We had steady frost on to the 25th, when the thermometer in the
morning was down to 10 with us, and at Newton only to 21. Strong
frost continued till the 31st, when some tendency to thaw was
observed, and, by January the 3rd, 1785, the thaw was confirmed,
and some rain fell.

A circumstance that I must not omit, because it was new to us, is,
that on Friday, December the 10th, being bright sun-shine, the air
was full of icy spiculae, floating in all directions, like atoms in a
sun-beam let into a dark room. We thought them at first particles of
the rime falling from my tall hedges; but were soon convinced to
the contrary, by making our observations in open places where no
rime could reach us. Were they watery particles of the air frozen as
they floated; or were they evaporations from the snow frozen as
they mounted ?

We were much obliged to the thermometers for the early
information they gave us: and hurried our apples, pears, onions,
potatoes, etc., into the cellar, and warm closets; while those who
had not, or neglected such warnings, lost all their stores of roots
and fruits, and had their very bread and cheese frozen.

I must not omit to tell you that, during those two Siberian days, my
parlour-cat was so electric, that had a person stroked her, and been
properly insulated, the shock might have been given to a whole
circle of people.

I forgot to mention before, that, during the two severe days, two
men, who were tracing hares in the snow, had their feet frozen; and