"Is this Hot Enough for You?"

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1976, 7 March 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

"Is this Hot Enough for You?"

In 1303 and 1304, according to a French periodical, the Rhine, Loire and Seine ran dry. In 1615 the heat throughout Europe became excessive. Scotland suffered particularly in 1625; men and beasts died in scores. The heat in sereral departments during the summer of 1705 was equal to that in a glass furnace. Meat could be cooked by merely exposing it to the sun. Not a soul dare venture out between noon and 4 p.m. In 1718 many shops had to close; the theatres never opened their doors for several months. Not a drop of water fell during six months. In 1775 the thermometer rose to 118 degrees. In 1779 the heat at Bologna was so great that a great number of people were stifled. There was not sufficient air for the breath, and people had to take refuge under ground. In July, 1798, the haat became intolerable. Vegetables were burnt up and fruit dried upon the trees. The furniture and woodwork in dwelling-hougea cracked and split up; meat went bad in an hour. The rivers ran dry in several provinces during 1811; expedients had to be devised for the grinding of corn. In 1822 a protraoted heat was accompanied by storms and earthquakes; during the drought legions of mice overran Lorraine and Alsace, committing incalculable damage. In 1832 the heat brought about cholera in France; 20,000 persona fell victims to the visitation in Pans alone. In 1846 the thermometer marked 125 degrees in the sun.