Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-30
40tal am personal.

endangerng the public health. Il seems, how
| ever, that the officials exceedingly slow 10
hear, and remarkably lardy in obeying the SAM
tary command, if al all troubling themselves
about purifying carcases, stagnant pools, and
filthy cutters. We cannot believe that the ward
commissioners, aud the scavengers, think that
the effluva arising lhereffom can prove agreeable
TO such of our citizens as incline 10 the opinion
that cleanliness is next TO godliness."
On Monday, gentleman stopped his carriage
near the public reservation, opposite 10 the Centre
Market, that he mig hi converse with friend; but
before the vehicle 10 halt wheel of
il passed over cat, which had been dead
/" nine days." or for longer period The gentle
man, directly he approached the occupant OF the
carriage, offended by the stencil of the carcass,
remarked, " Excuse me, sir /; l cannot talk 10 you
here" at the same time applying his handkerchief
10 his nose, and turning on his heel 10 depart;
shut drive a few PAGES" " You had better
stop here" replied the other; it's hardly worth
while TO change my position, as you suggest, for,
likely as not in doing So should d,Tpe ouey that
dead hogm We merely mention this case
in point.
ssGrave-diggers are wanted, and high wages
will be paid for their services
Such is paragraph in the sad accounts which
have reached us from the yellow-fever infected
localities of Virginia II, though brief, tells the
heart,touchng truth of fearful mortality, of the
widespread ravages Of death--of the progress Of
a pestilence, which seems to increase in vru-
ence in proportion TO the dminution Of the num-
Der Of inhabitants within the circle of its poison
Il IL
gers are wanted y demand which suggests that
the cofFin.makers find mournful employment and
that the sounds of merriment are hushed and
that smiles no more ilumne the countenance,
but that gloom, and amentation, and inexpressbly
painful anxiety, everywhere prevail! And amid
scenes like these, what is worldly glory, and
"pomp and circumstance" Of wealth and of poll
teal position They become Insignificant, be-
cause, al time like this death, by lis stern
teachings, shows that they are unsubsantial
The voice Of Charity however, falls like heavenly
melody upon the ear; and the niinstratons 10
the sick The Paintings and the dying, by those
who, careless of SELF peril their lives in behalf Of
suffering humanity, are of more Importance far
than what the world calls great" IN times when
grave-diggers are wanted, and high wages paid
for their services
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS there is one fire by I'M
premeditated or accidental causes there at
least five by incendiarism. Such has been The ex-
perence of our citizens. Occasionally, vii aims
who have thus wantony destroyed property have
been arrested but, for want Of sufciency OF tes-
tmony the larger portion Of them have been acquit
ted blythe court which tried them, and again lei
loose, 10 continue their Infamous employment.
Formerly, it was no, Penitentiary offence de-
hagrate any other than dwelling house and
hence such wrong-doers had not the fear of SEN
tence "at labor in that institution 10 deter them
from the crime therefore, they amused themselves
by setting fire stables carpenter shops or what
ever else was not included in the law But the
statute was amended, so that every species of
house burning should render the guilty parties
liable TO that deserved punishment. 1t is 10 be re-
GREETED that even this enactment has not had the
effect designed.
Although some have escaped the penalty which
their deeds richly merted, several are now under
going punishment in the Penitentiary; and il is
probable that another WILL ere long, be added 10
the number. On Monday night young man was
detected by members of the Auxiliary Guard set
ting fire TO a house, owned by Mr.. Philip Mackay.
They suppressed the flames, and then pursued
and caught the criminal, upon whose person they
found bottle Of spirits Of iurpentine and ball of
ampwick, materials which he made use Of TO
complish his destructive purposes In default OF
So, 600 security. he has been committed 10 Jail 10
await the action OF the court.
Inventive Genius.-We always watch, with
solicude, the publication Of the list of patents,
that we may see what of the useful, fancful, uxu-
rious and utilitarian has been added 10 the coun-
a
contrvances, some Of which, by the way, have
not conferred upon the inventors the showers Of
wealth ardently anticipated!
/. Among the thirty-eight patents issued during
the past week is one for " Improvement in traps
for catching animals another for machine for
splitting frewood, IA labor which axe welded
by stout arms has always periormed;l third, for
rotary wood-spiting machines a fourth, for
"improved vice, ]" lin the range ofihat "vice which
pertains 10 morals society is constantly making
improvements j and fifth, for an improvement
IN inkstands But these among The less i'm
portant results of genius. We have additional
improvements, in ploughs stesmengines, breech-
loading firearms, gram and grass harvesters
moving machines, and in The other departments
Of industry. In fact, inventive genius is ever
awake. Simple as may be considered some OF The
improvements they may be regarded as the accu-
mutation Of mind, deep thought, experiment. No
other nation can exhibit such long list of inven-
lions MS own; among them not a few which
owing to their value, have conferred nestimable
blessings this country and @ihe rest of man
kind"
Ladies' Fashions.--It appears that the old
style of hooped skirts for the ladies has been re-
vived in the North, and il is therefore reasonable
10 predict that the fashionable rig will soon be
exhibited on our streets. Some Of the editors IN
that section of the country are making merry over
the singular appearance Of the fair sex, thus ex-
banded but, sure, the latter ought to be the better
Judges Of what viii "set them off" TO advantage!
One of the unchartable remarks is, that owing to
"the dressing which they have adopted, every lady
requires about ten square feet while standing, and
a proportionate increase while walking Fortu-
nalely, our streets and avenues are wide, and