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MISCELLANY,
A CHAPTER OX TtCN(|RTERS-
There is nothing in this rapidly glowing country
Which attains maturity more quickly than its “boyit
andgirls.” Every thing in America proceeds on the
‘go-ahead’ system—our balloons rrac higher, our div
ing hells sink deeper, our steamboats run faster, burst
ultcncr and kill more people than those of any other
land under Heaven. Our men are •smarter’ and strong
er, onr women more beuuldul and fascinating, our peo
ple more intelligent, virtuous suJ happy, than in any
other country upon the face ol the globe. We are
the greatest, wisest, wealthiest arid most powerful na
tion of modern times. Our [’resident is lar superior
to any ruler whom ills world has h id liuce the days of
Solomon. All these results have been attained in an
incredibly short period of time, it iieing but as yester
day when the seed of that magnificent tree of empire
was planted, which now casts its brosd shades from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and irtvites the oppressed of all
climes to repose beneath its shelter.
Hut there is nothing, even in the forced luxuriance
of our American hot-bed, which can at all compare
with the miraculous gurwtb of 119 children of both sex
es, who seem to believe that a sense of duty to our
country requires them to become men and women as
Boon as possible, in order that the rapid progress of the
republic may not be retarded by the w ant of acasonable
reinforcements from the rising generation. It is sur
prising the facility with which our sons are converted
into young gentlemen, and our daughters into young
t idies, in ihisfavored land. The urchin, who, in Eng
land, would were a frock, ia here aimed in llte habili
menu of a mail, with a stiff slock, a very fierce collar,
nd a formidable cane to defend Inins If it necessary,
against other young gentlemen of eqoully sanguinary
dispositions. The young Indy, who, tn lands of slow
er progress, would be quietly pursuing her edusation.
has here entierly emerged fiotn the cbryanlia condition,
and bedecked in all the gay hues of the full grown but
terfly, is fluttering ab ut the gardens of lasbionable
life.
Compare Ihe American youngster with a hoy of bia
inches in any olliei pail of the wmld,—Hoys in gen
eral are well skilled in playing marbles, tops, kites,
and the like, snd there their knowledge stops. The
Atnercan lad is not only expert in the game, but he
knows the msteiials of which his toys are made, how
much they cost, and how to make u speculation with
them. These are not the only fie'uls of his knowledge,
lie soon advances into the deeper mysteries of busi
ness and trad;. He stands behind a counter and hag
gles with a customer by the hour fir the value of a
cent. He becomes learned in the price of corn and
potatoes. His parents point with pride to these proofs
of the bid's precocity, and enuliingly declare he will
make his own way in the world.
Young ladies advance in ad detent courses with e
qual rapidily. They have scarcely escaped from the
nursery, before, through the agency of fashionable
boarding-schools, they are transformed into little wo
men, never moving a foot or a linger except by rule,
never drawing a natural breath, but living entirely in
the'-high sentimental latitudes,” and in blissful ignor
ance of all that pertains to this lower sphere. At sev
enteen, or thereabouts, usually called “sweet seven
teen,” they become miracles of learning and science)
they have soared to the loftiest heights of astronomy,
fathomed all the depth of philosophy, umavelled all the
intricacies of mathematics ; while the learned languag
es are mere amusement and recrealion for their leisure
hours. Thus armed and equipped, they “graduate,”
and are prepared for the great purpose of lile—to daz
zle with Iheir erudition, and fascinate with their grac,
Bit admiring world.
This is all very charming, no doolrt, and proves that
we have arrived at a very high state of civilization, but
we must plead guilty to preferring the good old times
when “boys were boys,” and -‘girls were girls,” and
when youth was the season for enjoyment, and not ol
care and unnatural restraint. The spirit of Mammon
ha 9 long ago achieved such a mastery over the minds
of our countrymen, that we have Income proverbial
throughout the earth, for an inordinate and unceasing
pursuit of gain. Unbounded iodecd must he its influ
ence, when it transfatms ruddy, jsyous boys into pre
cocious merchants, taiuting with selfishness, the simple
nature of childhood, teic.iing it the crooked arts of
trade, and perverting it front lis original purity and
straighiforwardness. The triumph of insubordination;
of contempt of authority, and rash innovation upon
Venerabla institutions, have been the standing reproach
of oui country. Might not that stain be removed, if
boys were nut so soon permitlid to become men, but
taught by firm andjudiciouß parental discipline,to furm
habits of obedience and reverence for authority at home?
And, even the system offemale education, would it not
be productive of more beneficial results, if it partook
more of the character of domestic training, and were
not considered as finished at a period of life when it is
not mure than fairly commenced 1
Our country and our people will arrive soon enough
at their -manifest destiny,” and attain a more healthy
and permanent growth, by •‘making haste slowlt/.’’—
Richmond Republican.
Eugene Sue and the Unknown. —lt baa been the
custom, says the Parisian Journal ‘tea Debates, lot the
great novelist, notwithstanding his reputation as a man
of fashion, to spend much of his time in visiting the
garrets of the city, lelicvmg the poor, and at the some
moment gathering a knowledge of human nature. —
On a dark and sleety night last November, be was
standing in one of the most wretched holes in Paris,
tvheie a widow and her two children were lying in a
state of shocking destitution. They were without
bed. or covering or fire ; and tbe beauty of one of the
orphan children, a girl of some fifteen, addid interest
to the scene, Sue gave them some money, and left,
resolving tn call next day. He did call, and to his ut
ter astonishment, found the widow and her children
surrounded with all the comforts of lift)—fire on the
hearth, baskets of Bologna sausages in profusion, and
in fact every thing necessary to make home happy.-*
lu the midst of ibis scene of p elusion stood a slender
young man very handsomely dressed. He was the
ciuse of this sudden relief; the widow and her daugh
ter hlcst him with teare in their eyes. Eugone Sue
was much struck by this token of feeling in one so
young, brilliant snd gay. When the young fashiona
ble left he followed, determined to ascertain his resi
dence, and after much trouble saw him enter a carriage
near the Place Vendomc, and drive to the tlhasee d’
Antin- Bre followed, aaw the stranger enter the Hotel
of tbe Due dt K —. He waited for an boor for
hia reappearance, and at last saw a beautiful young
lady of high lank conic out of the hotel and enter ber
carriage. In that lady Sue recognized not only tbe
handsome dindv, hut the Princes* d'Otleant, ene of
the daughters ol Louis Philippe !
Makwio Frii with a Fines n.—- We can take any
freedom with a friend—it is with him wc obseive no
need of ceremony. This taking a friendly freedom
often means taking somebody bv the arm, and drag
ging him into a desperate scrape, because we reverence
him strove all other men. This standing on no cere
mony frequently implies silling below the salt at your
friend's board, and being wholly overlooked in the flat
tering attentions lavished upon a guest whom youi
friend cares never to see agsin. Theso things drily
happen in the beaten way of friendship. Dine with a
man who had selected you from the whole world as
hit own; who had eyes end chose you; who play*
Hamlet to your Horatio. He aits you down to a
friendly dinner, and gives you kis second beat port ;no
hock—no champagne. Dine again, when he would
not for the world you were absent, at he is detiious of
rnlerlsining an illustrious obscure whom he despises.
Too occupy no seat of honor, to be eure, on that occa
sion, but you are regaled with jrour friend’s heat ports,
aud invited lu deliver verdicts upon hi* champagne end
claret. You are comparatively certein of being well
treated when the entertainment is not got up on yoUT
own account—when you play a subordinate part in the
friendly comedy; although then if there happen to be
■ cold plate or a shabby bunch of grapes, you are tore
of getting it, because your friend can “l ike the liberty
with you,” he knows “you 1 don’t mind it.” We feel
bound to be punctual and conscientious with those sse
are indifferent about; while wa can afford at any time on
tbe frostiest night, to be an hour after our eppointment
with the aingte gentleman who occupies an apart
ment in eur heart'* cor*. With him we ean play any
prank tbst suite our humor, or suits our convenience.
We can fail to visit him when he expects us, if we
hev* to make a call upon an acquaintance; we ean I
have his letter nnaneweied for a week, if we h*v* note*
about nothing to reply to from unrespected correspon
danU* Tbe pledge one give* him Uan after dinner
promise to one's wife to be at home at eleven, which is
rigidly observed if nothing happens 10 tempt one to
break faith. It may he kept, or it may not be kept.—
We ate to he punctual—if we like.
AS I SOON SIN.
The views contained in the following notice of the
advantage which (his Territory possesses to the lar
mere over the great Valley of the Mississippi, are per
haps new to the public end should be widely circula
ted t
Wisconsin.— We published a few weeks since an
interesting letter from a correspondent in Bloomington,
Imva, which spoke in ery favorable terms of that fer
tile region. As we like all to have ‘fair play,’ we in
sert to-day a brief nonce of an enterprising and pleas
ant village in Wisconsin, which, we are assured by t
friend who has rectnlly visited it, is not overrated.
Wisconsin is represented to be Ihe most healthy and
pleasant country of all the -El Dorados’ of the West.
The winters are much milder than in the western and
northern part of New England, New York, and Penn
sylvania ; and, what is -if vastly more importance, en
tirely clear of those distressing and too frequently fatal
levels which many parts of Illinois, lowa, Missouri,
and other Western (States are subject to.
Another great advantage which the farmer and busi
ness man who settles in Wisconsin lias over those who
locate in the great Valley of Ihe Mississippi and its
tributary streams, is the increased price he can obtain
fur bis wheat and other produce over hia more south
western neighbors.
Being located on or neir the great Northern Lnkes
he has the entire i hoice ct either the New York, Bos
ton, or Canada markets, by which he can obtain from
twenty to fifty cents moie per bushel for his wheat than
is paid at Bloomington, Burlington, Naples, Peoria,
Peru, Springfield, Jacksonville, and other market towns
of lowa and southern Illinois.
Every rise in the price of grain (by the failure of
crojis, war, or other causes) in England, at once ena
blea the Canada grain-buyers to give more for grain on
the Noithern Cakes lhan can be obtained in the south
western Stales. Besides, all produce, such as flour,
wheat, beef, pork, laid, Ac., which has to pass through
the warm clnna'e of New CMeans to teach New York,
Boston, or other Eastern ma'kets. is depreciated in val
ue in contrast with that raised in Wisconsin and other
Northern portions of the Union, which reaches New
York and the other Eastern markets by the Northern
route.
To a farmer who has 500 or 1,000 bushels of wheat
to sell, 20 or 00 ern s diffeience pei bushel in price
makes a considerable itc-n in his income. If any one
doubts the above facts we cheerfully refer him to the
pi ice current of Milwaukie, Sheboygan, Chicago, De
troit, or Buffalo, in contrast with those places named
above, which are at too great a distance from the lake
trade to hive the advantage of the northern mule to
market. Many farmers towards the centre of Illinois
cart their wheat from 100 to 150 miles north to Chi
csgo to gain the advantage of the northern market.
Those in lowa of course are precluded by being still
located a greater distance from it.
Wisconsin is a more rolling and not so flat a coun
try as lowa and Illinois; hence more active streams,
and of course less cause for creating agues or malignant
and fatal fevers; lor, after all, without good health, bu
siness, if ever so good, will nut bring comfort.—Penn
sylvania paper.
The Village or Shebutoan, which is one of the
most beautiful and thriving towns in Wisconsin, is sit
uated on the west shore of Lake Michigan, at the
mouth of Sheboygan river, in Sheboygan county, Wis
consin Territory, and is fifty live miles north-east from
Milwaukie, and sixty five miles south from Green Bsy.
Sheboygan river is capable of being rendered, at a
comparatively small expense, one of the best harbors
Upon the Western Lakes, end is without any improve
ment accessible to a large number of the sail craft nav
igating Lake Michigan. Near the mouth of the river
is a pier extending into the lake some eight hundred
feet, at which the largest sized steamboats stop to land
freight and passengers. There is a good road from
Sheboygan to Fond-du-Lac, at the head of Lake Win
nebago, a distance of thirty-five miles from Lake Mich
igan, and an appropriation of $3,000, voted at the last
session of Congress, is now being expended in the fur
ther improvement of this road, intersecting which are
other roads leading to Madison, Fort Winnebago, Por
tage, Ceresco, Green Lake, Green Bay, SiockbriJge,
aud all other parts of the Territory.
The surface of the land of Sheboygan and Fond-dn-
Lac counties is slightly rolling, the soil is rich and ad
mirably adapted to farming purposes. The timber con
sists of sugar-maple, beech, oak, walnut, and a small
proportion of pine, and is interspersed with beautiful
prairies and ‘openings.’ The water is pure, and the
streams all have an active current. The climate is
similar to that of western New York, hut is somewhat
milder. The difference of latitude between Buffalo and
Sheboygan being about three-fourths of one degree,
while the difference of longitude is vastly in favor of
W isc on sin .
These counties are entirely free from the ‘ague’ and
other fevers to which ao great a portion of the Western
country is subject, and they are rapidly being settled
by enlerpriaing fanners from New Yoik and the New
England States.
Abundance of good land (combining timber, water,
Ac.,) can yet be obtained there however, at Govern
ment price, ($1,25 per acre,) which ia not the case ia
the more seuthern portion of the Territory ; and per
sons seeking anew home in the West will find it very
much to their advantage to land at Sheboygan, and
look at the surrounding country before going elsewhere,
as. if Ihey are not pleased with the soil and climate,
facilities wilt he aflordid them foi gelling to other por
tions of Wisconsin—this being the most central lend
ing in the Territory. —Sheboygan Gazette.
From the Almanack of the Month — London.
Finns-a-linaks’ Phrasis. —Penny a-liners are a
eluas of people so called because they are paid tbree
haltpence a line, not for wbat they write, but for so
much of what they write m the editors of newspapers
ehooae to insert. Their meals are accidents, their board
and lodging offences, and their clothes are generally
got out of the fire. These gentlemen hove a phrase
ology exclusively their own. The lerms most in use
are printed in the following phrase book for the use of
peiaona who read newspapers and are pinzlud some
times to understand them,
Itcvouring Element means fire; as, ‘The dsvourng
elements now fishing to Ihe monument a* if in anger,
now round as if in spurt, goon razed it to the ground.’
However, the •devouring element’ is not applied to the
fire, coal, or coke, or efate, or brick, which burns in the
grate. Penny-a-liners do reef say ‘The leg of mutton
waa roasted in no time by the scorching intensity of
the devouring element of the kitchen.’
Electric Fluid is another word for lightning; as,
speaking of the fig-tree in Fig-tree court, a penny-a
lioer would tay, •The electric fluid struck the ill fated
tree on its topmost branch, and running down it with
unusual celerity, levelled it with its mother earth.’
A lore easily conceived than described,—' ’Phi* is an
elegant termination to a difficult sentence, common to
novelists, and their unhappy brothers Penny-a-lmers.
Speaking of a gentleman who had been ca'ing two
shillings’ worth of ptstry, and could not pay for them
because hia pocket had been picked, it is uaual to say,
•When Mr. Alfred Spooney pul bis band into bis pock
et, and, diving into its recesses, found he bad not a
penny, his feelings can be more easily conceived than
described.’ This last phrase, it will be seen, though
rather lengthy, saves a deal of embarrassing descrip
tion.
A Monster in the Human Form.— This monster m
general is a boy who has broken a window, or given
a runaway a knock. Any little event ia sure to be
fathered on a •moviater.’ We recollect that Jones,
when he was discovered in the <4ueen’s palace, was
described as ‘a monster in the human form.’ A police
office it • great mart for ‘monsters,’ and Newgate inva
riably conlains one. •Monsters’ abounded moat at the
time that the Rpyal Exchange and Houses of Parlia
ment were burnt down. A ‘monster’ was supposed to
be running about England -in human fo-m,’ burning
everything. The term, in fact, is always uted when
the author of accidents hut not been discovered. We
will be bound that, if the Thame* ia ever set on lire,
it wilt be described at being the woik of some ‘mon
ster in human form.’
A Miscreant differs very little from the •monster,'—
. Perhaps he is • shade worse; for instance, any body
who strikes a policeman ia merely • ‘monster,’ but if
he ttiiken a woman he ia a •miscreant.’ A mania on
ly a •monster’ when lie deserts his wife; but if he
leaves three children chargeable on the parish, or takes
away with him the kayos the tea-caddy, then he ia
nothing but a ‘miscreant.’
Vital Spark is tenancy as often a* there is an acci-
*
dent. In the report of a murder there Is always a (vital
spark’ brought in. If the ‘History of England’ were
ever to he written by a penny-e-liner, he would describe
all the accidents and murders in Ihe regular reporters’
phraseology. ‘The body of Ruth was found, at two
p. m., in the depths of the forest, when a medical man
was immediately sent for. The restoialivee used in
such cases were speedily applied, hut it was found that
the ‘Vital spark’ had fled. The King ia suppoard to
have (alien into the hands of some ‘monster in human
form.’ ’
Launched into Eternity Isa favorite expression that
is always coupled with si) cxeculion. It means that
a person is hung. TM term is only applied to human
beings.
From the New York Courier A Enqtlirer.
Etchings of a Whaling Cruise, with Notes of 3<tfnurn
on the Island of Zanzibar, to which is appended a
brief History of the Whale Fishery. Ity J. Russ
Browne. Harper & Hruthers.
We have read this hook with a great deal of inter
est ; with much that is new and instructive, it has [
nrvhing dry or common place about it. The author j
makes no pretensions to author-hip, and so he never |
gets upon stilts—hut writes always currente calamo.
in a free, off hand style, and with a thorough and un
failing spirit of life and vigor. His loading motive in
writing the book, was to set forth the actual life of
seamen on hoard our whaling vessels, —its hard-hips
cruelties and oppressions,—to do fjr that branch of
sea service what Dana in his “Two \ ears belore the
Mast” did, so effectually and so well, for the merchant
service. In his preface heslatesthe startling fact that,
while the progress of morality, humanity and ordei in
the merchant service is marked and steady, there is an
equally marked increase of crime in Ihe whale fishery:
and the reason of this he believes to be found m the
small degree of attention the subject has hitherto ex
cited. He gives, tberefore, an accurate and yet most
vivid picture of ihe manner ot life which these whale
men lead ; and certainly its sufferings, its extortions,
is inflictions of cruelty and the insolence and brutali
ty to which they are subjected, are enough to enlist the
attention and the efforts of philanthropists everywhere.
Mr Browne sets all this before the reader, in sketches
of the daily incidents and actual occurrences on board
a whaling ship, with a vigor and anility seldom equal
led. !h his narrative each of hi> fellow sailors has a
character as distinct end well defined as that of any
character in a first rate novel; arid it is admirably re
served froot the beginning to the end. There is
a hearty humor in the book, which, though occasional
ly it runs into coarseness, is always genuine and genial.
One of the very best characieis in Ihe narrative is that
of Barry McF—, a ‘down-easier,’ from Maine, who is
described as a gawky youth of nineteen, of unruffled
good humor and an irresistible aw kwardness and wit.
Some of ihe scene g of which he was the hero, are ex
ceedingly ludicrous. One of the best is the account ol
the hull fight in Ihe Comoro Islands, —in an arena
surrounded by vculls with steps of stone leading down
to the centre. Mack had taken his seat at the top of
the steps, where he could at once have a good view and
enjoy a comfortable degree of personal security.
“ He seemed highly edified with the sport, and oc
casionally gave vent to his satisfaction by shouts of
lauglUet and cries of ‘well done, old critter! Look out
you darned niggers, or you’ll get slock ! My gosh!
j ain’t he savage now I’ Mark wore a red shirt, which
now and then attracted the attention of the worried
animal. The natives having wrought it to a state of
madne-s, began to show signs of fear, and made their
escape through a small apperlure in the wall. Mack
rolled up hts sleeves, end let his courage boil over in
j the most warlike strain. Squiring himself in a pugil
j istic attitude, he shouied at the top of his voice, ‘Come
i on, if you want a lickin’! I'll give you a Yankee touch,
old feller! I'll ornament your ugly picter with a pair
of black eyes I Come on, sir! come on !’
‘The infuriated bull, not at all relishing (he insults
of the man with the red shirt, turned short round and
made for the steps. ‘Come on 1’ roared Mack; ‘come
up here, you blamed ugly looking critter! Darn your
orful visage. I’ll show you a thing or two! I ll spoil
your nose for you ! I’ll do you bodily damage !’—
Snorting and pawing the ground with rage, the bull
bellowed and shook his horns, but seemed rather dubi
ous about attacking a lire Yankee. Mack capered
about ilka 3 madman, and made sundry scientific pass
es within a few feel of the arnmal’a head, to the great
: amusement of the natives, who cheered and roared
1 with laughter. Why don’t you lay into me!’ said
| Mack, kicking at him. ‘ Don’t you sarey my lingo,
I you bloody Arab V At this theie was such an oproai
lhat the bull, driven to desperation, rushed madly up
the steps, bellowing frightfully, ‘Don’t you come so
| nigh I’ roared Mack, retreating a little, and stretching
forth his long, bony arms, and clenched fists. ‘Don’t
you come here, I say ! don't you ! don't you /’
••The last words were scarcely out of bis mouth,
when th furious animal had mounted the abutment.
Fearing that the battle might not be fairly conducted
in so dangerous a situation. Mack suddenly turned to
run, and yelling at the top of his voice, ‘Hold ore, darn
you! Don’t you corne here! don't you !’ he attemp
ted lo escape. The ball assisted bis progress, by pick
ing him up by the nether extremities and pitching him
headlong over into the arena. -Ob gosh t oh gosh !’
’ groaned Mack, floundering about on the ground like a
; gigged dolphin, and endeavoring to get away before
j anothersuch onset: *ob jiminy gosh ! I'm spoilt! I’m
dead as a whistle!’ Home of the natives rushed in at
this critical juncture and rescued him from the further
violence of his rough adversary.
•• Wc were all enjoying a hearty laugh at Mack's
expense when be caine limping up to where we stood,
1 robbing his bones and looking lather used op after bis
encounter. Unable to reaiel our cachinalions, be join
ed in the laugh and asked us what was the fun. ‘Why,’
said some of the crew, ‘ain’t you dead yell’ ‘Dead !’
cried Mack ; ‘not yet —I ain’t. I’ve only been takin’
a horn. Dead, indeed ! why, ain't I the man wot fit
1 the bull t Ain’t I the man wot pushed the bull off
| the bridge /’ ”
The book is frrll of ludicrous incidents like this—
intermingled with pathetic sketches, vivid descriptions
and the reflections of a clear and vigmoua common
sense. Very instructive aecounls are given of Zinzi- j
bar, Madagascar, and other regions visited during the 1
cruise, and in an appendix ihe author has presented a
history of ibe Whale Fishery, with an account of ils
present condition, compiled from the most reliable
sources.
EXPLOSIVE COTTON,
The following min Wand interesting aceoant of the
discovery recently made in Germany, by which, it is
declared, law cotton is rendered moie poweifully ex- !
plosive than gunpowder, is copied from a lellet pub
lished in the W ashington Union, from the pen of its
European correspondent, under date of
FrANKFORT-ON-THE-MaINI,
September 30, 1846.
One of the most wonderful scientific discoveries of
modern times has been exploited here and at Basle, in
Switzerland, within the laai few weeks. Professors
Baltger of Ihe firmer place, and Scbonbein of the lat
ter, simultaneously, by a similar course of experiment
ing. have invented a method of preparing raw cotton
which will undoubtedly eventuate in Ihe discontinu
ance of the use of gunpowder! The article which they
prepare has been submitted to many seveieordeals, and
its vast superiority for all eaploaive purposes, over gun
powder, is acknowledged by Ihe first chemists and mil
itary officers in Germany. I can scarcely believe rriy
own sense* when I witness an exhibition of its extra
ordinary properties.
Upon my arrivat in this city I was invitrd by a
friend, a distinguished member of ibe German Diet, to
dine with him, and not declining his hospitality, t met
with and waa presented to Professor Baltger, who it ia
but proper to remark, ia distinguished fur hie attain
ments, and who has charge of Ihe public laboratory as
s chemical lecturer. Before the separation of the par
ty, Profcaaor B. look fiom each of hi* waistcoat pock
ets a paper containing some raw cotton; a small por
tion of that which was in onto he placed upon a sheet
of while paper,and near it some gunpowder upon anoth
er sheet. He touched them at the same moment with
the burning end of a cigar, and with the quickness of
the lightning's blast, the cotton waa consumed without
smoke or odor or aahet, or even the slightest stain up
on tha snow white sheet ol foolscap while Ihe ignition
of the gunpowder seemed to be slow, allhough of the
beat quahiy.by which the paper was burnt and colored,
and Ihe room filled with smoke. He then look a sin Ml
quantuy of gunpowder and placing it upon paper, en
liiely covered it with prepared cotton from the other
paper. Touching ibe cotton with the blaze of a match,
it exploded without burning the gunpowder! .Subse
quently, at my apartment*, ha exploded cotton upon
the palm of my band, without my feeling tbe sentation
of heat, such was the remark Alo rapiJity of its igni
ting.
A short time, it is stated hv the inventors, is only re
quired for the preparation of the article, and the pro
cess is so exceedingly simple that it can be inanufac
tuied by common laborers, and without any danger
whatever of combustion. It can be fit for use in a few
hours after the cotton is taken from the bale, and with
out the aid of machinery ; and it may be thoroughly
saturated with water without affecting its properties in
juriously. As soon as re-dried, it is again fit for use.
There is nothing to apprehend from its sponta
neous combustion, nor will it ignite by friction in its
transportation, or in the loading of fire-atins. or be
come inflamed under a temperature of 2l)U° Ulesius.
It will catch fire eitliei from a blaZe or a spark.
The fact has been ascertained from repealed experi
ments, that the forty-eighth part of an ounce of the
prepared cotton will propel a bullet from an American
ritle as far and as fast as the twelfth part of an ounce
of gunpowder. The sixteenth part of an otince will
drive a three quarter ounce ball a distance of sixteen
bum’.red paces! Moreover, the barrel naver requires
cleaning, forty shots without Intermission have hten
made, and without any perceptible accumulation of
filth, while the gun was throughout entirely free from
heat. In firing a!) pounder, the result was the same
in this respect. The experiments in blasting rocks
with prepared cotton have also been eminently suc
cessful. At Basic a large block of granite, measuring
210 cubic feet, was blown up by four ounces, which
could not have been effected with less than two pounds
of superior gunpowder.
Last week the power of the article was tested at a
meeting of the “ British Scientific Association”—an
association composed of the most profuundlv learned
individuals in Europe—and they rveru amazed wiib
what was accomplished. Sir J. Ilcrschcl took occa
sion to remark, Professor Schonbetn being present,
that “the discovery in (be next generation might arm
nnrikind with the wildest powers. The inventor was
a Titan who could tear up the rocks, and almost call
and >wn the lightnings.”
I understand that 135 lbs. of cotton in thb state in
which it is found in the hale, when properly prepared,
will weigh 165 lbs., and that even here, where the
staple is much dearer than in ihe United Slates, the
article will cost considerably less than gunpowder.—
What the other materials are u-cd in the m mulaclure,
will of course remain a secret until patents are secured
among the various nations. One lias already been ta
ken out for Great Britain ; and the Stales of the Ger
manic confederation have, through the Diet, consented
to give 100,000 florins merely for the right of preparing
it for Ihe army, provided a commission, which has been
instituted to test it in every conceivable way, shall re
port favotably. This experiment will be made at May
ence in a few days.
The proportion of the ingredients in gunpowder ne
cessarily vary to a considerable degree ; but that of
good quality may be composed of 76 parts of nitre, 15
of charcoal, and 9of sulphur. So that e are depend
uni upon foreign Countries for eighty fire hundredths
of the material used in the manufacture of all the
gunpowder we consume /—a fact w hich is not gener
ally nor sufficiently known by our countrymen. By
the vigilance of that sterling patriot and faithful offi
cer, Col. Talcott. of the Ordnance Department, who,
year after year, acting upon the principle “in peace
prepare for war,” has been accumulating a stock of salt
pel re, we are happily prepared with an abundance of
the material to carry as through a long and ardaous
contest, should we ever be involved in one, with sny
nation. But with tfce recent improvement, our depend
ence upon the remainder of the wcnld Ceases for the
articles essential to the defence or to the prosecution
of hostilities; while the dependence of other powers
and states upon us increase in the same ratio. More
over, the increased production of our chief staple, and
the consequent diminution in value, has, for the last
few years, scarcely afforded remunerating prices to our
planters. Should the prepared cotton supersede gun
powder entirely, anew market will be cieated for any
redundancy of yield,and an absolute consumption occur
Two or three hundted thousand bales, at a moderate
calculation, will be burnt up annually. Mr. Grove, a
celebrated chemist of England, commenting upon the
impoitance of the discovery, says: “It is necessary to
mix a combustible substance with another substance
which will bring forth a sufficient quantity of oxygen
to catch fire, whereby, under a certain temperature,
the whole will explode These two substances are con
tained in the gunpowder; but even in the best of this
article that is manufactured, a part of it remains after
eiplmi.m, on which occount fire-arms require cleaning
after being discharged of their contents. The inven
tion of Professor Schonbein is without this fault, while
the power of its explosion is twice as great as that of
gunpowder.”
DOMESTIC.
From the Charleston Evening Melos. J
THE COTTON CROP,
As there is at present a great diversity of opinion
respecting the probable receipts of Colton at the ports
in the ensuing season, and also what may be consider
ed a fair average trap, we give you below a statement
of the growth and receipt of Cotton for the past seven
years—from an average of which we have based our
calculation that the receipts of Cotton up to 31st of
August, ’47, will nrot exceed 1,775,000 bales.
The statement is as follows —say
The growth of ’39 received in ‘4O.
New Orleans, ... 960 000
Mobile, .... 446.000
Florida, .... 133,000
Atlantic, • a 635,00*0
Total as per N. Y. statement. 2,174,000ti.-2,174000
The growth of ‘4O received in ’4l.
New Orleans, - - 912 000
Mobile, - • • 318 000
Florida, . a a 90,000
Atlantic, •> • v 400.000
Total a* per N. Y. statement 1.620.000 b. 1,620,6*00
The growth of'4l teceived in ’42.
New Orleans, - - 728,000
Mobile, - - v 818 000
Florida, a . a 107 000
Atlantic, . . a 620,000
Total as per N. Y. statement 1,673,000 b. 1,073,000
The growth of ‘42 received in 43.
New Orleans, -a 1.060,000
Mobile, a 482000
Florida, a . a 160,000
Atlantic, a a 672,000
Total as per N. Y. shipment, 2,374,000 b.
Assumed lor Texas. . 30,000—2,464,800
The growth of’42 received in ’44.
New Orleans, . • 832.000
Mobile, .... 468 000
Florida, . a . . 116.000
Atlantic, . . a a 582,000
Total as per N. Y. statement, 2,028,000 b.
Assumed fur Texas. 40,000 — 2,668,000
The growth of ‘44 received in ’4&.
New Orleans, a . 938,000
Mobile, • • a a 618,000
Florid*, a . a 188.000
Atlantic, a a a 760,000
Total as p*r N Y. statement 2,394.000 b.
Assumed for Teiss, 60,000—2,444,000
The growth ol ‘45 received in ‘46.
New Orleans, • - 1,037,150
Mobile, • • a 422.000
Florida, a a a a 141,150
| Atlantic, .... 473.200
j Tax at, a a a a 27,000’
• Total is per N. V .statement 2,100,600 b.-2,100,600
- i in
The aggregate for seven years, 14,483,500 i
One-seventh of which amount we will
take for an average—say 2,070,000 !
And we Will ado for supposed increased
culture, over two per ceut per annum, • 66,000
Gives us at the average crop, 2,120,000
But for round'numbera we will put down
Ibo estimated average at 2,200,000
On reference to the particulars of Atlantic receipts,
it will be found that the total for seven years amounts
<o 4,032,000
One-seventh of which will give 676,000
so that this amount may b fairly considered the full
average product for the Atlantic section, particularly
as it is acknowledged (hat inatead of any increase of
culture m this region, thero has positively been a de
crease.
But as we wish to bo liberal, and have no desire to
mislead, we will conceje the fair average product of
tins region. 600,000
Which leaves as the average product for the Gulf,
(Florida and Texas included,) the figure
of 1,544,000. llut we will be liberal a
gain, and place the latter average at—
-1.600,000
From which deduct what is con
sidered a low estimate of the
injury done—say 25 per cent. 400,000-1,200,000
Leaving for the maximum receipts for ’46
and'47, 1,800,000
Willi all due deference to the opinion of othets, who
perhaps may be possessed of more reliable information,
we feel much confidence in making the fullowtng es
timate. It ia founded on information which we have
obtained, and which wo consider honesl and candid.—
We therefore estimate that the receipts will not exceed
the amount
At Atlantic porta, - * 600,000
New Orleans and Texas, - • 725.000
Mobile, 325.000
Florida, s 125.000
j-1,775,000
The above estimate sos New Orleans is based on the
point that there has not been a decrease in the culture
of (Jetton in Louisiana, during the past year, But
Mr. Hemy of Mobil , in Ins Circular, asserts on the
most rebdhle authority that labour sufficient for the
production of lUO.OOt] bales Os Colton has been this
year diverted to the culture of Sugar. If such is the
case, and wc have Underrated the injury done to the
crops in that section, (which would not surprise tls,)
some of our friends will ones be right in regard to
the staple, and sec the figure of I2J cents opposite the
quotation of •• Fair.” OBSERVER;
Charleston, October 58, 1846.
* We very much doubt the increase iff tile Ctilthre
of Cotton equal to two per cent per annum, in the last
seven years.
j- Ijinie too email a quantity for consumption, if any
portion is to be used in lieu ofGunpowder,
Correspondence of the Savannah Republican.
COLUMBUS, OCT. 28. 1846.
Centl'men .- When I was in Savannah last month.
I promised you that I would address you whenever 1
had any thing of importance to communicate, touch
ing the Muscogoe Hailroad. 1 was so much discour
aged at my want of success in negotiating with Ihe
Macon and Western Hailroad, and the Central Kail
road. for encouragement to the enterprise, that I made
but little effort when I was in New York, to eflecl any
thing beneficial. But 1 am most happy to say, that
since my return here, I find every man in this com
munity ready to do his duty in Ihe premises, and a
spiiit of enthusiasm prevailing, which will carry the
work through with as rfruth certainty as atly tuture
event can he reckoned upon. 1 consider the question
of builJmg a road to connect Columbus with the At
lantic, as settled. Whether we shall connect with At
lanta, Barnesville, or Macon, remains to be determin
ed, and will depend mainly upon youi people. If Sa
vannah will lend us the strength which She has to
spare, Only so far as a comprehensive View of her in
terest Wilt dictate, we shall finish (tie Itoad in lime to
throw into her lap, seventy-five thousand equate bales
of Colton, of the Crop of 1848, made in Western
Georgia, and Eastern Alabama. This will be only the
commencement of anew trade that will continue to
increase until we shall double it, and that too Within
five years after the Koad shall have gone into opera
tion. This you may rely upon—it is no idle thought
of a visionary mmd, but is a conclusion drawn from
an accurate knowledge of out resources and true in
terests, and will most assuredly be verified if the peace
of the world should be undisturbed, rival roads should
not spring up to divert the course of trade, and the af
fairs of the Koad should be administered with wisdom,
economy and forecast. A crisis in the affairs of Sa
vannah is at hand, and it is lime for her citizens to
arouse themselves to secute the prize which She has
tang so noblv and so zealously contended for. The
trade of the Gulf of Mexico is now within her reach,
and she need add but one more dollar to each six that
she lias expended, to reach the goal which ahe slatted
for, under the auspices of her honorable, highminded,
energetic and untiring GoanoN. Will she fail in the
eleventh hour 1 Will .-he faulter when she has but
one more bound to makel I will conclude by the
assurance that we are determined to have a wedding
between the Gulf and the Atlantic, and shall under
take to make the match through Savannah if we can,
or through Charleston if we must.
Your*, J. G. WINTER.
It is said, that the Mr. Myers connected with the
late tragedy at Richmond, is worth $500,000, and that
Mr. Hoyt was worib $150,000, which he had made in
selling lottery tickets.
Luckt Ttpo.—Capt. dames M. ScoficlJ, Editor of
the New London Morning Mtar, has recently become
sole heir, by the death of a bachelor uncle, to an estate
in the northern part of Scotland, said to he worth XT
-80.000.
The crop of Tndian Corn in the West, for 1846, will
be more than 5000,000,000 of fuishels. ‘i he Crop of
Wheat will exceed 140.000.000 of bushels, which
Would produce equal to 28,000,000 barrels of flour.
Psfsxvt To lira. T*tloh.—A splendid silver
pitcher, costing S2OO, has been manufactured in Phil
adelphia for several citizens of Louisville, who purpose
presenting it to Gen. Tayler.
GOVERNMENT SHINPLASTER.—The Polk
and Walker Administration has signalized itself by its
furious war against paper money, and ils zeal for an
exclusive metallic correnry. One of ns most recent
demonstrations rn favor of the latter, has nraile its ap
pearance in s t. Louis, in the shape of the following
Government Shinplaster:
j An. d34lv ‘War War: ant, JYo, 4134.
8-69 ITufS. Tri •anury of the United SlHien,
VV'Mfdimgton, vMlli April, 1846.
At |v to Edwards & France, or order.
SIXTY CENTS.
W. Sf.i.rfn.
Treasurer of the U. ff.
N0.22tf1. Registered 2hh April, 1836. ..ss—• OO CIS.
11. H. Gillet.
Register ol Treasury.
Itank of Missouri, nt St. Louis Mo.
What a conclusive evidence of the hypocrisy es
Lufocoism I— N. O. Tropic.
orounTT PEAS.
The Albany (tieo.) Patriot of 28lh hit. saygr—A
gentleman residing near this place, mfuims us that he
lias dbg and measured a sufficient quantity of his
Ground Peas to ascertain that they will average one
hundred and five bushels to the acre I Thelind plant
ed is ordinary pino lurid, on which was put s little ma
nure. The labor bestowed was not more than would
be necessary to pftint ind lend the same ground m
cotton.
The nutritious ryialities of the Ground Pea ar gen
erally known. They are said, by those who have
inde the experiment, to be superior to corn for fatten
ing hogs, and for that purpose they are raised and fed
with less trouble than any other crop. They need not
he gathered, but will remain good in the ground until
Match or April.-—During six months, from the first of
Ociobfer to the first of April, hogs may be turned into
a field of ground peas and’ kept as lat as though they
hail free access to a crib of Corn. What farmer in ,
Georgia will hereafter buy Western pork 1 •
Hole to do it.— The ladtes are very fond of keeping
the door knobs, spoons, plate, &c„ in brilliant older.
Now, if instead of water and chalk, and such prepara
tions, ladies will use csrnphine oil and rotten stone, a
fir brighter, more durable, and quick polish Can be ob
tained, than in any other way. Camphine is the ar
ticle used sos producing the exquisite polish of the
Daguerreotype plates, and nothing has cvet been found
to equal it.
ATTACK ON VERA CRUZ—A Washington
letter published in the Philadelphia American says— J
A well authenticated report is prevalent here, that s
Cabinet Council has decided upon art immediate attack
upon Vera Crux by s combined movement of oUr ar
my and naval forces. It is farther stated that deapatch
es to this effect are already on their way.
NAVAIm—It it> now atited that Commodore Stf w
xbtis To have command of the laige forge about to b r
1 concentrate J in tba Gulf of Mexico preparatory to gs;
attack on the Castle of San Juan da Ulloa. The !‘jd
gun-ship Pennsylvania, now being fitted out foi tbe
service at the Gosport Navy Yard, is to joiti the Squad
ton.
The steamer Vixen aud Spitfire, recently bought by
the U. 8. Government and sent to the Gulf of Mexico,
are said to be complete failures, not being able to make
more than eight miles per hour with full steam.
BLOCKADE IN THE PACIFIC.—TiIe follow,
ing late mid interesting intelligence has been received
by the N. Y. Journal ut Commerce, in a letter dated
Tceic, Sept. 12, 1846.
Com. Stockton has declared the whole of the Coast
of Metieo in the Pacific in a state of blockade. Com
modore Stockton lias established himself Governor in
the Capital of Upper California, it is reported that
the ports of Lower California are to be taken posses
sion of, and San Bias made a rendezvous fur the squad
ron and their prizes.
The Oyane arrived off San Bias on the 2d of this
month and sent the notification of the blockade to the
authorities. She ia cruising oil the Coast, occasionally
anchors in the bay, and bus seized a couple ol coast
lug vessels. Another vessel hasalsosiiived nil Mnzat- I
ltd. aud has cut out of that harbour a coasting vessel. I
BLOCKADE OF THE MEXICAN PORTS ON
THE PACIFIC.
COM. STOCK I ON'S PROCLAM ATION.
To all Whom it may concern. —l, J. K. Stockton.
Commodore and Commander in-Chief of the United
S'ates Naval forces in the Pacific Ocean, and Govern- I
or and Commander-in Cliiel of the Territory of Cali- I
fornia, do, b_k the authority of the President and Con
gress of the United States of Noith America, hereby
declare all the ports, harbors, bays, outlets and inlets
I on the Wt Coast of Mexico, South ufSau Biego. to be
! in a state of vigorous blockade, which will be made ab
solute except aguinst armed vessels of neutral nations.
All neutral merchant vessels found in any of the
bays and harbors on said Coast on the arrival of the
blockading force, will tie allowed twenty days to leave.
Given under my hand and seal, this nineteenth day
of August, A. D. one thousand eighteen hundred and
forty-ail at l!ie Government House in the “Cuidad be
las Angeles,” the Caplet us California.
[Signed] J. R. STOCKTON.
Commodore and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval
Forces of the U; S. in Ihe Pacific Ocean, and Govern
or and Commauder-in Chief of Ihe Tertitory of Cali
fornia.
From the llukinwe American.
‘the Slare C use in New York. —We slated a few I
days ago Hist the captain of the Brig Mobile, at New
York trom Savannah, bad discoevered on board of bis
vessel a short time before los arrival at New York, a |
fugitive slave, the property of Mr. Charles Chapman, f
of Savannuh ; and lliat (be slave had been brought lie- ]
fore (he Coort of Over und Terminer, on a writ of ha- 1
beat c,rpus, sued out by patties seeking his liberation. 1
Alter an argument it! the case, which lasted several f
days, Judge Edmonds on Tuesday morning announced !
the opinion of the majority of the Court, and ordered i
the fugitive to be discharged from eus ody. The K, Y,
Journal of Commerce ssys:
Judge Edmonds took the ground that tbe captain of
the -Mobile” could not be viewed as in any sense the j
ownef of the slave, oi the agent or attorney of such ]
owner ; that the arrest and imprisonment was without I
authority, even Under the faWs of Georgia, becsa.e I
made without the jurisdiction off Georgia; that if re I
garded as an arrest under the laws of New York, while 1
the Constitutionality of that law was very questionable, 1
yet the return Showed nothing of a purpose on the part I
of the respondent to pursue the Course prescribed by I
that law, aud therefore it could irot be pleaded in jus- I
tilicauon of confinement; that the Act of ‘93 by Con- I
gross, even as set forth in the cage of Prigly, evidently I
limned the recovery of the slave to measuies in duel
process us law, certainly to such as were in no wrtl
violative of the public pace, and finally that the act oil
tbe master in this case being wholly unauthorized, the I
boy must de discharged. As the Judge concluded his I
decision, the negro was brought into the court rontnl
(which WdS densely crowded, even at an earlv bout,) I
froth which he retired amid the rejoicings of tbe peo- B
pie of color, and well guarded by bis friends. I
It is rumored that efforts are now making to recaps I
ture the boy under a warrant of some sort, with thatl
view, possibly, of detaining him until his master ran*
be informed of hid place, add adopt measuies for hifl
recovery. Or, the other hand, there seems to be a very I
extensive purpose to aid his escape. I
Who can tell us for the benefit of a curious
when the present flag of the United States— th®
glorious Slurs and Stripes—Was first designed, brfl
whom, and at what time n was officially accepted an®
adopted as our national emblem 1 As Solomon Swum
says, “We want to know !”— Tunes. ]
Ifour neighbor will refer to the proceedings of Cos®
gress, dune 14,1777, he will find it was then si-d
there— I
tiesolied, That the flag of the thirteen Unite®
States he Thirteen Stripes, alternate red and white®
that the Union be Thirteen Siars, white in a blue fin®
representing anew constellation.” 8
This resolution may be found in’ the volume of lit®
Journals of the Revolutionary Congress for the yet®
1777, and in the first volume of Bioren’s edition
Laws of tbe United States, page 678.— N.r1h Amfflfl
can. 8
In this coftnectiun wi beg Marie to append a descrip®
lion of the first American Flag, taken from the /,w®
dun Chronicle of July 26th, 1776: I
“ The colors of the A men an Fleet, have a sink®
With thirteen laities, the fourteenth budding.
in the attitude of going to strike, with this motto, •Min®
tread on me.” It is a rule in heraldry, that toe wo-n®
properties of the animal, in the crest borne shill -®
considered, and the base ones cannot be intended. B
••The ancients accounted th- snake or a serpent itß
emblem of Wi-dorn, and in certain faiiludes ol
duraiior. The Rattle Suak is properly a represents!!'®
of America, an this animal is found in no other part®
the world. The eye ot this creature excels in hrigb®
ness most of any other aninvil—she has no ercliJ®
and is, therefore, an emblem of vigilance. —She
begins arr attack, nor ever Surrender* —she is,therefor®
an emblem of magiianim ly and true courage. Win®
injured, or in danger ot being injured, she never weiiniM
Until she has given notice to her enemies of their
ger. No other of her kirtd 6bows so much geoerowtjM
When disturbed and in peace, she docs not appeal ®
he furnished with weapons of any Wind— they are M
tent in the roof of the month • and efen When
ed for detente, appear to those who are not
with her, to be weak and Coritentptible, yet her woond®
however small, are decisive and I’alat. She i* s-'lita®
and associates with her kind only when it isneefs**®
for tlieir preservation. Her poison hi at once an crM
sary means of digesting her food, and certain dealie®
lion to her enedries. The power of fascination, l®
uted to her, by s generous conatruclion, resemble* M
nierica. T hose who look steadily on her *rCiMi* l "®
and voluntarily advance towards her, and haciint ‘”Tu I
p-pprnarhed. never leave her. She i beautiful in .
and her beauty increasra with her age. Ner
blue, and lurked a- the lightning,” B
MASTODON COTTON. I
A fiend has lurnithed u with tome dstads on ■
subject of the culture of this article, Which we gtw V
Some time last Winter, Mr. A. *•**<*▼• <f A u ß“
Geo., obtained some of the seed of the 0,1,0 ■
ton from the gentleman who first introdmei ‘ 1 ■
cty into the United Stales. He planted it [■
of .oils, SO a. .0 test which would ta be. •£' * J
it; and at a variety of distances, both betwe ]■
and the plants in the row. I hat wh' l • jB
heal, was planted in rows six feet •P ,rt |in ,B
between esch plant. This portion t wl ,B
of the City of Augusta, ind may b *' orr T w „,|,®
which had been a long lime cultivated. glb B
ly manured. The Cotton was top|><
Angikin, and vVben out informant saw i , |jr ®
it stood st an average of six <W ***'” /j >B ,| > 1
with its branches pretty Gwaly oc . ’ ng o.wi®
luxuriunt in ils appearance; the sa - cj(Cl) ®
with holla measuring horn 4j to 6j me „ot I®
ference. The Caterpillar attacked
crop about the 20th of September, .tuppm* ,
ol it. leave. ; snd about the ..me
perforated all thn bolls which were “
Our informant think, over one-lourth ot tb 11
lost in this way. . „ c „m ni< '®
The picking of th. C.llon h.w not lh ,J|
yet; but enougb ha* been gather
.anion, that th. yield will be asm
Tt. qa.UtJ 19 Dc * Bt I