The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-06 00:00:00

VARIETIES

THE ALPACA.—The alpaca, now endeavoured to be natu-
ralised in Britain, is an animal of the llama tribe ; native of
the Cordilleras, or mountain district of Peru ; very valuable
for its wool, importations of which have already taken place
to the extent of 3,000,0001b5. It is used as deer in the parks
of the Spanish grandees in Peru, and its flesh is equal to any
venison. Some are white, others brown and mottled. (Pat-
terns of manufactures from the wool, as fine as silk, were
exhibited at the Glasgow Model and Manufactory Rooms.)
The alpaca does not perspire as sheep do, and therefore re-
quires no smearing, which will be an immense'saving to the
Scotch farmer, and the heavy coat of wool on its body (fine
as silk) is sufficient protection in the Peruvian mountains,
where deluges of rain fall four months in the summer sea-
son ; and from the alpacas living under the line of perpetual
snow, it proves that a cold climate is congenial to them even
in winter. The alpaca lives on " zeho," a kind of withered
grass which grows on all mountains above a certain altitude
—proving that they will exist where sheep will not. Sup-
plies of the animal were at Glasgow for sale, and we believe
Lord Breadalbane bought some to try on his estate at Tay-
mouth, where the cappercailzie already flourishes. There
were, also, samples of the raw apalca silky wool, assorted
black (without dye), white, red, brown, foxy, gray, mottled,
&c. No animal grease in this wool—illustrative that the
animal requires no washing before shearing, and the wool
can at present be sold at 20d. per lb. During the panic of
1837, when Highland wool sold at 3d. per lb., upwards of
LOOO,OOO lbs. of alpaca realised 2s. and 2s. 6d. per lb. Spe-
cimens of different kinds of manufacture from alpaca, in
imitation of silk—some black as jet (without dye), others
white, coloured, dyed, and wove in great variety of figures—
can be manufactured at one-third the price of silk, and is
said by the manufacturer to be three times more valuable
than Scotch wool.--Literary Gazette.
A SPORTING ECCENTRIC !—At the Doncaster Races of
this year, an eccentric individual, named James Hirst, at-
tracted much observation, from the singularity of his " equi-
page." It consisted of a body, composed of hazel sticks,
plaited, and secured with strong cord, with a head covered
with old check furniture. The machine was mounted- on
four large light cart-wheels, of equal size, and was drawn by
one horse at a rapid rate. The old " squire," as he was
called, had for several years indulged in similar vagaries,
and had such an objection to paying taxes that it has been
affirmed, that he, at one period, drove mules instead of
horses ; trained a pig to serve as a pointer for his shooting ;
and even has been known to ride a bull with the Badsworth
hounds. This eccentric old sportsman died in Yorkshire in
1829, at the advanced age of 91 years.—Whyte's History of
the Turf.

ARTIFICIAL SLATES.—The following process has been
adopted, for the purpose of making pasteboard slates, so as
to obtain all the advantages of slate, for writing or drawing,
without the disadvantage lof its fragility and weight . To
one part of the pulp of common white paper is added an
equal quantity of agillaceous earth. The substances must be
kneaded together with linseed oil. and then pressed thin and
shaped to the required sizes. These leaves of mixed clay
and paper are well dried, polished, and then covered over
with oil on both sides. The artificial slates thus prepared
are not acted on by water, and scarcely by fire. They are,
besides, very light, convenient, and very cheap.

CIRCASSIAN BRAVERY.—" Innumerable instances of in-
dividual bravery and heroism might be here collected," says
Mr. Bell, in his journal of a residence in Circassia : " of
these there is no want ; although there is no appearance of a
principle of combination by which greater and more per-
manent results might be produced. I should not give you
the following instance, but that the greater part of the
transaction was witnessed by several people who happened
to be on the banks of the Kfiban at the time ; and that it is
an example of a desperate love of liberty, general among
Circassians, of whom very few ever allow themselves to be
made prisoners. A young man of Shapsuk, after killing or
wounding several Russians in a late affair across the Kahan,
was made prisoner, and carried to Yekaterinodar. There he
was questioned about, and frankly told, all the acts of
hostility he had been of late concerned in, pointing out two
of the soldiers he had wounded. He was threatened with
death, fettered and thrown into a dungeon. But during the
night he contrived to free himself from his irons, and to dig
a hole through his prison wall, by which he got into the
enclosure. This was surrounded by a wall, and chevaux-de-
frise, which he surmounted by grasping the points of iron
in his hands, and thus making a footing, from which he
leaped down upon the outer ground. Here he was en-
countered by two centries ; but snatching up a billet of wood
that fortunately lay at hand, he felled one of the soldiers to
the ground with it, escaped from the other, and ran towards
the Cuban. On the way, three Cossacks attacked him,
whom he kept atbay with his billet, until he reached the river,
and plunged into it. His trials were not yet at an end ; for
some soldiers put off in a small boat in pursuit of him, nor
would his diving have, in all probability, saved him, had he
not succeeded in upsetting the boat. At length he reached
the shore; but finding himself in Psadug—the people of
which have made terms with the Russians—he was so fearful
they would capture and deliver himself up, that he set off in
the state of nakedness, to which he had been reduced in his
scuffles, towards his home, which he succeeded in reaching
in safety.

THE RACER ECLIPSE.—AII the best six years old horses of
the year having entered against Eclipse for the King's Plate
at Newmarket, O'Kelly offered to take ten to one he posted
them, which being betted to an immense amount, and the
captain called upon to &claw, he pronounced " Eclipse ! and
nothing else,"—implying the rest to be " nowhere ;" which
was really the case ; for the rider of Eclipse, having received
private instructions to go off at score, double distanced the
whole with the greatest ease, leaving himself without a com-
petitor. And we believe that this was the last time any horse
was seen to start against him as he afterwards walked over
the different courses for the king's plates of the year, without
a single opponent, and the year following entered the stud.—
Whyte's History of the Turf.
BENBOW, THE CHARTIST, IN 1818.—About this time a
public meeting for reform was held at Birch, near Middleton,
which was worthy of notice for one incident. It was moved
and seconded, that petitions to the lords and commons should
be presented in the usual manner ; when William Benbow,
who had lately returned from prison, made his way through
the crowd, and mounting the waggon, urged the people, in a
violent and irrational address, to march to London, and
" present their petitions at the point of the sword and pike."
He was loudly cheered, with expressions such as, "Ay, that's
the way,"—" Go on, Benbow, '—"That's the man for us."
At the same time he was pondering on a retreat from the
country ; of that country which he was endeavouring to in-
jure by a course of violence. That very week, or the week
following, he sailed from Liverpool to join Cobbett in Ame-
rica. When I afterwards met some of his applauders, and
asked them what they thought of the man who could urge
them to rush on destruction, and himself hasten away, they
shook with indignation.—Bamford's Passages in the Life of
a Radical.

BRITISH ASSOCIATION.—DISSOLUTION OF QUARTZ IN
HOT WATER.-Mr. Jeffereys detailed an experiment he had
made on a great scale, to decide the question whether silice-
ous matter could be dissolved largely by water, or, what is
the same thing, by its vapour. This experiment formed the
subject of a paper which was read some months ago before
the Royal Society ; and by the experiment a solution of more
than two hundred weight of silica was effected in steam, at a
heat exceeding that of fused cast-iron. The steam was not
under pressure, but was conducted into a large kiln, used for
stone pottery. The silica was not only dissolved, but carried
away in the vapour ; and some pounds weight of it were de-
posited, from the vapour, before it issued from the kiln, like
a hoar frost, upon some articles in the kiln, where the tem-
perature was not above a red heat.

An invention is in progress to supersede the necessity of
using horse hair for stuffing chairs, sofas, &c. The substi-
tute, (for which a patent is taken out) is cork, cut into the
minutest particles, which is found upon trial to be superior
to horse hair in every respect, and the saving is considered to
be about 200 per cent. An extensive factory is fast progress-
ing, and a large fortune appears likely to reward the inventor.

FASHIONABLE RELIGION.—A French gentleman, equally
tenacious of his character for gallantry and devotion, went
to hear mass at the chapel of a favourite saint, at Paris.
When he came there, he found repairs were doing in the
building, which prevented the celebration. To show that
he had not been defective in his duty and attentions, he
pulled out a richly-decorated pocket-book, and walking with
great gravity and many genuflexions np the aisle, very care-
fully placed a card of his name and address upon the princi-
pal altar.

THE DUKE AND THE QUAKER.—His Grace (of Grafton)
being fox-hunting near Newmarket, a Quaker, at some dis-
tance, upon an adjoining eminence, pulled off his hat, and
gave a view hallo ! The hounds immediately ran to him,
and being drawn off the scent were consequently at fault,
which so enraged the duke, that, galloping up to the offen-
der, he asked, in an angry tone, " Are you a Qnaker ?" " I
am, friend," he replied. " Well, then," rejoined his grace,
" as you never pull off your hat to a Christian, I will thank
you in future not to pay that compliment to a Fox."—Bri-
fish Turf.

MARIE ANTOINETTE,—The beautiful and unfortunate
Marie Antoinette, lively as was her disposition, and fond as
she was of gaiety, did not find either the duties or gaieties of
a court inconsistent with the labours of the needle. She
was extremely fond of needlework, and during her happiest
and gayest years was daily to be found at her embroidery-
frame. ller approach to this was a signal that other ladies
might equally amuse themselves with their various occupa-
tions of embroidery, of knitting, or of untwisting—the pro-
fitable occupation of that day ; and which was so fashionable,
such a " rage," that the ladies of the court hardly stirred
anywhere without two little work-bags each—one filled with
gold fringes. laces, tassels, or any golden trumpery they
could pick up; the other to contain the gold they unravelled,
which they sold to Jews.—The Art of Needlework, by the
Countess of Wilton.
ORIGIN OF SILK FOR DRESSES.—It was long before silk
was in general use, even for patrician garments. It has been
supposed that the famous Median vest, invented by Semira-
mis, was silken, which might account for its great fame in
the west. Be this as it may, it was so very graceful, that
the Medes adopted it after they had conquered Asia ; and
the Persians followed their example. In the time of the
Romans the price of silk was weight for weight with gold,
and the first persons who brought silk into Europe were the
Greeks of Alexander's army. Under Tiberius it was for-
bidden to be worn by tneu ; and it is said that the Emperor
Aurelian even refused the earnest request of his empress for
a silken dress, on the plea of its extravagant cost.—The Art
of Needlework, by the Countess of Wilton.
CIRCASSIAN ORATORS AND AUDIENCES.—It rarely hap-
pens that any under the age of forty ever interfere in these
debates ; and only with a tolerable sprinkling of gray hairs
in the beard, announcing the matured wisdom of the tamatas,
or elders, can the orator command attention. Should there
be any individual fonder than others of hearing himself talk,
they have a way of silencing him peculiar to themselves ;
they neither crow like cocks, nor bray like certain other
animals in more civilized assemblies, but adopt a method for
which the form and the roomy nature of their house of meet-
ing, alfresco, are most peculiarly adopted. The unfortunate
orator, in such cases, is apt to find himself with no other
audience than the neighbouring trees and bushes, the circle
he had been addressing having rapidly dissolved and re-ad-
justed itself out of earshot, where it might be seen listening
to somebody with better claims on its attention.—Loug-
worth's Year among the Circassians.
THE SNAKE CHARMERS OF INDIA.—When a snake has
been traced on the premises, it is a common custom to send
for the " snake-catcher," who arrives with his numerous
baskets, containing live snakes of various descriptions, and
the uncouth musical instruments with which he enacteth
the part of the " charmer," to whom the cobra capella in this
case seldom " turneth a deaf ear ;" and, by whatever means,
he effects his object in a short time. After being lured from its
hiding-place and deprived of its fangs, the snake is snugly
deposited at the bottom of one of the round wicker baskets
which he carries about with him, and which, when not called
on in his professional capacity, are displayed for the amuse-
menttkuentse ,
o n and
a sort begi
of
ns
of the spectator. The snake-catcher seats himself on
thet o dn forth gr
°ue
ed
bagpipe. After a short time the covers of the baskets are
a
melancholy
monotonous these l i
removed, and display in each the scaly folds of a cobra
ttle baskets,
can be called By
capella compactly coiled up in the bottom, and apparently
intently listening to the music, if such it
degrees they appear to grow animated ; they gradually raise
and it fearful to
motion, seem to keep time to the music ; ..
their heads, expand their hoods, and by a sort
isof nodding
behold the " charmer," surrounded on all sides by these
terrific looking animals, and although in their present state
perfectly harmless, from being divested of their fangs, a
thrill of horror involuntarily creeps through the veins of
the spectators.—Major Napier's Scenes and Sports in
Foreign Lands.

HORTICULTURAL DISCOVERY.—The American aphis or
bug, of late years, has proved very destructive to wall fruit,
and particularly to our finest winter apple, the Ribston Pip-
pin. Mr. M'Hardy, gardener to John Grant, Esq., of Kil-
graston, having observed during the progress of this insect
over the garden under his charge, the jargonelle pear uniformly
escaped the infection, it occurred to him that by ingrafting
the Ribston Pippin under the jargonelle stock, the influence
by which the latter seemed to resist the attacks of the aphis
might be imparted to the apple. This he accordingly tried
three or four years ago, and the result has not only answered
Mr. M`Hardy's expectations in regard to the health of the
wood, but in the improvement of the fruit, both as to size
and flavour. Specimens of the wood and fruit, from the
infected tree, and from the engrafted one, are at present to
be seen at Messrs. Dickson and Turnbull's here, and the
remarkable contrast which they present, affords the most
convincing evidence of the beneficial effect of the system,
which the experience of three successive seasons has confirmed.
Perth Courier.

SAM SLICK'S SYSTEM OF PI!RENOLOGY.—(Froni the
forthcoming Series of the " Sayings and Doings of Sam
Slick.")—When I enter a location, arter a little talk about
this, that, or the other, I looks,,at one of the young grow'd up
gals airnest like, till she says, . Mr. Slick, what on airth are
you a-lookin' at?" " Nothm,
~ says I, " my dear, but a
most remarkable developemen,t; " A what ?" says she.
" A remarkable development, says I, " the most remark-
able, too, I ever seed since I was raised." " Why, what in
Natur's that ?" says she. " Excuse me, Miss," says I, and
I gets up, and puts my finger on her crown. " What bene-
volence !" says I, " and firmness of character ! did you ever !
—and then," says I, a passof my finger over the eye-brow,
" you ought to sing well positively; it's your own fault if you
don't, for you have uncommon petikilar powers that way.
Your time is large, and tune great; yes, and competition is
strong." Well, how strange ! says she ; " you have guessed
right, for I do sing, and am allowed to have the best ear for
music in all these clearin's: How on airth can you tell ? If
that don't pass !"—" Tell, ' says I, " why it's what they call
phrenology, and a most beautiful study it is. I can read d'
head as plain as a book ; and this I will say, a finer head than
yourn I never did see, positively. What a splendid forehead
you have ! it's a sight to behold. If you was to take pains
you could do anything a most: Would you like to have it
read Miss ?" Well, arter hearing me pronounce aforehand
at that rate, she is sure to want it. read, and then I say, " I
won't read it aloud, Miss ;
I'll whisper it in your ear, and you
shall say if lam right." Do, says she ;" I should like
to see what mistakes you'll make, for I can't believe it possi-
ble you can tell ; it don't convene to reason, does it ?" No-
thin', squire, never stops a woman when her curiosity is once
up, especially if she be curious to know somethin' about her-
self. Only hold a secret out in your hand to her, and it's
like a bunch of catnip to a cat; she'll jump and frisk, and
frolic round you like anything,
.and never give over purrin'
and coaxin' of you till she gets it. They'll do anything for
you a'most for it. So I slides, out my knee for a seat, and
says " its no harm,
Miss, you know ;for Ma is here, and I
must look near to tell you ;,, Kso I draws her on my knee,
without waiting for an answer. Then gradually one arm goes
round the waist, and t'other hand goes to the head, Isurnpo •
logizin', and I whispers— wit, paititin', judgment, fancy,
order, music, and every good thing a most." And she keeps
a-sayin,'—" Well,
he's a witch ! well, how strange ! lawful
heart ! Well I want to know !—now I never !—do tell !" as
pleased all the time as anything. Lord ! squire, you never
see anything like it; it's Jerusalem fine fun. Well, then, I
wind up by touchin' the back of her head hard, (you know,
squire, what they call the amative bumps are located there),
and then whisper a bit of a joke to her about her makin' a
very very lovin' wife, and soon, and she jumps up a-colour-
in', and a-saying' " it's no such a thing. You missed that
guess, any how. Take that for not guessin' better!" and
pretendin to slap me, and all that ; but actilly ready to jump
over the moon for delight. Don't my clocks get fust admired
and then boughten arter this readin' of heads, that's all?
Yes ; that's the beauty of phrenology. You can put
a clock
into their heads when you are a puttin' other fine things in,
too, as easy as kiss my hand. I have sold a nation lot of
them by it. The only thing ag'in phrenology is, it's a little
bit dangerous. It's only fit for an old hand like me, that's
up to trap, for a raw one is amazin' apt to get spooney.
Taking a gall on your knee; that way, with one hand on her
heart, that goes pitty-pat like a watch tickin,' and the other
a-roving about her head a'-discovering bombs, is plaguy apt
to make a fool of you without your knowing of it.

TIGHT LACING.—The highest mortality of English wo-
men by consumption may be ascribed partly to the in-door
life which they lead, and partly to the compression, pre-
venting the expansion of the chest, by costume. In both
ways the lungs are deprived of a free draught of vital air,
and the altered blood deposits tuberculous matter with a
fatal facility. Thirty-one thousand and ninety English
women had died in one year (the year ending June 30, 1839)
of the incurable malady ! Will not this impressive fact in-
duce persons of rank and influence to set their countrywomen
right in the article of dress, and lead them to abandon a
practice which disfigures the body, strangles the chest, pro-
duces nervous or other disorders' and has an unquestionable
tendency to implant an incurable hectic malady in the frame ?
Girls have no more need of artificial bones and bandages
than boys.—Appendix to the Second Annual Report of the
Registrar-General of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.

BRIDAL FEELINGS.—The entire change of character ef-
fected by the ceremony which had so recently been per-
formed, the entire alteration of the duties of life produced by
that sacred rite, vast futurity opening to her view, so differ-
ent in its nature from the days that were passed; the entire
surrender of herself to an authority which the day before she
did not acknowledge, and the abandonment to a certain ex-
tent, of that exclusive obedience which a few hours previ-
ously she implicitly yielded to her father; the whole combi-
nation of circumstances, the balance between perfect happi-
ness and something less than happiness, the apprehension,
the doubt, the dread, the joy, the sorrow—for they all mingle
in the heart of a bride at the moment when she hears the
carriage-door close upon herself and her husband, and finds
herself, for the first time in her life, confided to the care, the
protection, and the love of an alien to her blood—Helen
deeply and intensely felt; and the pang which rent her
heart as she received her fond father's parting kiss, the last
of those kisses of devoted affection which were hers while she
alone was all his care, and while she had none other to look
at or to love but him, was one of the bitterest she had ever
endured. It seemed like the tearing asunder of a thousand
ties, the abandonment of home, and all its associations.—
Theodore Hook's " Births, Deaths, and Marriages."