The southern press., 1851-08-13
seIentilis RIemora

.
C. Smith, in the Boston Medical and Surgical
Journal: "a iItn%
Nothing in Vienna delighted nae more than
the matchless machinery Of the famous Pierre
Jaquet Droz, in his androides of self-moving
figures. He must have been one of the very
highest order of mechanical geniuses. He ex-
hbted three of his autonaton children before
Louis XIV Of France, in l772, who At once
raised him to distinction as far as royal infu-
ence could dignity man of such rare powers.
One of these figures writes beautiful hand
any sentence proposed--by simply 'guaging
dial-plate to particular order of letters. The
second draws the figures Of animals on paper,
and actually shades off a profile; and the third
plays with its fingers on keyed instrument
something similar to piano. They have all the
appearance of life, even to the expression of
thoughtfulness.
was permitted to inspect the mechanism at
leisure while in motion and at rest and of all
the complicated inexplicable combination of
wheels pnions, chains, endless screws, cams and
levers, on which my eyes. ever rested, these are
the most perplexng and astonishing. After the
inventor had astonished all France and England,
he made trip to Spain with an expectation of
reaping good harvest in that then wealthy king
dom, but he had hardly commenced the exhb-
ton, before the inqnsition arrested him, and
threw him into prison for being in league with
the devil Had it not been for the interest felt
in his case by the archbishop Of Toledo, who
comprehended the nature of the mechanism, and
favored his escape, it is thought that he would
have been burned alive.
This sad misfortune ruined his prospects, and
stripped him of the avails of his ingenuity. He
fled, leaving the automatic in the strong box of
Ne holy oaiee, where they Iemainad tlNapoleon
who knew the history Of the transaction, they
were recovered and sent to Paris-not, how
ever, until the unfortunate Droz and his equally
talented son had been many years in their graves.
In the rough landings to which they had been
subjected, the apparatus got out of order, and no
one could be found competent to repair them,
till by the merest chance, the present proprietor,
a young German, n.learning their history, made
q visit of inspection.
They were considered worthless, and no one,
however eminent MS a mechanist, dared undertake
the restoration. BY persevering study, Mr. Henri
Martin, the gentleman alluded to, discovere the
principle of the movement, and they are now
again in motion. He would like much to 90 to
the United States with them, but breads the idea
of crossing a turbulent ocean. Maelzel's cele-
brated rope-dancers, and even his chess-player,
are not to be named in the same day of the
month with them. Here is 4 true mechanical
movement, open for the most critical examina-
tion of the spectator, while his was deception.
Connected with these figures, Mr. Martin has a
miniature hand cart drawn by an old man smok.
ing. He tugs away awhile, and stops and
breathes hard and looks around, and therpagain
at the load with all the naturaness of every
day life.
II is the work of matchmaker, who en-
ployed his leisure moments in the construction,
and realised 500 florins for the ingenuity. have
been more particular in speaking Of this exhbi-
ton, because it is of so rare character, and
eyinces the resources of mind in the Alpine
regions of Switzerland, in the person Of Droz,
which has not yet had parallel in the history
of inventions.
New Sign LANGUAGE FOR DEAF MUTEs.-A
young gentleman lately presented thesis for
the degree of doctor Of medicine, at the Uni
versity of Buffalo, in which he projected a new
mode of conversation for the deaf and dumb.
1t is not unlike the dots and lines used in tele-
graphic language. He proposes that the fore
finger, for example, striking upon the table,
should represent the armature of an electro
magnet. Thus tap or a prolonged pressure
would represent dot or a long mark. Each
and all oft hese movements are to represent let
ters. which, combined, make words and son
tences. This Is but an imperfect outline of
Dr. Ms theory of a new sign of language. IL
il thought, that by its adoption, the facility of
expression would be vastly increased over the
old and ungraceful method at present used. The
system is worthy the attention of those who
have the training Of this unfortunate class.
The JENNINGS EsTATE.--lt seems by the papers.
that in all parts Of the country there claimants
for the large Jennings estate, which lies in Eng
land. The whole value of this property, accord
ing to English authority, exceeding f6, ,000, 900
or more then $40 000, ,000--a sum which would
make its possesser the richest man in the world
VIM. Jennings, who left the principal Of il, was
an old miser, who took great pleasure in accumula-
ting. lie was born some time about 100, and
died in 1898, leaving no issue, and intestate. The
question now to solve is, who are the heirs' In
England all claim has ceased, and il is certain
that the descendants exist on this side of the At
lantic, but as yet unrecognised. Not long ago a
whole convention of Jenningses, from all parts Of
the United States, sat at Nashvil, to appoint COM
mittees to institute inquiries and raise funds to
Investigate thematter. Subsequently convention
sat at Charlottesville for n similar purpose From
what we can understand the impression among
eminent legal men who have examined the matter
is that the true heirs are the descendants Of the
family OF Mr.. 3. Jennings, Of this city. This
gentleman has already been TO England to inves-
ugate the matter, and intends, learn TO proceed
thIther again on the same business.
The British Government has been desirous, for
along time, to find the owners OF the estate
Through English papers notice has been made by
It's authority; but finding no response to il, in
structions were sent twice to this country for the
descendants Of Charles Jennings, who came
nither from England in 1851 The first inquiry
was addressed, some years ago, TO the Secretary
Of State Of the United States, and advertisement
or this fact, we believe, was made. More re-
Gently, the British Consul at Norfolk received,
from high funcuonaries at home, directions TO
proceed to Elizabeth City county to institute SINH
lar Investigations to the descendants OF this
same Charles, who, it was believed, were the
true heirs.
The sacredness with which the British laws are
observed with regard to property is beautifully H.
Illustrated in this matter. Here il an immense es-
tate, which was left fifty years ago, without any
owner, and, as far as the Government knew, with
out probability, amer SO great lapse Of time,
OF one being found but, under the parental care
OF the law, It is watched and cherished until, we
suppose, i has trebled its original value. IL is