The Placer herald., 1856-02-16
Not a Caricature.

III has to be Delled down IN order to Tet Il
the pure stuff
Not Caricature.
The Courier des EtdtS Unis thus hits of
the course of examination in divorce trial
lately impending in New York, and whose
interminable length was an intolerablc bore
At one time one of the counsel rises in
the midst of an unimportant examination
and fixing on the witness an insulting and
triumphant look, questions him after the
following manner:
"When, five years since, you saw, as you
say, Mr.. A pass his arm around the waist
of Mrs W, the plaintiff, did YOU weal
new boots, or did you have on boots which
had been mendcd? BE careful what YOU say,
consider before you answer'
But the counsel for the opposite party
rises in turn-hs eyes flashing With indigna
ton. He forbids the witness to answer tho
question, for his boots had nothing to dc
with the subject Of the suit. A learned anC
lengthy discussion ensues. One supports Iii,
arguments with Blackstone; the other relies
on Kent, and recent American decisions
Both sides get heated-the audience is ex-
cited-not doubling the life, or at any rate
the honor Of the accused, depended upon
the boots worn by the witness, In the mean-
time the Court adourns, and for an hour or
two you may see groups lingering about the
corridors of the City Hall, discussing ear
nestly the question of the immortal boots.
At last the court re-opens and each takes
his place. In the mean time, the witness,
| fixed in seat, mute and immovable, has become
the target of all eyes, which are eagerly and
wonderingly fixed upon him. 1t has now
come to the Judges turn to speak.
"If the question merely regarded such or
such boots, undoubtedly it would be a very
tyrannical stretch of authority to force the
witness to answer but inasmuch as it was
concerning boots worn under such circum-
stances, in view of such and such precedents,
and on consulting such and such authorities,
and whereas article Sd of statute places the
witness unreservedy in the hands of the
counsel the Court is of the opinion, and de-
cides, that the witness must answer the ques-
tons propounded to him."
Each one of the spectators holds his breath
and rises up on the points Of his toes to hear
the answer a dead silence reigns through
the Court room. The plaintiff becomes pale;
the jury look more and more serious; one Of
the lawyers bites his lips in anger, while his
dignificd and impossible as the law. The
crier calls "silence" At last, in a distinct
voice, the witness answers
81 did not wears boots at all on that oc-
casion-I wore shoes"
All breathed freely again, and they passed
to another deposition.
TUNNELs.-The United States has 67 tun-
nels on canals and railways, the longest of
which is about one mile.
England has As canal tunnels of an aggre-
gate length of 40 miles, the longest being
over three miles, on the Hudersfeld canal.
She has also 10 railway tunnels, 40 of which
amount to 33 miles, the longest being three
miles.
The longest tunnel of which record is
given is one in the district of Schemnitz, in
Hungary It's length is variously stated at
from 10 1-2 to | | l-2 miles. 1t is used to
drain an extensive series of mines, and also
for the transportation of ore on railway cars.
In France there are Sc tunnels on rail
ways and on canals, 36 of which are an
aggregate length of 45.4 miles The largest
vi Sllldl SlZc 10 i.fU lllltS anu VI ldlSc
dimensions 3.5 miles. The Rouen and Havre
road has tunnels; Paris and Lyons also 8.
On the German railways are 10 tunnels.
In Sardinia there is a tunnel two miles
long, through Mt. Glow, on the Genoa and
Turin railway. On this road, in 25 miles
through the Apennines are 8 tunnels.
TIE DECISION IN Mrs. GAINES CASE
The New Orleans Delta, referring to the re-
cent decision Of the Supreme Court of New
Orleans, in favor of Mrs Gen. Gaines, says:
The last will Of Daniel Clark, charged to
have been destroyed-the will of 1918 re-
cognizing the legitimacy of Myra Clark
Gaines, and creating her his universal lega-
tce has been ordered by the Court of last
resort, in this State, to be admitted of pro-
bate and executed. The effect of this man.
date will be to give Mrs. Gaines the very
highest title to one of the largest estates in
the United States-an estate of millions
The property involved in this litigation con-
sists mostly of sugar plantations and some
of the best city property. 1t is generally
held by wealthy persons. The city of New
Orleans has sold, with full warranty, a
large portion Of this property, and will be
liable therefor. Of the five judges OF the
Supreme Court three concurred in the de-
cision.
Harmless mirth is cordial against the