SEASONS OF DROUGHT AND HEAT.
干旱的季节已相当普遍的这s year both in Europe and America, and in each case its break-up has been accompanied by heavy rains and floods, not the least destructive of which was the disaster at Matteawan in this State, when the Melzingah reservoirs burst. These droughts, however, were as nothing to that which occurred in Australia two years ago, by far the severest experienced since that country became known to history, when the land seemed parched to a desert, cattle perished in multitudes; domestic fowl and wild birds fell off their perches dead; the thermometer rose to 120; and the very existence of the population was put in peril. On this continent and in Great Britain and Ireland the farmers have undergone some very severe experiences in the same line,but according to the XIXieme Siecle, of Paris, they have been mild compared to some that have affected continental Europe in past years. In 627 all the springs of Germany and France dried up and great multitudes everywhere perished of thirst: in 879 and 923 work had to be suspended in the fields, and the vegetation burned up as if it had been shriveled by lire. In 1000 the rivers ran dry, the fish putrefied and a plague ensued which swept off multitudes. In 1022 men and cattle that ventured into the sun fell down and perished. In 1122 not only did the rivers dry up, but the ground was baked to the hardness of stone, and divided in fissures like dried clay. The Rhine ran toa rivulet. In 1139 Italy was visited by destroying heat and all her harvests were ruined. During the bitle of Bela, in 1260, more fell under the stroke of the sun’s rays than before the arrowsand arbalests of the combatants. In 1303 and 1304 the Rhine,Seine,and Loire ran dry. In 1615 the heat extended over Europe, and in 1625 Scotland suffered great loss of life in men and cattle. The jears 1705 and 1718 were of extraordinary severity. In the latter the shops were closed; the theatres did not open during the summer;and not a drop of rain fell in six months. In 1753 the thermometer rose to it8 degrees. In 1779 and 1793 vegetables were burned up and fruit dried up on the trees. The furniture and woodwork in houses cracked and split up, and meat spoiled in an hour. In 1822 a protracted heat was accompanied by storms and earthquakes,and during the drought legions of mice overran Alsace and Lorraine, committing incalculable damage. In 1822 the heat brought about cholera in France, and more than 20,000 persons perished. In 1S46 the thermometer registered 125 degrees in the shade. The summers of 1859, i860, 1869, 1S70. and 1874, though excessively hot, were not attended by any disaster.
All of which showed what degree of aridity the earth can sustain and still preserve its living generations.
The Hart hose company of Albion, N. Y , has elected the following officers: President, E. J. Bowen; secretary, C. R. Hakes; foreman. Harry Phillips; first assistant, Harry Easlick; second assistant, George Phillips.
