Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-31
NEW SERIES VUho s77NOo gaeA

half that space, or SO degrees. From mixture
of water, ice, and sal ammoniac, the scale com.
menced; SO degrees were allotted to the interval
for Ice water and 81 more for the ascent to blood
heat. But he afterwards enlarged the range,
and assumed another point from the limit Of boil.
Ing water, which he placed at the 2l2th degree
in the mean state Of the atmosphere, though liza.
BILE to some variation from the change Of barome.
trio pressure Such was now his condolences in
the deicacy Of the construction. that he propos-
ed the thermometer as an instrument for ascer.
tanning the heights of mountains from the depress.
ed temperature of boiling water; very simple
method, which has lately been revived by the
Rev. Mr.. Wallaston.
1t is stated in some of the journals that in Sws-
den church bells are cast Of glass. One Of six
feet diameter, recently constructed, is said to be
Of very superior tone We are suspicious Of the
accuracy Of this averment, although that the tone
of such bells would be uncommonly rich and dae,
is unquestionable. Any one who has exper.
mented by striking glass bowl, will be satisfied
Of this. We imagine, however, the material 10
rather too fragile for actual employment in call.
ing the people to church. Yet. by making use
of cIapper Of some yielding substance, we think
the effect of large bell Of slass might be tried
with safety.
The Shark.-There always follows, however,
the most lively curiosity ON the part Of the sailors
to learn what the shark has slowed away in ito
inside: but they are often disappointed. for the
stomach is generally empty. remember one
famous exception, indeed, when very large Eel.
low was caug ht on board the Alceste, in Anjeer
Roads, at Java. when we were proceeding to Chi.
ma with the embassy under Lord Amherst. 4
number Of ducks and hens which had died IN tho
night, were as usual thrown overheard, the morn.
ing. besides several baskets, and many other mi.
nor things, such as bundles Of shavngs and bits
of cordage, all which things were found IN TINS
huge sea -rnonster's inside. But what exciteo
most surprise and admiration was the hide OF
buffalo, Killed on board that day for the SHIPS
companys dinner, The old sailor who had cut
open the shark stood with foot IN each' sloe,
and drew up the articles one BY one from the
huge cavern into which they had been lnd'scrt.
Intimately drawn. When the operator came at
last to the buifaO's hide. ne held it up before MN
like curtain, and exclaimed, /" There, my iaas;
dye see that, He has swallowed buffalo, out
he could not digest the hide"
Frm1ks.-We do not wonder that there should
occasionally be attempts to forge franks, while
Members, for the sake Of affectation or fashion,
habitualIy scrawI illeglble hieroglyph'cs., Inc
writing now Of every NJ. p, excepting the few
who scorn the absurdity, is utterly devoid OF any
individuality of character. We have seen iu-
stances Of letters, with the date and audress Oh
the top, and Free, rather legibIy, and you
plsase, very ilegibly written in the corner, when
have paid no postage; you please having oeen
supposed by the Post Office clerk to be the Sig
nature of tie Member The Parliamentary cox
combry which induced the fraud deserves repre-
hension and correction. We remember ratneF
amusing illustration Of this absurdity, which &C.
Cured to the late Lord Walsingham. The fnn'
cess Augusta having asked him Tor q frank no
wrote one for her IN such detestabs characters:
that at the end OF week. after having wandered
half over England, it was opened, and returneo
to her as illegibe. The Princess complained %
Lord Walsingham. and lie then wrote the Irank
for her so bgiJly. that at the end OF couple o!
DAYS it was returned to her marked FoRexRY."
1oUs.
Etymology "A correspondent OF the Times
saws" Every body is not acquainted with tho
etjymoIogy Of the word bumbus, which is now
very generally applied to cholera. II is cor
rupitioH of Hamburger" and originated in the
following manner:-During period when war
prevailed on the continent, SO many false reports
and living bulletins we're fabricated at Hamburger,
that at length, when any one would signify his
disbelief of statement, he would say, You had
that from Hambursh,' and thus, That is Ham
bursh,' or 'humbug' became common express
sion of incredulty." .-
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