The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-20 00:00:00

_

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FE BR EJARY -20, 1860.

EXPERIMENTS WITH MR. WWII
WORTH'S BREECH-LOADING CANNON.

rifling that his great superiority rests, and to this
we shall refer at length on some other occasion.
The 80-pounder gun was tried four times yester•
day with a 121 b. charge at 5 deg. and at 10 deg,
elevation, with the following gratifying results .
Angle of Yards Deviation nt
Elevation. Esnge. Lino of Fire.
1 5 deg. 2,541
2 .... 5 deg. .... 2,604 .. 2 7,
3 .... 10 deg. .... 4,670 ......,5
4 .... 10 deo.b. .... 4,730
At the last-mentioned angle this surpasses the
practice of the Armstrong 70-pounder at the same
number of degrees by 700 yards. The result of
the long range practice with Armstrong's 70-
pounder, at 35 degrees' elevation, we are not at
liberty to state, beyond that the first graze of the
shot was always over the 8,000 yards, though vary-
ing from the true line as much as 150 yards between
the nearest and widest. The greatest range ever
reached by any Armstrong gun was 9,130 yards;
and this with a 32-pounder fired with a 61b. charge
at an elevation of '35 degrees. The 3-pounder of
Mr. Whitworth, though both in form of projectile
and weight more liable to deviation from the effects
of the wind, quite eclipses the performance of its
heavier competitor. c What Mr. Whitworth's 80-
pounder will do at a. proper degree of elevation it is
hard to say now; but, judging of the future by
what has already been accomplished, a range of no
less than 10,000 yards is confidently anticipated.
There is no doubt that the 80-pounder, which is to
be severely tested next 11 ednesdav, is too short to
accomplish all that may be looked for with long
range ordnance on this principle. The extreme
length of the whole.piece is only 10 feet—of the
barrel not much more than nine, of which space
about 16 inches is occupied by the powder cartridge
when the gun is loaded. This reduces the actual
length of the rifle barrel through which the shot has
to pass to little more than 7 feet 6 inches—about the
length of what is called a medium 32-pounder, and
3 feet shorter than the smooth-bored 68. While
materially reducing the weight of this gun Mr.
"Whitworth can easily add a foot in length to the
next that is produced. What the present gun can
effect will be better seen by the result of next Wed-
nesday's practice, when it is hoped that this tre-
mendous piece of ordnance will be so mounted as to
permit its being elevated in such a manner as will
display its utmost powers both for long range and
accurate shooting.

EGYPT.

(From the Correspondent of the Tinierj
SOUTHPORT, FEB. 17.
During the greater part of yesterday the experi-
ments to test the range and accuracy of these ad-
mirable pieces of ordnance were continued, in the
presence of a number of military and scientific gen-
tlemen and others interested in witnessing the
great results for which Mr. Whitworth has toiled so
long and indefatigably. Gen. Sir J. Burgoyne,
with Col. Campbell and Capt. Wrottesley, came
down from London expressly to witness the prac-
tice. Col. Wolford, Capt. Elgee, Mr. Entwistle, Mr.
Pender, Mr. T. Fairbairn, Mr. Longworthy. and
other visitors from Manchester and the surrounding
neighbourhood, were also present, in what might
almost be termed considerable numbers when the
exposed and inclement nature of the practice-ground
is recollected. The firing commenced soon after 11,
but, in order to give the visitors time to go, if they
chose, to the extremity of the long range (six miles
and a half distant), the practice was begun with the
3-pounder at its greatest angle of elevation, and
therefore longest range. The day, though dull, was
milder, and the wind generally speaking seemed to
be more in favour of the practice than on Wednes-
day. Nevertheless every now and then it came in
sudden gusts from diverse points of the compass,
and threatened at times to interfere materially with
the correctness of the long range aim. The termi-
nation of the day's trials, however, gave, on the
whole, even better and more astonishing results
than those of Wednesday last., Before proceeding to
describe the trials we must correct an inaccuracy in
our accounts of Wednesday's experiments, when we
stated the pitch of the rifling of the 12 and 3-
pounder guns to be alike in both. This is not so,
the former having one complete turn in 5 feet, the
latter one in 3 feet 4 inches. This difference is of
far greater importance than might be at first ima-
gined, inasmuch as the 3-pounder, with the most
rapid turn in the barrel of any fieldpiece yet made
for service, has achieved in its first trial such re-
sults in range and accuracy as completely outstrip
the greatest yet attained by Armstrong. The pitch
in the rifling of the latter is only one in 10 feet.
With Mr. Whitworth's guns the pitch varies ;
thus the 80-pounder has one turn in 8 feet 4 inches,
the 12-pounder one in 5 feet, the 3-pounder one
in 3 feet 4 inches. The extreme length of the 80-
pounder is 9 feet 10 inches, its weight 4 tons, and
its diameter of bore at muzzle 5 inches. The
length of the 12-pounder is 7 feet 9 inches, and its
bore 31-, inches, and its weight Bcwt. The length of
the 3-pounder is 6 feet, its weight 2081 b., and its
bore 11 inches. With this latter, as we have said,
the greatest results have been obtained—a striking
commentary on the oppoSition on the part of all our
artillery officers to a rapid pitch of rifling in gun or
firearm of any kind. The practice of yesterday then
commenced at 35 degrees of elevation with the 3-
pounder, loaded this time with Bez, of powder in-
stead of 71, and pointed, as near as could be calcu-
lated by the distance posts, in line with a mark on
the low shore, which was fox out of sight of the best
telescopes. The first shot touched the ground at
9,688 yards' distance (more than 51 miles), and only
34 yards to the right of the true line. The second
lodged in the sand (of course without ricocheting) at
9,645 yards, and 31 to the right of the mark; the
third at 9,611 yards and 89 yards to the right of
the mark ; the fourth fell at 9,503 yards, and 72
yards to the right, and the fifth and last at 9,453
yards, and only 55 to the right. The difference be-
tween the shot which fell nearest and that which
was widest was only 57 yards, and this at a range
of more than five miles and a quarter. The constant
deviation to the right arose from those working the
gun allowing too much for the influence of the wind,
which came in gusts from the left, or rather crossing
diagonally the line of flight of the projectile. As a
matter of course, at such an immense distance there
are no means at Southport of signalling to those in
charge of the piece whether the shots at the 51-
mile range fell either to the right or left of the
true line, and the gun once laid is not, therefore,
altered till another degree of elevation is chosen for
nearer practice. One shot was next fired at an ele-
vation of 33 degrees, and attained a range of 9,547
yards, falling 57 yards to the right of the mark.
The third trial was at an elevation of 20
degress, and at this angle the most wonderful
practice, both as regards range and accuracy, which
has yet been witnessed with any artillery in the
world, was effected. The gun was laid by one of
Mr. Whitworth's people, who it must be remem-
bered are ordinary mechanics, and before these ex-
periments never laid or loaded a gun in their lives.
The first shot, fired with Boz. of powder, fell at a
distance of more than four miles (7,073 yards), and
only four yards to the right of the true line of fire
The second fell at 6,985 yards, and 41 yards to the
right of the true line. The third dropped at 6,960
yards-41 yards to the right of the mark ; and the
fourth and last, at 6,Siii2 yards, but 27 yards right
of the line of fire. The unusual degree of diver-
gence in the last shot we were informed was purely
accidental, and caused by a slight inadvertence in
loading the gun, which it was supposed shifted the
stand. But even counting this as a fair shot, the
greatest amount of divergence from the true line,
at a range of 7,000 yards, is only 22/ yards to the
right, a deviation so slight as to appear almost
incredible. With a regiment in square at such a
distance, or even among a cavalry out-picket of a
dozen mounted men, nearly every shot would have
told, as the line of flight is low beyond all compa-
rison with other projectiles. The angle of eleva-
tion was then lowered to 10 degrees, at which four
shots were fired. The first pitched 16 yards to the
right, at 4,269 yards' distance; the second was 10
yards to the right, at 4,281 yards' distance ; the
third went 29 yards to the right, at 4,193 yards'
distance ; and the fourth, 18 to the right, at 4,015
yards' range. These shots concluded the experi-
ments with the 3-pounder, the practice of the whole
day giving much greater results than has ever been
attained with any artillery. It is a curious fact
that the first shot at each angle of elevation always
attained the greatest range, and that each round
after that point was reached showed a steady dill
minution in its length of flight of nearly 40 yards.
This gradual decrease is worth notice, as our
readers can see by casting their eye over the sub-
joined table, which gives the order in which each
round was fired, the angle of elevation, charge of
powder, and length of ra

ALEXANDRIA, FEB. 4.
The Himalaya, with the men and guns for China,
arrived at Alexandria on the 29th ult., but none of
the troops have yet been landed, ncr can they hope
to be released from their confinement on board ship
for some days to come—not until the arrival at Suez
of the Berenice, now making her way up the Red
Sea. She left Aden on the 29th ult., but being an
old and notoriously slow boat she can hardly be ex-
pected for another four or five days.'
It is a singular thing that neither the present nor
preceding Administrations have ever yet been able
to conduct the despatch of troops or stores by the
overland route with the ordinary regularity which
in so simple a matter might most reasonably be
looked for. It cannot, at least, be supposed that
the detention in Egypt is premeditated. Its irk-
someness to the men need not be pointed out. Any
person who has performed a sea voyage, however
short, will remember his haste to land, and the
sense of relief he experienced at finding himself
again on terra firma. But I must add that those
who know the old Berenice,and who are acquainted
with the accommodation she can afford, confidently
predict that the men will not proceed far on their
voyage from Suez before they look back with regret
to their quarters on board the Himalaya, however
monotonous and tedious the life they are now lead-
ing in the harbour of Alexandria may be.
With very few exceptions, every party of men
that has been sent through Egypt hashad to undergo
detentions similar to the present one, and an in-
quiry into the subject would contribute some curious
and not uninstructive instances of the fatality of
mismanagethent, which seems to attend everything
connected with our military affairs, whether it be
in the most important or in the most trivial matters.
The murmurs, verging upon mutiny, which
broke out among a small detachment of the 92d
Highlanders some two years ago, touching the ac-
commodation supplied for their voyage from Suez,
will be present in the memory of many of your
readers ; and it will not be matter for surprise if the
Artillery by the Himalaya loudly express their dis-
content when they become personally acquainted
with the boat provided for their voyage to China.
If, as is indicated by the experience of the past
four years, the Egyptian route must henceforward
be permanently kept open for the passage of troops,
it will be absolutely necessary that a suitable de-
scription of transport be kept available on the fur-
ther side of the isthmus, and, what is equally impor-
tant, that a better system be adopted. Under the
present one there is little economy of either time or
money, and an emergency may any day arise to
cause us bitterly to regret our present short-sighted
negl4,ence.
The 14th Dragoons, it is said, are shortly coming
through on their way home; but as far as can be
understood from the Aden telegram, they are not
on board the Berenice, and the detention of the
Himalaya will consequently not be at an end even
after she has landed her present freight.
Said Pasha has returned from his trip to the upper
country, and is recruiting himself from his fatigue
at his palace on the Mareotis. Possessed as he is
with an intense mania for all things military, the
passage of the Armstrong guns, as may be expected,
has a rather tantalising effect upon him, and he is
said to express a strong wish to see them; but whe-
ther it will be possible to gratify his curiosity is un-
certain. Within the last few months he bar had a
large number of guns rifled under the superintend-
ence of Col. Minie, it is said with excellent results.
There is not much change in the state of Egyptian
financial affairs, bUt that little, it is gratifying to
say, is for the better. The Government bonds con-
tinue to be regularly met as they fall due, and in
some few instances they have lately even been dis-
counted by the Treasury at the Government rate of
interest of 6 per cent per annum. But this, it is
true, has been the case only with bonds touching
close upon maturity, and further emissions prevent
any important reduction in the floating amount. The
heaviest sums fall due in the course of the present
year, after which it is said the amount of these se-
curities will be gradually reduced to £200,000, which
sum, I am informed, the Government has expressed
its determination not to exceed. Meanwhile, as an
earnest of his good intention, the Viceroy has ini-
tiated his projected measures of economy by dis-
banding a portion of his troops.
The present rate of discount on bonds having
from one to two years to ruu is from about 14 to 16
per cent. per annum.
We are iu daily expectation of hearing of the
completion of telegraphic comasunicationbetween
Kurrachee and Aden, by the submarine cable now
in process of being submerged. The first message
will be one from the Viceroy of India to the Queen.
The affairs of the Suez Canal Company continue
in the same position. A pretence of continuing the
works in the Suez desert is still kept up ; but all
that is doing, in as far as regards any real progress,
is not of the slightest intrinsic value. A few persons
personadlelyspeinratetereesifted in the
ortstok affair
eepthestillnk occa-
sional
questionae
alive,
but the public at large seem gradually to bo losing
all interest in the matter ; and unless the friends of
the scheme be more successful in keeping up an
agitation of the question in Europe, it seems destined
—at least as far as this country is concerned—soon
to fall into total oblivion.

EQUALIS.4TION OF THE INCOME-TAX

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING ADVERTISER.

Sir,—Allow me a place amongst your numerous
correspondents to raise my voice against the unequal
pressure and unjust imposition of the income-tax.
Poor curates and poor clerks have great reason to
complain of the heavy burden, but not more so than
poor schoolmasters. I am one of the latter; my
salary is a hundred pounds per year, and I am the
happy father of eight children. lam expected to
bring them up in a respectable manner, both as to
their education and their appearance. Nly wife and
myself must also appear as becomes our important
position, and, not to speak of the many incidental

expenses naturally occurring in a large family, all
this is to be effected upon a salary of less than £2
per week, and even this small income is to be re-
duced and my difficulties greatly increased by the
unequal burden of the income-tax. Why should
single and married men, large families and small,
be taxed in like sums ?

If we must be taxed, why not according to our
family responsibilities ? The larger our necessary
domestic expenses the. less should be our tax liabi-
lities. Surely the man with four children is better
able to pay than the man with eight; and the man
with one than he with two ; and if we have the
same incomes, it is therefore truly unjust that we
should be obliged to pay the same amount of tax.

- -
I am sure there is no one who loves his country
and its institutions but would gladly, in time of
need, help to defend them as far as he is able, both
by his pocket and his person ; and schoolmasters
are not less loyal than any other of her Majesty's
subjects; but to be unjustly pressed and burdened
by a tax greater than theycan bear, and thus to be
driven into difficulties unbecoming their position
and hurtful to their character, should not be required
by any Government, and therefore should not be
quietly submitted to. If a system of equable taxa-

tion, moderate and efficient, could be devised and
adopted, I am sure everyone would at this time
willingly submit and cheerfully pay it.
Although greatly experienced in domestic re-
trenchment, I know little or nothing of Political
Economy ; bmt it has occurred to me that a plan of
assessment might be made which would relieve us
of the unequal pressure, and distribute the burden
according to the power to bear it. This, I think,
could be effected by calculating the value of the
amount that each man's income bears to his neces-
sities, and tax it accordingly.

For instance, take tvs o men, each having five
children to provide for; one has £lOO per year,
and the other £l,OOO ; now it is evident that the
value of the £lOO is far greater to him whose in-
come it is than the £l,OOO is to the other; because
the £lOO, being scarcely sufficient to provide re-
spectable necessities for the one family, there
is nothing loft, every pound scrupulously doing
its domestic duty, and therefore extending its ut-
most value ; while the £l,OOO provides ample means
for the other family to live in affluence, with an
accumulating balance at the banker's in his favour.
The sovereign here is but a unit in the multitude,
unimportant in itself, unnoticed by its owner, and
therefore very different in comparative value to its
brother the pound above, who is an exceedingly
important personage in the household of its pos-
sessor. It is here looked upon as a friend of the
family, and when through sheer necessity they are
obliged to part, it is with the utmost regret,
although it is to return again in-some form of con-
venience or necessity ; but when it is roughly torn
away from the family with unjust hands, to return
no more in any form whatever, it is then that the
poor man feels its value, and seriously deplores its
fate.

With an exception in favour of the cotton trade,
business at Alexandria is dull in all its principal
branches. In the cotton-market an active business
is transacted at full rates, stimulated by favourable
intelligence from the consuming markets, but more
especially by confirmed reports from the growing
districts of an unusually short crop. Timely receipts
of specie, amounting within the past fortnight to
about £lOO,OOO, have produced an easier feeling in
the money-market, and exchange on London for
this port has advanced to 90 piastres per pound for
first-class paper at three months' date.
We are st.ll without intelligence of the Berenice.
P.S. The Viceroy yesterday paid a visit to the
Himalaya. The yards were manned for him, and
one of the Armstrong guns, set aside for exercising
the men during the voyage, was shown to him and
worked in his presence. He was, of course, highly
delighted, and expressed himself much gratified
with his visit.

TIIE FETE AT THE UOUSE OF DIOMED

Ige :

3-POUNDER.
No. Powder Elevation Rng. No. Powder Elevation Rng.
1 Soz. 35 deg. 9,688 8 Boz. 20 deg. 6,935
2 do. 35 „ 9,645 9 do. 20 „ 6,960
3 do. 35 „ 9,611 10 do. 20 „ 6,8 V
4 do. 35 „ 9,503 11 do. 10 „ 4,269
5 do. 35 „ 9,453 12 do. 10 „ 4,281
6 do. 33 „ 9,547 is do. 10 „ 4,193
7 do. 20 „ 7,073 14 do. 10 „ 4,01 i
It is difficult to compare., these results with the
greatest which Sir William Armstrong has attained,
as Sir William does not use so small a gun, so slight
a charge of powder, or so low an angle of elevation
for long range. The nearest data which we get for
comparison is the result of some experiments which
Sir William made with a 5 pounder at 6 and 11
degrees' elevation. As compared with Whitworth's
3-pounder the results are thus
ti.irmstrong. Range. Whitworth. Range.
5-pr. gun, 6 deg. 2,000 yards 3-pr. gun, 5 deg 2,500yd5.
11 „ 3,000 „
10 „ 4,281 2,
We are not certain as to the precise amount of
powder Sir William used but believe it was 12
ounces. Mr. Whitworth's was for the 5 degrees 7
ounces, for the 10 degrees 8 ounces. The experi-
ments were thencontoifnuilihw., iwthasthfieredl2fi-pveounder,
which, with a charge times
at an angle of 5 deg. anfive times at an angle of
10 deg. The results were as follow :
Angle of Yards Deviation from
Elevation. Range. Line of Fire.
4 yards to the left.
On the line.
21 • •• • • 55
ddoegg: e 421 ****** 1 yard to the riolt
3 . . . • 5 dog. • •
222,:332293833
1251 yyaarrdss too thethe left.
right.
d
45 55 deg.
6 .... 10 deg. .... 3,942
7 .... 10 deg. .... 4,120 l3 ”
8 10 deg. .... 4,011
9 .... 10 deg. .... 4,002 l6
10 .... 10 deg. .... 4,059
11(1Tdheeg
.bge sati
nsehdo ta of theange
ivte
wa thh low
ee
seen, elevation
i no
eosf
and 600 yards, or nearly 21 miles.
calibreThe
i sa s good
Armstrong
as
regards range and accuracy, Mr. Whitworth's
pthraecabove.tpractice
with
i tlhn
fact, a g
ordnance have as yet distanced all others, the dif-
ference in these respects between his guns and Arm-
strong's, though not very great, is in truth, of the
hth a iss
utnh o ofu g
utm )st importance. The superiority, we believe, is
due to the form of projectile and pitch and manner
of rifling adopted by Mr. Whitworth ; and it is
upon these points and upon the simplicity of ar-
rangement of the breech-loading apparatus that the
contest between them will turn. In the breech-
loading plan there is scarcely any superiority worth
speaking of on either side, what Whitworth gains
by having no breech-piece to remove being coun-
terbalanced by having to pull out his fin cartridge
case, and the time he saves by not sponging out
being consumed in making three turns of the screw
handle to open the breech and shut it. It is, as we
have said, in the shape of projectile and manner of

The fete at the house of Diomed is the subject of
every conversatien, and the dresses and appoint-
ments in preparation for the occasion the great
occupation of the moment. Since the invitations
were first distributed various novel elements
have been added to the attractions of the festi-
val, the most important of which is the new
play by Emile Angier, called "Ze Joueur de
Flute," which is to be performed in the antique
style, by three actors, upon a platform, raised
simply upon tressels, in the banquet-hall, during
the repast. The platform is placed upon wheels,
and is to be drawn in at a given moment, with the
actors in full costume, ready to commence their
performance. The prologue is written by Theophile
Gautier, and was read last night at the literary
soiree of one of our celebrities with immense effect.
Authors and actors are vying with each other to
render this representation one of the memorable
events of the season—and so it certainly will be.
Of course, being the subject which occupies us all,
the chronicle is filled with anecdotes concerning it,
and many a joke is .float respecting the difficulties
encountered by Prince Napoleon in the getting up
of this very novel affair in such antique fashion.
The adventure of the bath, which occupies the
centre of the building, or atrium, which, in modern
dwellings, is replaced by a court-yard, -is delight-
ing the hearts of all the professional mockers and
jeerers who fill the club-rooms to overflowing every
afternoon along the Boulevards. One or two speci-
mens will suffice. It seems that this admirable
convenience for bathing is supplied from the Seine,
and, by some contrivance, of evidently more recent
invention than any which Diomed could have
known, can be filled, in the course of a few mo-
ments, with a current both of hot and cold water.
As the bath had not yet been filled the Prince
was anxious to behold the effect it would
produce with the light of the torches
g►littering on the water from the windows of the
banqueting-hal!, and a slave or two, according to
ancient custom, swam/ling and rolling in the bath,
while throwing up jets of water to cool the air and
.make a pleasant music, refreshing to the ear, and
suggestive of coolness and solitude, which induce
forgetfulness of the heated atmosphere and the
odour of the viands.

Considering, then, that the incomes should be
rated according to the domestic value of their
amounts, I propose to assess incomes of .£lOO aril
above at a penny in the pound, £2OO and above at
twopence in the pound, £3OO and above at three-
pence in the pound, £4OO and above at fourpence
in the pound, and so on increasing a penny per
pound upon every additional hundred; thus the
tax would be greater as the amount of income in-
creased its value, and less as the diminished amount
decreased its value; by this means the burden would
fall according as people were able to bear it, the
present unequal pressure would be relieved, people
would pay willingly and cheerfully, because justly
levied, and (last though not least) the Chancellor
would find his exchequer greatly increased.
The following table will show the proposed scale,
together with the present :
Proposed System. Present System.
Incomes. Rate. Tax. Rate. Tax.
d. X s. d. d. £ s. d.
100 at 1 = 0 8 4 at 7 ---- 218 4
20) ~ 2= 113 4 " 10 = 8 6 8
300 „ 3 = 315 0 ~ 10 --- 12 10 0
400 „ 4 = 613 4 10 = 16 13 4
„ 5 = 10 8 4 '1 10 20 16 8
600 „ 6=15 0 0 " 10 =25 0 0
700 " 7=20 8 4 ~ =29 3 4
SOO >,B = 26 13 4 10 = 33 6 8
900 „ 9 33 15 0 ~ 10 37 10 0
1,000 „ 10 =4l 13 4 '1 10 41 13 4
1,100 , 11 =5OlB 4 " 10 =4516 8
1,200 " 12 == 80 0 0 " 10 =5O 0 0
L3OO " 13 =7O 8 4 " 10 =54 3 4
1,400 „ 14 =Bll3 4 " 10 58 6 8
1,500 ~ 15 =93:5 0 '1 10 =6210 0
1,600 „ 16 = 106 13 4 " 10 =6318 4
1,700 ~ 17 = 120 8 4 " 10 =7OlO 8
1,800 „ 18 = 135 0 0 „ 10 =7i 0 0
1,900 „ 19 = 150 8 4 , 10 =79 3 4
2 000 „20 = 166 13 4 „ 10 =B3 6 8

1,195 16 8
973 15 0

973 15 0

The Prince stood at the window of the hall, ac-
companied by M. de —, who is pleasantly deno-
minated the aide-de-camp of all work," and, the
order being given for the filling of the tank, which,
when empty, looks like a stone•fiagged court—so
ingeniously is the whole building contrived—the
water gushed at once from all parts, by hundreds
of small conductors, and . . . a black and
turgid liquid, such as that we read of in the French
papers as filling the Thames at London, and cau-
sing pestilence and death throughout the city,
bubbled and rushed, with a roaring noise, into the
tank, and drew forth from the Prince not the ex-

£222 1 8 balance in favour
of Exchequer.
By the above it will be seen that the present mode
bears heavily and unequally on incomes below
£l,OOO, while the proposed plan will gradually
ease them according to their value, and thus bring
the tax within the means of the humblest, while ft
will fairly and equally fall upon rich and poor, as
they are able to bear it.—l am, sir, yours, &e.,

A. B. C.

(";1_

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PRICE 4D. STAMPED, 5.9.

olamation of pleasure which was on his lips, but
the most awful expression of displeasure and dis-
gust which can be conveyed by the French lan-
guage! The cause wassoon discovered. The Seine
had swollen considerably for a day or two before,and,
having decreased,had left at the mouth of the conduc-
tors,all the foul slime and deposit which it had brought
down with the current. The tele was afloat in less
than an hour, and all Paris was meditating some
epigram about the Prince having "lost his Latin
and all that, when another trial, after cleansing the
pipes, was determined on ; and again, last Monday,
did the Prince go down to-Diomed's house, in com-
pany with the aide-de-camp of all work, to examine
the result. This time nothing could be purer and
more limpid than the stream which flowed into the
tank ; and the gentlemen, who had dropped in
solely with the hope of witnessing a second discom-
fiture, were about to depart disappointed, when one
of them, inspired, no doubt, by some malicious
demon, suggested the idea of rendering the rehearsal
complete, by witnessing the effect of the swimming
slave in the bath at the same time. This new fancy
was eagerly seized upon, and a merry dispute soon
arose as to who should sacrifice himself for the
satisfaction of the rest of the company. The com-
petition was not particularly brisk, and all eyes
were, of course, turned towards the aide-de-camp of
all work, who shivered as he looked at the placid
mass of water which'shone now-too clearly beneath
the hard square of blue let in from the roof.
.The Prince, as was expected, turned towards
him, and asked him, in the most courteous
manner, to try the experiment, in which they
would all join by turns. There could be no pos-
sible objection—the water was warm, and could
be, in a moment, mounted to any temperature—
the pretence of a cold, which most of the other
gentlemen had urged, was not admissible in this
case—there could, therefore, be no obstacle to the
plunge of a few minutes, which was all that was
required of the aide-de-camp ; and he retired, with
no great alacrity, to reappear in another moment,
as was supposed, in the bath below.
While they were engaged in the amiable occupa-
tion of quizzing the absent one, a sudden plunge
from the steps of the bath, ingeniously covered over
and hidden from sight, announced that the bather
had accepted his misfortune, and was about to
become visible. But another deception awaited
the Prince—a far worse one than the first. Above
the shining surface of the water, reflected double
skull and sadow, instead of the youthful head of
the aide-de-slmp, with its ambrosial curls and
waxed moustache, appeared the bald and bronzed
pate of the old porter, who had been chosen, for his
very age and wrinkles, as being more fit to repre-
sent the ancient domestic who sat in the hall-gate
mentioned so often by the Latin poets. A shout of
laughter burst from the bystanders, and another
expression of disgust and displeasure, equally
strong as the last, burst at the same time, from the
Prince's lips. But the story did not end so jocosely
this time, for presently a howling cry burst
from the victim, who, for a consideration on
the part of the aide-de-camp, had consented
to take his place ; and soon ho began to plunge,
and toss and throw his lean and skinny arms
above, as if in the greatest agony, while he leaped
and bounded with almost supernatural strength,
for such an old man, towards the steps by which
he had descended. At first the whole scene pro-
voked the most uproarious laughter on the part of
the lookers-on, but presently it became evident that
something seldom; had occurred, and, by one good-
natured impetus, they all rushed to the entrance of
the stairs, to ascertain what was the matter.
The poor old Cerberus was found to be in a state
of the greatest pain and terror—one half of his per-
son parboiled, the other frozen ! Nothing is per-
fect in this world. By some unaccountable over-
sight, the engineer had made the currents of hot
and cold water entirely distinct, so that a certain
length of time should have been suffered to elapse
before any one had ventured to enter the bath; and
the first victim had thus been made to serve as
warning and example not, to be followed by any
future imitator. Fortunately, no great harm was
done; and, after a little while, the patient being
recovered from his fright, which was much greater
than the hurt, the party left the house of Diomed
as full of glee as good-natured friends generally are
at failure or discomfiture of one of themselves. The
Prince has since given up the idea of the disporting
slave, and indeed does not intend to fill the bath
but Misfortune seems to have marked him for his
Own, for, the day of the rehearsal of the play, ano-
ther disaster, of far more importance, occurred,
which nearly put an end to the performance alto-
gether.—Court Jeurnal.