Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-07-20
For the Daily Patriot.
The Philosophy Of Rain--sisns. &s

]
Are there any data schieh zoe can predieaf
ana correct theory respecting rain or Other change
OF the treather
The theory of rain is but little understood
even by the greatest philosophers. There is
something dependent on causes too far re
moved from our observation ever to be re-
duced to science-the subject Is not tangi-
ble
1t is easy to say, that water on the surface
of the earth, by the action of heat and air,
becemes rarefed, and is made specifically
lighter than the atmosphere. These exceed
ingly minute particles ascend in the form OF
| vapor, until they reach region of air OF the
same specific gravity, and then they remain
stationary until by increased rarefaction,
they ascend higher, &C.; or until becoming
condensed by cold, they descend in the form
of rain This process which is constantly
| going on in the atmosphere, answers most
valuable purpose-it prevents the earth from
b eccming either too wet or too dry.
All this is easily understood; but it fails
to account for all the phenomena attending
the changes OF the weather.
If there was nothing to interfere with the
causes which produce sunshine and rain-if
there were no counteracting Influences at
work, there would probably be regular and
uniform state of the weather.
But fluid so extremely elastic as tie at
mosphere, and so easily put In motion, we
| might suppose, would never be regular in its
NOV ements There are currents in the up
per regions of the atmosphere which produce
effects sometimes very different from what
| we might otherwise expect.
These currents may bring cloud over us
when we expected sunshine, or may drive
IL away when we looked for rain.
Rain depends on two conditions of the at
mosphere; one is, that it must be charged
| condensed, SO as to produce reaction; the
winds also must be favorable.
But how are we to account for those long
continued drouths which so frequently occur
during our summer monthsH For every eff
feet produced, we may be sure there is a cor
responding cause, although we may not be
able to fluid out that cause, or understand
how it operates so to produce the effect
This is the case In regard to drouths-we
know not the cause, and If we did, there
would be no remedy-this is something over
which We can have no control. The best we
can do under the circumstances, is by in
creased industry, to provide for those contin-
gencies, and in this way neutralize the evil
effects, if we cannot prevent them.
But the time may come, when science
shall attain such degree of perfection that
most, if not all, the ealamities which occur
by the fixed laws of nature. if not prevented.
may be codnferacted. or so neutraliZed, as
to prove harmless in their effects. This is
an age of progress, and 10 the improvement
of the mind there is no limit. Look at the
discoveries that have already been made
The lightning has been deprived of its force
storms in some measure controlled-the
ocean navigated in comparative safety-the
smallpox the most desolating scourge of the
human race, has been rendered almost harm
less, and why may not all diseases be brought |
under the control of medicine, and human |
life prolonged far beyond its present limits? |
L
droughts, surely their ruinous effects may be
counteracted. This may be done in part, at
least, by deep ploughing, and judicious
preparation of the soil, and who knows but
a system of artificial watering may be in
vented which shall answer, to some extent,
as substitute for rain? The laws of nature
will never be reversed; but room is LETT, and
an opportunity is given, fol- the ingenuity
and inventive powers of the human mind to
be brought into full play. Showers are often
very partial, particularly In summer; some
times one portion OF the earth will have rain
and it is observable that where shower hap
pens to fall at the commencement of dry
weather, that part is more apt to have sue
cession of showers afterwards. This may be
owing to attraction; for 1t is a fact that rain
is more abundant along water courses than
at a distance from them.
In dry time 1t seems to be hard for it to
rain, and causes which, under ordinary cir
cumstances would bring rain, will fail TO do
it in dry weather. The earth becomes heat
ed, and the air so rareied, that 1t ascends In a
current SO hot and strong, that it dissIpates
the moisture, and drives away the clouds, or
prevents them from collecting in sufficient
quantity to produce rain.
Almost all persons have some signs which
they look upon as sure indications OF rain.
Some of these signs, under ordinary circum-
stances, may be depended on with some de
gree of certainty. while others are perfectly
ridiculous. The following are the best with
which we are acquainted
There is nothing which seems to be more
easily and sensibly affected by the changes OF
the atmosphere than mercury. The barom-
eter, therefore, is the best indicator of the
tceight, as the thermometer is of the tempera-
ture OF the air.
The former of these instruments will fore |
tell q change sometime before it takes place, |
and is indispensable in navigating the ocean. |
But there are other things besides quicksil- |
yer, that seem to be endowed with nice per-
ceptiOn of the changes of the weather. Some |
perhaps all, to some extent
can feel the least change that takes place in |
the atmosphere.
This they do, as Virgil says, "not because
they are endowed with any superior knowl-
edge of futurity, but from instinct" which |
was designed by the kind Author OF their ex
stence. to answer the place Of reason, of which |
hey are deprived Thus, when we see the
hog collecting materials for warmer bed. |
We may expect cold.
We may look for rain when we see ants
running in long train, apparently in
great hurry-when spiders weave more webs
han usual--when fowls are more noisy
when flies bite harder-when millers collect
.hnnt a candle In prast manifestation frnos |