Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-02-29

IRON STEAMERS AND THE CoMPAss.-Ihe New
York Post thinks the Cunard steamer Persia, by her
| last yova.e to this country has demonstrated one
fact of the profoundest scientific and commercial n
terest The editor says;
The great obstacle to the use of iron steamers in
ocean navigation has always been 10 neutralze the
influence of such mass of iron upon the compass.
The variation of the Pereia's compasses during the
whole voyage, as we learn from Capt. Judkins him
SELF did not exceed three degrees, which is one de-
gree less than the average variation OF wooden yes
! sells.
The Persia is provided with compass elevated
some forty feet from her upper deck to be used IN
regulating the compass below, if necessary but inc
captain informs us that it entirely superhu ous
and that when he returns to Liverpool he shall pro-
pose to have both it and the mzzenmast, which sup
ports it, removed. 1t is not certain that another
steamer though built by the architect, will
have SO little influence upon the compass as the Per-
sia or even that she will continue TO carry hers so
nearly in equilibrium another voyage but this IN
venton, with which she is supplied, the captain
seems to think makes it matter of comparative IN
difference 10 him whether she does or not"
REcANTAT1oN OF THE "Ex Monk LEAHY."-A let
ter from Fonduac Wisconsin, states that the " Elk.
Monk Leahy," so notorious for his lectures against
the Catholic church. and latter convicted and SEN
fenced 10 imprisonment for life on account OF killing
his wife's paramour, has for eighteen months been
constantly pleading 10 be eadmltted to the commu-
MON of the church. Capital punishment having
been abolished in Wisconsin, he was not hanged for
the murder he had committed. His imprisonment
brought him to reflection and after eighteen months
of probation, having year ago made written re-
cantaion he was admitted to pcnance on the 25th Of
last month, after having again by word of mouth
made a recantaol in presence of the assembled
prisoners, and begged pardon of God and man. In
sending his written recantation to the bishop OF Mil
waukse, year ago, he expressed his Willingness
that il should be published. This however, was
deemed unnecessary, as no sane person could really
have believed his faIsehoods Baltimore Sun.
We don't think it makes much difference what
such fellow Leahey does. He always was,
and, humanely speaking, always will be, miSera-
bic scamp, turn to what side he may. We saw the
above announcement some time ago In an exchange,
Int did not think it worth notice, and we only copy
it now in the hope that it may put our citizens on
their guard against such persons in future. No
matter under what garb, or with what pretence he
NAV come the man who makes livelihood by sys-
tematc vilfcation is hardly to be trusted, not even
though his charges were true, for the hunting up
and retailing for money of all the evil that can be
found against our neighbors, is not the occupation
of Christian, and such occupation could never have
an existence it, accordance with the advice of our
Saviour no stone was thrown until he that was with
out sin should throw it, Leacheys present recanta-
ton amounts 10 about as much his former lec-
turings