An Evergreen topic in British classical literature, children’s poems and everyday speech: patterns of climate in the British isles — страница 2

year. The climate of Wales is as mild and humid as in England. The average January temperature is 5,5˚C. The average July temperature is about 15,5˚C. The coldest places are distant from the Sea Shore. The average rainfall is 762 mm in the central coastal region and more than 2540 mm near Snow don. So, rainfall is more or less even throughout the year. Annual rainfall decreases from west to east and increases with height. The highest parts of Britain, where rain falls two days out of three, receive mote than 100 inches. In East Anglia, rain falls only one day out of three and evaporation often exceeds rainfall. Elsewhere in Britain, rain falls about one day out of two. One can see the considerable contrasts of climate within the comparatively small area of Britain. They are

partly due to the elongated shape of the country. The pronounced regional contrasts are also due to Britain’s position between a great land mass and a vast ocean. The climate of the western part of Britain is maritime in character (humid and cloudy), while eastern and south-eastern England have certain of Europe’s climatic attributes, including biting cold, wind and snow showers in winter. “The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year, of wailing winds, and naked woods, and meadows brown and sere” (Robert Browing); “In winter, when the dismal rain comes down in slanting lines, and wind, that grand old harper, smote his thunder-harp pf pines…” (Alexander Smith); “The winter’s rains and ruins are over, and all the season of snows and sins; the days

dividing lover and lover, the light that loses, the night that wins” (Algernon Charles Swinburne). In children’s rhymes one can also hear discontented notes about winter winds: “Oh wind, why do you never rest? Wandering, whistling to and fro? Bringing rain out of the west From the dim north bringing snow?” * * * “No one can tell me Nobody knows Where the wind comes from Where the wind goes” * * * Oh, I want to know What does the wind do? Where does the wind go, Mother, when it does not blow? * * * “What is it going to do today? “Rain or snow?” the people say. They look at the sky, all wooly grey, And watch the way the wind is blowing – And they suddenly know – Because it’s snowing today! * * * Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees

bow down their heads The wind is passing by. Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling The wind is passing through. * * * The south wind brings wet together, The north wind wet and cold together, The west wind always brings us rain, The east wind blows it back again. The climate is generally so raw above 1,700 feet that the scenery is reminiscent of the subarctic regions of Scandinavia. Substantial differences in climate also occur within comparatively small areas. The sides of valleys receive more sunshine if they face south, and are therefore warmer, while valley bottoms act as reservoirs for cold air draining off the surrounding slopes, and are susceptible to frost and fog. Near the edge of large, deep lakes the extremes of climate are

frequently moderated: on hot summer days the air is cooled as it blows over the water, while on cold nights the water provides a protection from frost. So, the UK climate is mild and changeable due to the influence of many factors. Many poems about the weather prove it. The description of different seasons in classical literature and children’s books Time and place must both be considered in drawing generalizations about weather in the British Isles. Needless to say, that spring is the most favorite season. Poets and writers are very proud of spring: “Come, gentle spring, ethereal mildness!” (James Thomson); “Now the north wind ceases, the warm south – west awakes, the heavens are out in fleeces, and earth’s green banner shakes” (George Meredith); “Sweet spring,

full of sweet days and roses, a box where sweets compacted lie” (George Herbert); “And in green under wood and cover blossom by blossom the spring begins” (Algernon Charles Swinburne); Spring is a wonderful time for children, too: “Spring is coming, I can feel it, How soft is the morning air! Birds are singing, buds are peeping Life and joy are everywhere!” * * * I’m happy, I’m happy! I sing all day. It’s spring, it’s spring again. * * * I like the sun, I like the spring, I like the birds That fly and sing. * * * In the spring, in the spring Sweet and fresh is everything. * * * “O spring, o spring, You wonderful thing! O spring, o spring When the birds sing I feel like a king; o spring!” (Walter R. Books); * * * “Spring, the sweet spring, Is the year’s