Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-12-05
THE WHEELING SUSPENSION BRIDGE.

THE WHEELING SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
above low water mark, and 60 above the abument
by which it is supported. The flooring is "a fee,
wide, with two foot ways, each 81 feet and an in
termediae carriage way II feet wide. The floor,
Ing is supported ny II cables of iron wire, inches
in diameter and 1850 fee; lung.
These cables rest on iron rollers, placed on the
submits of the towers, the movements Of which will
relieve the tower of the strain which would be occa-
stoned by the contraction and eongation of the wires
consequent on variations of temperature, OK the
iransltory loads that may pass over. The cables
are anchored into the heavy masonry of the wing
walls at each end Of the bridge. The length of the
wood work which resls the cables is 900 feet :;
It's weight $40 pounds per Iinoal foot. or 52i lG0
pounds, or 2b2 tons in the whole. Each cable is
composed of 800 stands of No 10 WIRE The weigh,
o each lineable foot of the II cables composed of
o,oO0 strands, is $50 pounds, making with the
weight OF timber, bolts, castings, suspcnders Sc
$40 pounds per neal foot, or Az tons as the per-
manent weight of the bridge itself Now, indepen-
dent OF this, lis own weight the bridge is construct
ed TO support the greatest tranSi,Urv weight that
is ever likely TO DE, it may be sad can be posi-.
bly, brought upon il. column of 10 of the six
horse wagons used ON the national road would ill
The length OF The span from one abument 10 the
other. The flooring is wide enough TO receive two
such columns, and therefore capable of containing
81 such teams at time; and assuming the average
weight of each horse al 700 pounds, and of each
loaded wagon at l2,UOO pounds, and allowing
5OO men OF the avcrageweight of $50 pounds,
each al the same time. we have aggregate OF
493 400 pounds, 297 TONS as test otany transit
tory, weight ever likely TO be brought urOn it,
This Is about the weight of of 700 cattle, or 600
men. Now, the aggregate strength of the G6OO
strands ot wire composing The IL cables, at 800
pounds ,eniions for each, (and this is asceriaincd
/ by machine for the purpose is 100000 pounds
or $50 tons. In the ordinary state of the bridge
therefore, they will be capable of resisting three
! time the tension produced by the weight Of the
bridge itself, and three times the additional tension
produced by the load upon the flooring Thus it
would seem that the strength of the cables is more
/ than sufiicon; for ali practicable purposes; and all
other parts Of the structure in the same proportions
/ Is SHE MECHANIC ?-Yes-but we'll be bound
/ 10 say that he will make more agreeable compan-
ion, more kind friend, and more afleclionate hus
band than multiiudes whose soft hands and delicate
faces tell plainly that they have nothing 10 do with
labor 10 be sure, his dress is not costly, and
he has no money 10 spare, or waste at theatres and
| pupet shows. Secure him, young lady if YOU
can, and let who will be gaanied by iops and fash
lonabIes. 1hat young man may not 9e able a,
present TO make so fine appearance as the sons
of his wealthy ne;gh5 ors-but eventually, if he
continues TO be steady, honest and Industrious he
will out shine them all a score of years hence YOU
would not exchange him for one of them, with the
whole world into the bargain
! When we see young women turn up their noses
at the industrious young men, and ask with con-
tempt, "Are they Mechanics 2" we cannot but pity
their folly. Who is Tie richest man of your ac-
qnaIniance! Once he mechanic or the son
Oh mechanic. DO we might say of nearly all the
distinguished men in State. An many a fool
ish gIr, WHO has made fun of a leather apron and 2
colIouSed hand has lived TO repent her folly in dust
and ashes Let II not be said of you young lady
Wherever you see honest integrity and spotless vir
Tue, whether In the son OF 4 prince or a sweep
cherish 1T, and you Will never regret that YOU palC
Difference TO the nobler virtues of The good
Let not The question ever be put, bv way ofsoh
or contempt-"ls he "A mechanic 90 When youno
man desires your acquaintance, let the only inuur,
be-'ls he ylrtuOus and industrious 2" and if th:
can be answered in the Affirmative blessed is IN,
female who secures his Affections Olive Branch
DECORATING GRAvEs.-It is a beautiful Cath
Ole custom, which prevails in some of our cities
but particularly in New Orleans, ofdecorating will
flowers the graves of the dead, on what is known
as All Saints Day. The festival which called
forth this custom has existed from time immemori
al In the Catholic church, and it is observed will
great regularity. NJ once Impressive and touching
Tor 1t cuitlvates fond recollecons of the loved AM
lost and by 1t death is shOrn of its sharpest siinps
1t teSilies to the living, that Forgeilulness does no
always grow with the grass around the tomb, bu
that Memory, the dew of tears upon her flowers
shall offer yearly garland the coffin Of the dead
A REPUBLIC The present military establish
ment of France is 5D3, 900 nen-40 .000 however
were 10 be discharged previous to October; 40 OOt
more will receive an unlimited leave of absence
without pay; and previous TO lSt January so, OO
more VIII he reduced in the same way. In thi
mode the Minister of War says that by LIST Janu
airy, 1850. the peace establishment will be reduce
10 100000 men. A peace establishment of onl
800 900 men for a Republic, founded on the riohf
of the people and general suffrage! Surely Franc
SHOULD he called the model .epubllc.-.Nste o,
teams Bulletin.
]HE IUNGs.-On examination tho lungs will b
iuHnd full of innumeGable little holes like sponge
These holes are the little cells into which the al
enters when we breathe So great is their numbe
that they have been calculated to amount {
10000 900. forming surface thirty times great
or Than the human body every one Of these cells
provided with a net work of blood vessels, by mean
OF which the blood is brought into immediate con
tact with the air over every portion Of their surface
When this great amount is taken into consideration
we shall al once feel how necessary il is to suppl
pure air 10 the lungs with every breath we draw
S OuTRAGE on BEAUTY.-A scoundreI at the Bos
ton Museum, when the crowd were passing out, o
Thursday evening week. deliberately cut off tire
or four ringIets from young lady's neck Heai
ing The click of the scissors, the young lady quick
y turned round and uttered a Scream but the pet
pe;rator Of the outrage had fled.
it The pleasant invention of kissing is the olisprin
S Of Temperance. when wine was prohibited b.
/ law 10 the women Of ancient Rome. male relative
had the right of asccrlaining, by tasting the lips
their sisters and cousins, whether tho forbidden Ii
= quor had passed in.
i 81 wouldn't marry an eastern man if had {