The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-12-14

In 1349, the pestilence entirely ceased IN Eng
land; but the destroying angel continued ms
march through other regions Tor seVefdi years
longer-marks of his presence remaining on record
down to the year 1862
One of the most deplorable effects resulting from
this visitation fell upon the heads of that unfortu
nate race-the Jews. A belief was prevalent in
several countries, that they had caused the pesti-
lence by poisoning the wells and fountains and in
many places they were massacred by thousands
by the enraged populace. Twelve thousand of
them were murdered in the single city of Mentz
and in other parts of Germany they were exter-
minated.
No similar visitation has since afflicted the
world nor does its earlier history afford any in
stance OF a calamity, of the same nature equally
widespread destructive. Indeed, in almost
every other memorable instance of the plague, it
has been limited to a particular district, even
to particular city. Arthur's Home Gazette.
TRAINED FLEAs,-That industry and care will
accomplish wonders, is well exempiied in the case
of the trained heas which were exhibited in Lon
don some eighteen or twenty years ago. Moreover,
it is an interesting fact in natural history, and af-
fOrds us some idea of the extraordinary strength
possessed by so minute a creature es this rather
troublesome insect One of these well disciplined
and tiny animals had been taught to draw up
bucket from a well another, upon being harnessed
10 the model of a man-of-war of 100 guns, with
sails and all complete, and four hundred times its
ease. Whether or not this vessel was mounted up
on wheels, our account does not relate that it was
is most probable To fully appreciate, then, the
muscular power displayed in this feat, we need on
ly imagine man of $50 pounds weight dragging
after him vehicle whose weight is 81, COO pounds
Others of these wonderful creatures were trained
TO carry upon their backs efigies of Wellington
and Napoleon, and to combat with swords in sys-
tematic warfara. Mr.. Griffith, in his translation of
Cuvier's g Animal Kingdom" relates the case of
"a mir ed HIa thaf Jra a sily car.
non mounted two little wheels, which was
charged with powder and fired without alarming
the insect in the least Hook has recorded the la
bors of an English artist who constructed an ivo.
ry coach for six horses, holding four persons, and
having two lackeys behind, and coachman with
dog between his legs upon the box the whole of
which was drawn by single flea. Arthur's
Home Gazette.
The HAWK IN OLDEN TIMEs.-In England the
hawk a bird highly esteemed for hunting
purposes that, during the reign of Henry VII,
royal edicts were promulgated, in which it was
decreed that all persons convicted of robbng a
hawks nest of its eggs, or destroying them, should
suffer imprisonment for year and day, and be
liable to fine, according to the kings pleasure
Even If the act was perpetrated upon his own
grounds the offender subject to the same pen
atty. In the reign of Elizabeth the period of i'm.
prsonment reduced to three months but the
culprit was compelled to remain in confinement until
he could find security for his good behavior fol
seven years. When, however, we consider the
high value set upon hawks we may not think these
punishments altogether too harsh. Early in the
seventeenth century there were paid for cast OF
pair, 100 Marks (about S325) a large sum in those
| days. Yet this was not an extraordinary high
price, if we may believe the writer's of that period
| for so great was the and industry required
both by night and by day, in order to train hawks
! for the hunt, that those who followed the employ
ment, considered themselves as granting favor in
! parting with their birds. As an instance of the
! high price for which they were sometimes Sold il
(; is mentioned that in the reign of James |, Sn
! Thomas Mouson gave for a single cast the sum o.
7 one thousand pounds. [Arthurs Home Gazette
! KISSING IN ANCIENT RoME.-Among the An
/ cent Romans, kissing was an act of religion. The
) most intimate friend of dying person performed
the rte of receYina Lis snnl hu kiss snrnnsitnc