davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24
The Hours Most Fata, to Life.

We have ascertalned the hour of death
IN 1850 instances of all ages, and have
arrived at interesting conclusions. We
may remark that the population from which
the data are derived is mixed population
in every respect and that the deaths oc-
CURED during a period ofseveral years. If
the deaths of the 1850 persons had occurred
indfferently at any hour during the "a years,
120 would have occurred at each hour
But this was by no means the case. There
are two hours in which the proportion was
remarkably below this, two minima IN fact
namely, from midnight to clock, when
the deaths are SO per cent. below the aver
age, and from noon to o'clock, when they
were 20a per cent. below. From 8 to 6
O'Clock, a. m. inclusive, and from 8 TO 7
O'Clock, p. M, there is gradual increase,
in the former, of 23a per cent, above the
average, in the latter of 81 per cent. The
maximum of death is from to 6 o'clock,
a m, when it is 40 per cent. above the
average ; the next, during the hour before
midnight, when it is % per cent. in excess
a third hour Of excess is that from 8 to 10
o'clock in the morning. heing 173 per cent.
above. From 10 a. m. to 3p. M, the deaths
are less numerous, being 162 per cent. be-
low the average, the hour before noon being
the most fatal. From three o'clori,, n. m,
the deaths rise to59 per Cent. above the
average, and tim TIN tall from that hour to II
:. M, averaging 81 per cent. below the
mean. During the hours from 8 to II o.
clock IN the evening there is a minimum of
81 per cent. below the average. Thus the
least mortality is during the midday hours
namely, from 10 to o'clock the great
est during early morning hours, from 3 to
6 o'clock. About one-third of the total
deaths were children under fire years of
age, and they show their influence on the
latter still more strikingly. At all hours,
from 10 G. clock in the morning until mid
night the de aths are at or below the mean
the hours from 4 to 5 p. m. and from 9 to
10 p. M, being m,n'ma, but the hour after
midnight being the lowest maximum, at all
the hours from 2 to 10 a. m, the deaths are
above the mean, attaining their maximum
at from to 6 O'Clock a m. when it is 451
per cent above.--London Quarterly Rpyiew
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24
Creeping Things.

Let me put spider into any lady's
hand; she Is aghast she shrieks. "The
nasty, ugly thing Madam, the spider is
perhaps shocked at your Brussels lace, and
although you may be the most exquisite
painter living, the spider has right TO
laugh at your coarse daubs as she runs O.
yer them. Just show her your crochet
work when you shrek at her. "Have
you spent half your days upon these clum-
sy anti-macassars and these ottoman COW
ers1 My dear lady, is that your web !!
If were big enough, | might with reason
drop you and cry out at you. Let me
spend day with you and bring my work.
| have four little bags of thread-such lit-
tie bags! In every bag there are more
than one thousand holes-such tiny, tiny
holes + Out of each hole thead runs. and
all the tbreads-more than four thousand
threads spin together as they run, aad
when they are all spun they make but one
thread of the webI weave. Ihsve MEM
ber ofmy family who is herself no bigger
than a grain OF sand. Imagine what q
slender web she makes, and Of that too,
each thread is made of four thousand or
FIVE thousand threads that have passed out
of her four bags through four or FIVE thou
sand little holes. Would you drop her,
too, crying out about your dellcacy3 A
pretty thing, indeed, fer yon tn plume your.
self on your deiiiccacy, and scream a: ns."
Having made such speech, we may snp-
pose that the indignant creature fastens
rope around one of the rough points Of the
lady's hand, and lets herself down lightly
to the floor. Coming down stairs is noisy,
clumsy work, compared with such way
of locomotion. The creeping things we
scorn are miracles of beauty. They are
more delicate than any ormolu clock or
any lady's watch made. for pleasures
sake, no bigger than shilling. Lyonet
counted four thousand and forty-one mus
cles, in single caterpillar, and these are
a small part only of its work. Hook found
fourteen thousand mirrors IN the eye Of a
buebottle, and there are thirteen thou
sand three hundred separate bits that 60 to
provide nothing but the act Of breathing in
carp.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

BoNAPARTE's POVERTY IN EARLY LIFE.
M. Theirs, in his history Of The Consul
late, recites some very strange and previ-
ously unknown particulars respecting the
early life and penury Of Napoleon Bona
parte: 1t appears that after he had obtain
ed subaltern's commission in the French
service, by his skill and daring at Toulon.
he lived Some time in Paris in obscure
lodgings, and IN such extreme poverty that
he was often without the means of paying
ten sou', (ten cents for his dinner, and often
went Without any at all. He was under
the Necessity Of borrowing small sums, and
ever worn out clothes, from his acluain-
tances. He and his brother Lewis, after.
wards King of Holland, had at one time,
only coat between them, so that the bro
thers could only 60 out alternately, time
abort. At this crisis, the chief benefactor
OF the future Emperor and conqueror, sat
chose mighty name the world grew pale"
was the actor Talma, who often gave him
food and money. Napoleon's face, after
wards SO famed for its classical mould, was
during that period Of starvation sharp and
angular in its line eaments, with projecting
cheek-bones. His meagre fare brought Of,
an unpleasant and unsightIy culaneous dis.
ease, OF type so virulent and malignant,
that il took all the skill and asslduity of his
accomplished physician Corvisart, &c ex-
pei it, after duration of more than ten
years. The squirrel beggar then. the splen.
did Emperor afterwards-the tbreadbare
habiliments and Imperial mantle-the mea.
gre food and gorgeous banquet-the friend.
ship OF poor actor, the homage and terror
OF the world-an exile and prisoner. Such
are the ups and downs Of this chaneefui
life; such are the lights and shadows Of the
great and mighty.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

contributing to an object that commends
itself so fully to her gratitude and liberality.
II, however, there should be one that par-
smoniously refuses, the melancholy day, SO
eloquently described by ChateaubrIand.
may yet frown upon her (: II assembled q
mound at Sparta, and thrice shouted Le-
onidas,' and not bill returned the echo,
for Sparta had forgotten the name Of her
hero" Ico9sider Georgia pledged to the
monument enterprise, and she has appoint
ed two Of her distinguished sons trustees for
any appropriation that may be necessary
to accomplish yoor brilliant design. allude
to Hon. Ashury Hall, of Athens, and Hon.
Marshall ]. WellbosB, OF Columbus. With
my best wishes for the completion of the
monument at no distant day, am, most
your friend,
EDMUNDJ. McGEHEE.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

ANovELTY.-Among the new ideas just
brought out at Paris is self expanding
petticoat. 1t is filled with air, and is be-
coming immensely fashionable. Accord
ing to the inventor, one of these petticoats
will stand out and occupy the room Of half
dozen got up on the od-fashioned princi-
pie. It is true, that when lady desires
10 get into a carriage, the hoop will be like
ly TO stick to the door. To obviate this,
she must, at the moment of embarking turn
a little screw hidden in some fold Of her
dress, and let on! the air. The swollen
folds at once collapse, and shrink into an
extremely small compass.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24
The Baltic Sea.

Notwithstanding its extent the Baltic has
all the characteristics of great lake. No
sea has, in proportion to its size, so great
an influx OF fresh water; hence it contains
but little salt. In proportion to the North
Sea this is found to be as l04 to 383. The
depth of the Baltic on the west is not more
than fifteen fathoms, and in general it is
only from eight to ten fa.homs deep; on the
south it is no where more than fifty fathoms.
The Baltic receives the waters of the Me
men, Vistula, and the Oder, besides nu-
merous lakes and smaller streams. The
great amount of sand and mud carried down
by the rivers has considerably raised the
bottom of this sea, and closed the mouths
of many of its navigable streams. so that
ships which formerly entered these rivers
must now be anchored at considerable
with the numerous islands and sandbanks,
and the gradual upward movement of the
bed of the sea, at the rate of several feet in
century, renders avigation on the Danish
shores of the Baltic troublesome and dan
gerous. 1t has no tides, or rather the effect
Of the tides is so little felt as not to be OBJ.
servable; but it is subject to changes OF
level, depending on the-winds, retarding OF
acceleratng the passage of the water
through the sound and belts. During winter
this sea is usually frozen to a greater or less
distance along the coast; and in severe
winters, not only the sound and the belts,
but great part of Ks surface is covered
with ice. The ancients were but slightly
acquainted with the Baltic; its shores, how
ever. gave forth those hardy warriors who
overthrow in its decrepitude the Roman
empire, and laid the foundation of Euro
pean States.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24
May.

"All Nature welcomes her whose sway
Tempers the years extremes,
w no scattereth lustres o'er noon-day,
Like Mornings dewy CLEANS;
Cloud piercing peak and trackless heath,
Instructive homage pay,
Nor wants the dim-lit cave wreath
To welcome thee, sweet May"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24
STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
BVJ. A. & l.. WADDELL, Jr.
TERMS.

sy- The "SPECTATOR" /, published once
week, a. Too Dollars year, If paid in Advance,
or Tso Dollars aad Fifty Cents If delayed beyond
tie expiration of the year. No subscription '0'"
be diseoalia,isd bal at the option Of the Ed'!ors'
sn!i eli GrreGrGges are paid
90 an con, ,ntaicG,ioas TO The Editors 6y mas'
u,sst Be DOS! paid, or Ltey lcH not be attended to-
90 aDVER TISEyMENTS Of thirtss" 1'"es
Ter less inserted three times for one dollar, ana
tvsn!y-fvs cents for each subsequent continuance
Lsrrcr inserted in the same proper
sioa' A !ibsra discount made TO those ,'ho adrer-
tise by the year.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

BOYS AND GIRLS OF MExIco.-Great
place for fun out in Mexico. The girls and
boys do nothing but play until they are
twenty-one. They then marry and spend
the rest of their days visiting country cous-
ips smoking, eating soup, and going to mass.
For free and easy style of folks, you may
put the Mexlcans in the front seat.-Pe-
iersbmg Express.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

THE HEIGHT OF HIS AMBITION One of
our exchanges tells of lazy genius up
his way, who being asked, as he lay sun
ming himself on the grass, what was the
height of his ambition, replied "1o marry
a rich rridO,c that's got a cough
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

WoMANs' RidHT.-Whatever we n.v
think OF women's right 10 vote and ley;:.
late there can be no disputing her rish,
TO bare arms--aDJ The prettier the hei,n.
and more irresistible. This is a right de.
scended from Mother Eve, and recosn;sss
by all good society from the earliest sna ''I ~
civilization, ~ @se "
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

FACTS IN HUMAN LIFE.-The number of
languages spoken in the world amounts to
300O-5S7 in Europe. 896 in Asia, 276 in
Africa and ,266 in America. The inhab.
itants of the globe profess more than 1000
different religions. The number of men is
about equal to that of women Life's aver
age is % years. One-quarter die previous
to the age Oft years one halfbefore reach.
ing II and those who pass this age enjoy
a facility refused to one-half the human
species. To every 1000 persons only one
reaches 100 years of life; to every 100 only
SIX reach the age of 65 and moi more than
one in 500 lives to 80 years of age. There
are on earth !, 1000, 100000 inhabitants: and
of these 1888, 1873 die every year; 90. 334
every day $3.50 every hour; and 60 everv
minute, or one every second. These
losses are about balanced by an equal mum.
Der of births. The marrled ale louger
lived than the single, and above all those
who observe sober and industrious con-
duct. Tall men live longer than short ones.
Women have more chances of life in their
favor previous TO being fifty years of age,
than~fnen have, but fewer afterwards. The
number of marriages is in proportion of rs
to every 1000 individuals. Marriages are
more FREQUENT after the equInoxes that is,
during the months of June and December
Those born in the spring are generally
more robust than others. Births and daoatbs
are more frequent by night than bv day.-
The number of men capable of bearino arms
is calculated at one-fourth of the population.
% Does man feel girllsh when he
makes his maiden speech''
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

FIFTEEN You've MeN-At respec eta
BILE boarding house IN New York city, a
number of years ago, were fifteen young
men. Six of them uniformly appeared at
the breakfast table on Sabbath morning,
shaved, and dressed, and prepared as to
their apparel, for attendance on public wor.
ship. They also actually attended both
forenoon and afternoon. All became high
y respected arduseful citizens. The 9TH
er nine were ordinarily absent from the
breakfast table on Sabbath morning. AT
noon they appeared at the table, shaved
and dressed in decent manner. In the
afternoon they went out, but not ordinarily
to church; nor were usually seen at the
place Of worship. One of them is now liv-
ing, and in reputable employment the 9TH
er eight became openly vicious. All failed
IN business, and are now dead. Several
of them came 10 all untimely and awfully
tragic end,
luany man may say las did worthy and
opulent citizen "The keeping of the Sab
bath saved me- 1t will, if duly observed,
save all. In the language of ITS author,
They shall ride upon the high places of
the earth.'
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

@s- It's very often more necessary e.
conceal contempt than Resentment the f.,
mer being never forgiven, but ibc I.n,r
.ometmes forgot,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

% Does man feel girlIsh when h,
makes his maiden speech"
Washington sentinel., 1854-01-26
HARPER's NEW MONTHLY MAGA-

TTARPER's NEW MONTHLY MAGA-
l zine has now reached q monthly edition OF
over One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand
copies, and the demand for il is still increasing
with greater rapidty than ever This unparal-
leed and unexpected success has compelled the
publishers to resort TO extraordinary means for
printing the work with the requisite rapidity, and
at the same time preserving the.typographical cc-
gancc by which il has always been distinguished.
II is now elcct,otypcd by new process, which
makes it easy TO print any number Of copies from
the same plates, without in the least mpairing the
clearness and beauty Of the impression. The
publishers desire TO repeat their cordial acknowl
edgments 10 the press and the public for the cx-
traordinary favor which has thus far attended
their efforts 10 interest and instruct the great body
Of the American people, and TO renew their rs
surances that every possible effort will be made
to increase still further the claims Of their maya.
zine upon public favor and support. II will con-
time TO present, at the cheapest price, the most
interesting and instructive literary matter, original
and selected, domestic and foreign, in the most
elegant and convenient style, and accompaniedby
the finest pictorial illustrations which lavish ex-
penditure Of money can command. They appeal
with confidence 70 the past, as guarantee that
their promises for the future will be abundan,ly
fulfilled.
TERxs-The magazine may be obtained OF
booksellers, periodical agents, or from the pub
fishers, at three dollars year. or twenty-five
cents number. Tho semi-annual volumes, AZ
completed, neatly bound in cloth, at two dollars,
and muslin covers are furnished to those who
wish TO have their back numbers uniformly bound,
at twenty-five cents each. Six volumes are now
ready bound. The volumes commence with tho
numbers for June and December; but subscrip-
tons may commence with any number.
JOE sHTLLfNGToN.
Odeon Building, cor A st. and Penn. av.
Sep 21-tf* $50
Washington sentinel., 1854-01-26

Walker to land, take possession Of the town,
and receive the person of the governor This
was literally done; for :" in less than thirty
minutes" the town and the governor were
alike in the hands Of the attacking party, the
Mexican flag hauled down, and tho indepen-
dence Of Lower California proclaimed as fait
accompi. In few hours, "Col Walker had
entered upon his duties as President Of the re-
public of Lower California, issuing such de-
crees as were most congenial to the citizens,
as well as to the security and comfort of his
command"-in a word, making himself rs much
at home as if he had been heir-at-law to the
whole Of Lower California, and had just come
into his property.
Washington sentinel., 1854-01-26
THE NEW YORK Musical Review and

THE NEW YORK Musical Review and
Choral Advocate is the cheapest and best
musical paper in tho world. This journal (Which
has heretofore been published monthly COM
menced its fifth year in January, 1854, and hence
forth il will be published every two weeks-on
every other Thursday-thereby giving moro than
twice as much matter without any increase in
price Each number contains sixteen quarto
pages, four Of which are new music, consisting Of
glees, hymn tunes, chants, anthems, dedication,
and holiday pieces and, in short, every variety Of
music adapted 10 purposes Of religious worship,
10 public occasions, and TO the home circle all Of
which will be Of practical character, and such as
can be sung by persons OF fordlanry musical attain
ments. In the editorial department the Review
are engaged lin addition to Mr.. Cady, the former
editor) gentlemen Of the highest talent and ripest
musical experience, among whom are George f.
Root, VIM. b. Bradbury, Thomas Hastings, and
Lowell Mason ; and its circle Of correspondence.
home and foreign, is complete. The Review will
also be regular medium for the announcement OF
fishing houses in tho Union. Tho subscription
list Of this paper is now larger than that cf any
similar journal in the world; and the new ar.
rangemcnts, rendering the cheapest a. well as III
is hoped tho most valuable musical paper ever
published, must largely increase its already un
paraleled circulation. es,s ts. HI
Terms: One dollar per annun; or six copies
for Ave dollars, always IN advance. a I.
The music alono in the volume would cost ever
Ave dollars In the usual form. Besides this, there
will be an immense amount Of musical news,
essays, criticism, instruction. &c, &c, al for oaiy
osss dollar Every one feeling particle of inter
est in the cause OF music will surely subscribe.
Specimen numbers sent on receipt two letter
postage stamps. Addres. always post paid
i 90, Park Row, New York.
Jan 0i-dstSswSt* ass.t,ra (.
Washington sentinel., 1854-01-26
NGisftIlaatSns.
4 ER. BIJsHNELI,ss SCHOOL, thirteenth

hA X. BUSH NkcALSS SCH1SIO1I, Inlrteentn
lyl street, between F and G., Washington
The duties of this School will commence on the
10th instant, The course Of instruction will in
clude oil the branches of q complete academical
education.
The number Of pupils win be limited TO so many
as can be carefully and thoroughly instructed by
the principal himself, aided only in the depart
ment of modern languages
The School Room will be furnished with desks
and other furniture Of the most approved style,
and all its arrangements will be such as are best
suited 10 preserve order, facilitate instruction,
and promote the comfort and improvement Of his
pupils.
The Principal, a graduate Of the University Of
Virginia, has had long experience in teaching, and
he feels warranted by his past success in assuring
those who may entrust the intellectual and moral
training or their sons to his care, that their Just
expectations win bc fully realized.
Isra.s per quarter, (cf elerey seeksJ payable IN a
For the English Branches. s.................. SIS
For Classics and Mathematics. ............ Is
French and Drawing extra.
RBYBRENCBs.
Hon. James NJ Mason, U. s. Senate.
Hon John 8. Caskie, of Virginia. p
Hon William s. Ashe, of North Carolina.
Alfred Chapman, esq, Land Office.
J. F. Adams, esq, Pension Office.
Rev William Sparrow, d. d. Theo. Sem, Va
Rev J. Packard, ID. ID. do do
Rev. G. M. Butler, d. D., Washington.
Rev. Z. r.. Lippet, do.
George G. Ames, esq. do.
Jan 14-eo3w tE . I.ft
Washington sentinel., 1854-01-26
Aaecting scene i'm the Auburn Prison.

We took occasion to pass through the, Au-
burn prison, lately, in company with q
friend who had never before visited the instr
tuition. Some eight or ten persons, gentlemen
and ladies' were shown through at the same
time. Among the number was a man who, we
should suppose, had reached the age OF fifty
wears. He wore q sorrowful and downcast
look, and seemed to avoid all conversation
with eyery one, except the keeper who accom-
panied the visitors through the different work.
shops. His demeanor arrested our attention,
and. It was evident, the attention of the other
visitors. Upon inquiring Of the keeper whether
he knew the cause Of the old mans sorrow, we
were informed that he had two sons in the pri-
son, sent there for the crime Of stealing a
horse.
The keeper stated that the convicts, who
were young men, had not been seen by their
father since their confinement, which was q
little over q year. The old man was apprehen-
siye that he would not be able to recognise his
sons in their convict dress, and requested the
keeper to point them out to him as they passed
along. One of the csnvicts was employed III
the cooper shop, and the other in the carpet
room. The cooper shop was visited first and
as the company approached the part Of the
room where the old mans son was at work, the
keeper asked him if he could point him out.
The old man gazed intently at one convict,
and then at another, until he became satisfied
that his recollection Of his sons features would
not enable him to distinguish him from his fel-
low convicts The keeper then pointed out the
son, when the old man fixed his eyes upon him
with all the love and feeling that only parents
look could portray. II was evident that his
feelings would have overcome him had ne not
neryed himself for the trial to which they were
to be subjected. AS the rules OF the prison for
bid any conversation between visitors and con-
yicts, unless it is had in the hall or the prison,
not word was passed between the father and
son.
When the company entered the carpet room,
the keeper at once informed the old man which
was his son. As he passed along, the eyes OF
the two met, but quicker than thought the con-
Wet placed his eyes again upon his work The
keeper asked him if he knew the old man. His
reply was that he ought to k,aosc has father"
AT the sight of his second son, the poor old
man was 50 overcome, that tears came thick and
fast from his eyes, and it was with a trembling
step that he passed from the room. After the
company reached the prison hall, the old man
solicited and obtained permission to have an
interview with his sons. We had no desire to
witness the meeting, for we had already seen
enough to sadden our feelings for the day. We
knew that bitter sorrow for the sins Of his chill
dren was Fastening the old man down to his
grave Auburn Daily advertiser.