Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-09

fable and conciiiaiing nanners-his DISPOSE
tinn To serve his professional brrthren-hs ex-
empti0n from every thing like envy-his
rGuanimty of temper-his admiration of gen
ius and success when displayed by his rivals
these traits of character are well calculated to
secure the admiration and regard Of his pro-
fessonal brethren. No III natursd, no illiberal,
M irritating language ever escapes his lips,
even in the ardor at argument and reply.
Mr. Wirt's ambition has bren prof. sonal
eminence. lie has always been democrat
in his politics, but never mingled, especially
OF late years, IN their tarmui,s and conflicts.
Some eight or ten years ago, he was elected
To the Senate of the United States by the
state of Virginia, but declined the appoint
ment.
There is one consideration connected with
MIR. Wirt's elevation that deserves rpmem-
hrance. He has risen in the world by his own
Efforts. He commenced his prosperous ca.
reer, unaided by fortune and by friends. By
the cultivation of his fine genius, by long and
patient application, he has assembled to the
heights of professional fame and usefulness,
and now stands in the front rank of the Anne.
rican bar, and holds distinguished place i'm
the American Cabinet.
1t is 10 be regretted that the eloquent
speeches Of Mr.. Writ are not preserved. In
few years. they can alone be sought thro'
the SCdum of tradition His law arguments
may be found in the reports Of legal decisions,
but the inpassioned, chaste, and glowing elo-
Quence of the orator will never reach poster-
ty. So it will he with the eloqnence of Dex.
ter, Pinkney and Wells so we fear it may
toe with that of Mr.. Emmett, Mr.. Writ, and
many Others who now lead the American
bar
Mr.. Leslie's Rirer Gtoss.-We had inteud-
ed To notice this simple, but ingenious inven-
ton, in our last. Ii is tube, that may be va
ried IN length as occasion shall require, about
an inch broad at the top, where the eye is ap-
piled, and regularly enlargins TO the bottom,
which bears proportion 10 the other end,
oi about 10 To !, in diameter. Each end il
glazed. x, The use oft is to examine the bot
toms of rivers, &c. The great reason WHY
ONE cannot look through water to the bottom.
IS the reflection and refraciion Of the rays of
light upon arriving at the surface. This glass
o'ercomes that difficulty, by extending the
eye, as It were, into the drnser medium, and
making use of the light which il in the water.
where the rays pursue right lines, as well as in
the rarer medium Of the air For use i'm the
night, Il Is fitted with lamps suspended near
the bottom III u shorter cylinder, which goes
| On over the top oi the tube and dcscrnds till
me boti"in ui The cylinder Is as low as the bot
tom OF the tube, and there it is secured. In
| the space brtwcen the cylinder and tube.
lamps are suspended tlir month of the cy-
hinder, as we'll as tube, being glazed. To let
of the smoke of the lamps. and simply th.n,
with air, two small PIN S, the first from the
top. and the second from the bottom of the
cylinder, lead up the side of The tube. The
lamps throw strong light around, and the
bottom ofthr river is easily examined. The
| correctness Of the principle on which the va
lue of this instrument depends, has been full.
y tested by every swimmer no has opened
his eyes under water and thus discovered
what, while his eyes were above the water. he
could not discern. The usrs uf such an in
struInent will readily occur. Among other
interesting onrs,thr si'rrdy rrcn,, ~ Of drown
ed bodies is one, and it would doubtless b, the
means of Swing many lives. Lost property,
TOO, may bc found, and the impediments 10
excavation discovered and tlieiI removal ia
citated. Tie name Of the Inventor of this
River Glass Is William Leslie or Lansingbursh,
originally from Massachusetts. For IA short
time pas, he has been employed in this city.
He is well known in this vicinity for his ~, :
ciianical ingenuity. Troy .Seniiaei.