( ni ) 
living at a distance, it may be, of some jnilos, has but imperfect 
means of acquainting himself with authenticated l^icts. Epidemic 
disease is rapid in its origin and progress ; the art of sanitation, as 
applied by public bodies, is slow and often difficult. What may bo 
done with the present consent of all, and the prospect of certain 
benefit in the end, is the wide diffusion of sanitary knowledge 
among all classes, not excepting the rich. People must be taught 
to protect themselves. If wells in the neighbourhood of drains are 
fraught with danger, the fact should be made familiar to all : and if 
there be a simple and ready means of detecting pollution in water, 
that too should be universally known, Short and easy lessons on 
the physical forces, on animal and vegetable physiology, on health 
and longevity, should be interspersed, in elementary school books, 
with sketches in natural history, narratives of adventure, and other 
more attractive matter. 
METEOEOLOGY. 
Third Quarter {Jtihj, August, September). The cold period which 
set in on 3rd June continued throughout July, and extended to 7th 
August ; during this time the weather was very unsettled ; the 
amount of cloud was great ; there was very little sunshine ; and 
during the first week in August the temperature was unseasonably 
cold, some of the nights frosty. From the beginning of the quarter 
to 7th August the deficiency of temperature was more than 3° daily 
on the average. From 8th of August to the end of the quarter the 
weather was better ; about the middle of August there were a few 
days of hot weather, but generally the temperature was little in 
excess above the average, and frequently for two or thi-ee days 
together was below it. For the fifty-four days ending 30th September 
the average excess of temperature was daily. 
Vegetation at the end of July was in a backward state, and the 
crops in many localities had sustained considerable damage from 
heavy rain. On Thursday night, 25th July, heavy rain began to 
fall all over the south of England, and continued almost uninter- 
ruptedly next day ; the amount registered varied from 1^ inch to 
3f inches, being the heaviest rain-fall in the space of a day ever 
known to the observer. The crops were extensively laid. The 
Thames and its tributaries overflowed their banks ; and in other 
parts the rivers flooded the neighbouring land, inundating the crops 
in some places. The harvest prospect at the end of July was un- 
promising ; in the most forward south-eastern districts a partial corn 
reaping had begun. 
In August the crops greatly improved by the fine weather in the 
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