and every variety of colour. One evening about ten o'clock we saw the chimney of Mr. Jones's1 parlour completely covered with them.

FISHERIES.

The following fishes inhabit the River Potomac at and near Washington.