196 THE WORLD AT THE ADVENT. 



not arrested or broken off in its course, and the vapor which it deposits 

 is permitted to collect until its weight will cause it to descend in rain. 

 Thus we find that even though the dew-point may be high, and all oth- 

 er circumstances favorable to the formation of cloud, yet the want of 

 correspondence in the direction and velocity of the several strata of air 

 must strongly influence the production of rain. 



Besides the controlling influence exercised over the forming cloud 

 by the upper current of the atmosphere, it also acts as the great pilot in 

 directing the course of storms. Impinging on the upper portion of a 

 storm cloud, it causes it to lean in the direction towards which the cur- 

 rent blows, and carrying this part of the cloud on before it, without 

 destroying its continuity with the lower portion, it thus leads the storm 

 over a great extent of country. Were it not for this wise provision the 

 storm would be comparatively stationary, and confer its benefits upon 

 narrow geographical limits. How admirable is this beautiful contri- 

 vance of nature to cause the storm to move along over the surface of 

 the earth, and shower down its blessings upon the just and the unjust ! 



THE WORLD AT THE ADVENT. 



To obtain clear ideas of any portion of the era in which the incar- 

 nation of the Divine Word opened a new dispensation, we must have 

 at least some general acquaintance with the colossal power which at 

 that time enthralled the greater portion of the world. 



The Roman Empire had risen from a feeble origin. The blood of 

 its founders,- whether, in fable or in truth, they had sucked the strange 

 dam assigned them, coursed madly as that of wolves. Romulus gave 

 an impress to the national character which ages could not eflace. His 

 success in a social condition, in which valor was its only pathway, as 

 well as the poetic legends, proves that he was indomitably fierce. His 

 own character was transmitted fresh and vital as original sin, in the strict- 

 est creed, to his nation. Rome traced with bloody finger her name in the 

 dust of every land. Often beaten, but never conquered, catching new 

 spirit from adversity, and under despair itself writhing into fresh vigor 

 her defeats, not less than her victories, were pledges of her ultimate tri- 

 umph. 



The Roman Empire at last became tlie world — and its monarch, 

 king of the world. The throbbing heart, which tingled and thrilled and 

 quickened the nations, was Augustus. He said indeed " The Senate and 

 the citizens are the guides of the Republic. Their governors and pres- 

 idents, sent by their will and subject to it, rule every province though it 



