The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-08-13

scription Of . singular machine y given BY J.. ".
c. Smith, ia the Boston Medical and Surgical
Journal
Nothing 10 Vienna delighted ns more than
the matchless machinery of the famous Pierre
Jaquet Dfoz, in his androides OF selfmoving
figures lie must have been one Of the very
highest order of mechanical geninses. Hs OK
hbted three Of his automaton children before
Louie XIV. Of France, in I772, who at once
raised him to distinction far as royal inhu-
ence couIl dignity man Of such rare powers.
One of these figures writes beautiful hand
any sentence proposed-by simply gusgng a
dial plate to particular order of letters. The
second draws the figures Of animate on PAPER,
aud actually shades off profile and the third
plays with its fingers on keyed instrument
something similar to piano. They have sll 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, pinions, chains endless screws, cams and
levers, on which my eyes ever rested, these are
the most perplexng and astonishing. After the
inventor had astonisIed 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 exhibi-
ton, before the inqusition 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 ayails of his ingenuity. He
| fled, leaving the automata In the strong box Of
tl LII. ned
entered. when, by the agency of some friends
who knew the history Of the transaction, they
were recovered and sent to Pars---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,
q young German, on learning their history, made
a visit of inspection.
| They were considered worthless, and no one,
however eminent as mechanist dared undertake
the restoration. BY pers yering 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 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 a true mechanical
movement, open for the most critical examina-
ton 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 then again
at the load with all the naturalness of every
day life.
II is the work of n matchmaker, who en-
ployed his leisure moments in the construction,
and realised 500 forms for the ingenuity. have
been more particular in speaking OF this exhibit
ton, because it is OF so rare a character, and
evinces the resources of mind in the Alpine
regions of Switzerland, in the person of Droz,
which has not yet had a parallel in the history
of inventions.
New Sign LANGUAGE FOR DEAF MUTEs.-A
young gentleman lately presented a thesis for
the degree of doctor Of medicine, at the Uni
versity of Buffalo, in which he projected new
mode of convers ton 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
tiers, which, combined, make words and SEN
fences. This is but an imperfect outline Of
Dr. Ms theory of new sign Of language. 1t
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 EsTArE.--it seems by the papers
that In all parts Of the country there claimants
esf0 u.hi las IN I'm
land. The whole value Of this property. accord
ing to English authority, exceeding .f80O0, 600;
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 oft, was
an old miser who took great pleasure in accumula-
ting. lie was born some time about 100, and
died IN l79S, leaving no issue, and interstate. The
question now TO solve is, who the heirs2 In
England all claim has ceased, and it Is certain
that the descendants exist on this side Of the At
lantc, but as yet unrecognised. Not long ago
whole convention of Jenningses, from all parts Of
the United States sat at Nash WILL to appoint COM
mittees to institute inquiries and raise funds to
Investigate the matter. Subsequently convention
sat at Charlottesville for similar purpose. From
what we can understand the impression among
eminent legal men who have examined the matter
Is, that the true heirs the descendants of the
family Of Mr.. s. Jennings, Of this city This
gentleman has already been to England to inves-
tgate the matter, and intends, learn, 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
Its authority but finding response To it. in-~
structons we're 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
OF this fact, we believe, made. More re-
Gently, the British Consul at Norfolk received,
from high funcnonaries at home, directions TO
proceed to Elizabeth City county to institute STINT
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 is an immense es-
,a'e, which was len fifty years ago, without any
owner, and, as far as the Government knew. With
out probability, after so great lapse Of time,
OF one being found but, under the parental care
OF the law, 1t is watched and cherished until, we
nnae 4 ha, I,I "a.