The republic., 1851-06-11
Local Matters.

"THK ROTATION OF THE EARTH."-We men,
toned yesterday that Focault's experiment OF de-
monsrating the rotation Of the earth was tried in the
rotundo of the Capitol and state that the wire Of
the pendulum is suspended from the dome. Ii ID one
hundred and sixteen feet in length, with an iron
twenty pound weight attached as the ball. Be
meath this on the floor, is a circle, drawn with
chalk, and geometricaly divided. A friend in
forms that Captain Wilkes, OF the navy, has
caused this pendulum TO be hung, for scientific
purposes. and that the results will be accurately
noted. Many ladies and gentlemen were present
yesterday. to view the operations.
Mr. G. w. Dunnington, the chief of the Capitol
police by means of simple contrivance, (Which
he exhibits in the rotundo,) rapidly illustrates the
principle of the experiment in the following man
ner, namely: To the back and arms Of a chair
three sticks attached, and these in point
nearly over the seat From this point string is
suspended, at the end of which is small weight,
which completes the pendulum. The chair moves
on its centre like a music stool. The pendulum
being put in motion-say from north to south
will continue to oscatc in the same plane precise
ly, although the body of the chair, with the fix
tures, is made to revolvc, and during one revolu-
ton radiates through the whole circumference.
similar "cxperiment'' is still in progress at the
Patent Office--in the National Gallery--and
be witnessed by the public.
We state these things to show that science ia not
asleep in this portion of the country, and in the
hope that beneficial results may the labors
Of the expermenters.
MARROW EscApE.-A few days ago Thomas
Kirk, one of the painters employed at the Patent
Office building, narrowly escaped with his life
Having been engaged at work the cornice, on
the south side, standing a swinging scafioid-a
ladder in horizontal position, with plank cover
ing the rounds-he wished to lower himself to the
ground; but, instead of taking hold Of the nova
BILE rope for that purpose, he, in mistake, seized
one near by that braced the scaflold. The conse
quence was that the scaold tilted lengthwisc, and,
the plank slipping, he was thrown headlong to the
inclning towards the street. He had the presence
of mind, however, to catch the stay ropes which
prevented his further progress. And there he
hung, forty fifty feet in the aif Several of his
fellow wor kmen, seeing his danger, Immediately
lowered the scaffold, and thus relieved him from
his fearful situation.
AocIpKNT.-Last week, while workmen were
engaged in throwing out dirt from culvert
pit, on the grounds Of the Patent Office, n boy,
with small child in his arms, imprudently
ventured to walk along the margin of it. One of
the workmen had just emptied his shovel, and
was again drawing it towards him, when the edge
struck the child over the eye, badly cutting the
skin, but not, it is said, njuring the skull. The
father Of the child, are informed, 10 Professor
Jewett. From what we can learn, the laborer did
not sec the children, his face being in direction
contrary to that in which they approached.
The KoscIUsKo CHANcERY CASE was continued
in the circuit court yesterday.