Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1885 — How Old Sol Used to Shine. [ARTICLE]

How Old Sol Used to Shine.

In 1803 and 1801 the Rhine, Loire, and Seine ran dry. The heat in several French provinces during the summer of 1705 was equal to that in a glass furnace. Meat could lie cooked by merely exposing it to the sun. Not a soul dared venture out between noon and 4 p. m. In 1718 many shops had to close. The theaters never opened their doors for three months. Not a drop of water fell during six months. In 1773 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, 1793, the heat became intolerable. Vegetables were burned up, and fruit dried on the trees. The furniture and woodwork in dwellinghouseß cracked and split up. Meal went had in an hour.