Surprising Showers of Hail - Singular Effects of a Storm - The Mirage - Sand Floods - Showers of Gossamers - Winter in Russia.

Ye vapours, hail, and snow,

Praise ye th' Almighty Lord,

And stormy winds that blow

To execute his word. Watts.

Then from aerial treasures downwards pours

Sheets of unsully'd snow in lucid show'rs;

Flake after flake, thro' air thick wav'ring flies

'Till one vast shining waste all nature lies.

Then the proud hills a virgin whiteness shed,

A dazzling brightness glitters from the mead;

The hoary trees reflect a silver show,

And groves beneath the lovely burden low. Broome.