f the earth as a compact body of matter,
vast and inert; subject, indeed, to be upheaved and rent by volcanoes
and earthquakes, but as quite insensible to slight influences which
operate upon living beings and upon vegetation. This, however, is a
great mistake; and it may be interesting to refer to one or two facts,
which illustrate the wonderful effect of changes of the atmosphere upon
the soil, and upon the subterranean currents of the earth. The following
is from remarks by Mr. Denton, in a public address:

"But, as a proof of the sensibility of a soil drained four feet
deep, to atmospheric changes, I may mention, that my attention has
been, on more than one occasion, called to the circumstance that
drains have been observed to run, after a discontinuance of that
duty, without any fall of rain on the surface of the drained land;
and, upon reference to the barometer, it has been found that the
quicksilver has fallen whenever this has occurred. Mr. George
Beaumont, jun., who first afforded tangible evidence of this
extraordinary circumstance, has permitted me to read the following
extracts of his letter:

"'I can verify the case of the drains running without rain, during
a falling barometer, beyond all doubt.

"'The case I named to you last year of the barometer falling four
days consecutively, and with rapidity, was a peculiarly favorable
time for noticing it, as it occurred in a dry time, and the drains
could be seen distinctly. My man, on being questioned and cautioned
by me not to exaggerate, has declared the actual stream of water
issuing from one particular drain to be as thick as a
three-eighth-inch wire. All the drains ran--they did more than
drop--and ditches, which were previously dry, became quite wet,
with a perceptible stream of water; this gradually ceased with the
change in the density of the atmosphere, as shown by the barometer.

"'During last harvest, 1855, the men were cutting wheat, and on
getting near to a drain outlet, the ditch from the outlet downwards
was observed to be wet, and the drain was dripping. No rain fell in
sufficient quantity to enter the ground. The men drank of the water
while they were cutting the wheat. A few days after, it was dry
again. I have seen and noticed this phenomenon myself.'

"A correspondent of the _Agricultural Gazette