The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-01
Foreign GIsAnings.


ISDIAN HEMP IN A FREscH CAFE.-The Paris
correspondent of the Medical Times gives the fol-
lowing singular account of the physiological effects
OF the Indian hemp, which has only just been intro
duced into France. Many years, we may remark
often elapse before the discoveries of foreign medi
cal men become generally known TO the profession
IN France; and any foreign medicine, however val
liable, IL is impossible to obtain in Paris. Grinding
the hemp SO strong, the physician alluded to in q
former part of my letter resolved upon trying it
the neighbors He therefore betook himself with
about fifteen grains of the extract, TO cafe close
by, to the habitues of which he was well known. II
was Dlardi- gras, and copious hbations of flaming
punch had prepared the natives for any thing or
every thing. Monte Christie, besides, had made the
wonders OF Hashish familiar to them, and all were
anxious TO test the properties OF the unknown drug
Not more than single grain was given TO each.
Some bolted it like bolus; others smoked it; one
individual merely smeared about quarter Of a
grain over his cigarette paper. About one grain
was dissolved in a glass Of Curacao, and this was
allotted TO the master of the house. His two young
and handsome daughters were forbidden to taste of
the drug; but the physician had here evidently for
gotten his Scrptural history. About three-quar-
tiers OF hour passed quietly over and the curious
were rapidly lapsing into incredulity, when short
laugh, followed by an awful and most piercing
shrek, issued from an inner apartment. The
youngest daughter, following traditional example,
had tasted Of the forbidden object, and was sudden
ly struck with delirium and hysterical movements
OF a very alarming appearance. Consciousness
was only half obliterated, and the mind seemed to
make supernatural efforts TO escape from the chain
about to be thrown around ii. The shrieks were
rapid, most violent, and Of peculiar kind The
girl felt conscious that she ravng, and earnest
y entreated all around her not to conclude that she
was mad; each appeal being terminated by a heart
rending scream. Some internal sensation also
compelled her to cry, every and then, that
she was dying. With great difficulty she was
conveyed TO bed, where the delirium continued for
revealed to the astonshed auditors. AS if signal
were set by this mischancc. the young men in the
cafe went off about the same moment. The effects
were not, however, 30 violent. They were ex,
tremely varied. The individual who had smoked
some hemp (half grain) in his cigarette was sud
denly attacked by violent fits of laughter, which
compelled him TO roll on the floor, during which he
exclaimed that something was raising him up to
heaven. These fits, resembling hysteria, did not
last more than ten minutes. Another individual,
instead of being agitated fell suddenly into deep
sleep, bolt upright against the wall, with the chin
sunk his chest and the features in the most per-
feet calm. Were it not for the deep, slow inspira
tions one would have thought him defunct, for the
face was deadly pale. So profound was the sleep,
that it continued for three hours despite the shouts
and screams of the excited bacchanals who danced
around him, for in the majority the hemp merely
produced intoxication. In all, the excitement was
soon followed by an invincible tendency to sleep
the benches were strewn with the slain, and delight
ful dreams, producing strange laughter repaid the
adventurous tasters for their curiosity"
VALpARAIso.-The tonnage of the shipping of all
nations which entered in October last into the port
OF valparaiso, was lU,SUO tons. vi this the Cnl
lians entered 5000 tons, British $500 tons, Amer
cans 1000, French 800 tons, other European ma
tons 500 tons.
Cold WEATHER.-So severe has the weather been
in the Mediterranean and Black seas, that in the
French feet several persons had died of the cold,
and at Gallipoli the thermometer had been low
as 40, and twenty three persons were frozen to
death At Constantinope the thermometer had
also been down to 90, the harbor frozen in, and
eral persons died of cold. A large number of ves-
sells have been lost in the two seas and amongst
them an Austrian man Of war schooner.
FRANcE.-Commenting ON the fierce disputes
which are daily occurring in the French assembly,
the correspondent of the Daily News at Paris says:
"French society has, in fact, become arena, in
which death struggle is to take place, not Of wild
beasts-for neither prepared to rush blindly to
confct-bu of gladiators, who show science, deter
mination, passion, and skill. 1t is impossible to
regard either of these extreme parties without a
mingled feeling of pity and of horror. Both appeal
to the sword. Both fling away reasoning for taunts,
and patience for defiance-whilst their mutual ha-
tired is such as Dante alone could express
DRAMATIC AUTHoRs.-Thc Literary Gazette in
forms us the dramatic authors Of Germany are TO
meet in congress on the lst of June, at Dresden,
TO settle general tariff for the performance of their
pieces throughout all Germany and TO take other
measures for the protection of their interests.