A mercury barometer is really something. Mercury thermometers have the advantage of working over a wider temperature range than alcohol thermometers, that's all.
Actually, alcohol thermometers have a high limit of just around boiling water while they can be used down to close to 80 degrees below zero F; Hg thermometers can't be used below 40 degrees below zero because Hg chrystallizes there, but are great for high readings.