The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-11-10
AbbEVlLhE Z. H. S. c., NOVEMBER TO- 1847

from an army letter which was published
not long since in Southern paper -
"Perhaps you will not believe me whcr
tell you that l am writing this by moon
shlne-ycs, the beautiful bright moonlight
OF Mexico. Heaven help those in the U
States who think they know what moon
light is They know nothing about it,
Moonlight in Mexico is moonlight-purc
beautiful. magnificent, beyond description
II is the essence of MONDAY rarifed-
Every object stands out in bold relief ano
so clear and pure is the atmosphere that
that the stars and the broad uncloudcd SIX,
seem within reach. [ have enjoyed thi:
enchanting moonlight hundred times
while sitting with my mess in front Of our
tent. or sometimes we take prom made
around the camp as the guard will
permit US; and at other spass ont nnd
wander through the lie streets of tho
city and listen to the Chatter of thousand
Mexican tongues, jabbering 10 one another
across the streets. 1t is at such times tha,
we inhaIe the sweet odor Of the now ripcn
ing fruits that grow so plen,ifulIy in ,hi:
clty-such as orange. lemons, lines, FIGS
dates, and almonds: and then that best o.
all frnlt, the juicy peach, grows here to it:
greatest perfection. All these things com
bined will ever give a soldier some happy
hours"
HE BLACK Hole IN CA1cUTrA.-Thc
dreadful tragedy at Calcutta MANY wear:
ago is often referred to DO Psychologists as a
fearful illustration of the fatal effects result
ing from an impure atmosphere. The de-
tails OF the tragedy arc thus given in How.
it's Journal.
The most fearful instance on record Of
the sacrafice Of human lc from confine
M mt i'll Il limited quantity of air occurred
i'll the year l756, when hundred and forty
SIX English taken in Fort William at Cal.
c"'ta, by the native prince Suroj-u-Dowlah
were imprisoned by his orders iii the CON-
mon dungeon of the garrison, known us the
Black hole. This apartment was not twen
ty feet square, and had two small windows
and these were partly obstructed on the out
side by the projecting vcranda. 1t was the
very hottest season of the year, and the
nights unusually sultry even for that season
The wrc.ched prisoners soon became mad
with thirst and the craving for air; they
shrieied for water in the most furious tones
and fought each other with manic hands
feet, and teeth: for possession of the ground
nearest the windows. When water was
brought, they bat,led with each other like
demons Tor the first draught. and they con-
sequently spilled and wasted more than
was drunk. The constant crowding 10 the
windows, BY obstructing the cnterance o
air, destroyed all chance of life for those
who were furthest removed from them
and many thus perishcd whose lives might
possibly have been saved if all had been
content 10 remain tranquil, taking their re-
gular turns IN the more airy portions Of the
apartment. Many more pcrished from the
violence ofthe conflict in which they had
been engaged; and by two o'clock in the
morning, only yJOty (but little more than one.
third OF the original nnnber) remained alive
These, by making the best of their dreadful
condition, might have perhaps been all saved
Notwithstanding the rapid decomposition OF
the bodies of the dead gave new and sick.
cning taint to the air of this terrible lungeon
but one after another continued 10 sink, un
til at eight o'clock, when an order arrived
for an enlargement of the survivors, only
tuenty-three were found alive, and these So
dreadlully changed in appearance as scar.
cely 10 be recognised even by their ncares,
friends.
Coop ADVICE FcR THE YoUNG.-Every
youth should earyly learn the Importance Of
self-rclance. IF he would make any ad
vancement up the rugged hill ofScience, or
climb the steps Of Fame-he has got to
make himself You may have afectionate
parents and powerful friends-thcy will be
of but little avail if you do not help yourself
You may have money and wealth at your
command-b"t they, Of themselves, can dc
but little in the accomplishment Of you,
great objects. You have the advantages
Of the best schools, and of the most valuable
Libraries, but if you do not bring into requi
sition and active service the native energies
of your own mind, you will fall infinitely
short Of, the ends sought for Remember
that industry, application and energy car
accomplish aImest any and every thing