The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-11-16
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.


usual size of those biioux. The oox "heh We
saw it, was wound up in the usuai manner;
and placed upon a table when suddenly small
lid, of the size of 4 dollar, flew uP-a niue ar.
uficial bird about inch long, raised ltseli
upon perch its plumagc was OF the Iichest
feathers of the humming b~d; IT turned itseii
round, moved its head auttered its wings. and
shook it's plumage, and then commenced sing
ing. Its notes we believe, were those OF the |
European Linnet they were rich and ioil
and when ended, the little ARTIFICIAL songseI
hoped from its perch, and the lid closed over
him. We were struck with the astonishing
exactness in the imitation of nature IN the
look and movements of the bird while he was
singing, his wings, tail and head were IN grace,
ful and 'ural motion, and his mouth opened
and closed for the rapid emission Of sounds ana
the enunciation of notes II is altogether
wonderful curiosity Philadelphia paper
EseLIsu AND AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS. At
a meeting lately held by the London Literary |
and Scientific Institution on the subject OF the |
restrictions on the British Press, it was stated
in debate that in America, where newspapers
are not taxed, s555,4 ld advertisements were
inserted in eight newspapers in New York,
where 400 English and Irish papers contained,
in the same space Of time, only los, 00O-that
the Twelve New York daily papers contained
more advertisements than all the newspapers
of Engisud sad ireia nd-that the number issu.
ed annuslly in America is 100000, while in
Great Britain il is less than one tenth of that
number Advertisements which in England
cost sly are inserted in America for about
$3.50; and an article which costs annually for
Advertising in tho United States, S2S, is liable
in England 10 charge Of 5000.
Boston Telegraph.
TARLEs Turned At the Lehigh coal.works
in Pennsylvania, it is known that there is an in
clined plane rail way, between and 10 miles
long. and that horses Q: mules haul up the empty
coal wagons and ride down with the loaded ones.
The acting manager in his late report states,
that strong is the attachment Of the animals
thus employed, 10 this riding down hill, that in
one instance they were sent up with the coal
wagons, without the mule -wagons; but true to
their rights and privileges, they refused TO walk
down. and the hands could not drive them down,
but were under the necessity of drawing up the
carriages Tor the fout-legged gentry TO ride in
thus exhibiting the singular spectacle OF team
OF horses amusing themselves whilst their driv.
ers went eight miles snd half for carriages for
thecl. So much for the force Of education.
Northampton farmer has for three years tried
the experiment of selecting seed corn from stalks
having two or more ears, and the result has er-
ceeded his expectation he frequently finds stalks
with 5, 4, 5 and sometimes ears. and of them
fair, full growa and fit for seed, and that too, in
hills of or stalks. His crop is increased this
year several bushels BY the experiment. In pick
ing corn, tie those found one stalk togeth-
er, and they can be recognized when huskng
At the late military parades in New York, a
considerable number of men, belonging TO the
ranks, appeared dressed in the most grotesque
and ludicrous manner, and excited great de-
gree of amusement by the singularity of their
appearance. II is perfectly apparent that there
is determination among those who are subjec-
ted TO militia duty under the present burthen.
some and useless system, TO procure its altera-
ton or abrogation, BY some means; and if they
cannot succeed by peiitioning to the Legsla- |
ture, TO scout it down by ridicuIe.
At recent meeting of the Grand Lodge of
Vermont, the question was taken the sur |
rendry of their charter and the consequent
abandonment of masonry. The vote stood IS
for, and 90 agains, the proposition.
FELoSIous PIC. Tho Barnstabie {Mass.)
Journal,irelates the following immoral achieve
ment of juvenile porker. Several months |
since, says the Journal, Mr.. Eldridge of this
place, lost gold breast pin, which he found
last week in the following singular manner =
lie was dining from the head of pig which |
was fatied by the family, and in eating piece |
OF the tongue, which he had placed upon his |
plate, he discovered the long lost pin, complete
ly imbedded in the flesh, with the exception of
the ornamental part which was probably swal- |
lowed by this sacinish devourer of fine things. |
MELANCHOLY. On the 9Th October, three |
children were burnt 10 death in the stable of J. |
b. Paul, near Sorel. Four children resolved |
on roasting some eggs in the stable brought in |
hre, and applying il TO dry combustibles were |
soon enveloped in the flames One of them |
effected his escape, but in his haste shut the
door, and left the other three to perish The |
mother Of two Of the sufferers rushed to their
aid, but their piercing cries being heard above
the cracking Of the flames, she became instant
~ deiirlous, and continues in that state The
three bodies after the fire had subsided, were
taken out, nearly reduced to cinders.
Montreal Gazette.
The New Haven Advertiser states that the
remedy for the tooth ache, copied into tho pa
pers from London print, is worse than the
disease. Somebody tried it, and as soon as
the saturated cotton was placed in the tooth.
ihe smoke Of the acid poured from the mouth,
and the patient could not respire without dan.
ger OF suFocatien. Instead Of relief the most
excruciating pains were endured during the
greater part Of the day.
The annual Thanksgiving in New Hsmp.
shire and Connecticut Is On the Gath November;
IN Name and Rhode Island on the LIST Decem-
Der and in New York On the 9Th of the same
Snonth.
SIseULAR TRIAL AND AcquIrrAL. Among
the trials and acquittaIs at the late circuit in
Herkimer county IN ~ Judge Williams pre-
siding, we find the following among others mott.
ced in the Little Falls Friend =
George w. Csrpe inter- Imprisoned for ssme
months, and tried for writing a threatening let.
ter, was acquitted by the unique defence, set
up by his counsel that the prisoner was insane
on tie subject Of AHti. Masonry"
Two wood sawyers Of renowu, in Phadelphia.
operated on u cord of white oak each, on
wager. Daniel Blosam got through in hour
and IL minutes. Shadrach White was Is min.
ntes behind. This may be called ,eoeden
horse race.
LITERARY Convention. This Convention
assembled at New York on Tuesday last week.
John T. Adams was appointed President. 1t 10
attended by gentlemen of Literary eminence
from different States. Among the resolntioas
was one TO offer premium for the best Cat.
acheteai Grammar Of the English language,
adapted TO The capacities Of youth, which was
referred to a COMMITTEES. A committee was
likewise appointed TO take into consideration
inc practicnblilty OF adopting uniform system
OF pronunciation, or the Greek and Latin Ian.
guages, IN the classical Institutions Of our
country. se 3d.
HrAvEs IN HoRsEs. Take one pound and q |
nan o. good ginger for a horse give two
.poohluis each day--one in the morning, and
h"s osher 10 the evening, mixed with wheat
Slan This receipt has been selling al the
tbo .ha, TOT i've dollars, where the efficacy OF
sno above msdieine has been proved in The
s-..s. =. several cases Of obstinate heaves
.s..s..nuu.us.-.-u,m