108 ON THE DROUGHT OF 1858. 



and numerous springs were dry, which the "oldest inhabitant" 

 could not remember to have failed before. There, a very curious 

 circumstance occurred. New water-works had been constructed 

 by an eminent London engineer ; but, when the time for opening 

 arrived, the founts had dried np, and the engineer was most 

 soundly abused for not supplying water as well as pipes. The 

 tale of his sorrows was told in London, and supplied an interest- 

 ing topic for conversation. Speculations were hazarded to 

 account for the mishap ; and a paragraph appeared in the Builder 

 newspaper, which was copied by many other papers, ending 

 thus: — "It has been noticed, for the last fifteen years, that the 

 seasons are modified, and that the fall of rain is diminish- 

 ing. Will cultivation and land - drainage account for the 

 change ?" 



The question here started is one that ought not to be treated 

 lightly ; for, at first sight, there does appear to be some ground 

 for such a conclusion. We all know that water is more likely 

 to be condensed and precipitated as rain by a cold and wet sur- 

 face than by a warm and dry surface ; and these are the condi- 

 tions of undrained and drained lands. Moreover, vapours, for 

 the formation of rain, rise copiously from undrained marshy 

 land; but the same cannot be expected from a well drained 

 surface, where there really is no water to be evaporated. But 

 this question can be most effectually answered by reference to 

 old meteorological records, and comparing them with those of 

 the present time. 



In comparing the fall of rain at different periods, it is very 

 important to always refer to the same locality, and even to the 

 same gauge, if possible, as local circumstances often influence 

 the deposit of rain. In the absence of a continuous register at 

 any one place, we must be content to refer to at least three, all 

 of which I believe have been kept with great care. 



To Dr. Derham, the eminent English divine, we are first 

 indebted for the fall of rain, during six consecutive years, in the 

 early part of last century. At his rectory at Upminster, in 

 Essex, he measured — 



