How dare the Fates expunge, as if with a sharp frost, this talent that was agreed to be in full flower?
The cause was a combination of a sharp frost in the morning and unseasonal heat later in the day which saw the track expand and kink.
Mud, thick and sticky, was pleasantly veiled by the beautiful snow; then came the partial thaw followed by sharp frost.
He said: "We should see temperatures creeping up to 4C or 5C (39F or 41F) during the days by about Friday but there is still going to be a very sharp frost during the night.
We've caught up a bit since but, nice though this mild weather may be, what we all want is a good, sharp frost".
He continued: "We have had a 'seasonable weather' day – which means sharp frost & fog & never a smich [smidge?] of sun.
Sharp frost, sun, yellow evening, frost.
Selborne Journal: Sunday, 1 February 1784: 29 9/10; 28; NW, W. Severe frost, cloudless, & sharp frost.
Selborne Journal: Saturday, 14 February 1784: 29 2/10 1/2; 32; NE, N. Sharp frost, dark with haze, small snow.
Here, to create a garden, she needed to build terraces, haul in soil, construct pergolas and paths, and develop irrigation; the results, imperilled by the region's sharp frosts, droughts, and violent rains, were what Lee calls a "dramatic and enchanting" garden, described, when the house was sold after her death, as "among the most celebrated in France".
