Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-18
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Experiments in Gunnery.-Ever since July

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Experiments In Gunnery.-Ever since July
last, with occasional unavoidable inlermissions, a
series Of important experiments has been pro-
crossing, near the new Insane Asylum under the
superniendence of Lieutenant John A. Dahlgreen,
assisted by Lieutenant Jones. The object is 10
test the metal-cast-iron--of which heavy piece
Of ordinance is constructed, with view TO its
adoption in the navy Of the United States. The
gun is the largest in the country, with a bore OF
eleven inches, and weighing sixteen thousand
pounds. Upward of one thousand and forty
rounds have been fred thus far--generally thirty
day. Fifteen pounds of powder serves for a
single charge, and the shot average, each, one
hundred aud sixly-eight pounds. So, il would APP
pear that this is no pop-gun affair, The cannon,
we learn. was manufactured al northern private
establishments
The shell are fred into an embankment, from
which they are recovered, and again made use Of
for the experiments.
Twelve men required TO work this mann
moth piece Of artillery.
The reports Of the firing are plainly heard all
over the CITY,
The skillfal engineers infinitely note the effects
of the separate discharges on the metal of this
laundering "Peacemakes."
The Fakir Of Siva.-The speculation of this
individual in Washington, and his dishonest prac-
tees, will doubtless long be remembered by his
many dupes He adroty managed to make his
escape with pockeifu Of money; saying TO the
IL. ,h, al ~ a,t he
of his departure in the cars, that he had not yet
operated on all the fools in this metropolis. Judg
ing by the indignation sill existing against him, a
long time must elapse before he will again ven
TO repeat his cheating scheme in this locality.
He was in New Orleans at the last accounts,
announcing himself as "the world-renowned Ne
cromancer and Ventriloquist" 10 appear in his
"Palacio Encantado of extraordinary and unpar-
aeled feais." There, as in this city, thirty thou
sand gifts" were to be donated free of charge
10 the "patrons Of his entertainments" The
fast troiting horse and the elegant topbuggy" and
a profusion of gold ware and diamonds, and a
splendid farm, are among the articles in the daz
zling.programme. "Gft tickets, one dollar
The bats are so brilliant to blind people for
time 10 his well-arranged system of fraud.
Death by ffocation.--On Thursday night,
German, by The name of Charles Falterstein, came
TO his death in the manner SET forth follows, in
the verdict of the coroners jury an inquest hav-
ing been held over the body yesterday morning
The said Charles Falterstein, a German, was
a very dissipated man, who had left his wife for
the last three years, and was without any stated
place of residence; he was in the habit of staying
at night near Hugh Bowling's lime kins, and on
Thursday night he was found Dead about ia
O'Clock, just on the edge of the burning kiln, his
right hand burned of, and the left also much
burned; the jury have no doubt that he came TO
his death by sufocalion from the gas of the kins.
There found in his pockets onethree cent
piece, tobacco pipe, and an old comb. He had
no visible means left for defrayng the expenses
of his burian
An Escape.-Y Yesterday afternoon, about five
o'clock, there was an occurrence in the vicinity
Of the railroad station which threatened very seri
Gus consequences. While Mr. William Douglas
was returning with his family, consisting OF seven
persons, from funeral, part Of the gearing of
The horse broke, which event caused the swinge-
tree TO strike repeatedly against the launches Of
the horse The animal, in consequence became
frightened, and, instead of proceeding straight on,
turned round, dragging the vehicle over pile of
bricks, and within two feet of the street embank-
ment, down which the entire party would, proba-
bly,, have been precipitated, had not several per-
sons rushed forward and arrested the further pro-
gress OF the horse Apart from the fright, the only
injury sustained was to the harness.
Thanksgiving Day.-The acting Mayor, silas
H. Hill, esq, has, in accordance with the request
Of the City Councils, issued his proclamation,
(Which appears in another coumn1 designating
Thursday next the 23d instant, as ga day Of
thanksgiving and praise 10 Almighty God" While
returning thanks for past and present blessings,
and invoking the Divine favor on our various
personal and public relations" it would not be in
appropriate for the several church congregations,
and other persons, on that day, to contribute TO
the comfort Of the dependent inmates ofthe Or
phan Asylun.s- Faith" would thus be shown by
works. and many young hearts be made glad.
An Accommodating Rogue.-A short time
ago gentleman OF this District had bis ovorcoai
stolen from him. After faiigung search he dis
covered the thief at the railroad station, with
female leaning arm and the coat thrown
over the other. Approaching the rogue, the gen.
tleman claimed his property, and accused the per-
son in whose possession il was with the lar
ceny. The fellow, NOT, apparently, disconnected,
looked at the owner Of the coat for a moment,
and, then, restoring il to him, remarked, with
smile and bow, and in an Irish accent, a. beg
your pardon, sir; was only kaping il for ye"
And then hurried with the woman into
IN II
tant papers in the pockets Of the garment, forgot
10 have the thief arrested until il was too late
the train being in motion when he 6rst thought of
OBTAINING the accommodating" Hibernian.
Appies.-The crop Of apples in New England