Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-11
A PROPHECY oF FAMINE.


There has been a sort Of Merlin Murphy prophecy
current for many months past the effect that the foul
weather with which have been afflicted since Septem
Der OF last year TO come 10 termination on the 2ls
of June-the longest day Here, then with the help Of
waterproof coats and umbrellas have arrived at this
critical period in the biography Of the naon but
rid Of the ran the fog the snow the gales and all the
discomfort which the elements entail upon when
they become confused In one long, continuous hubbub
Ii has been charged against US Engshmen, that
somewhat too apt 10 make the weather the subject Of our
conversation; but point to experience OF the lat
ten mouths and ask-Have we not right 10 do soy-
Surely at the time Of the famine 10 the sister island two
rishmen who met each other by chance le banks of
the Shannon might very reasonably be INDUCED IN
slight criticism upon potatoes. For the last few years
the peasants who live die in the neighborhood Of
the Italian lakes accordingly as the skworms attend
neglect their business might be excused f they
asked each other how the mulberry thriving
The Wine-growers in the Medoc country or the Cote
dor feel little interest in the progress of the vine
disease. Just in the same way we poOr wetlooted-we
had need to be eb-iooted-stormbound islanders have
right TO interest ourselves in the condition of the
weather. For a wonder the proTerbia felicity OF our
Queen in such matters has deserted her. Tue British
Sovereign with all sorts OF august and lustrious pei
sonages at her back, drove mp Ascot Racecourse the
other day in close carriage amid deluge OF rain Just
as though she had been ordinary mortal. Put
your trust in princes any This last refuge and
consolation have BEEN denied for the last months to
the English The Queen Of these realms equally
with the hGmblct costermongcr among her subjects has
lived in the midst of showers and storms aud hurrcane7
The rain has fallen with Scrptural equity upon the just
aud the unjust the rghty and the humble the rich and
the poor Nor must bring any peculiar reproach
upon these islands in this respect In those countries
of Europe which lie closer 10 the sun, and where,
according TO received canons OF belief the fortu
nate inhabitants were living among vioet-beds and
watching the flight of the hrofly while were stagger
ing about among fogs with lnk-boys to guide us on
obscure PATH the weather has proved just bad
has been in the British Isles Not the auspicous
event OF liberated Italy could entce smile from the
angry clouds the other day, when Victor Emmanuel
went forth to receive the homage OF its 1Emilian
subjects. The Spaniards, who, under the guidance Of
ODonnel, had chosen-as they imagined-the most
favorable OF the year for levying upon the
unyielding Moor found themselves involved in snow,
and log and elemental miseries the like Of which had
never been remembered. Never have such al au,um,
winter and spring been known in Germany during the
last months. The caamityior it has indeed been
l very gevous calamity-has been universal through
out Europe, aud the British Islands have not been worse
treated than neigboring lands
The social miSeries consequent upon this continuous
iweather have indeed been hard enough to bear, but
they have been nothing compared with the injury In
cted upon the substantial of the nation. The
herbage has been drowned scorched up under keen
winds The younglngs Of the ocks and herds have per-
ished for want of food Lambs which IN ordinary sea-
sons produce wealth in abundance to the stockgrowers
have been given away freely TO anybody who would ac-
cept them rs Il gift The price Of meat has flown up 10
point Mt which it is placed almost beyond the reach Of
any save the comfortable classes We hear OF leagues
formed in this that district town for the purpose Of
uniting 10 give up the Of butchers meat until the
butchers consent TO reduce their prices. Under the
usual condition of affairs Scotland, with its long ranges
of sheepwalk exports mutton 10 England. England is
now exporting mutton TO Scotland The evil is, unhap
PLY far indeed from being sentimental one People who
are engaged in agricultural op ratioIs will tell you that,
unless the weather mends and that speedily the years
harvest will be in the most imminent peril We all know
the meaning OF deficient harvest Irreparable mcsefs
not yet doae; but eleventh month OF bad weather
superadded TO the ten which have preceded it, would
probably be sufficient to place the grain crops in eopar
dy Under these circumstances we have, at least, The
comfort of thinking that in islands the lsgsa
tive folly OF man is acting in harmony with the in
cernency of the clements The farmer the banks Of
the Ohio and the Belgian grower OF stock working
for the British markets. Not many years ago few
months Of rain spot harvest, and rejected Reform
Bin would have represented in the hands of skltul
agitator the groundwork OF q formidable agitation
Now at least the humbest mechanic peasant who may
be suffering distress in consequence Of the hardness OF
the times is well hat the Government of the coun
try has nothing do with his misfortune. His ndigna
ton may be directed probably without cause, against
the corn dealers mlers butehers or bakers but
there the quarrel ends As to the weather the
sense of the matter according TO the observation Of
duary men who make pretcns!on TO the prophetic
character would TO be that good years and bad
years wet yeas and dry years. 60 in cycles We have
had for years past series OF dry years, aud now
we must apparently make up minds to the wheel
for while n revolution the other way. Let hope that
the worst is past and that henceorh matters may begin
10 mend although the amendment will, in all likelihood
b, Gradual