L'Illustration, No. 2501, 31 Janvier 1891

A lively page from a late‑19th‑century French review opens with a cascade of quotations—from Paul Janet’s wry observation on institutions to Stevenson’s culinary joke—setting a tone that mixes humor, philosophy and cultural critique. The editor invites readers to “mock the doctors” when health is good, to ponder the many truths of history, and to relish the contrast between smiles and tears as a weather‑like climate of thought. This collage of witty maxims gives a taste of the period’s intellectual chatter, blending literary flair with a dash of social commentary.

The centerpiece is a detailed essay on why the bitter winter that gripped Europe in early 1891 suddenly gave way to milder days. Using barometric and temperature maps from January 20‑21, the author explains the shift from a high‑pressure, anticyclonic regime—characterised by north‑easterly winds and sub‑zero temperatures—to an incoming depression that lowered pressure, turned the wind westward and ushered in rain, thaw and even spring‑like warmth. The article reads like an early meteorological detective story, offering clear illustrations and a thoughtful look at how atmospheric forces reshape daily life.