Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-10-20

Substitute for Linen.--There has recently
been discovered, in Salem, Massachusetts, and
patented, new and beautiful material resem-
bling silk and linen, which holds out to the ma
nufacturers of this country the high promise OF
AN original beautiful, and invaluable fabric, far
surprising in strength and beauty of texture
that of linen, which it is destined wholly to SUI
persede. as the culture of it requires much less
labor and expense than fax, and does not, like
that and similar materials, require to be renew
ed annually, (beng perennial, and the pre-
paration of it for manufacturing being lar more
simple than either, and its great natural amnl-
ty for coloring matters and its requiring no
bleaching, being objects of the highest import.
ance. give it a very decided preference over that
manufacture few specimens OF the manu-
facture Of this material into small fancy articles
have been produced, some OF which being CO.
lored of various tints, present such oeautiiu
silk like appearance as to have been actually,
in some instances, mistaken for it. 1t possesses
this decided advantage, that it not only sustalns
the action of water unlnJured ana unoeiac-
ed, (which il is well known silk will not do) but
the repeated action of water rather appears to
strengthen and beautify it. II is ascertained to
be the opinion at Lowell, where they have Offer
ed to make the experiment. that II can be spun
upon machinery And while it offers to other
branches of manufacture very important suostl-
tutes for these substances hitherto used, II offers
material, very superior, in many points, Tor
paper. 1t is believed, from some specimens al
ready produced, that paper Of every descrip-
ton may be manufactured from il, possessing
pearly whiteness, durability, beauty of texture,
and smoothneSs of surface, unrivalled by any
other ever before manufactured in any country.
And it is susceptible of the most brilliant colors,
| in grain or otherwise. This is believed to be
the first material of the kind ever before Disco
vered in this country, that holds out the pros
pect of staple commodity, silk, linen, and cot,
ton being exotics, and the discoveries OF course
exotic; but this material is indigenous, is ma.
| tive of this country, discovered by one of her
| own daughters, which circumstances, will add
its value to us. 1t is open to any who may wish
make exp eriments
!SiHiman's Journal for October
instance of timid bachelor has been exhibited
this week at Wisbech. Mr.. John Hewett, an
| GO elderly gentleman" Of independent property,
who has for some time been residing in this
neighborhood, having resolved to add " no.
ney -drop" to his cup of life, on Monday eve
ming procured license to marry young wo-
man Of Wisbech, Of the name of Howett; the
sexton, being duly informed of this intention,
communicated the intelligence to the vicar, and
an early hour yesterday "Wednesday morning
was fixed for the performance OF the marriage
ceremony. At the appointed time, poor Hew-
EFT (who it appears, has been somewhat profuse
| in offers of marriage to other damsels OF WIS
bech,) and his bride, with the father and brides
maid set out for the parish church, attended by
numerous assemblage of persons, who greet
ed the wedding party with antcipatory epitha-
| lamiums. which seems to have sadly disturbed
the resolves Of the venerable bridegroom; for
long before they reached the church, he con-
| juTed the lady to release him from his promise,
| and actually offered her a sovereign TO forego
her claim upon him. She however, greatly
| preferring husband to a sovereign, most fiat
| teringly declined the offer. The old mans
dread of matrimony increasing as the distance
from church diminished, he earnestly renewed
his entreates, and enforced them with the offer
| of two sovereigns: but Miss Howett had resolv-
ed to be Mrs. Hewett and with a constancy
that ought TO abash all who rail at woman's fic-
kleness, she rejected the golden bait, and insist
ed that the priest should "bind their loves up
| in holy band" Finding entreaties vain, the
venerable Suitor, on arriving atthe church door,
obstnately refused to enter the sacred edifice.
BY this time many hundreds of spectators had
assembled and it being determined by some OF
them that the wedding ought to proceed, the po-
pular will was exercised in favor of the expect
ant bride, and the reluctant groom was forced
into the church. Here, however, the homely
dUdSe vi HOISt W "utSI was
illustrated: the crowd might force Mr. Hewett
into the church, but they could not compel him
to marry. In the midst Of this extraordinary
scene the vicar arrived, and, 70 the great amuse.
ment OF the tittering throng, called upon the old
man to say at once whether he would be mar
ried-yes or no. To this startling interrogato-
ny the relentng bridegroom irresolutely replied,
she did not know; he should not mind, il he
thought she was modest girl" After the par.
ty had continued in the church for an hour and
hail. it was announced to the crowd outside
that the marriage would not take place:-the
bridegroom was consigned for safety to the
arms of a constable, instead Of a wife, and was
thus conveyed to his house amidst the jeers of
the populace. Rumor, however, adds, that love,
who at sight of Hymen's bonds had "spread
light wings and fed" subsequently revisited
the venerable swain, and Mr.. Hewett passed
the remainder of his intended weddng-day in
the society of his pseudo bride!-Lincoln Nero.
Curious Coincidence.-Severey as Apamea