The next inconsiderate interrogatory is, whether the rain will not be likely to fall again in the marshes which I propose to boil dry? To this objection let me reply, that my impressions conducted my mind to a conclusion, simple in itself, that the wonderful increase of population on the globe would compel man to convert useless tracts of land, untillable swamps and barren deserts, into yielding a subsistence for the multiplication of the human type. And the plan is to construct galvanic thermal batteries, for the rapid decomposition of water and moisture, in valleys and low lands now inaccessible. When the water is sufficiently vaporized to allow working-men, with spades in their hands and wisdom in their heads, to dig and construct large canals or channels for the flow of water, to draw away the moisture from bog and marshy environments, then, though rain will return to earth, it will not remain in the localities as before. These canals will then subserve commercial ends; they may be used to convey produce and other commodities to and from the now inhabitable and tillable districts. And on deserts the galvanic batteries may be used to augment the formation and fall of rain as already suggested.

Another scientific (?) objection is presented by a writer in the Tribune, bearing date April 20, 1853. The critic says: "The galvanic decomposition of the quantity

of water which annually falls on a single acre of land in this climate would require the consumption of about 20,000 tons of zinc; and there is not enough of zinc, nor even of iron, manufactured throughout the world, to decompose, in the same manner, the amount of rain which falls on a farm of 100 acres. But in the present case criticism is not necessary."

Than this, there surely cannot be a greater mistake founded upon misapprehension. The far-famed calcu lation of Dr. Dyonisius Lardner, that a steamship could only carry the quantity of coal requisite for a trip to England, and could not, therefore, serve the purposes of the transportation of goods and passengers, is certainly no less a failure of scientific information and decision. Let it be understood, however, that I do not propose the common galvanic battery for the ends contemplated. The principle I simply urged in order to beget faith in the practicability of the project; for I perceive a vastly different use of zinc and copper, with another composi tion not now known to scientific men, for the galvanic batteries which are adapted to the decomposition of water in marshes and stagnant localities. And yet, for the limited purposes of the rain-towers, the ordinary construction might temporarily serve, and without great

expense.

The third question put by the first objector refers to

the difficulty of securing an agreement among the inhabitants of any given place! This critic must be endowed with an extraordinary development of Cautiousness. The power to "borrow trouble" is surely very large and active in his head; for the objection. here anticipated is certainly grounded upon no other consideration. There will be but little trouble, among reasonable people, respecting the question of "the greatest good to the greatest number." The reader, desiring to be in truth a Harmonial Man, will readily reconcile the objections here urged to the wants and requirements of humanity.

PLAGIARISM.-CLAIRVOYANCE ILLUSTRATED.

In order to illustrate a few facts in my own history as a clairvoyant, I commence by quoting the following from the New York Tribune:

THE RIVAL RAIN-MAKERS.

Mr. Daniel Vaughan, of Covington, Ky., writes us that he published last October a circular (which he encloses) "On the Causes of Rain, and the possibility of modifying them by Art," which he distributed among the members of the "American Association for the Advancement of Science," and afterwards inserted in Buchanan's Journal of Man for last January. In December last a copy was given by a friend to Andrew Jackson Davis, then lecturing in Cincinnati, who promised to give it special consideration when next in a clairvoyant state. Here we introduce Mr. V. himself, thus continuing:

"A few days ago I received two numbers of The Hartford Times, containing four letters from A. J. Davis, in which he claims my theory as his own, and pretends to have arrived at a knowledge of it during one of his clairvoyant spells. Besides amalgamating my doctrine with his spiritualisms, embellishing them with his sublime jargon, and committing some notorious blunders in his attempts to alter my expressions, he pretends to quote from the writings of Humboldt a sentence which he copied, with scarcely any alteration, from my circular. I was informed to-day, by my friend Dr. Buchanan, that you noticed Mr. Davis' lectures, and promised to publish them in your able journal. Should you do so, I think it my duty to request that you will publish my Circular; and should you deem the whole

too long for insertion, you may omit the last page. I have been informed that you receive The Journal of Man. I refer you to another article of mine on the Causes of Rain and Storms, published in the February number (page 50); and this, perhaps, may be found suited to the character of your paper. By complying with my request, you will stop the progress of delusion, and enable your readers to form a proper estimate of 'Spiritualism' and its votaries. I am your sincere friend, DANIEL VAUGHAN."

We have not contemplated publishing Mr. Davis' Lectures on RainMaking, so that all necessity for inserting Mr. Vaughan's Circular is obviated. We do not feel much interest in the matter in its present shape; but, if either of the gentlemen above named will get up a good smart thunder-shower to order-say in Westchester Countyabout the time our potatoes most need it next summer, we'll be happy to contribute toward the expense, if not too high.

*

[Ed.

In accordance with my impressions, I three days subsequently wrote a rejoinder to the above, somewhat in self-defence-a proceeding to which I am almost wholly unaccustomed-giving the following explanatory state

ments:

"HORACE GREELEY, Esq.- Dear Sir: From an article in The Tribune of the 25th inst. over the signature of Daniel Vaughan, accusing me very frankly of plagiarizing from his 'Theory of the Causes of Rain, and the Possibility of Modifying them by Art,' I infer that we may reasonably look for 'more rain about these days,' but hope it will come unaccompanied with bor

*See New York Tribune bearing date March 25, 1853.