I have one of those infernal spring head-colds at present, which delight to spoil late April and early May. Thus I hope readers can forgive my simpler ‘Picture Postals’ post this week. It’s the “Seeing Our City”, guide from the Providence Sunday Journal, August 1910. Lovecraft then aged 20. The small text is just about readable, and provides a snapshot of Lovecraft’s city at that time, albeit aimed at August visitors.

Although August visitors may not have been many and not as free and breezy as the Lovecraft / Sonia -alikes seen in the central drawing. According to the weather profiles, August in Providence is usually 65-80 degrees, around 76% humidity, and raining for about a third of the month. Hot and “muggy” in other words. Nice if you’re in a lovely air-conditioned hotel, or perhaps (my guess) out and about in the evening when it hasn’t rained for a few days. But not otherwise. Except for Lovecraft and his unusual constitution, of course…

Today, the 22nd of August, is one of the hottest days of the season, hence contrary to the general run of humanity, I am unusually in the mood for literary composition. The warmer the weather, the better I like it.” (letter from Providence, August 1916).