The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-27
Approved: CANNING.
Approved JAMES CAMPBELL,
Postmaster General.

| CROSSING THE ATLANTIC INA BALLOON
John Wise, of Lancaster, Pa, has written a
letter to the Hon. Ellis Lewis, propoundng Ger.
tain inquiries III regard to the probabilities of
encouragement from an enlig htened public in
an adventure Of crossing the Atlantic in bal
loon. He says he does not ask or expect any
assistance until he has demonstrated the prin-
ciple and made at least one successful trip from
some of our Western cities to the seaboard.
The cost of transatlantic trip he says will
not exceed 5000, including balloon and
outfit, and the time to be within forty.eight
hours.
Judge Lewis answers the eronaut encourag
ingly, and advises him to publish detailed
statement of his proposed plan, which he has
accordingly done. The following is list
of materials for preparation for the erial voy-
age.
A globulai balloon 1875 feet in diameter, will
require 5000 yards of silk at two dollars per
square yard & $4,000
100 gallons prepared linsed oil 300
Net work grapnel and cordage 300
Labor. 1000
Contingencies 1000
away, (probably) 5000
Provisions andwater for eight tmen 100
Coal gas decarbonized, IS. .OOoycuhic feet (prob
bably) f,Se... ez@4 - $500
Ballast. 100
Total cost 800, 700
The writer, after deductins the weight of
materials, &c, of eight men and provisions, aud
1000 pounds for ascentive power to start with,
has reserve of 25,I95 pounds for mails and
weight.
Ii the eroant will demonstrate his principle
nd ho of tnOa md n rfn nf
weight to Europe in AZ hours, at DOLLAR pound
the funds will without the shadow of doubt,
be very speedily forthcoming.
Miss LESLIE ON SLANG -"There is no wit,
says the author Of the behaviour Book, sin a
lady to speak of taking 'snoose, instead Of a
nap-in calling pantaloons 'pants or gentlemen
gents, in saying of a man whose dress is get
ting old, that he looks sseedy, and in alludng
to an amusing anecdote, dverting incident,
to say that it is 'rich All slang words are de-
testable from the lips Of ladies'. We are always
sorry to hear young lady use such word as
| 'polking, when she tells of having been enya-
ged in certain dance too fashionable not long
since; but happily, it is at last going out, and
| almost banished from the best society. 10 her
honour, be it remembered, Queen Victoria has
prohibited the polka being danced in her pres-
ence. How can genteel girl bring herself to
say, Last night was polking with Mr.. Bell,
or MIR. Cope came and asked me to polk with
him Its coarse and i'll sounding name is wor-
thy of the dance. We have little tolerance for
young ladies, who having in reality neither wit
nor humour, set up for both, and, having moth
ing OF the right stock to 60 upon, substitute
coarseness and impertinence (not to say impu-
dencel and try to excite laughter, and attract
the attention Of gentlemen, by talking slang -
Where do they getit? How do they pick it up'
From low newspapers, or from vulgar books
Surely not from low companions? We have
heard one ofthese ladies, when her collar cham
ced to be pinned awry, say that it was put Oh
drunk-also, that her bonnet was drunk, mean
| ing crooked nn her head When disconnected
she sfoored.' When submitting TO do a
| thing unwilIingly, she was brought TO the
scratch Sometimes she did things on the SLY.
She talked Of certain great vocalist, singing
| like beast She believed it very smart and
piquant to use these vile expressions. 1t is true,
| when at parties, she always had half a dozen
gentlemen about her, their curiosity being excl.
TED as to hat she would say next. And yet
she was woman of many good qualities and
one who boasted of having always lived in So
ciety.