Washington telegraph., 1853-08-03
Singular Discovery.

There IS nothing new under the sun The Am
eIlcaii coiln which attracted so much attention at
the ureat Exhibition of 1851 and which, by nro-
oucinS vacuum by means of the air-pumn vas
.houSht TO be an entirely new method of preserv-
ing corpses from decay. has been lust proved y,
nave oeen known in the middle ages While de-
thoilSilns short time ago, the old church of tbe
ancient F" elch College, at Helmstedt near Br,,ns-
WICK, coihn made of lead, the lid OF which was
Sdss Oh iinGlenSe thickness containing the body
OF young girl, apparently about twelve wears Of
aye, "hlch still preserved every appearance of
youth and freshness although the collin bore date
l46l was discovered
"A private letter from bystander tells us that
the face and figure of the child was perfect as in
liienot single sign decay being visible throuph
out the whole person The check preserved lis
delicate rose-tint, the forehead its snowy white
ness. The hair, which was of beautiful cold
color, was parted on the brow and fell in long
rlnglets over the BOSOM crisp and fresh as though
the child had laid down to sleep the moment be-
tore. The dress OF white satin, embroidered in
gold flowers; the shoes of white velvet the lace
apron. all seemed bright if newly purchased.
and. more astonishing STILL the bunch of lilies held
IN the hand OF the corpse still looked as fresh and
moist as though the dew still hung lpon it The
workmen engaged in the demolition of the buiId-
ing were struck with awe, and immediately went
III quest OF the CHEF magistrate OF the place who
soon arrived on the spot, accompanied by several
OF the inhabitants. Unfortunately the worthy
luuctlolary having recently been made the vic
tim of practical Joke in the town and l,eina
half suspicious that the same thing was intended
would not believe in the reality, and seizing a
spade from the hand of one OF the workmen who
stood near. Dealt heavy blow upon the lid of the
coffin, and smashed one two OF the diamond
shaped panes of glass of which it was composed
In moment, and while we yet gazed. thin
cloud OF dust or vapor, like wreath OF smoke.
rose up from the coffin and dimmed the sight veil
ing the corpse from view. When it had dis
appeared, we gazed downwafds i'll awe: nothinu
remained of what had struck us with so much in.
terest and wonder; all had vanished, and left
nousht behind bat heap of dscolorcd dust. a few
rags OF tinsel, and one or two dried boneslu
The rage and despair of Herr W. the great
antiquary and sduaHt OF the place knew no bounds.
He did his best 10 collect the fragments that re-
manned, and that same evening the coffin was con-
conveyed to Brunswick where it will no doubt
form one of the greatest ornaments the museum
There appears no doubt that the high preservation
OF the corpse had been produced by the ahstrac-
tlon of all air from the coffin. and it is supposed
that the child belonged to some great Professor Of
the University, who had performed the expert
ment in secret. as it is curious that amid ali this
pains and care concerning the body of the child
no means should have been taken to preserve he,
name from oblivion. No name is engraved upon
the cot,in--not even her ntiais-nothinr but the
date OF the year i'll which she died or was buried.
tI4Ol) London Times.