Washington sentinel., 1854-05-28
4oeal ann Dstsonal.

EAIaiACis-Wcn w nave, on Ssverai occaslonS,
alluded TO the proceedings in hi spiritual con-
ferences held every Friday evening in Temper
ance Hail. and exposed some OF the vagaries Of
the believers and operators in tie so-called mex
phcable science. II seems however, that those
gentlemen are not allowed 10 tel their Munchau-
sen stories without stern dissen on the part Of
others respecting their truth in lie absence OF de-
monstrations TO sustain unblusiing, broad asser-
tions.
Last Friday night, the Rev. n. Reese, who, ac-
cording 10 his own acknowledgment, has Tor
year past been "a seeker after truth" and mas al
tended "privaie circles" frankly pronounced the
spiritual" scheme gross humbns and in prac-
tice, sheer delusion; saying tits now the duty Of
its advocaied destabsh the contrary, " fhey ean. /.
Captain Porter, OF the navy, Gree discussion be-
ing open TO alp addressed the audience, wishing
merely TO run brief parallel He said that mod
ern "spirilualism" is new addition Of Mahom-
mechanism, transplanted from Asia 10 the United
States; not in all its oriental magnifcencc, but
clothed in Yankee dress.
The Mahommedans believe in seven spheres !;
sublimated enjoyments. Whether the latter, like
the former. indulge in wine in the far-of regions,
he did not know, but il was certain that here be-
low, they drink much Of t" the milk of human
kindness" according to their charitable profess
siSns. He mentioned other concurrent points in
the two systems, much to the amusement Of the
"dnconverted" part of the auditory, and 10 the
chagrin of the disciples.
In conclusion, he said this scheme Of Yankee
iyed Mahommedanism reminded him Of the poor
man who won an elephant at rattle, and then
did not know what TO do with it. If he should
convey it home he could not feed il; if he shut il
up to starve, il would break loose, and, running
into the streets, injure the people and fhe should
Kill il, the body would putrifs on his premises, he
being too scarce Of change TO remove the carcass.
So with "spiritualism." II could not be main
tanned by proofs arguments Were overlhrown,
and the elephant" let loose to injure the com
munity, producing insantyD and, TO kill the AMI
NAL, would leave the believers with huge de-
cayed monster beneath their noses, subjecting
them 10 pity and contempt, and 10 the charge that
they had been most grossly deluded
McCormick's Reaper.-It is due to those
who feel an interest in this celeb rated machine TO
say that the decision Of the Supreme Court,
noticed in another column, reversing the decision
OF the court below, and remanding the case back
for new trial, related wholly 10 The question
TO the amount Of damages found by the jury in
The case, under the ruling Of the court appears
from the following extract from the opinion ofthe
court:
Numerous exceptions were taken by defen-
dants in the course Of the trial. and to various in
structions contained in the charge of the court.
Most of those involve no general or important legal
principle, and would not be understood without
proix statements with regard to the facts of the
case and the structure of the peculiar machines,
To notice them in detail would be both tedious
and Improbable. We deem it sufficient. there
FORE TO lay that the defendants have failed to sup
port their exceptions as to the rulings OF the
court concerning the testimonyj and that the
charge of the learpedjudge is an able and correcl
exposition Of the law as applicable 10 the case
with the exception of the points which we pro
pose now to examine and which are contained in
the following portion ofthe charge"
The suit in question was brought for the in
fringement of two patents, one of which was
granted in 1S45 and the other in 1S47 the latter
OF which only was on trial. in consequence OF the
alleged absence Of witnesses on the part of de-
PENDANTS 10 enable them 10 proceed with the for
mer. While the question Of damages ihereupon
goes back for new trial, it will be seen that Mr..
McCormick's patent is fully sustained by this de-
cison, and his character as an inventor further
vindica,ed
Mr.. Mccormick has done much for his country
in the invention of his reaping machine; and the
result of this suit only shows something of the
difficulties that are encountered by mertorious
inventors in preventing piracies Of their patented
the most valuable being the most in
fringed upon the world over.
The Water W0rks-Little Falls Bridge.
&c.-The House of Representatives, yesterday,
while acting on the Deficiency bill, refused, by
vote of yeas al, nays 100, to concur in the Sen.
ate's amendment, appropriating five hunded thou
sand collars for continuing the works for bringing
water into the city of Washington. As this, with
other amendments disagreed TO by the House
will probably be subject for a joint committee
of conference on the part Of the two branches ol
Congress, we cannot regard the action of yester-
day final.
In addition to other troubles which heset this
great enterprise, on the present plan, the Great
Falls Manufacturing Company have notified the
members Of the House Of Representatives, by
circular, that "ihe works contemplated by the
government will very materially interfere with
their rights riparian propretors, owning all
the water privileges at the place named, and hold
ing valuable charters for manufacturing purposes
from the State of Virginia" They say they have
no disposition TO obstruct the work in question;
on the contrary, ain correspondence commenced
by the agents of the government, they have made
liberal offers, which have been treated with disre-
gard" II would, they say, "seem TO be wise and
prudent to settle the controversy involved in the
facts stated, before making any important move
ment in so grave matter; at all events, they de-
sire to give distinct notice of their undeniable
legal claim in the premises"
Notwithstanding, the House, on Thursday,
seemed to favor the appropriationsof $4,000 for
the construction Of new bridge over the Poto-
mac, at tho&ise Falls, they yesterday non-con-
CURED in the Senates amendment for that pur-
pose. This, too, may become subject for COM
miitee Of conference on the disagreement between
the two branches Of Congress
The House, however, have agreed, in conJunc-