The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-06-05

Fact and Fancy
FRENCH ACADEMY OF ScIKNcEs-S1rrINe OF
M.ys-M Arago made communication 10 the
Academy of the discovery OF telescope comet, by
M Mauvais on the I'd instant. Its appearance was
bv no means distinct when 1rst discovered; but IN
the light OF the Sd ne was able TO take better OBJ
servanon, and 10 calculate its position exactly. II
wss within the sphere of the consultations of the
swan and Pegasus. In two subsequent observa-
lions, NJ. Meuvais ascertained its orbit, which he
declares 10 be unlike any of those laid down in the
astronomicdl calculation. This comet, which NJ
Msuvais says Was never before seen, is at this mo-
iuent approaching towards the earth. M Arago
Joined 10 this communication some remarks on tne
most celebrated Of all comets. that OF HALEY, when
made hts last appearance IN 1875, and whose peroos
OF revolution are "A, 70 and 70 years our feaoefs
are aware that several astronomers have examined
the Chinese records tor the purpose OF asceranlns
whether any observation had been made on the APP
pearance OF Hsley's comet The researches, SAID
NJ Arago, had been without result, until NJ. Blot,
Distinguished OrieRtalist, undertook the task This
gentleman has shown in the most positive manner.
that Haey's comet was observed In China on the
26h OF September, 1873. The following is his trans
lation OF the Chinese record -" Period Hougwou,
lIlh year, 9th moon; day Kiasu. An extraordinary
star seen 10 the northeast Of the five IL, B.
OF OF TaurusD IT had hairy sppendage extending
over abou, 10 degrees. II covered the group Re-
Kiai Ct, OF the Great Bear,) and entered into the
sphere OF Tseiwe (tail of the Dragon.) swept over
the five north polar (he Polar star and the four
small stars marked round the Pole on the Chinese
planispheres) passed over the Choocsai Of the
eastern wall, (north of the Dragon,) and entering
the Celestial market (he sphere of the stars of Ophn
Gus and the Serpent remained there until the 10Th
moon, day kI-sci Goth Of November,) when the
weather became cloudy, and it was no more seem
Al. Arago has compared the observations made by
The astronomers OF Europe on Haey's comet and
hnds them coincide SO perfectly with the observa-
tons made IN China on the comet of 1873, that he
entertans no doubt that the comet observed in
China, was that called Halley's comet. Ii was not
until century afterwards that any correct observa.
ton OF this comet took place.
SINGULAR BEINa.-Some time since we gave an
account OF man who had been confined in our
workhouse Tor nearly forty years He died short
time since at the age of about SEVENTY He wasdeaf
DUMB and blind, and tor than thirty nine years
had been confined In the cells OF the house, and dur
ing this length OF time had communication with
single individual, and lived more like beast than
human being. He slept on nothing but hard boards
and wore only shirt and pantaloons. His food was
daily handed him, when he would rise, take it and
eat and then return to his board where he lay curled
Mayo.
In this manner he lived, occupying but two cells;
one IN the ceer In winter and another in an out
house in summer, for this long period Previously
TO his confinement in the poor house. he was for five
years tenant OF the county Jail. IT is said that he
was bright and active when child, but severe sick
ness DESTROYED his speech and hearing; Possessing
violent temper, and depraved wiihal, he commit
ted various crimes, which induced his friends to
conhne him. He once set fire to his fathers house
When taken to Jail his anger was so intense, that
tor forty years was deaf, dumb and blind Portland
Tribune.
LORD PAuLET.-Among the instances of petty
Wreng-ot plltering, we may say-of which Lord
Pauet was guilty after he had consummated his er-
rand OF wholesale robbery, one particularly mean
has come to our knowledge. The titled thief seIzed
forc!bly avorite yacht belonging to the King and
used by HIM in his excursions from island TO island
OF MS dominlons, and made 1t tender to her ma
esty's irlgate. The staggering bravado tone of his
letters, however, shows his Lordship to be ca
pabe of any meanness. Wrenching kingdoms from
their owners is his principle business, but he is not
above stealing pleasure boat when he has occasion
or opportunity.N. o. Bulletin.
DUEL AT EICKsBURG.-A duel came off opposte
wlcssburg on Tuesday, the 10th inst. between Mr..
Thomas E. Rollins and w. A. Lake, ESQ The dis
lance was fifty yards-the weapons, rifles (yagers)
At the second fire Mr. Lake received his adversarys
ball In the knee, and was unable TO continue the
combat Mr.. Rollins was unhurt.
New DISCOVERY a Diving Bell. recently.
Col. Payere, OF London, went down to the bed OF
the Thames, and renamed seven hours cut of
from all communication with the upper air without
experiencing any ot the Unpleasant effects usually
attendant upon such experiments, TO the great sur
Prise o. a number OF distinguished men of science,
who Witnessed his performance without the know
ledge ot his novel application of a couple of well
Known facis N chemistry. He took down in the
boat with him two chemical substances, the one to
ABSORB the carbonic acid gas fast as generated
by The lungs the other 10 give oxygen gas to supply
The place OF that consumed. The first of these is
found IN pure potasse which readily absobs its owa
weight of carbonc acid gas, the other in the sui
phaie OF potasse, which, when heated, gives out a
yev large proportion of pure oxygen.-Loadon
Times.
LAUNCH OF THE FRIeATE RARrTAN-We stated
yeserday That the irigae Rartan, on The stocks
AT The Navy Yard, would be launched about The
middle OF this month. We can now state positive
ly, that tins day week, Saturday, June 10Th mas
been fixed upon II will be perceived that his En-
celency, John Tyler has shown his usual sagacity:
for, on that day, and about the time for launching
the vessel, he will arrive at the Navy Yard HIS
friends here having failed to create an excitement
for the OCCASION have advised him to order the
launch for that day, and so be certain of crowd
at the time OF his landing. To further this review
II Is given out, that the President and suite will be
present atthe launch.-PhiLd. Chron Sd inst.
RICHARD p. RoBTNsoN-Who was some wears
ago accused and tined for the murder of the noto-
nous Helen Jewett, Is said to be now a member of
the tirm OF Wallace, Blake and Co.. merchan ts do.
ing business about five miles from Houston in
Texas. II reported about two wears since
that he had joined the Texan army and had one
OF his arms shot off That seems now TO be a mis-
take, as gentleman saw him a short time ago in
Texas.
CoTToN MANUFACTURES IN MExICo.-There are
IN the Republic OF Mexico SO cotton manufactures
with an aggregate OF l35, 600 spindles. They work
up daily, on an average, As 622 lbs of cot m and
produce 43, $50 lbs of thread, which when woven
into cloth, NC, is worth $4S OBJ. These facts we
derive from printed statement by the Director
General OF Mexican Industry, dated city of Mexico
March 2s 1913. fa,xasi
SHIELDS yYJO(,RAPuJC PRESS