Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-03-17
WET WEATHER IN ENGLAND.


on the subject of rain. The Archbishop
of Canterbury, fearful that the floods
were descending altogether too copiously,
ordered prayer to be put up in all the
churches for fair weather. HIS Grace
was alarmed by the figures. He proba-
bly, thought of Noah and the ark, and
conceived it to be time to pray indeed
when he was told that the rainfall of
England during 1872 had been $3.50
inches in excess of the averages of five
years, from 1860 to l865-that is, that
twice as much rain had fallen during the
last year as in any of the five years spec
flied. But Science, always believing in
the ability of Nature to take care of her
self, has not been thus far at all scared.
One of the servants, DIR. Allnut, shows
that immense has been the fall of rain
and the consequent water pressure, the
springs have scarcely yet begun to flow.
Then came another consider, Mr.. j. Bail
ey Denton, in The London Times. He
demonstrates that praying for any devia-
ton from the present order of things
would be the height of ingratltude. The
excess of rainfall occurring in the pres
ent season is just what was wanted to
restore the balance of water supply
which the drouths of recent years have
greatly and disadvantageously disturbed.
Up to the present time dec. 26,) he
says: g In spite of all the rain we have
had, the deep wells dependent on the
water-bearing strata for their supply
show little indication of rising toward
their usual level at this time of the year. ;"
The great downfall of the last three
months, however, it is believed, will re-
store the equilibrium, for las the days
lengthen, the springs strengthen and
by May or June the deficiency may ex-
ist no longer.
Mr.. Bailey benson has still another
bone to pick with the Archbishop and
his clergy, who are praying with all
their might against too much rain. He
begs leave respectfully to point out to
the reverend gentleman that in spite of
the deluge the general health of the
country was never better. and this he
attributes to the cleansing effects of
heavy rainfalls, in washing ont the dirty
places of closely populated towns and
villages; and he suggests that the
thorough washing of land will clear To-
calities of epidemic disease among cattle
and sheep-which the pulpits certainly
would not desire to pray against This
gentleman also shows that great rains
provide against scarcity of water supply.
In one month this Autumn on the sur
face of England and Wales, sufficient
rain has fallen to furnish the whole pop
ulation with water, at the rate of 80 gal
Ions a head for | s years. Nor does the
writer think the wheat crop would have
been in any DANCES from the excessive
wet-that is if there had been ordinary
discretion in the selection of the tillage
and good under drainage and surface cul
tivation. Besides, he asks, which il
the best, certain water supply or al
equalized wheat crop? The cereal car
be imported-not so water. So thos,
who take the gloomiest view of the pros
poets of the wheat crop may gather con
ISOLATION not only from praying in tn
churches, but from remembering tina
man exists upon bread and water, anc
not upon bread alone.