The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-07-22
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS !.

Navy of Russia, and from the data before him,
the writer justly concludes that the resources
of that empire are adapted rather TO defen.
sive than an offensive warfare. There is also
an article opposing the construction Of the Pa.
cifc Railroad by the General Government.
The writer doubts its prac,icablity, breads the
enormous expense, and, above all, the danger
of increasing the overshadowing power and pa
tronage Of the Federal Government, and the
consequent decentralization of the people.
The Mail has a leader on the Progress of
Inventions, in which the present age lie con-
graduated upon its wonderful advancenent in
the means of locomolion, transmitting inteli-
gence, manufacturing, sc. The writer thinks
that as we look upon our ancestors as benight
ed individuals who happened 10 be born at an
unlucky period, SO may our descendants, re.
joicing in the light of a purer science and in
the enjoyment of still greater inventions, yet to
be, look back upon the men Of this century as
ignorant barbarians. He regrets, however, that
with all our Improvements, the average degree
of comfort enjoyed by the race is less than
during the so called dark ages. He holds that
modern machinery has divided the world int
| two classes-the very rich and the very poor
so that in all civilized states, want and suffer
ing exist in the midst ofweallh. The God Of
Progress, now worshipped by all nations, de
mands victims at every step of his onward
march, but those who suffer are the martyrs of
our times, who shall bequeath the richest
blessings TO posterity. Every new invention
| ruins thousands, but after q while each man
generally finds some new employment. If not,
| be perishes that others who succeed him, may
| be wiser and happier than himself.1
The Enquirer copies MIR. Atty. Gen'l. Cush.
ing's late speech at Wilmington, Del, and
| makes it the text for some remarks on the sub
ject of State Rights. There is another edito'
rial in which the Wig is scolded for calling
the President "Brigadier."
| The Wing has leader headed Peace or
War, in which the effect of European HOSTILE
ties upon our agricultural interests is dis
cussed. In view Of the probable rise in prices
the writer favors a strong Russian demonstra.
ton, but candidly admits that he would con-
slider 81 per bushel for wheat as an ample
equivalent. There is also an article on the
annexation of Cuba, and the different grounds
on which such a measure would be opposed,
North and South. Several minor political ar-
ticles doubtless have commended themselves
| to those vino interest themselves in such mat.
tiers.
THE ATLANTIS TREE.-The following facts
regarding this beautiful tree are said TO be per.
fectly reliable. We take some of them from
They certainly deserve attention wherever the
tree in question abounds.
The Ailantus belongs to the class D.ecia in
botany, the stamens being in one plant and the
pistils in another, that is TO say, the flowers
which contain the fertilizing principle, and
those which bear the seed vessels are ON diff
terent trees. Unfortunately the trees generally
planted are those bearing staminate flowers
or as they are sometimes called-male plants.
The two can be easily distinguished. The
male trees chose bearing staminate fowersI
have little green, star like blossoms, which
cover the ground when they fall. 1t is only
these that shed a disagreeable odor.
| He trees UeaIlug pistillale MOWERS nave no
perceptible smell, and may be known by their
punches of seed vessels, which are first green
and afterwards Of a reddish hue. The trees
only which bear pstillate flowers should ever
be planted.
The roots throw up suckers in great profu-
sion-and the tree is most conveniently propa-
gated by transplanting them. Suckers from
the roots of q tree bearing pistilate flowers,
will in like manner bear pistillate flowers only
1t is therefore easy to propagate the Allan
tus in abundance, and avoid the disagreeable
odor which is diffiused by those now generally
planted. This tree is so beautiful. so rapid of
growth, and SO perfectly free from insects, that
a little attention would be well bestowed in
preserving it in our streets and public grounds.
| One of Queen Victoria's state balls, it is
said, causes an expenditure of half a million
of dollars, for dresses and Jewels. The London
tradesmen, therefore, approve of state balls.
The Royal Family and the nobility console
themselves nightly for their liberality in this