46 Anniversary Address. 



It may be also reasonably believed that the usual Trade winds 

 of the Tropic have recently had a more than usual southern 

 range. 



If, however, but little weight be attached to such considerations, 

 they may, perchance, direct the thoughts of inquirers into a 

 channel which may lead eventually to something more satisfactory 

 than theory. 



We are all so much interested in our climate, that it can neve^ 

 need apology even for failure iu attempting to explain its 

 phenomena. Without the belief that it is possible to prevent the 

 ravages of a flood, we may still anticipate the time when Common 

 sense. Science, and Nature shall all unite to advance the prosperity 

 of the country. 



It should be the consolation of every mind that is rightly 

 constituted, that He who gave this lower world to us His 

 dependants ; who impressed upon its organism laws that cannot 

 by us be abrogated, gave us, at the same time, permission to 

 investigate these laws and authority to turn them all to our 

 advantage. 



But if men will go into deserts where there is no surface water 

 to be had, without the appliances to bring it from below ; if they 

 will persevere in defying the floods, and expecting to dwell safely 

 in the midst of their channels, do not let them complain that the 

 world has been made as it is, or that they cannot with impunity 

 defy the power by which Nature is governed, whilst neglecting to 

 see that even floods have their uses, and that Deserts are not as 

 waterless as they appear. 



When about fifteen years ago, the Marabout Arabs of the 

 Sahara saw the fresh waters springing from the wells made by 

 the French Engineers in that once-desolate region — the bottom 

 of a dried-up ocean — in their joy they called one the " Fountain 

 of Frieoids,''' another the "Fountain of Blessing,''' and a third the 

 *' Fountain of the Resurrection." 



