Year: 1867

Il
SO well as an opportunity to find fault with
somebody or something. We have cult.
waited this propensity, and we are disposed
to indulge it to an enormous extent. We
seem never to be better pleased than
when we can indulge ourselves to the top
Of our bent in genuine scold about the
weather, and during the present season we
have had abundant opportunities to
crafty this inclination, even to surfeiting
The rain has been let out upon us in no
stinted measure, and instead therefore oI
complaining Of the drought, we have con
stantly been in a pet and kept up our
whine of too much rain. This incessan,
clamor about too much rain reminds us oI
remark Of an elderly farmer in the
neighborhood where we passed our boy
hood days. On one occasion, when thii
individual had in his fields large quantity
of hay matured and ready to be housed
there arose one OF those sudden summer
showers, and the whole region was deluged
with waters from above, and the farmers
hay did not escape thorough saturation.
In the vexation, and in reply to his better
Lalf-a mild Christian woman-who was
trying to reason with him about the loss,
assuring him that all things were for the
best, he broke out with the savage, ILL
natured rejoinder: al declare, wife, take
one time with another rain does about as
much harm as good" Our complaints,
our fault finding, and our reasoning about
the rain and its effects, are about as con.
sistent and as wise as this conclusion o.
the farmer, We should do well to re
member that if the rain Of this season has
done some harm, it has also done vast
deal of good, and there is in fact no good
cause for complaint.


But grumbling aside, let us inquire with
view to ascertain, if possible, the reason
or the cause or causes for the unprece-
dented fall Of rain during this season.
There are doubtless causes, for all things
in nature are governed by laws, sure as
those which govern the planetary system
In our ignorance we do not understand
these laws, and therefore we are incapable
of obviating much Of the mischief which
results from these almost terrific out
pourings of rain. Had we more knowledge
we should provide against the calamitoui
effects which now come to us, and through
our ignorance are made losses instead oi
blessings, for such the All-wise Father in
tended them to be.


We have not the knowledge of the laws
which govern storms, and therefore cannot
elucidate the subject as the nature Of the
question demands; but will not some oI
the savans who make such matters the
study Of lifetime give US light upon this
topic? Mere ordinary showers may be
easily accounted for, but as yet we have
seen no attempt at explanation Of som'
Of the peculiar characteristics of our lat,
rains, which amounted to perfect foods
The range and extent of this late out
pouring has scarcely ever been equalled
Throughout Western Europe, over tn
broad Atlantic, and covering the entir
surface of the United States, and, so ia
as known, almost the whole Of the Mort
American continent, there was at the sam
time, and for many consecutive hour
one broad sheet Of falling water. Nov
this is phenomenon Of unusual occul
renee. Can the savans enlighten us upo
the subject?


There is one practical view of this ma
ter which addresses itself to all those VIII
have to do with the sanitary regulation
Of different communities. These rain
have gathered into low places large dc
posits Of vegetable debrtS which must sooI
decay under the power of our August sun
and more or less malaria must consC
quently arise from these heaps Of decayin
vegetable matter which is destructive I
health. 1t becomes all to be careful, an,
as far as possible, this rottenness shoul
be removed out Of the way, and peop
should lcarnsto avoid these pestifero'
localities.


In Error.