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METEORLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS Made upon Brooklyn Heights for the month of July,

1846.

Wednesday, July 1-4, 67; 5, 67; 6, 67; 7, 67; 8, 69; 9,70; 10, 70; 11, 72; 12, 72; 1, 73; 2, 75; 3, 76; 4, 76: 5, 76; 6, 74 1-2; 7, 72; 9, 70. Rain at Philad. at 6 P. M. Wind N. E. Rain here at 5 a. m. Sprinkle of rain at 7 p. m. Equilibrium terminated at 8 a.m.

Thursday, July 2.-4 a. m. 70; 5, 70; 6, 70; 7, 73; 8, 76; 3, 78; 10. 80; 11, 82; 11 36, 85; 12, 83; 1, 84; 130, 84; 2, 84; 2 34, 82; 3, 83 1-2; 3 30, 85; 4,35; 4 30, 83; 6, 80 1-2; 7,79; 9, 76; 10,74 1-2; 11, 73 1-2. Fog at 5 a.m. Equilibrium last evening and this morning, terminated at 7. Gale 100 miles west of the south west Pass.

July 3.-4, 5, 6, and 7 a.m. 69 1-2; 8, 9, and 10, 71; 11, 70; 12, 72; 1, 71 1-2; 2, 72; 3, 73; 4, 73; 5,72; 6, 71; 6 30, 69 1-2; 7, 70; 8, 68; 9, 65 1-2. Cloudy and windy all day. Rain at half-past six o'clock P. M. Brig Columbia struck by lightning when 60 miles from the Belize. 6menaloftreefing sails were thrown into the sea by the lightning, the mast of the vessel shivered,-the lightning descended into the hold, and set the vessel on fire, the captain was the only person on board saved. Gale at New-Orleans.

Rain

July 4- 4, 5, 6, 6 30, and 7 a. m. 65 1-3; 8, 66 1-2; 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 67; 3, 4, 5, 6, 66 1-2; 7, 68; 8, 67: 9, 67. Rain at 7 a.m. partly over at 9. at 3 and 4 P. M. Gale at New-Orleans all day, 20 Flat-boats destroyed. Rain at Utica, Albany and Buffalo. Fair weather at Rochester. Equilibrium.

July 5-4, 6, a.m. 66 1-2; 6, 7, 68; 8, 72; 9, 71; 9 30, 73; 11,78; 11 45, 79; 12,78; 1, 82; 130.84; 2, 83 1-2; 3, 83; 330, 84; 4,84;5, 83; 5 20, 81 1-2; 6 15,79 1-2; 7,79; 9,77; 10,76. Rain at 6 a. m. Thunder gust at 5 p.m. Sloop Genesee struck by from the top to the deck. pig iron.

Thunder storm at Albany. lightning, shivered the masts The vessel was loaded with

Monday July 6.-4, 5, 6, a.m. 72; 7, 75; 8, 78; 9, 83; 10, 85; 11, 86 1-2; 12, 87 1-2; 1,88; 2, 87 1-2; 2 30m. 88 1-2; 3, 87; 3 30m., 88; 4, 86; 4 30m.. 86 1-2 5 30, 85; 6, 82 1-2; 6 30, 81 1-2; 7, 80; 7 40, 76; 8, 76; 9, 74. Cloudy in west at 5 a.m. Rain at 6 p.m. Wind gust at 7. Lightning at 10 minutes past 7. Clear at 9.

July 7-4 a.m. 70; 5, 71; 6,70; 9,78 1-2; 10, 82; 11, 82; 11 30, 83; 12, 83; 1,84; 2, 84 1-2; 3, 84; 4, 83 1-2; 5, 82 1-2; 6, 80; 7,78; 8,76; 9,74; 10, 72. Heavy rain at 6 a. m. Thunder and lightning during the night. Whirlwind in the Gulf-stream lat. 37 25, long. 69, 30. Lucy Ann arrived at Pernambuco experienced a hurricane this day for four hours. Steamer St. Lawrence struck by a squall on Lake Ontario.

July 8-4, 62; 5, 62; 6, 64; 7,70; 8,74 1-2; 9,77; 10, 76; 11,79; 1, 81; 2, 81 1-2; 3, 82; 4, 82; 5, 80; 6, 80; 7,76; 8,75; 9,73 1-2; 10.71 1-2.

July 9, 4, 66 1-2; 5, 67; 6, 69; 7, 71; 8,75; 10, 82; 11, 82; 12, 84; 1, 85: 1 30, 86 1-2; 2, 86 1-2; 3, 88; 4, 88; 5, 85 1-2; 6, 84; 7, 81; 8,79; 9,77 1.2; 10, 76 1-2.

Friday, July 10th, 4 o'clock, A.M. 73; 5, 73; 6, 74 ; 7, 77; 8, 82; 9, 87; 10, 87 1-2; 11, 87 1.2; 12 91; 12 20, 92; 1, 93; 1, 20, 94; 2, 94; 3, 94; 3 40, 94; 4.93; 5, 91 1-2; 6, 90; 7, 884; 8, 88; 9, 86 1-2; 10, 84. Violent storm of wind, rain, thunder and lightning at Colborne, Upper Canada. Lightning cloud in sight on the edge of the horizon in the west from Brooklyn Heights in the evening after sunset.

Saturday, 11th, 4 A. M. 78; 5, 78; 6,79; 7, 82; 8, 86; 9, 91; 10, 90; 11, 91 1-2; 11 30, 90; 12, 91 1-2; 1,91 1-2; 2 92; 2 30, 94; 3, 93; 3 15, 934; 3 30 94; 4,94; 5, 91; 5 30, 894; 6, 884; 7,87; 9, 86. Thunder shower at Springfield, near Cooperstown. A lad killed by lightning while under an elm tree. A squall at Scituate, near Boston. Mr. Underhill's house, 3 miles east of the Brooklyn ferry, struck by lightning about 11 p.m. Thunder storm at Syracuse at 4 P. M. The whole northern horizon as seen from Brooklyn Heights, was in a constant blaze with lightning in chains and sheets during the entire evening. Great number of persons died in New-York, Boston, Philadelphia. Baltimore and other places, from the effects of heat this day and yesterday.

Sunday July 12, 4 A.M. 80; 5, 78 1-2; 6, 80; 8, 87; 9, 89 1-2; 10, 90; 11, 90; 12, 91; 1, 91 1-2; 2, 93 1-2; 2 30, 94; 2 40, 92; 2 55, 90; 3, 87; 3 5, 85; 3 15, 84; 3, 30, 82; 3 45, 81; 4 80; 4 20, 82; 6,

82; 7, 82; 8, 81; 9, 80 1-2; 10 30, 79. Distant thunder at 2 40 p.m. Gale of wind at 255; heavy rain 3 p.m. Gale in lat. 43 34, long. 49 41. At West Dedham, Mass., a barn was struck by lightning and with its contents consumed. Another barn in Dedham was struck. Several trees were also struck. A barn in Abingdon was struck by lightning and destroyed.Also a dwelling was struck and damaged in Newport, R. I. Also a schooner struck and her masts shivered. Thunder at Saltville, Va.. at 5 p. m.

Monday, July 13.-4 a.m. 73; 5, 73; 7, 77; 8, 81; 9, 84; 10, 85; 11, 85; 12, 85; 1, 864; 2, 86; 3, 85; 4, 84; 5, 82; 6, 80; 7, 78; 8, 77; 10. 74.Thunder at Saltville, Va., at 11 a. m. and rain at from 11 to 12 during which time 1 46-100 inches rain fell. July 14.-4 a.m. 70; 5, 72; 6, 73; 7, 73; 7 40, 73; 8,71; 9, 74; 10, 74; 11, 76; 12,78; 1, 80; 2, 81; 3, 81; 4, 80: 5,80; 6,77; 7, 76; 8, 74; 9, 72. Cloudy and windy at 6 a.m. Rain at 7 and wind from north west.

July 15.-4 a. m. 62; 5, 63; 6, 63; 7, 63; 8, 68; 9, 71; 10, 72; 11, 73; 12, 72; 1, 2, 3, 4. 73; 5, 6, 72; 7,68; 8, 68; 9, 64; 10, 61; 11, 61.

July 16.-4 a.m. 58; 5, 58; 6, 61; 7, 64; 8, 67; 9,69; 10, 11, 12, 1, 72; 2, 74: 3, 74; 4, 72; 5, 71; 6, 68; 7, 67; 8, 66;9, 64; 10 20, 61; 11, 61.Equilibrium

July 17.-4 a. m. 61; 6, 61; 7, 61; 8, 62; 9, 63; 10, 65; 11, 65; 12, 65; 1, 66; 2, 68; 2 30, 67; 3, 67: 4, 66; 6, 64; 7, 64; 8, 64; 9, 62; 11, 60. A hail storm about three quarters of a mile wide passed over the townships of Monroe, Brooks, Jackson and Thorndike in Waldo County state of Maine.

July 18.-4, 5, 6, a. m. 58; 7, 60; 9, 63; 10, 65; 11, 64; 12, 65; 1, 684; 2, 67; 3, 67; 4, 5, 68; 6, 7, 67; 8, 9, 66. Sprinkle of rain at 11 a.m.

July 19.-4, 5, 6, 7, a. m. 64; 8, 66; 9, 10, 67; 11, 68; 12, 70; 1, 72; 2, 73; 2 30m., 74; 3, 4, 5, 73; 6, 72; 7, 71; 8, 69; 9, and 10,684. Great rain storm at Brazos Island.

Monday, July 20.-4, 5, a. m. 66; 6, 67; 7, 68; 8, 70; 9, 75; 10, 76; 11,78; 1, 79; 2, 78; 3, 77; 4, 76; 5,73; 6, 72; 7, 70; 8, 68; 9, 68. Rain at 5 a. m. Equilibrium.

July 21.-4, 5, 6, 7, 68; 8, 9, 70; 10. 71; 11, 73; 12, 75; 1, 76; 1 15m.. 78; 2, 77; 3, 79; 4, 77; 5, 76; 6, 74; 7, 73; 8, 73; 9, 71. Heavy rain during the night.

July 22.-4, 5, a. m. 69; 6, 70; 7, 8, 70; 9, 73; 10,77; 11,78; 12, 77; 1, 77 1-2; 2, 76; 3, 75; 4, 74; 5, 73; 6, 72; 7,71; 8, 70; 9, 69 1-2. Heavy rain at 5 and to 6 a.m. Rain and wind at 4 and p. m. Great flood at Weston, Lewis County, Virginia. Equilibrium.

July 23.-4 a. m. 69 1-2; 5, 69; 6, 68; 7, 70; 8, 72; 9,76; 10, 77 1-2; 11,79; 12, 79; 1,82; 2,81; 3, 77; 4, 77; 5, 77; 6, 76; 7, 75; 8, 73; 9,72; 11, 70. Heavy rain during last night. In latitude 39°, longitude 70, brig Mary Ellen struck by lightning, shivered the mainmast and knocked down the first officer and man at the wheel. Great freshet on the

Monongahela. Barn struck by lightning and burnt down at Hagerstown, Md.

July 24.-4, 5, 6, a.m. 69; 7, 70; 8,71; 9, 10, 11, 12, 73; 1, 73;2 15m., 3, 4, 78; 5, 78; 6, 76; 7,75; 8, 75; 8 30m., 74; 8 45m., 73. Lightning at 7 P. M., rain at 8 30 P. M. Squall in Baltimore Harbor.Thunder storm at Washington city. David Fry killed by lightning near Washington.

July 25.-4 a.m. 69; 5, 6, 70; 7, 72; 8, 78; 9, 79; 10, 77; 11, 80; 12,81; 1, 824; 2, 82; 3, 83; 4,84; 5, 82; 6, 80; 7, 78; 8, 76: 9, 73. At Woodstock and Zoxa, Upper Canada, a terrible storm of wind, lightning, thunder and rain was experienced, several trees struck by lightning one of which was set on fire and consumed.

July 26.-4 a. m. 671⁄2 ; 6. 67}; 7, 67; 8, 70; 9, 72; 10, 74; 12, 78; 1, 78; 2, 76; 3, 77: 4, 73; 4 30; 72; 5,71; 6, 7.71; 8, 70; 9, 69; 10, 69; rain squall at 4 P. M. Equilibrium.

Monday, July 27.-4, 5, 6, 7. a.m. 69; 8, 71; 9, 72; 10, 74; 11, 77; 12, 78; 1, 80; 2, 80; 3 30,77; 4,78; 5, 78 ; 6,75; 7,73; 9, 714; 10,694. Thủn der cloud in sight.

July 28.-4, 5, 6, a.m. 66; 7, 68; 8, 72; 9, 77; 10, 76; 11, 75; 12,78; 1, 80; 2.79; 3,78; 4,77; 5, 76; 6, 72; 7, 70; 8, 71; 9, 69 1-2; 10, 68.Squall at 9 a.m. dense fog at 7 a.m. Equilibrium.

July 29,-4 a. m. 68; 5, 68; 6,69; 6 30, 70; 7, 71 1-2; 8, 73; 9,75; 10, 77; 11,76; 12, 77; 1, 81;

2, 81; 3, 82; 4, 80; 5,78; 6, 78; 7, 76; 8, 75; 9, 73 1-2; 10, 72 1-2. Severe thunder storm at Chambersburgh Pa. Several houses struck by lightning, one person killed.

July 30.-4, 5, a.m., 71; 6, 72; 7,74; 8, 79; 9, 83; 10, 84; 11, 85; 12, 87; 1230m., 89; 1, 89; 2, 3, 90; 4, 89 1-2; 4 30m, 88; 5, 88; 6, 86; 6 30m., 84; 7,83; 8, 82; 8 30, 82; 9 35m. 801; 10,82: 11, 80. Thunder shower at Troy in the afternoon between 5 and 6. Thunder storm at Hancock, Peteboro, Dublin and Rindge, N. H. A house was struck by lightning in Hancock and the owner slightly hurt. A barn was also struck in the same town, and with its contents consumed. A house was struck by lightning in Dublin and another in Peteboro. A barn in Rindge was struck and burnt down.

July 31.-4 a.m. 75; 5, 76; 6, 76 1-2; 7, 78; 8, 81; 9, 84; 10, 86; 11, 86; 11 30m,, 86; 12, 88; 1, 87 1-2; 2 10m. 89; 230m. 86; 3, 84; 4, 81; 5, 80; 6, 81; 7, 80; 8, 78; 9, 76 1-2; 10, 76. Rain at 11 a. m. Thunder at 2 p. m. Heavy rain and wind at 2 p. m. Thunder storm at Richmond, Va. Also at Norfolk, Va. House struck at Norfolk, Blacksmith shop struck at the Navy Yard. The National Hotel struck in Norfolk and some of the wires melted.

THUNDER STORM IN BALTIMORE.

A violent thunder-storm, accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning and a heavy rain, passed over our city yesterday afternoon between two and three o'clock. The brig Juliet, lying at Flannagan's wharf, was struck by the fluid and had her mainmast much shattered; a schooner lying at Corner's wharf, had both of her masts injured; Samuel McLean and two other laborers, who were engaged in loading her, were knocked down and stunned. The Farmers' and Planters' Bank in South street, the store of Mr. Joshua Royston in Baltimore street, and the house at the corner of Gay and Front streets, commonly known as the "Stone Tavern," were also struck and more or less injured.

During the storm, hail-stones, of the size of a small marble, fell in abundance.

We also learn that the City Mills, on Calvert street, were struck by lightning and considerably injured.

A German, whose name we could not ascertain, was struck by lightning and killed. He had, with two others, gone under the Belvidere bridge for shelter from the rain, when the lightning passed through his hat, tearing it to pieces, and instantly killing him. His two companions, though sitting in close proximi ty to him at the time, escaped without injury.

A fine large dog, belonging to Mr. Laroque, druggist, was also struck by the lightning and killed.

We also hear of much damage having resulted from the flood caused by the large quantity of rain that fell. In Calvert street, near Centre street, two large breaches were made in the street, one of them being about thirty feet wide, and fifteen or twenty deep. The gable end of a new house building in Monument street, was prostrated during the storm. Chatsworth Run also overflowed its bounds, and deluged all the cellars in its vicinity. The foundation of a brick house at the corner of Chatsworth and Mulberry streets, was so seriously undermined by the rush of the water, that fears of its falling are entertained. In the vicinity of Vine street, and also at various points in the city, we hear that much damage took place, the particulars of which we have not yet learned. Some idea of the body and force of the water may be gathered from the fact that one of the large slabs which covers the sewer in Light, near Pratt street, was displaced from its foundation and thrown on to the next slab by the force of the volume of water passing underneath.

The scene in the Magnetic Telegraph office at Baltimore during the prevalence of the storm of Friday afternoon, August 7th, is represented to have been fearfully sublime. The electric fluid with which the clouds were charged, took complete possession of the Magnetic Telegraph lines, rendering them entirely unmanageable in the hands of the operators. The lightning could be seen continually playing around the instruments, and at one time a ball of fire, apparently several inches in circumference, came on the Washington wires, and exploded with a loud report. One of the operators had a narrow escape at the time. as he had his hand raised to touch the instrument when the fluid came in.-Balt. American, of Satur day, Aug. 8.

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West at sunrise on the 5th, 6, 12, 23, 25, 26, and 31; at 9 a. m. on the 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 26, 31; at 3 p.m. on the 5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 29 and 31; at 9 p. m. on the 4th, 5, 9, 10, 11, 14, 20, 22, 31.

South-west at sunrise 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, and 29th, at 9 a. m., 9, 13, 29 and 30; at 3 p.m. 13, 22; at 9 p. m. 13, 29.

South at sunrise 11, 21, 22, 30; at 9 a.m. 11, 21, 22; at 3 p.m. 11, 20, 21st; at 9 p. m. 21, 30.

South east at sunrise 17, 18, 19, 20; at 9 a.m. on 17, 19, 28; at 3 p.m. 17, 19, 24, and at 9 p. m. 17, 19, and 24.

THE BAROMETER.

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8 80 80 75 N.W W. Do. 9718478 N.WS. W Do. 10 72 92 86 S. WW. Do. Do. 11 82 92 86 W. S. W Do. Rain 12 82 92 82 S. WW. Do. Do. Fair 13 75 82 77 N.WS.

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Inches rain fell during the month July 3,97-100

DEW POINT.

At

On the afternoon of July 5, at 3 o'clock 70; same hour on the 11, 72, and at the same hour on the 30th, 74, On the afternoon of July 1, at 3 o'clock 69. 68 on the afternoon of the 10th and 29th, and morning of the 11th and 30th. The lowest during the mouth was on the afternoon of the 15th at 38. All the day of 16th and morning of 17th, 40, and at 40 on the afternoon of the 7th..

CLEARNESS OF THE SKY.

No entire clear day during the month. At sunrise on the 3d, 9, 17, 26, 27, 28 and 29; at 9 A. M., on the 3, 6, 9, and 10th; at 3 p. m. on the 7th; at 9 p.m. on the 2d,6, 7, 14, 18, 20, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31st. Entire cloudiness on the 1st and 24th. Entire cloudiness at sunrise on the 2d, 12, 15, 18, 24, 25, 30 and 31st; at 9 a. m., on the 2d, 5, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30 and 31; at 3 p. m., 4, 11, 17, 19 and 22, and at 9 p. m., on the 17th and 24th. The residue of the days the state of the clouds were various.

THE WIND.

The Wind was east at sunrise on the 1st, 4th, 24 and 28th; at 9 a.m. on the 1, 4, 20 and 24th; at 3 p.m. on the 1st, 4th and 28th; and at 9 p. m. on the 1st and 28th. Thus the 1st and 28th the wind was east all day.

North east, at sunrise on the 27th; at 3 p. m., on the 3d and 27th; and at 9 p.m. on the 3d and 27th. North at sunrise on the 2d; at 9 a.m., on the 2d and 27th, and at 9 p.m. on the 16th and 18th.

North west at sunrise on the 3d, 7, 15 and 16th; at 9 a.m. on the 3d, 7, 15, 16, 18, 23, and 25; at 3 p.m. on the 2d, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 18, 23, 25, 26 and 30; and at 9 p. m. on the 2, 6, 7. 8, 12, 15, 23, 25 and 26.

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BAROMETER, at Flatbush, in July.-30,00 on the morning of the 19th, 21st, 22d, 26th, 27th, and 28th; in the afternoon 3, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27 28, and in the evening of 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28. At 30,10 on the evening of 15 and 18; 30,15 on the morning of 16 and 18, afternoon of 16, 18; 30,20 on the evening of 16th; 30,25 on the morning of 17th and afternoon and evening of same day; 30,05 on the afternoon of the 26th.

At 29,70 on the morning of 5, 6, 7, and 25, in the afternoon of 5 and 24, and in the evening of 5, 6, and 24.

At 29,75 on the morning of 2, and 23, in the afternoon of 7, and 23, and in the evening of 4, 6, 12 and

23.

At 29,80 on the morning of 8, 9, 12, 24, 30, 31st: in the afternoon of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 14 and 30, and in the evening of 1, 7, 8, 30 and 31st.

At 29,85 on the morning of 1, 13 and 14, in the afternoon of 9, 13. and 25, and in the evening of 2, 9, 13th, 14, and 29th.

At 29,90 on the morning of 4, 10, 11 and 15; in the afternoon of 10, 11 and 29th, and in the evening of 10 and 11th.

At 29,95 on the morning of 3, 20, 29, in the afternoon of the 31st and in the evening of 3, 22 and 25.

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Your favor of July 29th was received, also the 'Municipal Gazette,' for which you have my thanks. I have deferred writing until now, hoping that I could find time to comply with your request, in ascertaining the temperature of our fresh-water springs, wells, &c., but have not been able yet to do so. The temperature of the brine' at the Syracuse Salt Springs, is 52°; strength of brine by the salometer, 74°. The last of this week, I anticipate visiting a small lake' which lies about four miles south-east from this place, and on the turnpike leading from Onondaga-Hollow to Jamesville. This lake covers an area of about twelve acres, and is surrounded by rocks of considerable height. I shall endeavor to ascertain the height of them above the surface of the water with a level also the depth of the water in the lake, its tempera ture, &c. It is said to be over three hundred feet deep, but I understand has never been accurately measured. I will give you the particulars in my next, also the temperature of the springs, wells, &c.

The weather for the last week has been remarkable for making Solar Salt; it has been unusually clear and warm, with considerable air stirring the most of the time. Temperature of the air as follows:-Saturday, August 1st, sunrise 610, 9 A. M. 76, 3 P. M. 810, 9 P. M. 68°; Sunday, sunrise 620, 9 A. M. 76, 3 P. M. 820, 9 P. M. 680; Monday, sunrise 60°, 9 A. M. 820, 3 P. M. 880, 9 P. M. 75°; Tuesday, sunrise 76°, 9 A. M. 83°, 3 P. M. 90°, 9 P. M. 78°; Wednesday, sunrise 750, 9 A. M. 85°, 3 P. M. 920, 9 P. M. 825; Thursday, sunrise 78°, 9 A. M. 84, 3 P. M. 87, 9 P. M. 75°; Friday, sunrise 680, 9 A. M. 82°, 3 P. M. 87, 9 P. M. 76°; Saturday, cloudy all day-Barometer fell 12-100 inch.-light showers at intervalsThermometer at sunrise 690, 9 A. M. 78°, 3 P. M. 780, 9 P. M. 72°.

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SOUTH WESTERN MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA. Copy of a Letter from Thos. Spencer, Esq. SALTVILLE, August 2, 1846.

Dear Sir:

Your interesting letter of 17th ult. reached me by due course of mail. I delayed my reply until the close of the month, with the intention of sending you Mr. King's meteorlogical table for July, but have finally concluded not to do so, as you will be furnished by Mr. Wm. P. Milner, with his observations taken at this place for the same period, and which, in addition to the temperature as marked by the thermometer, also notes the quantity of rain which has fallen on each day during the month, as indicated by the rain-gauge which you procured for him in New-York. You will perceive that the quantity of rain which has fallen, is large-rather more than five inches. I am informed, however, that the present summer has been unusually wet-at any rate, it has been so much so, as to seriously interfere with securing the crops of grass and oats. During the wheat-harvest, the wea ther was more pleasant. The corn-crop promises a very abundant harvest; and in fact, all kinds of vegetation is more prolific and abundant than I ever before witnessed. The forest trees, also, are clothed with a prodigious quantity of foliage, of a deep green hue, and All nature-from above, beneath, around; without a voice, and without a sound-proclaims, O God! thou art!'

Since last I wrote you, the mother of our esteemed and mutual friend, Thos. L. Preston, has been numbered with the dead. She expired very suddenly on the morning of the 23d ultimo, at her residence at Abingdon, sixteen miles from this place. She arose very early in the morning, apparently in her usual health, and was preparing to come to this place during the day to visit her son, and spend a few weeks with him; but before breakfast was announced she reposed upon a bed, complained of feeling ill, and expired almost instantly. She was a lady of rare endowments; and although sixty-eight years of age, she possessed a mind of uncommon vigor. Amiable in her disposition, she was affable and courteous in her intercourse with all; and all who knew her, lament her death. I had a short acquaintance with her, but it was sufficiently long to discover that she was possessed of many and rare virtues.

Mrs. Preston was the daughter of Brigadier Gen'l Wm. Campbell, of revolutionary memory; and her mother was a sister of Patrick Henry. Her extensive plantation at this place, including the salt-works, she has bequeathed to her three sons, the Hon. Wm. C. Preston, now of S. Carolina, John S. Preston, of Louisiana, and Thos. L. Preston, of this place,-subject, I believe, to some annuities to be paid to her daughters and grandchildren. She has also bequeathed to her son, Thomas L., her family residence at Abingdon. It is a princely establishment, and cost, as I am informed. about fifty thousand dollars. The balance of her estate she distributed among her numerous heirs.

At your request, I have tested the temperature of our brine as it is pumped from the well, and find it to be 57. The strength is 960 by the salometer. I should have weighed a gallon of the brine as you desired, to ascertain its specific gravity, but I could not find a gallon measure in Saltville. We have sent to Abingdon for one, but it has not arrived. The brick which were made of the ground fire-rock, do not stand so great a degree of heat as we had hoped. They appeared exceeding well when taken from the kiln, and resembled the fire-brick which I have seen in New-York; but by submitting them to the heat of a blacksmiths' forge, they melted nearly as quick as common brick; the latter melting in seven minutes, and the former in seven minutes and a half. This, I think, is proof that the fire-rock, as it is called here, is not the soap-stone, as some suppose.

I perceive that the Convention are making but little progress in revising the Constitution of New-York. It seems to me that there are too many men in its composition who love to talk for political effect. I hope, however, that the majority possess sufficient good sense to correct many of the existing evils; and that before they adjourn, they will be prepared to present such a constitution as the people require.

I perceive by the newspapers that a regiment has been raised in New-York for the conquest of California. I may be regarded as unpatriotic, when I say, that I can discover nothing in the conduct of our go

vernment toward Mexico, to approve of. In my opinion, our treatment of that feeble nation, weakened by intestine broils, is utterly unworthy of a great and powerful people, as we claim to be. This Mexican war will be a dark spot upon the page of our history, which cannot be "expunged." It was a pitiful and mean pretence of ours, and utterly unworthy of that high character that we ought to desire, to assume that we were attacked, when we had sent a military force into a territory which is acknowledged to be of doubtful ownership. We have not only displayed no magnanimity towards that feeble power, but justice and right is entirely lost sight of. A reckless spirit of conquest has possessed the minds of the American people, and to cap the climax of their folly, thousands are already clamorous for the nomination of Gen. Taylor to the Presidency, simply because he has the single merit of butchering a few hundred Mexicans by order of our government.

If this spirit of conquest is not quenched, and this war speedily brought to a close, the fate of those Kepublics which have existed, and are not, must inevitably be ours.

Mr. Milner has promised to hand me his meteorlogical table, before the mail closes, to send you

herewith.

I shall be pleased to hear from you often.
Truly yours,
THOS. SPENCER.

E. Meriam, Esq.

Copy of a Letter from W. P, Milner, Esq.
Saltville, Va., 26 July, 1846.

Dear Sir, I have the pleasure of receiving occasionally a paper from you-one, the "Farmer and Mechanic," of 16th inst., by yesterday's mail, for which, please accept my thanks. I commenced my meteorlogical table on the 1st which shall be forwarded you at the expiration of the month. The periods at which I have taken the temperature, regularly are 7 a. m., 1 p. m., 7 p. m., and 9 p.m. It has occasion. ally happened, however, that I have made them more frequently and as such was the case on the days noticed by you in the paper above alluded to, I give you my memoranda for the week including those days, i. e. from 7 to 13 inclusive.

Mr. Spencer received yesterday a letter from you in which he informs me you express surprise at the temperature of the salt water, as reported by Mr. King, and its difference from that reported by Mr. Findlay in 1844. I have made reference to your letter of June 3, 1844, in which I find the following enquiry, I should like to know the temperature of your wells, in summer, and if there is any difference from that of the 31st of January, which you sent me." Upon that letter I made the following memorandum :

66

Sept. 9, 1844.-Salt water temp. 560, atmosphere 780, fresh springs 60°. Specific gravity salt water

23°.

I do not think this answer to your question was ever furnished you. Your letter was to Mr. Findlay, and I think he was absent at the time of its receipt. I shall take the temperature of the water in the morning by the same thermometer and send you the result with this letter. The quantity of rain fallen during this month up to 12 o'clock to-day is 4 76-100.

Mr. Spencer or myself will by next weeks mail send you the weight of a gallon of salt water.

The frame of Mr. Preston's new furnace and salt rooms is now up. The furnace will be in operation about the 15th of Sept. When it is, I purpose taking occasionally the temperature of the salt water from his well. I shall next month move my thermometer to Mr P.'s Office, when I hope with the assistance of one of the gents there, to make notices of temperature more frequently.

Have you noticed in Capt. Fremont's expedition to Oregon and N. California, his reference to the great salt lake in lat. 41° 10′ 42′′, long. 112° 21′ 05′′. An analysis of the salt (5 gall. water, roughly evaporated over a camp fire, produced 14 pints of very fine grained, and very white salt, of which the whole lake may be regarded as a saturated solution.") produced as follows-Chloride of sodium 97.80. Do. calcium 0.61. Do. Magneisum 0.24. Sulphate of soda 0.23. Do. lime 1.12. Parts 100.

Upon the same page (158) in his report he mentions the existence of immense beds of rock salt, not far from this salt lake."

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July 7.-6 a.m 70, light east wind; 7, 72, calm; 11, 81, w. by s.; noon 82, w. by s.; 1 p.m. 83, w. by s.; 3 40, 88, calm; 4 35, 87, w. . by s. clear; 7, 78 calm; 9, 72, lt. w. by s.

July 8.-4 30 2.m. 63; lt. w. by s.; 6 a.m. 65; 7, 68; 9,74; 11,77 wind east; 1, 81 calm; 7,78 calm; 9, 71 calm.

9th.-4 30 a.m. 60 foggy and calm; 6, 60; 7, 68. calm; 1,83, lt. e. wind; 4, 88, calm; 6 30, 86, calm; 7, 78, calm; 9, 75 calm.

10th.-6 a. m. 68, calm, foggy; 7, 70, calm; 11, 82, calm; 1, 88 calm; 7, 82; lt. e. wind; 9, 73, variable.

11th.-6 30, 68 calm and foggy; 7,70, calm; noon 68, light breeze e.; 1, 90, calm; 4, 89, lt. e.: 6, 84, lt. e. ; 7, 78, calm; 9. 74, variable.

12th.-7 a.m. 72, lt. e.; 9, 80, lt. and variable; 10, 82, s. w. ; 11, 84, s. w.; noon 85, s. w.; 1, 87, s. w.; 2, 87, s. w.; 3, 88, calm; 5, 87, s. w., thunder; 7, 80, calm; 9, 77, calm.

13th.-6, 72, lt. e., foggy; 7. 73, s. w.; 11, thunder, wind s. w. clouds rising, 11 to 12 rain 1 46-100, wind s. w. 1, 73, calm; 2, 76 clear, wind e. ; 7, 75. w.; 9, 73, calm, rain at night 13-100.

Clear sky during whole week in daylight, except from 10 a.m. to 2 p. m. on the 13th.

27th July-temperature of salt water, tested at pump, 56.

Copy of a letter from J. E. Bloomfield, Esq. OSWEGO, Aug. 13, 1846.

Mr. E. Meriam:

Dear Sir-I have received, and thank you for the last number of your Municipal Gazette. Your observations made on Brooklyn Heights, on the equilibrium of the atmosphere, go far to establish your theory. You certainly deserve credit for your perseverance, although in this respect it is no new trait in your cha

racter.

I promised you a letter from here, and am reminded of it by seeing a communication by Mr. Levi Disbrow, relative to his boring for salt at Little Sodus Bay to the depth of 316 feet. I have just learned from Mr. Morgan, (connected with the United States fort at this place,) that it was Mr. Disbrow who essayed to get water in the fort for the U. S. Government. It is exceedingly to be regretted that the experiment was suspended after $3000 was expended in reaching the depth of 313 feet, as I learn that geologists say the class of rock encountered is the metalliferous, or hard-grit bluish sand-stone.

The level or esplanade of the fort is 50 feet above the Lake where the boring was commenced. The first 42 feet was through a peculiar hard blue indurated earth, of clay, gravel and sand, and with which, I believe, you are well acquainted. At the depth of 42 ft. the rock was struck 8 feet above the level of the lake. This rock corresponds with the same class on the west side of the river, where the old French fort was situated at the foot of First street, where you may recollect Mr. Varick built his marine railway. After leaving the earth excavation, Mr. D. proceeded 260 feet below the level of the lake, through solid rock, increasing apparently, as Mr. Morgan states, in hardness, as he descended. For the last 100 feet, he received $12 per foot; and although he used drills commencing with 800 lbs. weight, increasing up to 1200 lbs. towards the last, he could only pound out about two inches per day. Very little water came in; and, I learn, the capacity of the well is about 60 gallons in 24 hours, of very inferior quality. Two other wells have been sunk short distances in the earth in the fort, yielding almost the same quantity of water as the well sunk 313 feet, and as observed, 260 feet in the solid rock, and this too within almost biscuit throw of the lake.

We have had a very dry time for the last seven to eight weeks-hardly a shower. Last Saturday, the 8th, it commenced to rain slightly, but in the night and Sunday we had a fine rain. The crops, however, have not suffered, and the corn is now fine.

I believe I have personally explained to you the effect of the cold air during the spring and summer escaping from the Lake, producing a continuance of northerly and north-westerly winds, rushing to your heated atmosphere, having a most delightful effect on this climate. There has been but four or five days du

ring the last two months, but that a blanket was acceptable at night. From the great depth of Lake Ontario, it takes a long time in the fall to expel our summer heats. The result is, late and fine falls, free from frost, and often into December. This, as observed, arises from the summer heat escaping from the Lake, while the winter cold on the water produces an ostensible effect on this deep Lake, by causing a Lake breeze from the north towards the land. This makes the farms near the Lake admirably adapted to peaches, pears, quinces and apples, while the plum grows wild and of a very good quality.

A trip the last week by Mexico up into the town of Parish, (formerly a part of that township of Mexico,) after six years' absence, gave me the opportunity to judge of their agricultural improvement. The change from raising grain, to grass for the dairy, for which this whole region up to Lewis and Jefferson county is admirable, is making the farmers rich. To use an expressive yankee term, they have began to slick up' their farms, and now the old log-huts have began to make way for the neat gable-end story and a half farmhouse, with its portico and Venetian windows. This is produced by raising butter for the New-York market. The whole of this region is well watered with troutstreams, a fish the best judge of good spring, and I may add, soft water.

In this, formerly called, wooden country, I was astonished to find the tract of land I visited was plundered of hemlock timber! to make salt barrels for Salina. The black-ash swales that used to abound in this region-Constantia, Amboy and other eastern towns of this county, have began to disappear, as they are used to hoop some 300,000 barrels used at the salt works, and a like number of barrels for flour used by the millers at this place, who, by the by, have a decided advantage in their position and water power of Oswego over those of Rochester, where, I learn, they are entirely aground for water; in fact, I was told by a gentlemen from Rochester this week, that the Genesee River would not supply a good gang of saws. The Oswego River being the outlet of nine lakes, and drains a large surface of country, gives an inexhaustible supply. There is 100 feet fall in 10 miles from Fulton to this place, with permanent dams built by the State to supply the Oswego Canal with water, by the combined operation of River and Canal navigation. This old-fashioned class of internal improvement, (so admirable when introduced by the Duke of Bridgwater in England, and General Schuyler, in this country in 1793-4, to pass the Little Falls and other points on the Mohawk to Wood Creek, near Rome, from thence falling into Oneida Lake, and finally into this Lake,) is about to be superceded by the "better improvement of the age"-a railway to Syracuse. Mr. S. Whipple, with a party of engineers, are now conducting the surveys for this object, under the direction of Mr. Edwin F. Johnson. This is the true way "to head off Boston;" and I trust ere long your merchants will find it out. The passage of the transit or drawback law by the late Congress, permitting the Canadians to pass their wheat, flour, provisions, timber, &c. through this place for export at N. York, is destined to make a great change in the course of trade. You forget that Niagara Falls is obliterated on the map of commerce. The short Welland Canal, with trifling tolls, saves 150 miles of tolls on our Grand Canal; in fact, this place is only 183 miles by railway to tide waters, with a rise of only 420 feet to overcome instead of from 1500 to 2600 feet summits, by eastern and southørn routes to the Lakes. These facts, not to be disputed, tells the tale the course of commerce must take. Will the citizens of New-York direct their first attention this way, to prevent their trade being seriously tapped by Boston at Ogdensburg. This, eastern enterprize will accomplish, they say, (and I believe them,) in three years, and nothing will stop or retard them.

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ter wheat, but all kinds of spring crops are parched up with the drouth; you would think the fire had run through our pastures: the late rains will do much good."

No rain fell at Mackinaw between the 4th of July and the 11th of August.

Lake Erie is 10 inches below its usual level. Prior to Aug. 10. there had been a succession of rains for the last 16 days at Natchez. 5,75-100 inches fell at Flatbush, L. I., in July, and 5,07-100 at Saltville in Va., in the same time.

The fall of rain in Philadelphia during the month of July was 4.60 × 100 inches.

LETTERS FROM ON SHIP BOARD. We extract from a letter dated on board of Frigate Congress, off Cape Horn, Feb. 20, 1846, addressed to the editors of the Journal of Commerce, and published in that Journal on the 28th of July, as follows;

"We have here 15 hours of sunlight, four of twilight and five of darkness. The constellations have a magnitude, intensity and breadth of light unknown in our hemisphere. Every star flames out of the blue vault like an independent sun. We must have been one night in the vicinity of an iceberg. Our thermometer fell in a few hours ten degress. The night was one of the darkest we have experienced; not a ray of light could straggle down through the black masses of cloud that overhung us, the sea was running high, our ship rolling her guns under, and the next plunge she made might bring her, for aught we could tell, against the unseen mountain of ice. But we escaped it, day dawned and found us floating.

"But of all the objects of nature here, the most interesting is the Albatross. This noble bird resembles in size and shape, the Swan. The body is white as the driven snow, the wings black as the Raven's. The head has the baldness of the Eagle, and the eye the same flashing defiance. Their wings are long, large and arching, upon these they balance themselves like the hawk, and without once striking the air, sweep through their vast circuit. They voyage hundreds of miles at sea, and out of that great element obtain their food. We captured one by means of a hook, attached to a long line, baited, and buoyed by a cork. As we drew him toward the ship, his female companion followed close at his side, and we lifted him in, she still hung around the ship. Having satisfied our curiosity, we let him go, when she flew to him with the liveliest expression of joy. What a lesson to those who forsake a friend in adversity."

The officers of the Congress did well in giving the noble aquatic fowl its liberty-in restoring him to his mate. It was a noble act and will be a source of more abiding consolation, than all the victories which they have ever gained in inhuman combat.

A letter to the editors of the Journal of Commerce, and published in that paper of the 5th inst., written on board the U. S. Frigate Congress, at Callao, May 5, 1846, states:

"The thermometer in Lima seldom fell below 65, and rarely ascends above 82. These are singular facts, but not more so than the notorious one that it never rains here. The vapours as they ascend from the sea, are attached to the summits of the Cordilleras, where they are condensed into showers-but on the line of the coast which lies between the seaand the base of these stupendous mountains, the rain never falls. All agriculture is the result of artificial irrigation, but the frequent and full streams flowing from the Cordilleras, make this comparatively easy. The climate of Peru has a singular effect on the color of the different races-it bleaches the black man into the mulatto, and bronzes the white man into the Indian. It dwarfs the European in stature in the second and third generation, and deprives him of fire and energy. The na-tive youth, in their boyhood, exhibit intelligence and force, but as they grow up they become feeble in body and irresolute in mind."

DISEASED VEGETATION.-The potatoe crop is becoming extensively diseased. It is but a few years since the human ashes were removed from the battle fields of Waterloo to manure the potatoe fields of

England and Ireland; since then, disease has seized upon the food of man, and has been spread as far as the seed thus affected has been used.

LIGHTNING.

Eronatic.-Mr. Wise made an ascension from West Chester, Pa., last Saturday, about the time of the heavy thunder storm. As he was descending, he says, a flash of lightning hurled the balloon against a large tree, and what appeared to me remarkable, no loud report accompanied it. "The fire sparks flashed upon my flag, and shook it out of my basket, and the noise resembled that which takes place when a whitehot piece of iron is struck with the blacksmith's hammer."-Jour. Com. Aug. 13.

Telegraph struck by Lightning.-We learn from Mr. Bannard, conductor upon the railroad, that the wires of the Telegraph were struck by lightning on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 8, about three miles west of Auburn. The fluid followed the wire into the Auburn station, and actually burned up a considerable part of the magnet, and the fixtures attached, and cutting the wires encircling the soft iron, into almost a thousand pieces.-Roch. Adv. [3 miles.-ED.]

On Thursday afternoon, Aug. 12. the operator at the Telegraphic station at Auburn was visited by a large ball of fire, which landed on his table, followed by a report as if a musket had been fired in the room. This arose from a thunder-storm, which seemed to occupy only the northern part of the heavens, while the sun was shining, and in the southern sky there was but little indication of a storm.

Killed by Lightning.-Mr. Willis Siedner, was killed by lightning at Vinegar Hill, near Galena, Ill., on the 27th ult. He had a grain-cradle on his shoulder When the bolt came, it is supposed that the scythe attracted the fluid, which passed thence to Mr. S. He was instantly prostrated to the earth, but attempted to rise, spoke once, and immediately died.-Jour. Com. Aug. 13.

Four persons prostrated by Lightning, on Friday Aug. 7-Miraculous Escape.-A dark cloud, which had let down quite a refreshing shower as it passed over our city on Friday last, about 7 o'clock, lowered for a while, (says yesterday's Republican,) over that part of Church hill, known as Shed-town, where it sent forth a stream of lightning, striking the house of Mrs. McHenry, and prostrating four persons who were passing at the time in front of the building. The house was a good deal damaged, though we are glad to learn the persons struck made a miraculous escape with their lives.

Mrs. Philip White and child, another lady, whose name we did not learn, and Mr. Adkins were passing Mrs. McHenry's at the time, and were all brought to the ground. Adkins was struck in the breast, but strange to say, the fluid glanced, passing down his arms and off his hands. He was knocked senseless at the time, but was restored partially by the free use of cold water. Two physicians have been since in attendance, and it is thought he will recover from the effects of the accident. The ladies and child were doing well at last accounts. No occupant of the house struck, was injured, yet the lightning is said to have taken a most circuitous course through the building.-Rich. Enq. Aug. 11.

Struck by Lightning.-On Sunday, August 9th, during the severe storm, Mr. Jacob Kneedler, while sitting at the window of his residence, in Seventh st., near Brown, was struck by lightning, which knocked him senseless, and for some time he appeared to be in a very dangerous situation. Dr. Charles M. Griffith was sent for, and after skilfully administering remedies, Mr. Kneedler partially recovered, and ever since he has been improving. The strongest belief is expressed that he will be fully restored to health. The lightning also set fire to a bed in the room, which was but slightly damaged.-Phila. U. S. Gazette, Aug. 11.

A child about 8 years old, named Ricker, was killed by lightning at Somersworth, N. H., on July 30th. Lightning. During the storm on Sunday, the house of Mr. N. Le Brun, Seventh street, above Arch, was struck by lightning. The fluid descended the chimney and passed through the dining-room, scattering the dust and soot from the chimney all over the floor. It then passed out through a window into a yard, leaving a very sulphurous smell in the room, thence through the basement kitchen into a vault. Some

plants were burnt in its passage. Fortunately the family had left the dining-room a minute or two before the occurrence.-Phila. Eng. & Nat. Gaz., Aug. 11. The brewhouse of Mr. Ruffman, in Green street, above Third, was very slightly damaged by the lightning.

The lightning also struck the mast erected at Ridley's Creek to sustain the telegraphic wires.-Phila. Ledger, Aug. 11.

John Henry, of Mount Auburn, Shelby county, Ia., was recently killed by lightning. He was a respectable citizen.-Jour. of Com. of July 7.

Allen Montanve and William J. Miller, of Switzerland county, Ia., were killed by lightning on June 10. They had taken shelter under a tree.

On Thursday week, during a thunder storm, a house belonging to Mrs. Ferguson, situated a mile from Cook's mills, Niagara, was struck by lightning, which destroyed the whole of the property, including some horses and other cattle. A laborer named Lefferty was struck dead on the same night.-Montreal Herald, Jnl 8.

On the 30th of May, Bark Hortensia, from Valparaiso, in lat. 40, lon. 41, was struck by lightning; broke foretopgallant-mast and foretopsail-sheet in several places.

Lightning. The lightning storm, at Wells, England, on Saturday last, was productive of some serious results. Mr. H. Davis, of Oak Hill, occupies a large farm on Mendip, near Priddy; in one of the fields were 74 sheep, which got together for shelter under the wall. The electric fluid first attacked the gate, breaking the upper part to pieces, and then following the direction of the wall, killed the whole of the sheep, which were worth from 25s. to 30s. a head.

A large barn belonging to the estate of Adolphus Hedges, late of Warren, Mass., was struck by lightning on August 8th, and consumed with most of its contents. Loss $500.

Another. We had another very heavy storm here yesterday afternoon. The lightning was not so severe as on Friday, and we have not heard of any person or place being struck by it, but the quantity of rain which fell, was, if possible, greater than on Friday. Hail-stones, of a large size, fell during the

rain.

The storm of Friday.-We have not heard of any deaths resulting from the effects of the lightning on Friday with the exception of the instance mentioned in our paper of Saturday. A large number of persons were stunned, but as far as we can learn all has recovered.

We hear of several instances of cattle in the neighborhood of the city being killed by the lightning.— Balt. Amer. of Aug. 10.

LIGHTNING.-A horse belonging to the Rev. Mr. McClary, was killed by lightning a few days since in Anne Arundel county, Md. Mr. McClary had dismounted from the horse at the door of a neighbor but a few minutes previous.

LIGHTNING,-On Saturday afternoon, July 11th, the lightning struck a barn belonging to Wm. Rathbun, of Sprinfield, Otsego county. The barn and its contents were destroyed. Two boys in the same neighborhood took shelter under an elm tree during the shower. The tree was struck by lightning, and one of the boys, a lad twelve years of age, killed instantly. The other was prostrated but recovered. The boy killed stood next to the body of the tree. Elm trees are frequently struck by lightning.

THUNDER STORM.-On the first of August, between 3 and 4 o'clock P. M., a storm of thunder, lightning, hail, wind and rain, commenced in London, and continued for near two hours. Great damage was done. At Liverpool, the fall of rain was 44 inches during 24 hours. The steamer Citizen, in passing down the Thames, was struck by lightning, and the box of one of the wheels damaged. The vessel was surrounded by lightning for a moment. No person injured. This is the sixth instance which I have recorded of the lightning descending on a steamer. In none of these cases has any person been killed, and I have never met with any record in all my researches of a person being killed by lightning in a building stored with iron.

The house of Wm. Waddle, near Mercersburg, Pa., was struck by lightning on Wednesday week, and every member of the family prostrated. They all revived except Wm. Waddle, jr., who was killed instantly.

TEMPERATURE OF THE GULF STREAM.-The Journal of Commerce, of the 21st inst., states that the U. S. Brig Washington has returned from a survey of the Gulf Stream. Temperature in one of the soundings, at the depth of 9000 feet, 37 degrees; and of the surface, 80 degrees Farenheit; decrease of temperature, about one degree to 210 feet.

At this rate of decrease the depth of 10,200 feet would reach the freezing point. We cannot account for this.

The depth of the Mediterrenean between the island of Sicily and the coast of Africa, is about the same as the straits between Calais and Dover. It is but a few years since an island appeared between Sicily and the African coast, and after about three years sunk again. Earthquakes are as frequent beneath the ocean as under the surface not covered by water.

TEMPERATURE OF THE SEA.

On page 526, we gave the record of the temperature of the water of the Ocean in the track of the Great Western, from New-York to Liverpool as furnished by the Hon. Solomon Townsend. We now give the temperature of the ocean taken on a voyage from Boston to Gibralter, by Mr. Bigelow.

Temperature of the Sea.-In 1826 Mr. Bigelow of Massachusetts, in a voyage from Boston to Gibralter made daily observations of the temperature of the sea, as follows:

Nov. 29 120 miles E. Boston,
30 275 miles E. by S. of Boston,
Dec. 1. Latitude 42
Longitude 62,30

2

3

8

9

41

41,09

40,13

39,25

38,48

37,54

38,00

38,00

50°

52 54

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36,02 presumed long. 9,58

4 at 8 a m. off Cape Trafalger lat 36,5 long. 6,1. 58

At 4 p. m. dropped anchor in Gibralter Harbor, temperature of its waters 55. Temperature of the air on deck, Nov. 30, 52. Dec. 7, temperature of open air 57. 11th, 64; 12, 63; 13,70; 14, 67; 15, 63; 10, 64, 17, 62; 18, 58; 19, 60; 20, 64

It is thus seen that the temperature of the water has only varied one degree since leaving the Azores, on the 18th inst., and that the water was about as deep in their neigborhood as in the open sea to the east. The depression on the 16th and 17th may have been in part owing to our being more out of the influence of the gulfstream whose current, though grratly diffused, acts quite down to the western isles.

"Dec. 26, on deck, 58; 27th, 64; 28 in cabin 67; 29th in cabin 70; drfted back by gales, Dec. 30, on deck noon 65; 31st, 4 P. M, 58; Jan. 1, noon 58; 2, 53; 3, 57; 4th at 4 p. m. Gibraltar Harbor 47.

EARTHQUAKE AT SMYRNA.-Letters received by Messrs. Duthilh & Cousinery, merchants of New York, from Smyrna, in Asia, of date June 28th, state that a severe shock of an earthquake was felt at Smyrna, at about 6 o'clock p. m. of the 25th of June. Smyr na is in latitude 38, 25, 26 north, longitude 26, 6, 45, east. The distance is therefore 100, 6,15, of longitude east of my place of ob. servation, and 2, 16, 15, deg. of latitude south. The equilibrium produced by this earthquake commenced on Brooklyn Heights at 30 minutes past 10 P. M., June 27th, and continued till past 5 A.M. of the 28th, when at six o'clock it was broken by a rain storm.— See Municipal Gazette, No. 43, p. 538.

EARTHQUAKE AT NEWBURYPORT.-On the morning of August 25th, at about 6 o'clock the shock of an earthquake of considerable duration was experienced at Newburyport, Mass., lat. about 43 N.; longitude about 70, 40 West, and extended to the southwest to Springfield, on the Connecticut River, a distance of more than 100 miles. The width of its path I shall endeavor to ascertain from accounts from villages oneach side of this line, I was writing at mytable Brooklyn Heights, recording my meteorlogical observations at the very moment this earthquake was traversing Massachusetts from one extremity to the other, and should have noticed any disturbance had it extended to this locality. The earthquake followed the path passed by the electric storm of April 25, 1845, which journeyed from a creek in Virginia, near Alexandria, passing Springfield, and Newburyport, on its way to the Bay of Funday, where it

arrived in four hours, doing great damage nearly its whole route. Newburyport is 3 miles from the sea on the Merimack River-it was visited by an earthquake in 1786, and in 1810, also on the 30th of May 1846, and several times previous to 1786. The state of the atmosphere on Brooklyn Heights on the 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28th of August, as follows. Rain commenced to fall freely at 15 minutes past 8 P. M. 25th, and at 9 to 11 A.M. on the 26th. The temperature of the air at 2 P. M. on the 25th, 71, and 9 P. M. 644-from that to 4 next morning it fell to 58. Seven hours from 2 to 9-fell 64 degrees-7 hours from 9 P. M. to 4 A. M. fell 64.

Aug. 24th.-4 A. M. to 6, 67; 7. 68; 8, 71; 9, 73; 10, 71; 11, 714; 12273; 1 to 4, 75; 5, 74; 6, 71; 7, 70; 8, 69; 9, 63; 10, 66, Aug. 25.-4 to 6 A. M. 64; 7, 66; 8, 67; 9, 10, 70; 11 to 1, 72; 2, 71; 3 to 4, 70; 5 to 6, 68; 7, 66; 8,65; 9, 64.

Aug. 26th.-4 to 8, 58; 9, 59; 10, 60; 11, 59; 12, 62; 1, 64; 2 to 4, 65; 5, 66; 6 to 7, 65; 8, 64; 9, 62; 10 and 11, 62. Equilibrium.

Aug. 27.-4 to 6, 62. End of Equilibrium. 7, 65; 8, 65; 9 to 10, 67; 11, 67; 12, 70; 1, 78; 1 30, 74; 2 to 3 75; 4, 75; 5, 74; 6, 72; 7, 71; 8, 69; 9, 69. Equilibrium.

Aug. 28-4 to 10 minutes past 7, 69-Equilibrium ended.

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STREET DEPARTMENT-LOCAL JURISDICTION. The Counsel of the Corporation of the City of NewYork has given notice in the newspapers and in handbills, of an application to be made to the Supreme Court for the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment for the widening of Wm, street, and also for the opening of a portion of 4th avenue. The application is noticed for the first day of the special term. Will a writ of error lie to the Court for the Correction of Errors, or is the remedy against the officer for persisting in assuming jurisdiction in violation of the provisions of the Constitution?

AUCTION DUTIES.

The State Convention have called on the State Comptroller for a statement of the auction duties, and he has responded to that call. The United States Constitution most assuredly is in the way of our State Convention in this.

A NEW COURT.

The State Convention should organize a new court for the adjudication of questions, in which the Chancellor or Superior Court Justice may be made parties.

NEW-YORK CITY COURTS.

The Corporation want to have the appointing of the judges and the payment of their salaries for they have a multitude of causes to be tried in these courts, and it is therefore highly improper for that body to have any connection with these courts direct or indirect.

From the Journal of Commerce. EXTRACT FROM THE PROCLAMATION OF GEN. TAYLOR, IN THE INVASION AND ATTEMPT OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO. I "In every state, and in nearly every city and village of our union, Catholic Churches exist, and the Priest's perform their holy functions in peace and security, under the sacreed guarantees of our constitution."

Had Gen. Taylor said that in every state, city or village in which Catholic churches do exist, the priest's perform their functions in peace he would have been nearly right—but he is far from right in saying that Catholic Churches exist in nearly every village. Again, Gen. Taylor says to the Mexicans: "It is your military rulers that have reduced you to this deplorable condition."

Americans! take heed lest this declaration of Gen. Taylor's to the Mexicans-which is too true-be addressed to you ere long-the censure comes from a military man who so far has shown his wisdom in treating the praise and flattery that has been heaped upon him with coolness and good sense.

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