Alexandria Gazette

POTOMAC.

PROFESSOR ESPY ABROAD.—We regret to learn that some mischievous persons having fired the prairie between this city and Fort Smith the fences and other valuable property of Maj. Elias Rector and William Quesenbury were consumed, causing them serious damage.

The extent of the drought in our country may be imagined when we relate that the flames rose with such rapidity as to threaten all before them. Professor Espy will be pleased to hear that a fine shower immediately followed, extending from West to East, and the long sultry season has been succeeded by a clouded and cool atmosphere.

Since the above was written we have been informed that a great extent of the prairies West of us have been consumed, and that we are indebted to the rains for the saving of many farms. We also feel gratified to bear witness to the professor's theory by adding that on last night (Friday) we were visited with a very heavy and continued shower of large drops—a real Summer rain—which has every appearance of being general, and continued to fall until 8 o'clock A.M. of that day.

This is the first considerable rain which we have had for nearly ten weeks; and vegetation has been literally parched up. According to a recent theory of Professor Espy, this rain should continue on the same latitude Eastward as far as the Atlantic Ocean. As we doubt not the fires have extended very far North and South in the prairies West of us, the rain ought to be general.

For the benefit of science we should be pleased to hear from the papers East of us, about the same latitude, touching the weather on this day.

—Arkansas Intelligencer.