The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-12-01

\ hcuSC, db3 Ch ScdtCbflS biHi, iOuuu III
his pocket 10 less than l3 brass bell
handles, which appeared to have been
newly. broken OF, very carefully tied up
in nice silk handkerchief, highly scent
cd with lavender water.
| Whist the Constable was relating
thesc adventures before the Magistrate,
MIR. George Field gracefully threw balf
bis length upon the table, and leaning on
bis elbows almost fete-a.tcte with the
Magistrate, he gazed vacantly OH his
face, absorbed, apparently in ruciul
speculation on the event.
The constable having said all he had
to say, Mr.. George Field was asked by
the Magistrate what he had to say in ex-
plAnaton OF such mschieyous conduct;
upon which, gathering himself up from
the table, he spoke as follows -" II
believe | may have pulled roo Of these
things-only t7O0. The fact is--upon
my honor--I-that isl had been TAX.
ing wine with a friend, and coming
through Arundel-strcet saw two other
ernlen1en pulling these things; and
WHEN they came into the Strand they
threw something away in pocket hand
kerchief. had TO idea what it was at
the time, but when came up ] found
it was this (the one produced with the
bel handles } and these things were in it;
and so believe | uferwards might pull
one or two-5ut ~ assure you---,
twas only for my amusement -
The Magistrate rather s;ernly, told
him that this WAS rather too gross an in
vention to be believed in that place, and
ordered him so be locked up for future
examloatlon, observing as he went out
in custody oftbc turnkey, that nc thought
he had chosen very queer amusement.
( Carrier Pigeons. The Flemish pa.
pers have recently contained accounts of
the late annual competition Of the Socic-
~ OF Pigeon Fanciers at Antwerp. On
this occasion thirty two pigeons, with
the word Antwerp, marked on their
wings, were dispatched from the above
city to London, whence they were sent
back with answers, their wings being
previously conntermarked with the word
London. The custom of training pig
cons to convey letters from one place to
another, is prevacn, in all Parts of the
East, but particularly in Syria, Arabia
and Egypt. The Mogul keeps vast
number OF pigeons for the purpose OF
carrying letters on occasions when extra
ordinary speed is necessary. They fly
from one extremity Of his domininns to
the other. By this mode O! conveyance
the Consul Of Alexandretta daily sends
dispatches to Aleppo i'll five hours,
though couriers occupy whole day in
proceeding from one town to the other.
The caravans travelling through Arabia
maintain comr.unlCations with the Arab
sovercigns, by means of pigeons with
letters fastened under their wings.
These messengers fly with cxtraordina-
ry rapidity, and return with fresh speed
to the place where they have been rear
cd. They are frequently observed lying
with their backs on the sand, with their
bills open to receive the NORMA, dew,
and recover breath. Pliuy mentions,
that pigeons were employed to introduce
letters into Mutina Aiodena) when that
place was besieged by Mark Antony.
They were also employed in 1874, at
the SIEGE Of Haeriem, and in l775, at
that of Leyden. The Prince of Orange
whom the latter siege was raised deter.
mined, that the pigeons should be main-
tained at his expence, and at at their
death they should be embalmed and pre-
served in the town-house, as perpetual
mark of gratitude.