Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-06
THE WEATHER, HIS CAUSES AND
CONSERUEECES.

The observations of the official meteorolo-
gists have SO far conquered the longtime in
soluble phases of the weather, as to be able
changes that are about to take place. For
this ability much is due to the telegraph lines.
If we know that a steady rain is falling in
one part of the country, and we also know
the direction of the wind, we may forsee
what other part of the country is liable to be
visited by rain. If we know the rate at
which the wind is blowing, we can foresee,
with great likelihood of correctness, at what
time the rain may reach given district. If
we are acquainted with the changes that
have been taking place in the thermometer,
and also the barometic changes, our judg-
ment becomes more precise and accurate.
Beyond this mere result of observation, how
ever, meterologists are perseveringly striving
to discover the causes of the changes that
occur from time to time. Why we have sum-
mer and winter is obvious, but why are some
winters mild and some summers cold, and
the reverse? The answer to these questions
is not easily to be found, for many causes are
In action to bring about the differences in
cold and heat, and rainfall that we expert
ence on different years. For instance, cleo
trical changes are among causes influencing
the variations in different years, but what
causes the electric changes to vary In amount
in different years? It is this combination of
various uncertainties that gives such diff
Guilty to the weather problem, and
al - ola,,,o,E cR
ly second to that which arises from the
Importance of the question in relation
to agriculture, commerce, health and
thousand other human interests. Among
the causes that influence the weather differ
emily IN different years science mas of late
discovered one that was formerly unsuspect-
ed-that Is the varying sizs and number of
the spots on the sun. The spots are found
to come with regular variations of heat and
greatest amount in periods of between eleven
and twelve years. When an important por.
ton Of the sun is covered with spots, there II
a corresponding decrease in the amount Of
heat it throws off; when there are few spotI
more heat will be emitted. With these varia-
tions of heat there viii be variations Of
weather in different portions Of the eleven
year period; as other causes are also at work
those changes will themselves De Irregular
so that we cannot argue from one eleven
year period to another, except in very general
terms, more general than such as has giver
birth to that very noticeable parsonage
"Old Prob These sun spots appear Il
be regulated in some way by the po
sitions the planets occupy with Iespect
to the sun; not in the manner fancied by the
old astronomers, however. 1t is clear thai
when, IN their courses, several of these plan
cts, including the larger ones, are ranged OF
one side of the sun, they must, by their mere
gravity, affect him IN a way different to The
result that occurs when they are scattered
more equally, so that the attraction of one il
neutralized, to some extent, by that of an
other. We are approaching a period wheI
this species of massjng of the planets neal
the same line in space takes place, and with
this massing comes the eleven-year perioC
when the sun-spots are most prevalent. A.
all these circumstances affect the weather
we may naturally expect that extreme, o.
approaching toward extreme, weather may
be looked for during the period Of maximum
sun-spots and peculiar arrangement of th'
planetary positions. As the weather affects
vegetable growth, plenty or famine ma.
result and as the weather af
fects human health, more o.
less than the average good health
may prevail. There may be an I'M
usual absence of important diseases, or there
may be plaques, choleras and fevers 70 al
unusual extent. As crops and health ahec
trade, Rn active commerce or bankruptcy
| and paaic may be the outcome OF stellar
motions and changing sun-spnts. So IN on
| wonderful chain has the God who made all
interlocked, link by link, the beaming sun
the rolling planets and the weather they IN
Auence with the fate and hopes and fears O
man, as if to intimate that humanity is IT,
volved in something vaster and mighhel
| than the mere little globe on which he wa
born. The approach of the period of th'
massing of the planets and the maximum @
the sun-spots, is afording fine theme OIL
which self-made prophets can utter thei
predictions. As it is easier to arouse tht
fears of mankind by the terrors of approach
| ing woe, than TO gain their confidence b.
inspiring hopes of future welfare, the proph
cts are generally predicting evil. Cheat
waves" whatever they may be, are to brin
plaques, choleras, famnes, and disasters c
all kinds, and death is to hold grand carni
val while ali nations mourn in woe unutter
able. All this is very amusing, of course,
the prophets, but christian and rational pee
pie viii not permit their equanimity to b
disturbed by the rawlings Of bowling dervishe'
nor their trust in God to totter because mar
row minds dribble out their folly in dis
tortions of science. whose blunders ar
concealed under the guise of philosophi
| jargon.
FINDING as much occasion as we do to dii
fer with the Cincinnati Commercial, we ye