The Portland daily press., 1873-08-06
Spirit of the New York Press.

The Evening Post speaks OF 'a Time to
take Care of Ones Sels''
The weather during the last ten DAYS has
been singularly capricious and unwholesome.
Rain and sunshine have followed one anoth-
er in quick succession, but without the differ
ences in temperature which usually follow
such climatic changes. The rain, instead of
cooling the air, has simply increased its mois-
ture; while the rays of the sun, instead of
producing healthful dryness in our streets
and houses, has rendered the prevailing damn
ness hot and depressing.
1t is further to be noted that these changes
from cloudy to clear weather have not only
been sudden but unexpected Even the dai-
ly weather reports haze failed to give us
proper warning of them. This is not prop
erly the fault of the weather observers. Dur
ing the winter most of our storms appear
first in some distant part of the country, and
thence follow the prevailing currents of wind
in a course easily determined. In other
words, the storms of winter, as a rule. are
general. But at this season the changes in
the weather are chiefly local. 1t often oc-
ours that a fall of rain takes place in this
city, for example, while the weather of the
regions roundabout, within very few miles,
furnishes no sign, ard hence, since an ac-
curate foretelling of the weather depends
mainly on the thoroughness and precision
WIN WhiCh tuC WcdtutT Sl1DS are observed.
there can be no trustworthy announcement
made, under such circumstances, of what
weather we are likely to have.
1t is further to be remarked that the dis
ease, whatever it may be, which is known as
the cholera in the southern and western states
has thus far appeared and been maintained
under precisely similar climatic conditions 20
those under which we are now living. In
every case, so far as observation goes, this
sok =.
proves fatal in a very few hours, and whose
appearance we all dread so much, has follow
ed, like the hunters after the hounds, close
upon wet and hot weather.
The obvious inference from these peculiar
climatic conditions is, that cur citizens should
take extraordinary care of themselves so long
as this kind of weather lasts. Especially
should every one rigidly maintain his custom
ary habits of life. The human system, at
such time, can better endure the strain of
established practices hurtful in themselves
than the sudden wrench of temporary ref
oImation. No degree of temperate living can
prevent one from feeling languid under this
oppressive weather, but that languor may be
fatally increased by radical change in ones
ordinary habits, even il those habits, when
long enough continued, teud to the perma-
nent injury of the body.
At the same time, care should be taken not
to yield to any inordinate and temporary APP
petite stimulated by the products of the sea-
son. This would be just as daI gerous as any
radical change in long-established habits.
Regular sleeping hours, strict personal clean
illness and an equable mind, ought to be
maintained. The health authorities OF the
city aie making strenuous efforts to put the
town into wholesome physical condition
aud if our citizens are careful to take proper
care OF themselves, it is likely that the dan
gers of the present season may in great part
be avoided.
The Herald, in an editorial on "Ari.stic
Growth" says:
1t Is worth while to stop and contemplate
this growth in art and culture. Not in music
and the drama alone has the influence of this
marked progress been felt, but in all the sister
arts and science as well. Even as late as
ten years ago, little interest was felt in natural
science, while at the present moment, as the
columns of the Herald testify from day to
day, few subjects excite more attention. Pro-
fessor Agassiz can draw together a crowded
and fashionable audience. People have found
that learning and culture of every kind are so
intimately associated with the business of life
and even the pursuit of pleasure, that they
listen willingly to scientific, literary and arts
tic teachings. In ten years, our poets nave at-
tained such stability of reputation 'has the
great English universities tnina themselves themselves
honored in honoring such Americans as
Lowell and Longfellow. In the same period,
journalism has grown to be the chosen field
of literature. Our sculptors and painters, once
neglected, now find profitable employment and
appreciative encouragement. The lyric and
dramatic stage, catering to all tastes, and
sometimes pandering to morbid appetites, has
reached a high state Of artistic excellence, and
we are able to congratulate ourselves that the
higher we ascend into the regions of art we
find its ministers the more excellent and its
patrons the more earnest. The love of the
beautiful, and, as a correlation, devotion to the
good and the true have become something like
a passion. The perfect esembte Of the Italian
opera company and the success of Miss Nils
son two years ago gave great impetus to this
growing taste. Last year We sifted the chaff
from the wheat and accepted and encouraged
Nine. Lucca and Miss. Kellogg and the few
real artists at the Academy in spirit of true
thankfulness for all that was given us that
was good, Approaching this spirit, Lucca
has not yet left US, but, with Di. Murska,