Southern miscellany. (Madison, Ga.) 1842-1849, June 25, 1842, Image 1

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a jTamtlg JLctogpapev : BcWcfr to tUe £U*ts, Science, Sericulture, iilccUauico, 22Uucatiou, jForeifiti an* Bomcstic KntcUCflcncr, turnout, Kt. BY C. R. HANLEITER. (POETRY, “ Much yet remains unsung.” SCENE AFTER A SUMMER SHOWER. Tlie rain is o’er. llow dense and bright Yon pearly clouds reposing lie ! Cloud above cloud, a glorious sight, Contrasting with the dark blue sky ! In grateful silence earth receives The general blessing; fresh and fair, Each flower expands its little leaves, As glad the common joy to share. The softened sunbeams pour around A fairy light, uncertain, pale; The winds flows cool; the scented ground Is breathing odors on the gale. ’Mid yon rich clouds’ majestic pile, Alethinks some spirit of the air, Might rest to gaze below awhile, Then turn to bathe and revel there. The sun breaks forth—from ofl” the scene, , Its floating veil of mist is flung; And all the wilderness of green With trembling drops of light is hung. Now gaze on nature —yet the same— Glowing with life, by breezes fanned, Luxuriant, lovely, as she came Fresh in her youth from God’s own hand. Hear the rich music of that voice, Which sounds from all below, above; She calls her children to rejoice, And round them throws her arms of love. Drink in her influence —low-born care, And all the train of mean desire, Refuse to breathe this holy air, And ‘mid this living light expire. MQ©©IEL L A M Y □ From the Family Companion. BOSS ANKLES, The ?mn what got Mowed up uilh a sky rackct. A SKETCH FROM LIFE. BY WILLIAM T. THOMPSON. Lo:,'g time ago, when Pineville was “ an other sort of a place” to what it is now —I tlo not mean the term’ in the superlative sense, in which it is usually applied, but in its true meaning—when it was indeed a ve ry different sort of a place—long before the “ Great Attraction” made its appearance, or Parson Storr’s Temperance Society was or ganized, and when Dr. Peter Jones was a little flaxen-headed boy, it was customary for Mr. Harley, and Mr. Coonsey, and Mr. Jarvis, and the rest of the “ store keepers,” to have a little back room in the rear of their stores, where they usually kept a barrel of whiskey or rum on tlie tap, just merely for convenience of sampling. It was the prac tice in those days, to take customers into the little back apartment, and give them a sam ple or two of the liquor before they com menced trading. Sometimes these samples amounted to good round “ horns,” but this was only to test the wearing qualities of the liquor, for those who use the article, say that some liquors that taste well enough do not rest so quietly on the stomach, especially when taken in large quantities. Among those who visited Pineville, there were not a few connoisseurs in rum, some of whom often found it impossible to get suited in the arti cle short of a trial of every store in town, at each of which they obtained considerable samples, and sometimes expended a portion of the small amount of cash which they had brought with them to purchase homespun, calico, salt, rum and tobacco, and such other “ truck” as their necessities called for. Mr. Harley was a considerable “ store keeper” for the time, and was one of the most accommodating sort of men. He usu ally kept three or four different barrels on the tap, and not only gave large samples, but took every pains to accommodate his cus tomers, by commending to them the liquor of each barrel. It was perhaps owing to this circumstance, that his door was usually sur rounded with the various kinds of vehicles then in use among the country people. It was not uncommon to see a score of sore backed, wind-broken llosenantes, and as many burr-tailed donkeys “ hanging,” as we call it in Georgia, to the horse-rack, with eorne eight or ten little carts, each composed of two wheels and a quantity of pine slaves, drawn sometimes by a mule, sometimes by a pair of “ critters,” and not unfrequently by a single “ steer,” both the plural and sin gular number being guided by means of a rope or chain about the horns, the method by which cattle of the bovine genus aro awkwardly guided at the South, even at this day. But the proprietors of these grotesque establishments, were decidedly the rarest creatures in the animal kingdom. When they came in the morning, they looked the most harmless beings on earth; their bilious looking eyes and tawny, shriveled faces— except those who allowed their mother earth to enter largely into their daily provender, es whom there were not a few in those days —wore a meek and pensive expression which led one to doubt if the combative principle in them found animal spirits suffi cient to nourish and keep it alive. But to wards noon, when they had indulged pretty freely in sampling Mr. Har ley’s liquor, they became quite another sort of beings; and many a scene occurred about the store-door, which would have afforded ample field for the exercise of the graphic pen of the popular sketcher of “ Georgia Scenes and Characters.” Then might be seen the cadaverous looking wire-grass boy in his glory, as he leaped out into the sand before the door, and tossing his linsey jacket into the air, proclaimed hitnself the best man in the county. Then too, might be seen the torpid clay enter, his bloated, wa tery countenance illuminated by the exhila rating qualities ortlr. Harley’s rum, as he closed in with his antagonist, and showed by bis performances that be could eat clay as well in its animate as in its inanimate form. Then there was such cursing and swearing, and biting and gouging, and such home-sent “ licks”—such a war of words among the women, squalling among the little tallow faced scions—all under the influence of the samples—and such a rearing and pitching, kicking and braying, and spilling of carts, and turning things upside down and break ing them, among the mules and other cattle —all of which would afford us materials for a thrilling scene, were not the business of the present sketch to record an afiairof quite a different character. On these occasions, generally Saturdays of each week, a man or two got badly “lick ed,” and towards evening a general evacua tion of the town took place. The different lanes leading out of Pineville were studded with china trees, and it was no unusual thing for Mr. Harley’s customers to become so oppressed with the heat on their way home, that they were compelled to rest beneath their friendly shade. There they were al most certain to fall asleep, and from some reason or other, for they could never ration ally account for such indiscretions, slept so soundly that they were as often waked by the rising sun of the following morning, as by the dews of the intervening night. While thus wrapt in the embrace of the drowsy god, they were often made the victims of the Pineville wags, who played such pranks upon them that they not unfrequently awoke as completely metamorphosed, as was the renowned Bully Bottom, and as such at a loss to recognize themselves, as her of whom the old ballad speaks— “ There was an old woman as I’ve beard tell, Who went to market her eggs for to sell,” but who unfortunately “ fell asleep on the king’s high way,” and was afterwards only enabled to identify herself by the aid of a favorite dog, of whom she said : “I've a little dog at home and he knows me, And if it is me he ‘ll wag his little tail.” These marvelous mystifications were wrought in various ways, by the use of the marking-pot and the shears. Sometimes a follow would find himself minus the pendu lous portion of his upper garment, and the legs or some other portion of his unmen tionables, and tattooed like a Carib chief; another perhaps, would wake up with a face as black as lampblack and oil could make it, with liis wearing apparel altered to an en tirely different fashion, and one side if not his entire head shaved. Very few got caught in this manner a second time, but there was forever anew victim skulking back into town under cover of the night, in order to re-rig himself before venturing home, who, if he were discovered in season, was sure to be regarded as a proper subject upon which to practice all the deviltry that could be de vised by his tormentors. One day, in mid-summer, a small party visited Mr. Harley and sampled his liquor as usual, among whom was an individual who answered to the name of Boss Ankles. It was a matter of some speculation how he came by so singular and unmeaning a nom deguerre. There was nothing peculiar about his ankles, save that they were un commonly black, and as he was in the habit of thrusting his legs somewhat further through his copperas-colored linseys than fashion required, he exhibited rather more iurc-skin there than is usually exposed to view. The prefix Boss, was doubtless ac quired from the fact of his affecting to be a leading character in his settlement. He pre tended to know more than his neighbors, and held himself rather a “ ’simmon above the common huckleberry,” for which reason, more than probably they gave him this sig nificant title. Ankles, was doubtless a cor ruption of his surname, whatever it was. More than probable he had forgotten it him self, for he had been called Boss Ankles, Mr. Ankles, Ankles or Boss,from time immemo rial. Mr. Boss Ankles was in the habit of tak ing some state upon himself both at homo and abroad, basing his right to consideration on the fact of his being a “ school-keeper” and a professor of music. He performed on the fife and taught the mystic lore of Dil wortli’s spelling book to the rising genera tion of his settlement, but whether he ever aspired higher in the walks of educational science is a questionable point, which will probably, at some remote day, be cleared up to the satisfaction of the curious, by some ingenious investigator. Certain it is, how ever, that he either deemed his pupils incap able of so high a flight, or did not conceive any other branches than reading anil spell ing worthy their attention, for ho never in troduced even the art of making 41 marks and pothooks” into his school. Boss was what his neighbors called a* 44 monstrous ugly varmint”—there was not a good looking spot on his whole face—his MADISON, MORGAN COUNTY, GEORGIA, SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 25, 1842. features were so perfectly sui generis, that they absolutely defied description. Degrees of beauty are only to be ascertained by com parison, and having nothing in nature with which to institute such an investigation of Boss’s frontispiece, we should fail in any at tempt to set him before our readers; we must therefore content ourself by stating that his face more neai-ly resembled some distorted human visage than any particular animal to which we can liken him. True, his eyes somewhat resembled those of the owl; there was a wildness of expression about those organs which would have done credit to the bird; but here the resemblance ceased, and as the beholder contemplated the next important feature, his mouth, he was at a loss which it resembled most, that of the catfish or sucker—it was decidedly fishy in its structure, but seemed to combine the peculiarities of both the species above named. Immensely large at the base, the lips protruded inordinately and had a down ward inclination, which, together with his .narrow little nose, large pale eyes,.standing in their circular fields of purple, high check bones, lantern jaws and long flaxen hair, rendered him an object of furiosity. We have said Boss performed on the fife—so he did. On muster days he was in great re quisition in his beat, and when once he suc ceeded in getting his mouth in readiness, few could beat him on the soul stirring, 44 ear piercing” instrument. But these perfor mances were attended with much inconveni ence to Boss, as he was obliged to consume some time in crimping up and folding away the surplus leather about his mouth, before he could adjust the instrument to his lips, which, when be bad arranged them, resem bled more the toe of a square-toed boot with a hole in it, than any thing else we can think of. When once snugly fixed he retained his mouth in the feame pucker, and seldom took the fife from his face during the parade, unless some onechanced to pass with liquor, a temptation he could not resist. When music was again wanted, it was necessary to give Boss a precautionary word, when he would turn his head under his right arm until the plaiting process was again accom plished, then with a stamp or two of the foot to mark the time, be would strike up, perhaps yankee doodle, and away they marched again. But our business now is not with the mi litia muster, or Boss’s musical powers. Leaving these for the suljects of other re miniscences of Pineville, with which we may hereafter trouble our readers, we will return to the evening of the mid-summer day aforesaid. There had been a considerable party in town that day, but all had gone off unusual ly quiet—no fighting, and none so drunk but what they knew the way home. Boss had been among the last to leave town, and was perhaps the heaviest sampler in the party — but he had gone long before sundown. It was early in the evening, just after tea, that some six or eight loungers of the town dropped into the store, as usual—for it was a sort of rendezvous for idlers, as one might see by the mangled pine boxes before the door—to interchange the news of the day, and smoke a few cigars. They had been engaged in such frivolous pastime but a few minutes, when a very strange looking figure entered the door, and inquired for Mr. Har iey. 44 Ilellow, Boss, is that you ? I thought you had gone home, long ago.” 44 Why, Mr. Harley, 1 never was sarved sich a trick afore in all my born days.” 44 Eh, what’s the matter with you, Boss ?” 44 Man alive, can’t you see 1” exclaimed Boss, and he rolled up his great white eyes, and tried to suck in a sigh with his hanging lips. 44 Where’s your shoes 1” inquired Mr. Harley, observing that he was barefooted. 44 They tuck them too—oh, they tuck eve ry thing they could,” replied he. 44 And your hat ?” inquired Mr. Harley. 44 They tuck that too. Man alive! Mr. Harley, they’s tctotiatiously ruinated me, so they is!” 44 Who 1” 44 You knows as well as I does, Mr. Har ley.” 44 Have you been robbed, Boss ?” asked one. 44 Where did it happen 1” inquired an other. 44 I’ll tell you how it was. You see gen tlemen, arter I left here to-day 1 was gwine straight home, with the truck what'l bought of Mr. Harley in a bundle, and it was mon strous heavy, and it was ding hot, too, down tliar in the lane, so I sot down to rest a bit under the trees, and somehow or other I got asleep, and you can see what happened to me. Some cus-o’thunder just come and tuck my bundle, and the jug o’ sperits, and every tiling.” 44 And stolo them 1” 44 Yes, and the very shoes off my feet, and my hat off my head, as was a bran new one I bought hero to-day.” 44 Well, that’s rather a rough joke.” 44 Man alive! I never heard o’ sich an ou dacious percedin’ in all my life. This town ’s got a monstrous bad name for 4 meanery’ and 4 shecoonery’ of all sorts, but I didn’t know they ’low’d pirates here afore.” 44 It’s a bad business, Boss.” 44 Just look at my sitivation—l can’t go home in this here fix. The folks would swar I was tossicated—l know they would— though I was only overcome a little with the heat, and know’d just as well what I wa3 about when I sot down under them trees as I does now. It’s not the vally o’ the plun der, but the principle o’ the thing I looks at —what’s the use o’ laws and preacliin’ if a body’s to be sarved in this away. Cus the luck—what a pity I didn’t wake up—tliar’d been work down thar in the lane if I’d just a happened to come too.” He concluded with a significant twist of his neck, at the same time clenching his fist, and casting a wild scowl round the room. 44 Never mind, Boss, you know accidents will happen. Take something to drink to keep you from catching cold, and console yourself that it is no worse. They might have taken your coat, you know.” 44 To be sure they mought. That’s a fact,” rejoined Boss, with a roll of his owl-eyes, as mucii as to say ho wondered why they didn’t. Boss duly appreciated the sympathy manifested for him and the crowd, and the clerk having brought up some liquor, of which he took a good swig to prevent his taking cold, he began to grow familiar, and sideling up to the counter, assumed a com fortable lounging position, where lie soon forgot his misfortunes in the social enjoy ment of the hour. He had a great deal to say about matters and things in general— the ignorance of his neighbors, and the 44 shecoonery,” which hail been practiced upon them by the town boys. For his own part, lie never got into “that sort o’ diflfikil,” for people always knew who to project with. 44 Why, thar’s Sam Stonestreet—you know that ugly knock*kneed feller,” he con tinued, 44 come down to the settlement totber day, with the legs of his trousers split clear up to his waistband, and his coat tail crapt close off, all the hair off his head, and his face as black as the very old blazes. He liked to skeered bis aunt Tabitha Stallions out of her senses, and the dogs tuck hold of him just like he’d been some wild varmint. Ha, ha, says I, Sam, you’s been Ouch! whew! man alive! what’s that?” shouted the speaker, and he lifted his feet from un der him so suddenly, that be came near pitching on the floor. A lighted cigar stump had been, accidently of course, rolled against them. After the two or three first steps of a fandango, and rubbing the spot with his hand, he resumed his position, and would have taken up the thread of his story, but a drink round was proposed after the laugh had subsided, in which Boss had joined out of pure politeness. After the liquor, came cigars—his friends were verv particular to select a large one for Mr. Ankles. Boss wallowed it in his mouth preparatory to smoking. Biting off one end, he was about to light it, when his attention was attracted by a single ludia cracker, as they arc usually called, which was lying upon the counter. Taking it up and examining it, he asked, 44 What on yeath is that ?” 44 That ? why, that,” said the one nearest him, casting an inquiring look around, “that ’s a a ” . 44 Cigar-lighter,” added a mischievous fel low on the opposite side, with a wink to the crowd. 44 Yes, a patent cigar-lighter,” continued the first. 44 Man alive 1” exclaimed Boss, 44 well, well, what won’t them Yankees make next?” he added, turning it in his fingers. 44 They’re a capital thing, Boss; try one.” 44 How do you fix ’em—how do they do?” 44 Why, you see that little string there at the end.” 44 Yes.” — 44 Well, just liglit the tip end of that in the candle, and then mild it to the end of your cigar, till you see it begin to fiz a little, and it will light your cigar as quick as a flash. First rate, I tell you.” 44 Man alive ! why, what a thing!” # Boss did as he was directed—he held it patiently to the end of his cigar, upon which he occasionally gave a draw, as he noticed the flashes of the match. He stood statue like and still, during the interesting process —the company sat in mute expectation. Suddenly there was a loud explosion—the cigar, save the stump, which he still convul sively held in his teeth, was shattered to atoms, and his mouth, eyes and nose, filled, with smoke and tobacco. The cigar had been charged, and thtf powder had singed and blinded him. He sprang into the mid dle of the floor at a bound, where for a min ute he stood utterly bewildered, rubbing his distended eyes, and spitting and gasping from the effects of the explosion. 44 Man alive!” gasped he, at length. 44 What on yeath was that ? why, it went jest like a blaze o’ fire right in my face. It like to tuck the wind from me.” Boss did not observe the laugh which this strange phenomenon had excited. 44 It must have been a bad cigar,” mur mured one. 44 Try another, Boss,” said a second. 44 No, I thank you, squire, I don’t kcer to smoko no more to-night,” replied Boss, still endeavoring to rectify his disturbed coun tenance, and all the while wearing that wild look, so peculiar to himself. He began to entertain some vague suspicions that a trick had been played off upon him, and spoke of retiring; another horn, however, soon disa bused his mind, or rather so totally unhing ed what little brains he possessed, as to ren der him incapable of arranging his thoughts on that or any other subject. Ono suggest ed the idea that perhaps the persons who had robbed him, having overheard his dis closures, were desirous of taking his life, and had fired in upon him as he was light ing his cigar. Some men when they are drunk, are apt to imagine themselves beset by thieves, assassins, and all manner of evil dders. Boss was of this sort, and the latter suggestion took at once. “ Yes,” said he, 44 that ’co'unts for it— some infernal pirate is dodgin’ about arter my life, now—but he daren’t show his face. Let any man what wants anything out o’ Boss Ankles, just make his ’pearance ‘fore his face.” Then stepping to the door with a mouthful of oaths, he called out, 44 Come on with yer dirk-knives and yer double-bar relled pistols, you thieves o’ thunder, and if I don’t whoop the vally o’ the truck you tuck from me out o’ ye, than I aint Boss Ankles.” 44 Go it, Boss, I’ll stand to your back.” 44 1 don’t ax no odds of nobody,” shouted Boss, smacking his fists together, aud leap ing about like a cat. 44 Boss aint afraid of sky-rockets.” 44 D n yer sky-rackets,” said Boss, 44 who’s them ?” 44 Look out they don’t put ’em to you, Boss —they ’re sudden death, if they get hold of you once.” 44 Who is they gentlemen—whar is they?” 44 Thero! there! look out.” Pop, pop, pop, went a whole pack of ci gar lighters about Boss’s ears. With a loud yell of terror he tore away from his friends and dashed into the street, shouting for life, while the poppers at his back shone brilliant ly in the darkness, as they kept a sort of ir regular feu-dc-joie, until they were all ex ploded. By this time, he had half the vil lage boys at his heels, whooping and scream ing like a pack of hounds in full cry. As the last squib exploded, Boss stopped in his headlong flight, almost out of breath from fright and fatigue, for he had flown on the wings of terror at what he supposed to be an Application of the fatal sky-rockets. When the crowd came up, two or three gathered round with expressions of sympa thy and friendship, and ordered the rest to keep at a distance; declaring they would chastise the first man that attempted to harm their friend, Mr. Boss Ankles. Boss was completely bewildered —his belligerent spir it had fled, and he stood in amazement and fear. 44 Who is I done any harm to ? what is I done to lie mislisted in sich a way, gentle men ? 1 ha’nt no grudge agin nobody.” The response was a shout. 44 Stand your gtouud, Boss,” said his friends, 44 we’ll see you out.” Boss plucked up courage. 44 Now you try that agin, if you like it, cus yer picters. The first man that touches me, I’ll whoop, ’cept I die a tryin’. I gives you all warnin’, and if you ” But another rattling report assailed his ears, and again he was flying down the street, like a comet with a fiery tail, shouting in ac cents of terror, which were drowned by the clamors of the pursuing crowd. Coming to a halt as before, his zealous friends again joined him. 44 Now, who was that ?” demanded one, as soon as they reached him —“ Come here, Mr. Ankles, and the first man that attempts to harm you ” 44 Gentlemen,” interrupted Boss, “them sky-rackets wilf be the death o’ me—won’t nobody keep ’em off me. Do gentlemen keep ’em off this time, for Heaven’s sake.” 44 Stand off you scoundrels—the first man that comes'near Mr. Ankles ” Pop, fiz, pop, pop, and away broke Mr. Ankles like a quarter-horse. The same scene was repeated ten or a dozen times, and at each fresh discharge Ankles took to his heels, and continued at the top of his speed until it was over. Twelve o’clock found him still running the gauntlet, bare headed aud bare footed, and quite exhausted from fatigue, notwithstand ing the potent draughts of rum which he was from time to time prevailed to take. The sport was about drawing to a close. The last pack bad exploded, aud Boss had brought himself to a ljalt, when he announc ed his intention to die in his tracks. The crowd as usual pressed round him, those most conspicuous as his friends placing themselves at his side, declaring their will ingness to sacrifice themselves in his defence, when suddenly there was a tremendous ex plosion in their midst 1 For an instant a livid flame illuminated the scene, which the next moment was shrouded in darkness. There was a moment’s panic—a moment’s death like silence, followed by a loud cry of won der from the flying mob. Then there was some coughing and hard breathing to be heard, and many extravagant expressions of surprise. Some had been knocked down and blinded—-these were gathering them selves up and making off as fast as possible. Some three or four had been more or less burned, and were loud in demanding 44 who done that?” But amid all the confusion that ensued, poor Boss, who lay upon the ground near where he had been standing was dis tinctly heard, shouting 44 murder! murder!” with the earnestness of a dying man. His clothes had been nearly all blown off of him, and the few shreds of his coat which still hung to his shoulders were on fire. They were soon extinguished, however, by such as wore not busied in brushing the crisped hair from about then- own faces, or feeling for their eyebrows and winkers in the dark; and those who had so recently been cruelly engaged in making him the subject of their VOLUME I.—NUMBER 13. mirth now did every tiling in their power to promote his comfort. The mystery was soon explained. Boss had during the day Eurchased a quantity of gun-powder which • e had deposited in his coat-pockett This having been ignited by the squibs had occa sioned the extraordinary blow up. Luckily no serious damage had been done—but Boss was quite sure that he was done for. “ You see now, gentlewiea,” said he in a gasping tone, “ what you’s done with your dratted sky-rackets. You’s made a widder of my wife and children, and fixed me off. I’sa dead man 1 You see what you all’s done, and I spose you’s satisfied.” By this time squire Rogers, near whose residence the explosion took place, made his appearance, and after rebuking the boys and telling them how wrong it was to use “ any poor crittur that-a-way,” and remind ing them them that “ they didn’t know what they mouglit come to yet afore they died,” took the poor fellow in charge and kept him till morning. On the following dayJJoss was enabled to see into the whole matter. He was in a sorry plight indeed, but a subscription being made up for him, he was fully indemnified for all losses sustained, and departed in a good humor considering the circumstances; not, however, before making a solemn as seveiation, over a sample of Mr. Harley’s best, that he would never take another snooze under the Pineville china trees, or permit himself to bo “blowed up with a sky-racket 1” Macon, Ga., 1842. Love-letters. —The first love-letter is an epoch in love’s happy season—it makes as surance doubtly sure—that which has hith erto, perhaps, only found utterance in sweet and hoi-rid words, now seems to take a more tangible existence. A love-letter is a proof how dearly, even in absence, you are re membered. We once heard a young friend regret her approaching marriage, because she would then receive no more charming notes. Alas ! the charming notes are not the only charming things that are no more. But a love-letter 1 how much of life’s most perfect happiness do those two words con tain ! With what anxiety it is expected ! with what delight it is received! it seems almost too great a pleasure to open it. Sud denly we mock ourselves for the charmed delay—the seal is hastily broken—the con tents eagerly devoured; then it is read slow ly, dwelling on every sentence to lengthen out its enjoyment; how sweet does every little word of endearment appear! what importance is attached to the choice of an epithet, to the turn of a phrase! Through the whole day, with what a conscious thrill its possession is recalled ! with what care it is read over at night, till its contents min gle with our dreams! We often wonder when we see people settled down in that cold calmness, 100 often the atmosphere around the domestic hearth, whether they ever recall the words they used to say and the letter they used to write! Would those letters appear absurd and exaggerated, or would they for a moment bring back the old feeling, or, at all events, a tender regret for its departure I — N. Y. Mirror. Curious Clod. —Clark, in his travels in Scandinavia, says, the most curious thing in the Cathedral of Lubec, is a clock of singu lar construction and very high antiquity. It is calculated to auswer astronomical pur poses, representing the place of the sun and moon in the eliptic, the moon’s age, a per petual almanac, and many other contrivances, The clock, as an inscription sets forth, was placed in the church upon candlemas day, in 1405. Over the face of it, appears an image of our Savior, and on either side of the image, are folding doors, so constructed as to fly open every day, when the clock strikes twelve. At this hour, a set of figures, representing the twelve apostles, come from the door on the left hand of the image, and pass by in review before it, each figure mak ing its obeisance, by bowing as it passes that of our Savior, and afterward entering the doors on the right haud. When the proces sion terminates, the doors close. The Piano-violino. —This new and curi ous invention is now to be seen. The En quirer contains the following notice of it and it * inventor, Colonel Wood, of Botetourt: “ Os all the eccentric fruits of this inventive age, we had the pleasure on Saturday even ing of witnessing one of the most curious. It is nothing more or less than a hybrid monster—a complete blending of two musi cal instruments of entirely different and an tagonistic principles—in a word, a piece of wonderful mechanism, that produces a per fect combination of the notes of the violin and piano-forte. The inventor, Colonel A. S. Wood, is a Virginian, a resident of Bu chanan, on James river. His curiosity was aroused some eight yean ago, by some news paper allusion to a similar attempt in Eu rope; and his mechanical genius, unaided by a scientific knowledge of music, but kept alive and strengthened by perseverance, haa achieved a work that baffled a skill of the first mechanics and artists of the old world. Tho instrument consists of a piano of the usual construction, and played in the usual manner. A pedel touched by the foot of the performer, turns a flying wheel, which regulatos the movements of the machinery. As each particular key of the piano is touch ed, a corresponding key within the box of