davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

SAD SCENES IN CHINA.-A letter from Canton,
under date Of March 18th, says thst the Rebels
had been entirely routed in the Eeighbor!ood of
Canton, and that the main fight took place near
Whampoa. Many of the Rebel boats were cap
tured, also large number of prisoners. The exc
cutions for several days averaged one hundred and
fifty per day. On the lth party Of foreigners wit
messed the decapitatiOn ofone hundred and forty
seven also the cutting to pieces Of three others,
who were leading men Of the Rebels. Towns
which had been under the rule Of the Insurgents
were fast going over to the lmperialists, and trade
was beginning to revive. The writer adds:-
"The French have not again attempted to attack
the city of Shanghai. They are waiting reinforce
ments. The French Frigate - arrived at
Hong Kong few days since, and will no doubt
shortly proceed to Shanghai. The French have
lost many valuable men and officers in their foolish
attacks on Shanghai"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

USE CoppERAs.-The papers are every where
urging the free use of copperas as disnlec.lne
agent. 1t is cheap article, costing only three cen'S
per pound, and can be found at the druggists aho
many of the larger grocery stores. A couple o.
pounds may be dissolved in ten quarts OF wa'er'
and the solution poured into sinks, CUTTERS cespools
and all other filthy places with good effect we
advise all housekeepers to purchase hye' ten' ol
fifteen pounds. and make free use OF II as aooVe
recommended. Cholera or no cholera, their dwei
lngs and out-buidings will contain purer at
mossphere mos after the use Of copperas-Erchansc
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

THE New YoRK AUroMAToN.-The New
York Post has the following description OF the
walking and speaking Automaton, invented by &
gentleman of that city after fifteen years labor:
Upon our entrance into the room In company
with several gentlemen, the figure stood near the
wa between two windows. The operator reac
description of the invention, stating that 1t was
moved by machinery. Before he finished read
ing, howe yer, the automaton began to vIbrate Ii
very singular manner. The motion continued
some seconds, and the spectator began to suspect
that there was somebody inside the monstrou'
stomach of the figure. The machinery was
wound up at last, and while the operator steadled
the figure, it shufiled its elephant feet along the
floor for short distance 2nd then stopped.
The screws were put to the figure again, and i
backed towards the wall, at the same time lifting
its feet in the backward movement much better
than going forward.
The operator then prepared the figure for speak
ing, by the use of an air pump. This some o.
the lockers on hned was to give air to the person
concealed in the figure.
While the operator was proceeding with Ms
"pumpings," the gentlemen closely scrutnzet
the automaton, in order to detect any deception
Small windows are placed in its body. to allow
view of the machinery inside. But these apper
lures, unfortunately, though person can see d.
rectly through the body apparently in stragh
line, do not throw any light into the chamber.-
From these openings nothing can be determined
as TO its mode of operation any more than b,
looking at the unsigh ly exterior.
Barnum, of the Museum, two or three othe
showmen, and several members of the press were
present. None of them, it seemed, were favora
bly, struck with the invention
The greatest point was now to be settled M
one doubted that the figure had walked. The op
orator seized the air pump, and moved some keys
on the outside of the body, when the figure said.
with pauses between the words
"Ladies and gentlemen, you see before you
triumph Of science and art"
Many more words were spoken, but we soul'
not understand them. The voice seemed to sount
as if proceeding from living bodv through pipes
The operator assured the spectators that any
body could make the figure speak, and that ther
was so collusion. Barnum moved the keys ant
the figure answered, but as he could not see th'
interior he was not satisfied.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

ANTIQUITY OF TABLE TURNISG.-ln the last
number of 'Notes and Queries" there is an ex-
tract from Monsieur Mambourg's History of Arl-
auism translated in 1928, which shows that table
turning was practiced in the famous Oracle OF
Dephos as early as the year A. d. $40. The
stool turned round, letters were pointed cut, and
future events foretold. The accounts Of these
COMPUTATIONS" is similar to our reports of tipping
tables and spelling out sentences in our own days.
Spiritualsm is only an exploded old humbug re-
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

MARKING GEEsE.-A woman in Buffalo ac-
cused neighbor of stealing her geese. She said
she could swear to them, having put her mark on
their feet, to prevent them from wandering to the
canal for swim. The geese were brought into
court and her mark was proved to be-placng
their feet on brick and then jamming them with
another brick until the poor birds could not walk.
She called this her mark, and rather boasted tina.
the geese felt no inclination to stray away, after
she had put it on them
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

WINTER IL SWEDEN SrILL.-On May lst in
the south of Sweden the navigation was open and
was being carried on with great activity; but in
the Gulf of Stockholm the ice was still so thick
that heavily laden wagons could ply upon it,
The winter in Sweden has been more rigorous
than has been known in the memory of man.
According to the last account from Helsingors.
in FINLAND, the ice was there more than yard
i,l.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

QUEEN VIcroRn's ScHooL.-The Queen Of
England having discovered that large portion Of
the children of the domestic and other servants
at Buckingham Palace are much neglected in the
matter of education, has commanded that premi-
ses In Palace street, Pimico, should be fitted up
as school, to be opened for educational purposes
She intends to defray all expenses. The number
of scholars of both sexes at present eligible tor ad-
mission is &c. An evening school will be estab-
shed for such of the elder children as may be
nreyentad from attending in the day time.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

M There are men who can be called "mar
tvrs of uood health;" not contented with beleg
we'll. they are always wishing to be better, until
thew doctor themselves into confirmed lnvallds'
and die ultimately, you may say, OF too much
health
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

ANCIENT BUT GooD.-At thy first entrance
upon thy estate keep low sail, that thou mayest
rise with honor thou canst not decline without
shame he that begins where his father ends will
end where his father began.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

In WANT OF MEN.-Both England and Rus
sia appear to be hard pushed to find human food
for powder in the present sanguinary war they
are wagng, for while England is enlisting fox
foreigners in America and Germany, Russia has
brought into Europe the barbarous nordes Of Ash
attic Tartary, and are forcibly Incorporating into
their army the Bayazld, the Armenians and
Kurds. With such immense armies in the field,
and the continual loss Of thousands by disease and
haltle the case cannot be otherwise.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

ga QUIvER FULL OF DAUGHTERS. -IiaPPy
he who-according to Lord Granvllle's new ver'
sion-has culver full of daughters and happier
still. if all that are in the culver meet with the
proper beGu
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

GUARANTEEING HoRsE.-Ohcer. "Didn't
you guarantee, sir, that the horse wouldn't shy
be fore the fire of an enemy?" Horse Dealer
..No more he won't. 'Tisn't till after the fire
that he SHES"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

a,- That sarcastic old genius, Dean Swift
once proposed to tax female beauty and leave ev-
ery lacy to rate her charms. He said the TAX
would be cheerfully paid and prove very produc-
tive
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

o. In Rhode Island, ifa person puts On a clean
shirt once week he is denounced as an aristo-
crat by the populace.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

CuRIosIrIEs OF SCIENCE Combustion. n.-l)n'
ring recent lecture by Prof. Faraday, at the Roy
al Institute, London, piece of pure iron, pecu
larly prepared SO that its PARTICLES might prese,n
large surface to the action of the oxygen IN the
atmosphere, wasssignited, and continued to burn
like tinder. Some iron filings and n-powde'
were mixed together, and sprinkled into the flam'
of spirits of wine burning on plate, when tn
iron filings caught fire and burnt in bright sparks
whilst the guupowder passed through the flame
without Igniting.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

N5- My German friend how long have you been
married 2" "Vell, dis is ting dat seldom don'i
like to talk about, but ven does it seems SO long
as 1t never vas"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

EcCENTRIcIriEs OF AUTHORS AND CoMPo-
sERs.-Paeselo could only compose in bed, and
Cimarosa's muse never inspired him unless In the
midst of a dense and mirthtul crowd. The histo-
rian Mezera had contracted the habit of writing
by candle-light, and co1ld not dispense with it e.
ven in the clearest day and hottest month of the
year. Descartes thought and wrote stretched at
full length on his back; while the great jurst Gu
jas wrote all his works lying -prostrale on his
stomach. Guido REM found it impossible to han
die his brush unless attired in magnificent appar-
ell and Haydn himself declared he found compo-
stion difficult unless he wore on his finger the
ring given him by Frederick Ii. Mathurn the
poet always stuck a wafer on his forehead be-
tween his eyebrows while writing Napoleon US
ed to mutilate the sides of his arm chair with his
pen-knife and the readers of Glover's ballad OF
..Admiral Hoser's Ghost" would never divine
that it was composed while the unconscious au-
thor destroyed with his cane magnificent bed OF
tulips, to the horror of its fair owner, Lady Tenn
| pie.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04
S'rAUNTON SPECTATOR.
BYJ. a. & L. WADDELL, Jr.
TER MS.

A,-Tac "SPECTATOR'' is published once 1csek
at Too Dollars gear, paid IN Gdoance, or !t0o DOL
lars and Ffty Cents if delayed beyond tte expiration
ihe year. NoSbscriptiOn lo be discontinued 6Ht al m
option of the Editors, until au GTeardseS are pad
0r5- AL manifestations TO the Editors by matt mus
be post-pGid or hea loiH not be attended TO-
ADYERTLSEMENI,S of thirteen lines COR teSS'.
inserted three times for one dollar and oehiytre cent
for eUch subsequent continuance. Larger advertisement
inserted IN he same proportion. ,
liberal discount made TO those tcho adoeftiSe 0y tH
1eQr.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

Our gallant little captain, now concluding that
we ought to be in the neighborhood OF ylcksburg,
kept prospecting for the river with his glasses.
AT last it seemingly appeared. We all hailed 1t
with delight, but upon nearing we found it to be
only chain of cotton fields, OF which we could
see neither end. GODDARD determined to land at
the first opportunity, to discover our whereabouts
before going further he was fearful OF getting too
far from the river. Slopng down to a cotton
field, we found it bristling with dead timber, re-
sembling black and white needles standing on
end, Several other fields offered similar i'm
nediment. but at last we came to field destitute OF
tree or stump, and down we bounced right in the
middle of it, at precisely one o'clock, having been
on the wing six hours and fifteen minutes, and
traversed geographical distance from the city
which we have since ascertained to be one hun
dred and sixty miles--an average of twenty three
miles an hour.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

CAN CORPORATION GET DRUNK ?-That
The individual members of it can and will not be
questioned. But can corporation in its ''corpo
rate capacity'' get into what O'Doherty calls a
state Of ''ciuilation; p that is such degree Of
ebrety that the inebriate prononoces the word
.sciyiIizationn with the elison of the ''iz 2" 1t
would seem improbable; yet we know a case
where the excuse Of drunkenness was argued by
a prosecuting attorney in manner to favor the
affirmative Of the question. 1t happened some
wears apo. in one of tho northern counties of Yer
mont, that the then States Attorney" though a
man of great legal ability, was rather too fond OF
the critier," and with peryeTsty of habit which
we have often seen in others was pretty sure to
drink too deep at the very time when it was most
nece ssary that he should be SOBER On one occa.
sion an important criminal case was called on by
the clerk but the attorney, with owl-like gravity
kent his chair, beirg in fact, not fairly able t
stand on his feet, ''Mr. Attorney, is the State
ready to proceed ?" said theiudge. .'Yes-hic-
no-your honor" stammered the lawyer; "th(
State--is not--in state to try this case to-day
the State, your honor, Is--drunL ?"-- B9sto,
Post.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

G5-Some slandering bachelor says matrimony
is '.much JOY" when you first get married, but il
is more jarey after year or So.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

CASH AND CREDIBLE you would get rich,
don't deal in pass books. Credit is the "tempter
in new shape" Buy dry goods on trust, and
you will purchase thousand articles that cash
would never have dreamed Of. A dollar in the
hand looks larger than ten dollars seen through
the perspective of sixty day due bill. Cash is
practical, while credit takes horribly to taste and
romance Let cash buy dinner, and you will
have beefsteak fanked with onions; send credit
to market, and he will return eight pair of wood
cocks and peck of mushrooms. Credit believes
in double breast pins and champagne suppers
cash is more easily satisfied. Give him three
meals day, and he don't care much if two Of
them are made up OF roasted potatoes and little
salt. Cash is good adviser, while credit is a
fellow Won do not like to be on visiting terms
with. If YOU want double chins and contentment
do business with cash. A special edict with a
worm illinn tail
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

o9- There is but one pride pardonable, that o
being above doing base or dishonOrable action.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04
What IL n "Shyster!"

The New York Times explains the term
"Shyster" in the following graphic description OF
the article:
A "Shyster" is the opprobrium OF the legal
profession, whose chief practice is to obtain oy
hook and crook, all the money and effects OF a
nrsoner. If he has none, the "Shyster" gets an
order on his mother, wife, sister, or some other
female friend, who, through the lawyers repre-
sentaons, or the prisoners entreatles, is easily
nersuaded to pawn every little article OF value, to
assist in liberating the prisoner. The prisoner is
thrice ucky if he is not also rifled of his watch,
breastpp. overcoat, or any other articles ne may
he unfortunate enough to possess. "ohysters"
are unsuitable. and have no sympathy with dis
tress. They live by extortion on the woes OF 9TH
ers In no other city in the world would such
nractices be tolerated as are common at ouI
Tombs The income of first class "Shyster''
is from sc, 900 to 900 per year, above all per-
onisites to officers. So low has the criminal bal
become. on account of the criminal practice of these
criminal ln,cUers, that men who have respect fol
their reputation dread to go near the Court OF Ses
sions.
The relative position of "Shyster" and certain
detailed policemen to each other, is diiicuit u "
defined in one respect, the "Shyster Is the cav
paw OF the omcer III dIlo'Ilei, 'he "AiATei IS,
ackall of the ..Shyster" Whenever the "Shys
ter,su friend makes an arrest, he tells the prison
er the case is serious one if he cannot do SO BY
werd of mouth, he does SO by shrugs, enigmatica
hints and other modes Of pantomime-tells hin
he knows lawyer that twill get him clear, it any
one can that this lawyer has infinite power witt
the judges. As soon as the prisoner comes to th'
prison, the officer sends to his partner or .pap
for the lawyer who finds little difficulty in drain
inc his client. The fee, whatever 1t may be, Il
divided with the officer.
The motto, ''honor among thieves" was neve
so completely fasifed as here. The "shyster'
If he can, pretends the fee was less than 1t was
and thus cheats the officer of his per centage VINO
when he finds it out, has blow up with his lie
qa friend, but, like the jailor and old Peachum il
the "Beggar's OPERA" as each one knows enough
to hang the other, their quarrels never become
danuerous. and are soon amicaby settled.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04
Procidit secundum!

Note.-The substitution of "fundum" for cere-
brum was doubtless tint of the rhyme, but the
probability of the story is not hurt by it.-BostOn
oef
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

THE WIRES iNFLuENcE.-A woman In many
instances. has her husbands fortune in her pow
er. because she may or she may not conform to
his circumstances. This is her first duty, and 1t
ought to be her pride. No passion for luxury or
display ought to tempt her for moment to devil
ate in the least degree from this line of conduct
She will find her responsibility in it. Any other
course is wretchedness itself, and inevitably leads
to ruin.
Nothing can be more miserable than to strug-
ole to keep up appearances If it could succeed,
it would cost more than it is worth as 1t never
can. its failure involves the deepest modification.
Some of the sublimest exhibitions of human virtue
have been made by women who have been pre-
cipitated suddenly from wealth and spendor to abb
solute want. =
Then mans fortunes are in manner In the
hands of his wife, inasmuch as his own power ol
exertion depends on her. His moral strength is
inconceivably increased by her sympathy, heT
counsel, her aid She can aid him immensely by
relieving him of every care which she is capable
of taking upon herself. His own employments
are usually such as to require his whole time and
his whole mind.
A rood wife will never suffer her husbands at
tention to be distracted by details to which hel
own time and talents are adequate. II she be
prompted by true affection and good sense, she
will perceive when his spirits are borne down and
over whelmed, she, of all human beings, can bes
minister to its needs. For the sick soul her nnr
sing is quite as sovereign as it is for corporeal ills
II it be- weary, in her assiduity it finds repose
and refreshment fit be harassed and worn to 8
morbid irritability, her gentle tones steal over Il
with soothing more potent than the most exqul
site music. Ifevery enterprise be dead, her pa
tience and fortitude have the power to reklndlt
them In the heart, and he again goes forth to re-
new the encounter with the tolls and troubles
life.--.Ne,c Church Herald.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04
AN ENIGMA.

There is word of plural number,
A foe to peace and human slumber,
Now, any word you chance to take,
By adding S you plura make;
But if you add an s to this,
How strange the metamorphosis
Plural is plural then no more,
And sweet what bitter was before.
iSola;on.-The word is cares, to which, BY ad,
ding an you have caress.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04
P0ETRY Y /.

From the Journal Of Commerce
Babie Bell.
Poem of a Little Life that tras but three AipriEs
Long.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-04

"JAcK AND GILL "-One of the amusements
of the scholars of the middle ages was the con-
struction of Latin verses in rhyme. cores
pondent has been trying his hand at the same sort
of diversion, and as the result, sends us the tol,
lowing rather free translation of the Immortal
nursery ballad of "Jack and Clip
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-06-21

Eassns a asnSy my FORK
Hyde, Snow, do do Abby Bianchard Harding, Cardiff
Sid firm Bordeaux Roads lsh St John. skoleld st Ubes
At Gale uta April a. rhaefon spoouc for London ldg
Marathon, Taylor to load for Boston; Jeanne rane
Ar at ConstantInope date Falcon ratcn Liverpool
settles Al s so 1 s SSa%SGS %s9 r
lion, Theobald I'm liverpool disg Sea Lion. Davis ldg;
As% ws bsn 5 SsSas e. bunnn rom
SID sist n ships Hydra, Carney Gottenbur NJ de En-
rnt Matanzas sist, ship william Berry, GibraIter
Ar at Carienas 3lst brig Mechanic, Duunng, Bangor
Ar at Quebec 10th inst ship Borneo stearns, Bath 18th
Ar at Trieste 22d ult ship Winfield Scott MclIan, Lv
Passed staxiso of Scotland cath ult, bark VIM Henry
W ats, HartlepoOl for Haven.
Al Cardiff LIST inst bark Lucy Hale Lui to load for
Ar at Halifax 9th inst. ship VIM NJ Rogers Thompson,
Sid On Aguadla abt 27thult sch VIM Gregory. Crockett
At havana 10th inst ship Purington, whitney FIN New
Orleans r4th to load for Falmouth and market at 81
bark Odd Fellow, Elliot FIN philadelphia, ar 9Th
A. AZ li,h ship Clara Ann. Pstten, NewportE
SID I'm, bark Benz Adams Merrynan Carahatus and Sa
qua
At Matanzas sth inst ship Champaign Reed for Fall
sid FIN Cardenas 2lst, ship Margaret Merryman York
Ent for dg at Quebec sth inst ship Boeo for London
SPOKEN.
May 81 lat "a Ion 81 bark Lucy from Ccnfu Cos for
York. WI
June lat 2s lOn 70 L. bark leroy Ccnfuegos New
May % OF the Isaacs ship Assyra Wade, Liverpool for
Also above ship Fanny Fern, Jordan, Cardiff for
june lat 81 r. Ion 80, ship Lavina Adams, New Or
IL lat 10 A. lon So ship American unon Liverpool
or New York p
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-06-21

HEAVY RECEIPTS OF PRoDucE-BRIsK
TRADE.-Wheat is so far advanced as to be
out Of danger almost, and tidings from all Sec
tions are favorable to Overlooking granaries
this fall.
For three days past, receipts of grain at this
port have been enormous, when we look back
At the flood which has been pouring in since
the middle of February without the cessation
ofhardly single day-and notwithstanding the
large and continuous shipments, the demand
is still active. Not less than one hundred
thousand bushels of corn were on the market
this morning-more wheat and oats than there
was any demand for, three thousand bales of
hemp, and fair supply of tobacco, lead,
-four, &c.
LARGE SHIPMENTS OF PoRK.-The heaviest
cargo of barrelled pork known ever, probably,
to have arrived at this port, came down the
llineis river on Saturday. 1t came on the
steamer Virginia, amounting to three thousand
six hundred barrels, and was consigned to the
extensive commission house of Henning g.
Woodruff. 1t went Immediately forward on
the same boat; New York, or perhaps the
Crimea, being its final destination.-&. Louis
Int. Of Tuesday.