CLIMATE. 125

from the south-west, sometimes accompanied with thunder and lightning, occur during these months about once a-week, or every ten days, which generally shift the wind to the north-west, and produce for a short time an agreeable coolness.

The nights at this season exceed in splendour the most beautiful ones in Europe. To pourtray them in their true colours, would require more than any language can accomplishi? or any pencil, but that of imagination, can execute. The air, notwithstand- ing the heat of the preceding day, is always pure; the sea generally unruflled, and its surface one vast mirror, reflecting with precision every visible object, either in the heavens or on the earth. The moon shines with a soft, silverlike brilliancy, and, during herretirement, the stars are seen in their utmost efful- gence. Fishes of various species sport on the water ; the singular note of whip-poor-will is heard from the woods ; the fire—fly floats on the air, oscillating its vivid sparks; and, where the hand of man has subdued the forest, and laid the ground under the control of husbandry, may be heard the voice of the milk-maid, or the “ drowsy tinkling of the distant fold.” In another direction may often be seen the light of the birch torch, which the‘Mick-mack Indian uses in the prow of his canoe, while engaged with his spear in fishing.

In September, the weather is extremely pleasant; the days are very warm until after the middle of the month, but the evenings are agreeably cool, followed by dews at night ; and about, but generally after, the