latest news
The steamship Cambria arrived at Boston on Friday, the 18th inst., thirteen days from Liverpool. From the news by this arrival, we select the following brief items:--not very interesting, but better than none.
The man Henry, who lately attempted to shoot the King of France, has been tried and condemned to work in the galleys for life.--During his trial, he expressed a wish to be condemned to death, but the request was not granted.
The Bank of England has reduced its rate of interest to 3 per cent., whereby greater facilities are given to trade to counteract the depression likely to proceed from other causes.
The British ship America recently arrived from the coast of Mexico and Peru, liberally laden with specie, the amount whereof is stated atsix millions of dollars, which, in silver, would make nearly two hundred and fifty tons.
The Queen of Spain, Isabella, has decided to marry her cousin, the Duke de Cadiz; thus putting to rest a subject which has long agitated the circles of royalty in Europe.
Late news from the east furnishes the report that robberies and piracies are of hourly occurrence in the immediate vicinity of Hong Kong. An ordinance had been promulgated in China for the relief of debtors.
The Cambria brought 133 passengers, among whom were Hon. Washington Irving, our late minister to Spain, and the celebrated "Cruikshanks," the caricaturist.
The latest news from Mexico, and from our army, represent affairs in a most quaint and ludicrous light, with regard to the policy and movements of all parties. The average progress of the army of invasion appears to be about three miles a day, with no opposition, nor prospect of any; while the Mexicans are tame as bullfrogs, showing no disposition to either fight or run. Gen. Parades having got sick of his job, has suffered himself to be imprisoned at the approach of Santa Anna, who has returned and resumed the government without opposition. Mr. Polk having sent an embassy, virtually asking permission to "give it up," has been refused a hearing, unless he will first withdraw our troops from the Mexican territory; while the Mexican army appointed to combat and conquer Gen. Taylor, remains at ease and content at Mexico, calculating, probably, that the longer they wait, the less distance they will have to travel to encounter the Yankees. Whether our President will call off Gen. Taylor with the American troops, before they reach anywhere in particular, remains to be decided.
The trade to Santa Fe is said to be much greater this year than ever before. Thirty-nine companies of traders have gone out this season, taking with them four hundred and thirteen wagons, which are in the charge of about eighteen hundred men. The value of the goods carried out by these traders, is estimated at nearly a million of dollars.
A large mastiff dog picked up a favorite lap dog in the upper part of the city last week, and ran off with it. He was pursued by a mob, and after a severe chase, the terrified pet was recovered and brought back rejoicing.
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View larger imagehavana harbor
Our engraving represents a view of the harbor of Havana, which is one of the most commodious in the world, communicating with the sea by a channel little more than half a mile in length, and from 300 to 350 yards wide; its depth varying from eight to ten fathoms. The harbor itself is an oblong basin, surrounded by heights which usually shelter it from the wind.
Havana is a place of considerable strength, and, besides the walls and ditches which surround it, the city is defended by six strongholds, called the Moro, the Cobanas, No. 4, the Atares, the Principie and the Putna. The first and last serve to protect the entrance of the harbor, the second is a sort of citadel and the others are so placed as to cover the approaches by land. The line of fortification, embraces a sort of irregular polygon of an eliptical form, the greatest diameter of which is 2,100 yards, and the smallest 1,200 yards in extent. The entrance between the Moro and Putna, castles is about 1,500 yards long, and in its narrowest part 350 yards wide. In the arsenal of the Havana, there have been built 49 ships of the line, 22 frigates, 7 packet ships, 9 brigs of war, and 15 schooners of war.
The town is built on the western side of the basin, near the channel, on a kind of promontory. The suburbs, orbarrios esta muros, cover more ground and contain a larger population than the city itself, and yet they are so intimately connected with it, that the first of the houses in the suburban street, stands on the very edge of theglacis.
The streets are narrow, crooked, and generally unpaved, but they contain some well-built houses. There are, too, several good buildings among the churches, one of which contains the remains of Christopher Columbus. The other large edifices, as the Palace of the Government (shown to the right of the engraving,) that of the commandant of the marine, the arsenal, the post-office, and the building used for the manufacture of tobacco, are less remarkable for their architecture than for their solidity. Besides these, the city contains nine parish churches; six other churches, connected with hospitals and military orders; five chapels or hermitages; the Caza Cuna, a foundling hospital; and eleven convents, four for women, and seven for men. The other public establishments are the University, the colleges of San Carlos and San Francisco de Soles, the Botanic Garden, the Anatomical Museum and lecture rooms, the Academy of Painting and Design, a school of Navigation, and seventy-eight common schools for both sexes. These places of education are all under the protection of the Patriotic Society and the municipal authorities. The charitable institutions consist of theCaza de Beneficiencia, for both sexes, a penitentiary, a Magdalen Asylum, and seven hospitals--one of them contains a lunatic asylum. There are, besides, three theatres, an amphitheatre for bull fights,plaza de toros, and several public promenades, such as the Alameda and the Paseo Nuevo; In Turnbull's "Travels in Cuba," published by Longman & Co., London, 1840, the city is said to contain 3,671 houses within the walls, all built of stone; and in the suburbs, 7,968, of various materials. The number of private carriages for hire amounted, in 1827, to 2,651, and they are certainly now more numerous. In the same year, the population was 122,023--the whites were 46,621; the free negroes, 15,347; the free mulattoes, 8,215; the negro slaves, 22,830, and the mulatto slaves 1,010.
Turnbull, speaking of theReal Caza de Beneficencia, says: "Girls are not admitted to the institution after 10 years of age; and, being entirely supported there, they are completely separated from their parents and their families, until the time of their final removal from the establishment has arrived. They are taught the various branches of needle-work and dress-making, and receive such other instruction as may sufficiently qualify them for becoming domestic servants, housemaids, cooks or washerwomen. They are not suffered, by the regulations, to remain in the house after the age of twenty-one: but, before that time, it is the duty of thejunta, or committee of management, to endeavor to procure employment for them earlier in a private family or in some house of business. Should the circumstances of the parents have improved during the stay of their daughter at the institution, they are not suffered to take her away until they have paid her previous board and education at the rate of fifteen dollars a month; but if the girl herself has acquired property by inheritance, or is able to improve her condition by marriage or otherwise, independent of her parents, she is suffered to leave the house without any payment; and, in the event of her marriage to the satisfaction of the junta, a little dowry is provided for her, amounting to $500, from a fund created from prizes in the lottery, the produce of tickets presented to the institution. Six such marriages had taken place, and dowries bestowed from this fond in the course of a single year." This lottery business shows the spirit of gambling so largely developed in nations of Spanish descent. The Mexicans are noted for it, and Santa Ana, who spent his exile in Cuba, and recently sailed from Havana for Vera Cruz, indulged in the propensity to a great extent. But he had two strings to his bow, and whilst playing his fighting cocks was also playing for an empire, and has won the game. How long he will hold it remains to be seen.
humourous
A gentleman having put out a candle by accident one night, ordered his waiting man (who was a simple being) to light it again in the kitchen, adding--"But take care, James, that you do not hit yourself against anything in the dark." Mindful of the caution, James stretched out both arms at length before him, but unluckily, a door that stood half open, passed between his hands and struck him a woful blow upon the nose. "Golly gracious!" muttered he, when he recovered his senses a little, "I always heard that I had a very long nose, but I never thought it was longer than my arm!"
The American Sentinel, speaking of "Sol. Smith, the Lawyer, Actor, Preacher," &c,. remarks--"We want a few more of such men," To which a Dayton (Ala.) paper replies--"You'll not get them. There are none others like him. He is the first and last of his genus, asolitary specimen of a strange combination of character. Even in the physical way Sol. will be hard to match, for he is tall as a May-pole, and crooked as a pump-handle."
The True American says that when John C. Calhoun takes snuff, every man in South Carolina sneezes.
Recently at the Copper Mines on Lake Superior, a "greenhorn" asked some miners to show him where to dig; they offered to do it, provided he would treat to a quart of "prairie dew," which he did, and they set him to work under a shady tree, in mere sport. Before night he struck a "Lead," and the next sold out for $4000.
"Well, how are you this morning?" said one old rowdy to another.
"Well, sir, quite well--never was better; I'm another man, sir."
"Ah! Then who pays those old accounts of yourself that was?"
"Don't remind me of my sins, I'm reformed man. I was sinful in contracting such debts, and I must now atone for my error by not paying for them."
Yankee Hill is most outrageously puffed by some of the Albany papers. It is even insinuated that he is employed in part by a combination of tailors to cause the citizens to split their coats and other garments with laughing,--for the benefit of the trade.
Isaac Hill of the N. H. Patriot, concludes that the new tariff law is not seriously affecting the manufacturing interests, because he lately saw two loads of machinery going into the country. He must be a sage.
Some scoundrel has run away with the wife, children and furniture of a Mr. Reynold, residing in Allegany county, leaving nothing but an empty house with the rent unpaid. Really too bad.
wrong side up
The appearance of many things and circumstances, like the above cut, depends on the view we take of them: and be it remembered that when a man's head is inverted, to him all appearwrong side up. Hence arises most of the complaints, grumbling and murmurings, about the times, the weather, the government, the people, &c. To one who possesses, or is possessed of a malignant, peevish disposition himself, most of the conduct of others, and the times and circumstances in general, will to him appearwrong side up, and he will not infrequently find his own calculationsup side down. Could we at once, view each circumstance in all its different bearings, we should generally see some things that would paliate others, and thus render the whole at least tolerable: and most of the jarring and clashing in the world would thus be avoided. But by far the better way is to take of each and every thing a view the most favorable. This course is evidently peaceable, else politicians and sectarians could not so uniformly applaud every act of their favorite sect or party, and as uniformly oppose and deprecate those of their opponents. Every man who habituates himself to viewing things in the most favourable light, will find this course the most conducive to his own happiness, while it contributes much to that of his neighbors and associates. Look at the bright side of every thing, and hold every pictureright side up.
Dr. Franklin once received a very useful lesson from the excellent Dr. Cotton Mather, which he thus relates in a letter to his son:--"The last time I saw your father was in 1724. On taking my leave, he showed me a shorter way out of the house, by a narrow passage, which was crossed by a beam over head. We were still talking, and as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning towards him, he said hastily, "Stoop, stoop!" I did not understand him till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man who never missed an opportunity of giving instruction; and upon this he said to me: 'You are young and have the world before you.Learn to stoopas you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps.' This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me.
And I often think of it when I see pride mortified, and misfortune brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high."
"An ambassador" is defined as a man sent abroad to lie for the good of his country. To compensate them for the wear and tear of conscience, the country allows him a larger salary than any other subordinate they employ.
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(We had not intended to say any thing on the subject of the "Eureka" in this number, nor until the second number of the work should have been issued: but finding that a great degree of dissatisfaction exists in the minds even of those who are represented in that paper to be the supporters and conductors thereof; and having received an implied request for the insertion of the following communication, we would not refuse it, although we doubt whether the Eureka will ever reach its third number, whether its contents are subjected to public criticism or not.)
Mr. Editor:I had a little curiosity to hear what the press said of this periodical; but as yet I have not seen any notice, except the brief one in your columns. As a general rule, it is inexpedient for an association to publish a periodical. Instead of being an expression of the society, it almost unavoidably becomes the organ of a clique, and renders the patronage of an otherwise liberal organization subservient to private interest. In the columns of the "N. York Farmer" was first advocated the formation of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society. Among the first acts of this society was the issuing of an agricultural paper attwenty-five centsper annum. This was scattered over the whole country to the injury of those who had been pioneers in publishing agricultural papers. The Society could not sustain it without loss. It was sold to an individual on condition that he would publish the proceedings of the Society. The price was quadrupled. It was soon found that a periodical having a general circulation, could not devote much space to a local society, however noble and prosperous. Necessity led to the columns of the daily press, and to the issuing of a yearly volume of Transactions. This will be the result of every prosperous association. If the proceedings are worth publishing, the press will spread them over the whole face of the civilized world. A collection of the most important and well-digested papers in a yearly volume, is more in accordance with the dignity and usefulness of a national association. Besides the injustice done to other periodicals previously in existence, the association adds nothing to its reputation by the undertaking. There are three or four individuals at the American Institute who have a hankering for the control of a paper. It is very easy to see that the publishing of a weekly paper by the Institute would be a suicidal act. All the Institute has to do is to make its proceedings interesting, and the widest publicity will be given as a matter of course.
It was natural to suppose that with such an array of editors, editorial committee, and of associate professors, the "Eureka" would have done credit to the age, and claimed a rank, in point of literature, with other monthlies. But candor leads me to say, I do not recollect of having read a select journal with so many violations of correct writing. With the exception of two or three articles, the whole number abounds with school-boy violations of the English language. Redundancy and the want of appropriateness in the use of words are the most common errors. Circumlocution and want of precision are common; and in many sentences all these and other violations occur, rendering it almost impossible to guess at the meaning. Independent of "inflexiblyin advance" on the cover, the first sentence in the announcement on the first page is an instance of ambiguity and careless construction. In the first article, on the same page, are several sentences indicating the same carelessness. The article describing Hoe's cylinder press is a collection of badly-constructed sentences. If your limits permitted I would give a whole column of illustrations. The following sentences have so many faults I cannot Italicise. They may serve to exercise your juvenile readers.
"We intend to pursue the publication of the list hereafter, future and past; that is in our next number will appear those of August 20, and follow for one month; also the list fur one month prior to the 21st of June."
"A material or composition, of a very cheap character, has been invented, and hard, strong and compact as flint." "From this, streets of any grade may be formed, and in such a way as to entirely to secure a permanent and level surface to its proper grade and arch".
Three fourths of the sentences forming the article on Dr. Lewis' Railroad are very faulty.
"Hutching's Propeller. It consists of forming a set of oars, and by cams upon themselves, and a foundation-plate with cams to match, cause the oars to revolve of themselves, when the main wheel, composed of these oars, revolves."
"A patent is pending for the invention of a wheel, in which Mr. Wm. Hulme, of Paterson, N. J, has made an invention."
"Russ's Pavement, There is no doubt it will make a good road in comparison with our present streets, as far as surface goes; but we must confess our incredulity of the entire success of this plan. We do not like the ideal method of getting at the water-pipes, &c. of the city."
The Report on Rider's Iron Bridge is by another and different pen. I will pass by "protractedfrom beneath upwards," &c., and give a few more quotations.
"Inventors scarcely ever receive the compensation due their however distinguished merit, either pecuniary or laudatory. The originators or first conceivers of the most momentous plans of utility and comfort are oftenest the most grossly neglected and overlooked."
"Shortly after these details reached the U. States, by Professor S. F. B. Morse, of New York, who was at the time of the discovery residing in Paris."
"This committee give their services for the promotion of good to the cause of Invention and Science, without any consideration other than this."
"Almost all other branches of knowledge have their magazines and journals, and other means of diffusing information, so that in their departments hardly a desideratum is left to be supplied; while the Inventor, as such, has almost no channel through which he may legitimately appear before the public." "An editorial committee was accordingly appointed for the supervision of this department, and to whose inspection all matter of the journal, previous to publication, will be submitted."
All the previous articles have been descriptive. We now come to our argumentative, on Novelty in Inventions. The reasoning powers of the writer may be learned from the following:
"Thus we conclude that thenoveltyofan inventionconsists in making something 'useful to society,' and that in an original and novel way, so as to embody the great principle of invention." Or, as far as the writer has informed us, the novelty is the useful, the useful is the original and novel, and the original and novel are the great principle, and the great principle is the novelty or something else.
"We offer an explanation, not an apology for the want of a more full variety of scientific matter."
"Fisher's Magazine publishes a complete list, comprising the Railroads of the U. States, as far as they are completed, and as far as particulars are known."
"The French government has patronized an exploration of the island of Cyprus, for the purpose of exploring its architectural remains."
Under the head of "Editors' Table," I subjoin the principal and most important sentence:
"In this department we have but little room, and in this case it is, perhaps, well we have little, as it is seldom much in the way of articles for notice, are placed before an editorial corps before the appearance of the first number."
With the exception of three or four articles, the whole number is discreditable to The National Association of Inventors. A second number should not appear until the editors have had the benefit of at least one term in the preparatory school of Columbia College.
Sept. 15, 1846.
S. F.
A heron measuring over six feet from tip to tip of his wings, and nearly four feet from beak to toe, was lately captured in Whately, Mass. His beak was six inches in length.
The print works of East Greenwich, R. I. engaged in printing mousseline-de-laines, are preparing to close business and shut up.
Worthy of Attention.—"We wonder at the foolish practice of the Chinese, in the uncomfortable form and pressure of their shoes, while at the time, the construction of our own is often but little better. If shoes were made in the shape of our feet so as to exert an equal pressure on every part, corns and bunions would never exist."--[N. Y. Organ, Sept. 19, 1846.]
handThe above truthful and judicious remarks emanating from the able editors of the above valuable Journal, should strongly present itself to the minds of every person having an eye to the comforts of life. To those who have given a trial of the Superior Boots and Shoes manufactured withDick'sPatent Elastic Metallic Shanks, information would be needless; for they could not be induced to purchase elsewhere. But we would respectfully ask attention of the entire Boot and Shoe wearing community, to call at 109 Nassau street, being assured that it gives the proprietors great pleasure to impart every information for the ease and comfort of theunderstanding, and also with regard to their entirely new mode of taking the measurement of the foot, to give an equal pressure on every part.
handThispaper circulates in every State in the Union, and is seen principally by mechanics and manufacturers. Hence, it may be considered the best medium of advertising, for those who import or manufacture machinery, mechanics tools, or such wares and materials as are generally used by those classes. The few advertisements in this paper are regarded with much more attention than those in closely printed dailies.
Advertisements are inserted in this paper at the following rates:
TERMS:--CASH IN ADVANCE.
GENERAL AGENTSfor the scientific american.
LOCAL AGENTS
TRAVELLING AGENTS
V. D. David, John Stoughton, John Murray, Sylvester Dierfenorf.
CITY CARRIERS
Clark Selleck, Squire Selleck, Nathan Selleck.
Persons residing in the city or Brooklyn, can have the paper left at their residences regularly, by sending their address to the office, 128 Fulton st., 2nd floor.
GOLD PENS!!--In consequence of the increased facility afforded by machinery for the manufacture of my GOLD PENS, I am enabled to furnish them to the Trade, at a much less price than they have heretofore obtained them through my Agent.
Those purchasing direct of the manufacturer will have the double advantage of the lowest market price, and the privilege of returning those that are imperfect. In connection with the above, I am manufacturing the usual style of PENHOLDER, together with PENCIL. All orders thankfully received, and punctually attended to.
A. G. BAGLEY,
sept 25. 1*
189 Broadway. N. Y.
SHERWOOD'S MAGNETIC MACHINE,--Is warranted to be greatly superior to every other manufactured, by whatever imitations or pretensions foisted upon the public. No premium has ever been obtained over this machine at the American or any other Institute, as has been falsely represented. It imparts the magnetic forces more continuously, with less violence to the sensations of the patient, and with more permanent efficacy, than any other invented, while the cures it has actually effected are incomparably more numerous. It is compactly fitted, together withs it batteries, wires and other appliances in neat cases, of several sizes, and powers, at $10, $12, $14, and $16 each. Each case is accompanied with a Manual, (eighth edition, pp. 234, 8vo.) in the English or French language, according to order, containing specific direction for the new method of using the instrument, and which alone can render it effectual.
H. H. SHERWOOD, M.D.
102 Chambers st.
sept. 8
to2*
GENERAL PATENT AGENCY.--The subscriber has established an agency at his warehouse, 12 Platt street, New York, for the protection and general advancement of the rights and interests of Inventors and Patentees.
The objects of this agency are more particularly to aid and assist Inventors and Patentees in effecting sales of their inventions and of goods and wares made therewith--and also for the sale and transfer of Patent Rights.
Arrangements have been made with a lawyer familiar with the Patent Laws, who will attend to the legal branch of the business upon reasonable terms. Satisfactory references will be given. Applications may be made to the undersigned personally, or by letter, post paid.
SAMUEL C. HILLS
45-2dv6*
General Patent Agent.
NEATLY AND PROMPTLY EXECUTED AT theOffice of the Scientific American, 128 Fulton st, three doors from the Sun Office. Designs, DRAWINGS of all kinds for PATENTS, &c., also made, as above, at very low charges.
COPPER SMITH!--The subscriber takes this method of informing the public that he is manufacturing Copper Work of every description. Particular attention is given to making and repairing LOCOMOTIVE tubes. Those at a distance, can have any kind of work made to drawings, and may ascertain costs, &c., by addressing
L. R. Bailey
cor. of West and Franklin sts., N. Y.
N. B.--Work shipped to any part of the country.45to2dv18*
BLACK LEAD POTS!--The subscriber offers for sale, in lots to suit purchasers, a superior article of BLACK LEAD POTS, that can be used without annealing. The price is low, and founders are requested to make a trial.SAMUEL C. HILLS,
45to2ndv6Patent Agent, 12 Platt street.
SMITH'S CELEBRATED TORPEDO, OR VIBRATING ELECTRO MAGNETIC MACHINE--This instrument differs from those in ordinary use, by having a third connection with the battery, rendering them much more powerful and beneficial. As acurious Electrical Machine, they should be in the possession of every one, while their wonderful efficacy as a medical agent, renders them invaluable. They are used with extraordinary success, for the following maladies.
Rheumatism--Palsy, curvature of the Spine, Chronic Diseases, Tic-doloureaux, Paralysis, Tubercula of the brain, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, sick-headache.
Toothache--St Vitus dance, Epilepsy, Fevers, diseases of the eye, nose, antrum, throat, muscles, cholera, all diseases of the skin, face, &c.
Deafness--Loss of voice, Bronchitis, Hooping cough.
These machines are perfectly simple and conveniently managed. The whole apparatus is contained in a little box 8 inches long, by 4 wide and deep. They may easily be sent to any part of the United States. To be had at the office of the Scientific Americcan, 128 Fulton st, 2nd floor, (Sun building) where they may be seen IN OPERATION, at all times of the day and evening.
As Stanilaus Augustus, the last king of Poland, was a tool of Russia, and did not enjoy any consideration, the Polish grandees played him many tricks. Prince Radziwill came to court in a carriage drawn by six wild bears;--the horses of course, were extremely frightened; in consequence of which, some accidents happened. The king pointed out to the prince the impropriety of his conduct. Radziwill added, that the bears were not cross, as whip, gold, and patience can put in order every thing; He added also, that, sometimes the ace beats the king at cards, and paid liberally the damages. After some time, he gave a splendid party, to which he invited all the ambassadors, and all the leading personages in Poland, and displayed extraordinary luxury. The dancing was kept up in several drawing rooms. After the supper, he conducted a select parly to a separate apartment--where, to their astonishment, they found four girls of uncommon beauty, richly dressed, in company not with four gentlemen, but with four enormous bears!--which, after the first outbreak of music, began to dance with the girls all the figures of French quadrilles, with the utmost accuracy, and with as much ease as if they were highly educated gentlemen. At first the guests were alarmed; but, seeing the extra ordinary tameness of the beasts, struck with amazement, they seemed to have been pleased with this extraordinary sight. After the dance was over, their bear-ships conducted themselves with the utmost propriety, and, at a sign from the keeper, each of them made a bow to his lady, and withdrew to another room. For some time, nothing was talked of at Warsaw but that singular ball.
A lady, at a ball lately given in Calcutta, attracted the attention of all, and excited the jealousy of many, in consequence of the splendor and brilliancy which her diamonds shed upon her person and all around her. At length that curiosity which is the moving spring of woman's actions, could be no longer resisted by her female admirers, who at the close of the ball, instituted a rigid examination of the nature of those incomparable brilliants, when, to their astonishment, they found that they were no more or less than so many fire flies, which the envy of the ball-room had secured in gauze bags, and which as she moved about, fluttered, and thus threw out their varied brilliant hues.
The Odd Fellows procession to the dedication of their new Hall at Philadelphia, says our exchanges "came offon Thursday". We suppose the procession "came off" this way, as we saw a part of it passing through this city.
A young lady by the name of Emma D. Tower, sixteen years of age, has been missing from her parents and home in Providence, R. I., since the 11th. Her parents are distressed with anxiety to find or hear of her.
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curious arts
(By the particular request of a "Mechanic" in Cherryfield, Me.)--In this art the process is various according to the circumstances, and the ground on subjects to which it is applied. In painting common chairs, the ground is prepared by a coat of paint composed of ivory black and rose-pink,--equal quantities, ground in a mixture of equal parts of linseed oil, drying japan and spirits of turpentine.--When this is dry, the graining color, consisting of three parts of rose-pink with one of vermillion, ground in a mixture of oil, japan and spirits of turpentine, is applied with a common flat graining brush. Fancy boxes and cabinet furniture are painted by a different process, by which a better imitation is produced. The ground is prepared by one or more coats of white lead changed two or three shades with yellow ochre. When dry, a thin staining of burnt terra-de-sienna ground in water, containing a very little sugar or gumarabic is laid on the work, and while this continues moist and flowing, the graining is applied. The graining should consist of a mixture of black and rose pink, ground in the staining compound. This must be varnished when dry, with copal varnish. Some prefer, however, to grind the staining and graining in oil, diluted with spirits of turpentine. The learner must have some sample pieces of varnished rosewood before him when graining.
The substance called India Rubber, or Caoutchouc, was not known in Europe until the beginning of the eighteenth century. It was originally brought as a great curiosity from South America. Europeans continued ignorant of its origin until a deputation of the French Academicians undertook a voyage to South America in 1735, for the purpose of obtaining the correct admeasurement of a degree of the meridian. These philosophers did not confine their attention to the one great object of their pursuit, but among other interesting discoveries made themselves acquainted with that peculiar substance--caoutchouc. These Academicians discovered at Emeralds, in Brazil, trees called by the nativesheve, whence flowed a juice, which, when dried, proved to be what is called India Rubber. Thehevewas also found growing in Cayenne, and on the banks of the Amazon river. It has since been discovered that caoutchouc may be obtained from another species of tree growing in South America, calledjatropha elastica. If these trees are punctured, a milky juice flows out, which, on exposure to the air, thickens into a substance of a pure white color, having neither taste nor smell. The hue of the caoutchouc of commerce is black in consequence of the method employed in drying it. The usual manner of performing this operation is to spread a thin coating of the milky juice upon the moulds made of clay, and fashioned into a variety of figures. These are then dried by exposure to the heat of a smoke-fire: another layer is then spread over the first, and dried by the same means; and thus layer after layer is put on, until the whole is of the required thickness. While yet soft it will receive and retain any impression that may be given to if on the outside. When perfectly dry the clay within is broken into small fragments by percussion, and the pieces are drawn out through the aperture which is always left fur the purpose. The common bottle of India Rubber, therefore, consists of numerous layers of pure caoutchouc, alternating with as many layers of soot.
The natives of those parts of South America to which these trees are indigenous, convert the juice to a variety of purposes. They collect it chiefly in the rainy season, because, though it will exude at all times, it flows then most abundantly. Boots are made of it by the Indians, through which water cannot penetrate; and the inhabitants of Quito prepare a kind of cloth with it, which they apply to the same purposes as those for which oil-cloth or tarpaulin, it used here. This, no doubt, is similar to the cloth now prepared with this substance in America, the use of which yields so many important advantages.--Youths' Gazette.
The following letter has been on hand several weeks, but deferred on account of a constant press of matter by which the limited space in our former small sheet was crowded. Our respected correspondent has consented to excuse the delay.
Providence, ---- 1846.
Friend Porter: In January last, I addressed a few lines to you, asking information in regard to an article entitled Atmospheric Resistance, in the New York Mechanic, of December 11, 1841. In your answer, you say if the full surface is 30,000 square feet to each wing, (which makes 60,000 square feet,) only about half of one horse power would be required to sustain this weight, and I understand you, virtually to say, that they must be ten times as large, in order that the strength of one man be sufficient to work this and elevate himself together with the apparatus, if it were not too heavy. Now, this makes 600,000 square feet. This is rather more than 774 feet square: rather large sized wings. One would suppose that they might lift rather heavy, if they were very light, being 387 by 774 feet each. Now, to me this is entirely incomprehensible, and I should like an explanation, if this calculation is correct, how it is that an eagle which sometimes weighs nearly thirty pounds, can elevate himself, with so much ease, and even carry with him nearly his own weight, using a pair of wings, which if they were five feet long and two feet wide each, would make but twenty feet of surface. Thus, you will see, is no where in proportion to the weight even of the eagle alone, (which we will suppose to weigh twenty pounds,) that the wings bears to the 150 pounds, while on the other hand, it is near in proportion to the surface of the wings of a pidgeon and its weight. Nor can I comprehend why it would require so much power, the eagle though he exerts himself considerable in rising, no doubt, does not seem to use power any where in the proportion that you have thought would be required supposing the wings to be made in the same proportion to the 150 pounds that his wings are to his weight, his beats are not so quick but what they can be very easily counted.
By answering, you will much oblige,