Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-08-08

PRorEssoR Esry.Wc had the pleasure, last week.
Of listening Professor Espy's course OF Lectures on
the Laws STORMS lie gave three lectures, con-
sttutng the course, which very respectfully at
tendcd All who heard him, satisfied that his
theory was hunbug, or catcI-penny concern but
actually founded scientific principles The theory Of
Mr. Espy in few words is, that he has established the
fact by well known laws Of physics and mechanics that
RAINS ARE FORMED ny ur-MoyiNo COLUMNS OF AIR
CHARGED WITH HUMIDITY. These columns being by
the yapour they contsin SO lighter than pure dry at
mosphcric air. ascend rapidly and expand still more
rapidly as tho pressure of the ears atmosphere from
above gradually miushcs On reaching the dew point,
l. e. the point where the relation between the empern-
ure Of the air external to these columns and the mos-
turc they contain produces that condensation Of vapor
called dew, rain will he formed by the immense ahsorp
tion of heat which the comnar masses require in pro-
portion they expand by the removal oi atmospheric
PRESSURE which absorption produces Us sudden degree
of cold aud OF course rain; or, if more sudden, hail
storms outside them.
The upward movement Of the columns from the earth,
creating partial vacuum, draws the surrounding mir to
this point Hence wherever storms are raging, Probes
Espy establishes the fact that the winds blow from
all directions to that point or space, either concontra-
ting or convereing circumscribcd locality, or
blowing lncc to ihce as it were, on Il line
/ Tie observation made and information gathered by a
most extensive and minute research aud sponence
which Mr Il. is mdclgably pcrscyclme in, prove that
the direction Of the winds may thus give precise in
formation Of the portion, approach, nnd departure OF
storms rains, hurricanes Sc thus enabling us at
on and to guard against avail ourselves oi their
powerful agency.
i II was shown clearly that Volcanoes f'rmins upward
columns Of heated ur which rapidly mhibed moisture,
were almost always followed by rains that the burning
Of our prarcs also n philosophical usage which
lorg experience had taught the Indian Tribes would pro-
ducc rains aud that fires in the mountains o,sery-
cd to he usually followed by the effects.
II such and similar phenomena Of nm extensive chnrac
ter are the ground work which the Professor has
cducel his conclusions.
II few very ineligible and experiments with the
air pump, eShausng glass cy lndcrs nnd marking the
changes by a thermometer attached, exhibited before
II III. audience the nANuFAcroRy or CLoups and the ci-
Gct produced by sudden condensation al the common
II atmos sphere within.
We have not time NJ present TO say more re-
srcc,ing his theory the several parts which agree
harmonously with each other, nrd present an iutcre-
rnton 80 phlosoihical aud confDrnnhlc to known and
established principles aud observations. The prohnl
~ ofproucng Artificial rain ~ time or drought h., d,
nonsiratcd IN mnnucr which Irn liul' doub, III,
minds auditors that such result might be- ,re, ted
/, by The means proposed.
X rroicssor e.. len here rr New Haven on Monday 30.
n III, ornado Witch wss ,shu, hlt ~ this vcnity ~
" ,dn,. .Iay of n,t w,,k w. hss po doub, thr ii
to- ein o Tie l,strrru,c ulc vbt.h pHss,d otcr Now
Maven oA The sam, d',.