davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
Masbington sfntineI.
A Great Traveller.

It seems only a few weeks since we announc-
ed the arrival Of our fellow townsman, Jno. Guy
Vassar, esq.,, from abroad, and now notice his
departure by the steamer Arctic for Europe.
During the past fifteen years our readers have
been indebted, through our columns, for his in
teresting correspondence from all parts of the
civilized and portions Of the uncivilized quar-
tiers of the globe, having travelled more exten
sively and worldwide, we think, than any man
living, of his age.
In the Uuited States Mr. Vassar has visited
all the States and territories OF the Union, in
cluding California and Oregon, as also all the
capital cities of South America; has crossed
twice the Isthmus of Panama, circumnavigat-
ing the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, via the
straits of Magellen; has visited the continent
several times, and is familiar with every capital
city of Europe from Norway, Sweden, Russia,
in the north, to Greece, Turkey, Italy, Spain, in
the south; from Portugal and the British Isles,
in the west, to Egypt and Palestine in the east.
He has passed several winters in the West In
dia islands, Cuba, Hayt, st. Croix, St. Thomas,
Curacao, Martinique, and the republic OF Ven
ezuela on the north coast of South America.
His journeying has been extended to the Ca
nary Islands and Madeira, as also Majorca,
Sicily, Malta, and the Ionian groups; and our
readers have not forgotten his descriptions of
the Sandwich Islands and life in China and
Singapore, the elephant hunts of the island OF
Ceylon in the bay of Bengal, the peculiarities
of the Maabar and Hindoo races, the festal
scenes at Calcutta and Bombay. He has sailed
under the flags of all nations where steam power
is used, and travelled by every known means Of
water conveyance, from the hat-boat OF the Mis-
sissippi to the Chinese junk, and the substan-
tial English, Peninsular and Oriental, West
India and Brazilian steamers, to the magnif-
cent palaces of the Collins line. Mr.. Vassar
has suffered from i'll health, which led to his
extended travels, and makes him familiar with
almost all the climates under the sun.
We trembed for his safety in his first visit to
Egypt and Palestine, while the plague ragged
about him, but touched him not He has passed
through the cholera in Finland, Russia, Hav-
ana, and New Orleans; his donkey rides among
the ruins of Thebes and Karmac; domedary
rides across the deserts to Palestine; mule
rides across the Alps and ST. Bernard, as also
over the mountains of Greece and Spain, with
his cut-throat guides; his feet eoursers through
the interior of Russia and the post or farmers
wagons of Hungary, have familiarized him
with all sorts of onveyances--induced US to
think he has led changeable life-having met
with chapter of accidents, but always escaped
without injury.
The only points he has not visited are Aus
tralia and Japan, and we should not be sur
prised to hear of his turning up there Mr..
Vassar, thus far, has travelled seven hundred
thousand miles. Poughkeepsie Eegle.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
Our school system.

We we're gratifed to perceive during the last
session Of the Legislature so much interest mani
tested in our free school system, an interest re-
sulting in a step forward, in the shape of in
creasing the appropriation. One of the first
duties of the State is to educate her children,
and whatever may be the amount required from
her treasury to discharge this duty, we hold that
it is one of the wisest and most profitable uses
she could make of it. The legislature did a
patriotic thing. moreover, i'll this increased ap-
preparation, for the more Of her children she
educates, the larger number Of good citizens
will she have, to replace those who are swept
away in each succeeding generation.
We hope the approaching session will take
another step forward by the appointment of q
competent superintendent OF public instruction.
Not that we desire to see man I'LL the ofhce
merely for the salary that may be attached to It,
but our wish is to see the experiment made OF
entrusting to man of undoubted capacity, with
liberal salary, our free school system, and
placing upon him the responsibility of working
out for it radical reform, of giving to it a
healthy vigor, that some of the fruits of the
annual appropriations may be made manifest
among u.s.
So important do we deem popular instruction
to the welfare and prosperity of the State, that
we would 60 step further than any suggestion
we have yet observed in reference to the sub
iect, and that is, that the State should not only
pay the expenses Of the education of the class
for which her iberality is intended, but that she
should ,emune,ate the parents for The scholars
time during his attendance at the free school.
We fear that until some such step is taken,
there will still be numbers of children whose
work is necessary to their own or parents sup,
port, who cannot avail themselves of the benefit
designed by the State. AS the legislature has
begun the good work. we most earnestly hope
it will continue il, and we feel confident it will
receive the unqualified support of the people Of
South Carolina.--Souh Cdrottnian.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27

New PRINcIpLE IN SHIP -BUILDING.-The
new system of shipbuilding recently devised by
Mr. Jas. X. Howe, and now sought to be IN
troduced to the mercantile community, and Its
supposed value put into practicaltest is attrac-
ting attention, and has been commended by
several of our most experienced shipping mer.
chants,-one of whom contemplates the early
construction Of full sized sailing ship, in
which the principle may be fully applied. The
schooner ECLIPSE" which has just been in dry
dock for inspection, it is the first vessel of any
size vet built on this plan, and her success is
considered as satisfactory demonstration ofits
value. The invention presents many features
altorether novel, and is SO startling an in
novation on the present system of ship-building
as to excite a great diversity of opinion respect.
ing its merits The late Jacob Bell, however
wellknown as among the oldest of the New Y ork
shipbuilders, pronounced decidedly in favor Of
It. The most prominent features is the appli
cation Of the curve of the Eclipse to every part
of the model, by which an egg-like and bouy
ant shape is impaired, and the centre of gravity
made to oinvariably fall precisely amidships. A
vessel thus modelled, consequently, has the same
carrying capacity from the centre forward as
from the centre aft. The displacement Of
of water, with the same weight, is the same
at the keel as at the water line, These
qualities are regarded as ensuring the vessel
against "hogging" or straining.
NJ ], Jour, Com.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
= w. BROWNING, Merchant Tailor,

II w. BROWNING, Merchant Tailor,
under the United States Hotel, having en-
larged and improved his store, would now respect
fully call the attention Of citizens, and strangers
visiting Washington, to his we-selected stock oi
French and English cloths, cassimeres, and vest
ings, Of the newest and most elegant styles oi
goods from the New York market
Having had twenty years experience in the
purchase of goods from the best importing houses
in the United States, with such advantages as will
enable him to offer them TO the public on such
terms as will give entire satisfaction TO the pur-
chasers, and, in view of increasing his business,
he has purchased an unusual large stock Of goods,
such as will defy competition for their beauty,
style, and cheapness
Ali he asks is call before you purchase else
where, and he will convince you that you will
save your money by SO doing A suit of clothes
can be made up in the most elegant style at twelve
hours notice.
Superior Ready-made Clothing.
have on hand superior assortment of ready
made clothing of my own work. made up in the
most fashionable manner, such as overcoats in
various styles, frock and dress coats, and also
pants and vests, which will be sold at much less
price than work made to order .
NIB. Sole agent for SCOTS report Of Fashions
for the District
Oct 15-6m. (m)
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
NEW THING ENTIRELY.-The most

~ astonishing performance heard of! Barrels,
frkins, kegs, and all description of cooper-work,
made and finished, without defect, airtight, and
smooth enough to varnish, entirely by machinery.
The timber is taken in the bolt, the slaves are
sawed following, and scith The grain, cut of uni-
form length, dressed perfectly smooth in and out
side of uniform thickness, jonted with perfect ac-
curacy, each having its proportionate bilge accord
ing to its width and the strength ofeach fully tested
the cask is howeed, chamtered, croase cut, heads
turned, and the whole prepared for the hopping
process in manner perfect, complete, and
superior finish, that we challenge the world to
produce the equal and that at the rate of from two
hundred to three hundred per day each machine.
By this process, all casks can be made, from the
smallest whitehead keg, to the largest size cask in
general use all of which, can be warranted TO hold
the most subtle fluids, or adapted 10 the packing
of any description of goods. In fact, the machinery
cannot make an imperfect article, unless the fault
Is erclmsiuely in the timber.
Persons desrous of purchasing the right to use
this machinery in the States of Virginia, Maryland
Kentucky, Missouri or the eastern half Of Penn
syvania, can obtain any information by applying
to the subscriber at Washington City, ID. O., who
is sole proprietor for that portion Of territory under
an assignment from VIM. Trapp, the patentee.
W "N tt& ALLAN POLLOCK.
Oct. 15-eod1m. ~ 'Hi1shhG
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
Central America.
SAN JOSE, in CosrA RicA, Central America,


Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1853.
One of the most important symptoms OF the po-
litical condition of Central America, is the i'm
mense fear of the coming of the Yankees which
is shared by the governors as well as the govern
ed, and which pervades all strata of society, both
in this country and in the republics from Guate-
mala TO Peru. In vain it is said TO the poor peo-
pie, as consolation, that the United States have
yet such an immense territory that the western
portion Of the Union is still but little populated
that the annexation of Cuba has not yet taken
place and the colossal domain of the plateau OF
Mexico hes yet, wild barrier, between the An
glo-Americans and Centro-America.
'Should this fate ever be accomplished, il will,
al any rate, not come so soon as you think. The
annexation 10 the powerful federal republic of the
North will besides, by no means ruin you, as you
most f6olishly suppose; but, on the contrary, II
will revive your relaxed race, supply with new
vigor your wthered political life, and teach you
the reasonable use ofliberty together with the
cret how, by the means of labor and association,
TO grow rich, powerful and happy" All these,
and similar words Of consolation, with which the
friends ofthe United States attempt TO persuade
the Spanards, are spoken in vain. The aniipathy
OF race, the fear that in contact with the strong
Anglo-American element they would be sufo-
Gated rather than be made young again, have taken
too deep root in the character OF the inhabitants OF
New Spain. Alas" complained TO us recently a
senorita Of San Jose, i have no objection what
ever 10 the domination of the long-legged Yam
KEGS what tornents me the most is only my lit
tie Emanuel, q boy Of Eve years) and him they
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27

CoMpLIMENTARY.-A London correspondent
of the Courier and Enquirer, under date of the
4th of November, forwards the following:
"a piece Of news that may not be pleasing
to Americans, is this Twenty-sixrefo formed c,imi-
mails have been sent to the United States, this
week, as free emigrants, by the London Reforma-
tory Institute. On Thursday there was leave
taking. Speeches we're made, and Lord Shafts
bury Shook hands with each of the emigrants.
This nobeman is very active in all charitable
movements, and seems to think the United
States very fit place for the thieves and low
williams of Lopdon. He has been instrumental
in sending numbers to your city, and whether
they be reformed or not, it is extremely doubt
full about their being q desirable acquisition
to your population. They are sent because
nobody here will give them employment, and
because the Australians wont have them.'
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
Novel way of standing a Charge.

The chivalrous Colonel D., of this. State,
raised regiment Of six months volunteers as
you very we'll remember, and was among the
first who hurried to the assistance Of General
TAYLOR.
The colonel was eager for fight, and knew
he had but little time to train his men and,
after frequent false alarms OF . The Mexicans,n
"the Mexicans are upon us !" he got them SO
they could form a line of battle with very little
confusion. This being accomplished, the next
step in learning the art of war was to learn
them to stand charge of cavalry, which was
bv no means difficult job for commander OF
his ingenuity and the following is the method
he thought most likely to effect SO desirable a
result.
One morning the companies were all marched
to the parade ground, and the regiment regu-
larly formed. The colonel was a tremendous
large man, and was mounted upon war
horse, whose proportions were well suited TO
carry such rider; his sword, too, was a pom
derous blade, and could have been welded IN
fight most destructively by his muscular
arm.
Such man, thus equipped and mounted,
took command that morning, with all the pride
and military bearing of hero of hundred
battles.
After ordering his regiment through various
evolutions, he formed them into hollow
square, and galloped off at q convenient dis
tance, wheeled his horse and stood few mo-
ments, gazing with admiration upon his noble
looking regiment; then, with flourish Of his
sword over his head, he put spurs to his horse,
and away he went at full speed, and ran right
upon his men, and they broke ranks and let
him into the square. Then followed volley. Of
oaths and abuses, thick and fast. IF you let
one horseman break your ranks in this way,
what would become of you if you were charged
by body of Mexican cavalry? Why, they
would run over you, tread you down, and cut
you to pieces!"
He then ordered them back into line, and
repeated the same maneuvre, but not with the
same success, for they had all their bayonets
charged, and the Colonel ran the second time
against powerful Irishman, Jimmie Clary,
who held his musket firmly braced, and grit
ting his teeth, calculated, "and Jases, colonel,
/ can niver give way" and he ran about SIX
inches of his bayonet into the horse, which
"brought him up standing" very suddenly.
The colonel dismounted, and with smile of
satisfaction playing upon his countenanee, sur
yeyed his bleeding steed, and said:-"Well the
horse did his duty, the rider did his, and the
soldier did his--in fact, all did well" And
thus ended the first lesson.-N 0. Delta.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
Mammoth Clipper ships.

The New York Tribune says: The clippers
are ledLy, as a class. The ships are immensely
long, narrow, and sharp as wedge Their
construction is thus such that they buckle and
twist like withe in heavy weather. The fact
that they do so is one of the necessary condi-
tons of their unexampled speed. A stiff YES
sci cannot be propelled over the uneven and
varying surface Of the ocean like i flexible one.
To attain the utmost degree of possible yelo-
city, a ship must be so built as to adapt her
self measurably to the uneven surface she ira
verses. The strain upon the clippers, owing to
their great sharpness and length, 1.-THE propell-
ing power being alott and not under or upon
deck as in the steamers,) induces their rapid
deterioration. 1t produces weakness which
increases in geometrical ratio to their years, so
that itmaybe fairly doubted whether the average
life of our best clippers is going to exceed five
years. 1t is not long since we saw the very
legible marks Of premature old age upon one
of the finest of these crafts, and the captain ac-
knowledged that such results as were there ap-
parent were the inevitable fruits of the pecu-
liar construction of the ship and it is fact OF
well understood significance, that our clippers
generally land their cargoes in California in
very bad condition.
The great marine underwriting interest is
thus becoming sensitive in respect to this class
of ships. The rate of insurance is already
higher, and more difficulty is experienced in
procuring it. The cargo of a new clipper is
not to-day so favorite o risk in the Pacific as
the cargo of an old whaler As in regard to
the general architectural characteristics of clip
pers, so too in respect to their immense ton
mage and capacity. Some Of our richest and
most enterprising commercial houses steadily
refuse to touch the largest of these ships, in
the way of purchase, on the ground that the
delay and difficulty Of loading such great car
riers, in most Of the ports Of the world, is a Sc
rious drawback upon the advantages obtained
by their superior speed. A comparatively slow
ship, that can load at once and be off, may
reach her port of destination sooner than
swift one that waits long for her cargo.
These considerations all point to one result
in respect to the present unparalleled strides
Of our mercantile marine. 1t is that we have
touched or are close upon the eliminating point
as regards the size and speed of our clippers
Indeed, 1t seems not improbable, in view of
them, that the present rage for monster clip
per ships will soon subside, and be followed by
a general conviction in favor of ships construct
ed on model, as to shape and capacity, some
where between our old Liverpool liners, and the
extremes of modern clippers.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27

NORTH AND SourH.-At Boston, on Thurs.
day last. a woman with an infant in her arms,
and three other children by her side, stood for
hours at a street corner, asking for aid from
the charitable. Two of the children we're la,
beled with printed placard, stating that their
father was killed on the Lowell railroad, and
that the oyerseers of the poor of Somerville,
where they had resided, had forced them into
the open street, rooaess and friendless. On
that same day there were thousands Of the
people Of Boston indulging in pious grief for
the sad condition Of the fat, sleek, well.clothed
and wellprotected African in the south, and
not few benevolent ladies passed by the shiv.
ering, weeping, cringing group, hurrying along
to make up a donation for the distant hea-
them
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
T1o EDITORS AND PERSONS having

u business at the seat OF government.-The un-
dersigned are now making arrangements 10 estab-
lish in the city Of Washington "A National Cores
pondence Office" for the purpose Of supplying
editors throughout the country with the earliest
and most important news from the national me-
tropos.
V They have just closed arrangements with two
of the most expert stenographers in the Union to
furnish them daily reports of the proceedings and
doings in Congress, from which they will collate
and prepare terse and pquant sketches that must
prove interesting to the general reader.
Our correspondence will embrace every subject
interesting TO the public, and, as we are not the
organ Of any party, we shall be enabled TO
crafty the wishes of all who may desire our SER
vices.
We have the very best facilities for obtaining
the most reliable information from the different
departments of the government at Washington.
All persons having pension or other claims upon
the general government will promote their inter-
ests by corresponding with us before employing
agents at Washington.
Terms such as TO justify every country editor
throughout the Union to keep his readers well
posted upon all matters of interest transpirng at
Washington, whilst the large dailies will find il to
their advantage TO open withus correspondence.
JOHN c. BOWYER. z
III. c. MCLAUGHLIN. \
M, 10 n,
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27

TRYING HOTEL, Washington The SUBJ
Il scriber respectfully announces TO his friends
and the travelling public that he has taken charge
of this large and well-known establishment which
has been completely and elegantly reftted and
refurnished in every department. Having had
charge for a long time Of French's Hotel, Nor
folk and the Hotel at Old Point, and being expe-
rienced in all the details requisite to form Hotel
ofthe first class, he assures the public that every
exertion will be made to render the Irving in
every respect deserving Of their confidence and
support d. d. FRENCH. *
Sep 81 ~
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27

NEW GOODS now opening.-P. J. Steer,
IN Washington Place, 7th street, is now open
ing superior stock Of Gentemen's Goods, which
it will give him great pleasure to show to all his
patrons and to the public. In addition 10 the usual
stock of Merchant Tailor, special attention is in
vited to large stock Of Gentlemen's Dress Shirts
of very superior fit and quality.
Also, Collars Stocks, Neck-Tes, Cravats,
Gloves, Suspenders, Hosiery, and Furnishing
Goods, generally.
Sep 2l-3tawif2w (m) E N
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
NEW FALL STYLES or GENTLE

NEW FALL STYLES OF GENTLE
I'm mems Furnishing Goods.-CHARLES H.
LANE has just returned from New York, and is
now opening a large and elegant assortment oj
Cravats, Scarfs, Stocks, Ties Gloves, Suspenders,
Handkerchiefs, Hosiery, &c, together with all
other articles usually found in first-class estab-
lishment.
The public are respectfully invited TO call and
examine my stock, which will be cheerfnlly ex-
hibited to all with polite attention Reasonable
prices and fair dealing may be relied upon.
LANES Hat, Cap, and Gentlemen's
Furnishing Establishment, Penn. av., near Al ST
Oct. 5