The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-20

DEATH OF LADY WoRTLEY-The steamship
America brings US intelligence of the death of
Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley. She died on
the 18th of October, at Beirut, Syria, where she
had resided for several years past. This lady
was the second daughter of the Duke of Rut-
land, and the widow of the late Charles Stuart
Wortley. AS a graceful and pleasing writer,
her name has long been we'll known in this
country. She visited the United States twice,
and in the year 1851 published volume of
travels, giving her impressions of the society
and institutions which came under her observa-
ton. She travelled through many of our
Northern States, and afterwards went to the
South, and from thence to Peru, Havana, and
Panama. She was keen observer of life and
manners, and some of her observations of Amer
lean character and customs are eminently wor-
thy of consideration. Her book affords pleas
ing contrast to the productions of Mrs. Troll.
lope and Mr.. Dickens on the same subject.
She entertained high opinion of the courtesy
and hospitality of the Americans.
An EPITARH.-The editor of the Burlington
Recorder bears witness that he recently discov-
cred, in fourishing city on the line of the
New Jersey railroad, a grave yard, in which
stood tombstone, on which was inscribed, by
weeping friends, the following touching and
simple, yet exquisitey poetic epitaph: "He
was a good egg"
The Recorder at once proceeded to gid the
gold by composing the following addition:
Tread lightly DER this nest, we beg,
or else, perhaps, you'll smash the eggn
We have no doubt as to the fact" of the
tombstone case alluded to. Why should we,
says the Philadelphia Bulletin, when in another
part of New Jersey there are, in a row, five
tombstones bearing the following inscriptions?
lie was bIlck.
He was perfect horse.
He whole team.
He some pumpkins.
he was one OF en.
Well, lie was!
A New KIND OF APE.-Professor Owen, the
celebrated naturalist, describes species of ape
recently discovered ON the western coast of AT
RIGA, named the Gorilla species, the adults of
which attain the height of five feet five inches,
and are three feet broad across the chest His
head is double the size of mans, and its ex-
tremities are enormously developed. They ex-
list in some numbers in the interminable forests
OF the Gambia river. The negroes of the coun-
try in their excursions into the forests in search
of ivory, exhibited little fear Of the lion, as it
SUNK away from man; but they dreaded the
gorilla, for when he saw a man advancing, he
Cduic uoWH out Oh the trees 10 Ine atCack, ana
could strangle a man with the greatest ease
The strength of this man ape is enormous; his
jaw is as powerful as that of lion, and his ca
nine teeth equally formidable.
We have lately seen the titlepage of trans
lation of Baron Humboldt's work on Cuba, by
John s. Thrasher, Esq, now in course of pub
icution in New York. This excellent work has
never been presented in English, and will be
welcomed with pleasure by many thousands,
who will lose no time in awaiting themselves of
it as source of information on a subject of
growing interest and importance. 1t will be
enriched by considerable additions, written by
the translator, which will put the reader in pos
session OF knowledge of the present social,
financial, and political condition of the Cubans.
1t will be ready for the public about the LIST of
January next.-Louissaaa Courier, Nor. II.
Twenty-Five SLAVES L1BERATED-A passen-
ger who came up on the Cleveland, Columbus,
and Cincinnati railroad reports seeing yesterday,
at Grafton, thirty-fve negroes from Kentucky,
who were on their way to Oberlin. They had
been liberated by their master, and were &C
companied by him. They were csmped out
near the road, waiting for the Toledo train,
and, having procured several sheep, were roast
ing them by fires by the roadside. They were
of all ages, from the ray-haired old Uncle Tom
down to the infant piccaninney, and of all col
ors, from the coffee-colored quadroon to coal.