Iowa and Wisconsin there was an excess, nearly double the usual amount. The States where severe droughts prevailed during this month were Michigan, eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and New York. As will be seen by the table above, the mean temperature of the month was considerably below that of June, and the maximum (90 deg.) was reached in but a single instance. August was the warmest month of the season, and the moist atmosphere which prevailed, rendered the weather very oppressive. On the early days of the month, the rains were abundant in some parts of this State, and did much in dispelling the effects of the previous drouth. The excessive precipitation and humidity of the atmosphere which prevailed in parts of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and particularly at New Orleans, being everywhere attended and followed by high temperature was quite unequalled, and in many places very destructive to life. In portions of the States above named, the rains were nearly beyond precedent, from four to eight inches falling in ten hours. During the last half of the month but little rains fell at this place, and the temperature declined. A heavy storm occurred on the 30th. The early days of September were warm, with a most sultry atmosphere. The amount of rain for this month was small however, especially during the latter part. October continued very dry-no appreciable amount of rain falling here until the 22d. Between 20th September, and 22d October, the rain at this place did not exceed 1-100 of an inch. For November, however, the quantity of rain was unusually large, and much above the maximum for the previous four years. The greater part of the month was, moreover, very pleasant and mild. The temperature of December was, up to the 17th, much above the normal mean, and after that date quite steady and winter-like-the maximum rising above 32 deg., on but three days. About eighteen inches snow fell during the month; the quantity of rain was not appreciable. In conclusion, it may be observed that the extremes of temperature and precipitation, as well as drouth, have been exhibited to an unusu al degree in different parts of our country, during the summer of 1852. In many instances, the effect of extreme climatic conditions on agriculture and the general health, has been strikingly exemplified. The system of Meteorological Observations, now conducted by the Smithsonian Institution, is more extensive and complete than any before projected; and its results will, doubtless, when fully and definitely considered, tend to exhibit the influence of climate on animal and vegetable life, and to explain its causes throughout our Continent. Those meteorological conditions which most directly affect agriculture, are temperature, precipitation, and humidity. These, and the temperature of the soil, every farmer ought to be able to measure; the cost of the instruments required being but trifling. Such observations carried on accurately for a short time, would enable the observer to gain for himself much important information, in regard to the nature and conditions of soils, and the germination and growth of plants; and were the plan generally entered upon, a most valuable mass of scientific matter would soon be collected. ABSTRACT OF A METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL FOR THE YEAR 1853. BY M. MILES, M. D., FLINT, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. THE STATE FAIR. A DISCOURSE PREACHED AT DETROIT, BY REV. THOS. MUMFORD, ON THE SABBATH EVENING AFTER THE ANNUAL FAIR OF THE MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1853. DEUTERONOMY 1: 25. And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and said, it is a good land which the Lord our God doth give us. The great event of the past week was our Annual State Fair. By its unusual demand upon the means of transportation and the ways of accommodation, by its agency in increasing the picturesqueness of our streets, and gratifying our tastes for the useful and the beautiful, it monopolized the attention of the people, and became the chief occasion of labor and delight. Why should not its lessons be presented from a Christian pulpit? Everything in life has its moral and religious aspects; Christianity needs to be adapted to the varying wants and circumstances of mankind. Sermons utterly barren of allusions to present times. and real life—fit to have been preached to the congregation in the ark, may be very free from heresy, and perfectly incapable of turning the world upside down with excessive zeal, but they hardly contain the Gospel for the noon of the nineteenth century. Addicted to moralizing, both from natural disposition and from weekly vocation, as I walked through the Fair grounds with their centre of fruits, flowers and handiwork, and their suburbs of sheep and oxen, I saw much to suggest serious thoughts and devout thanksgivings. At first I did not heed the scene as a whole. Its parts absorbed my attention. Many were their lessons. The ox taught me patience, and the cow generosity; every domestic animal preached on the beauty of faith. I then realized how successfully the Bible has interwoven its sacred teachings with common duties and household scenes. Certain herbs and flowers started a train of thought, swifter than any "lightning express" of modern times. In an instant, it carried me back to Adam-the first gardener-and his early home in Paradise; to the agony of the Savior in Gethsemane, and to his grave in the new tomb in the garden. A few sheep hinted of righteous Abel, and his accepted offering of the firstlings of his flock; of the pastoral life of the sweet singer of Israel, with his most moving psalm-" The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want;" and of that Anointed One, who said: "I am the Good Shepherd, and I lay down my life for the sheep." A cluster of grapes brought up memories of Noah, who "began to be a husbandman, and planted a vineyard;" (alas! that he became so degraded and dishonored by the product of his own wines,) and those immortal words of the Son of God: "I am the vine-ye are the branches;” "Do this in remembrance of me." More than thrice did I hear a cock crow as loudly as that "which of old startled the penitent Peter." Standing near a hive devoted to those insects, whose name is synonymous with industry, I wondered if, in some unrecorded sermons, the Savior, who came so near exhausting rural imagery, did not make the bee his frequent text. Certainly, it suggested themes worthy of the lips of the holy speaker. It discoursed of faith in man, favorite topic of the tongue, most God-like trait of the character of Jesus. "The honey-bee that wanders all day long The field, the woodland, and the garden o'er, Seek only to draw forth the hidden sweet In the wide garden of Humanity; And, like the bee, if home the spoil we bear, Hived in our hearts, it turns to nectar there.” My mind was not occupied long with the details of the Fair. It soon rose to the moral of the whole scene. Looking over the array of goodly products of the earth, and the dense throng of sturdy kings of the soil, and fair queens of the dairy, I was moved to feelings of great gratitude to God, for his abundant supply of our temporal wants; for the wise providence of Him who has so ordered the affairs of this world, that seven-eighths of all civilized communities shall be devoted to agricultural pursuits--and for this grand annual festival, in honor of that religion, which preaches peace on earth and good will to men. First: I shall speak of gratitude for the earth and its fruits. If I had had an acquaintance, troubled by atheistic doubts, or one unable to believe in the goodness of God, I should have invited him to accompany me to the Fair Ground. Single proofs of design in the construction of the Universe, are not sufficient to give unto all minds a firm and broad foundation for faith; but when multiplied and accumulated, such |