The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-27
MISCELLANEOUS.

The MooN.-Dr. Scoresby, in an accouu
that he has given of some recent observation
made with the Earl of ROSES telescope, says
"With respect to the moon, every object OF
its surface of one hundred feet was now dis
tinctly to be seen, and he had no doubt tina,
under favorable circumstances it would be sc
with objects sixty feet in height. On its sur
face were craters of extinct volcanoes, rocks
and masses of stones almost innumerable. HI
had no doubt that if such building as he wa,
then in were upon the surface of the moon, il
would be rendered visible by these instruments
But there were no signs of inhabitants such q,
ours, no vestige of architectural remains t.
show that the moon is or ever was inhabited
by a race of mortals similar to ourselves. i
presented no appearance which could lead t.
the supposition that it contained anything like
the green fields and lovely verdure of this beau
tifnl world of ours. There was no water visible
not sea, or river, or even the measure of {
reservoir for supplying town or factory; al
seemed desolate."
BREvITY. A merchant, at the season o
business depression, received from one of hi,
customers at distance, in answer to previoui
dun, letter stating his difficulties and request
ing time. The merchant paced his counting
room with lowering brow, and, stopping sudden
ly, turned to his clerk and said:
write to that man without delay"
The paper was ready, and the pen filled with
ink; but, not receiving any message for some
moments, the clerk asked:
"What shall write ,"
" Something or nothing, and that very
quick"
Back to his desk went the clerk, and rapidly
moved his fingers over the paper. The lette,
was sent to the Office, and by return of mail
came letter from the customer, enclosing the
money in full. The merchant with glistening
eyes, read the letter, and, Fastening to his clerk
he said
What did you write to -?"
81 wrote just what you told me, and kept Q
copy of the letter."
Going to his letter book and opening it, be
found the following:
"Dear Sir: Something or nothing, and that
very quick. Yours, &C."
That letter brought the money.
REPARrEE.-The Rev. DR.. McC-, Ministe,
of Douglas, in Clydesdale, was one day dining
in large party where the Hon. Henry Erskina
and some other lawyers were present. A grea.
Mr.. McC., who was very fond of the vegetable,
helped himself much more largely than any
other person, and, as he ate with his fingers
with peculiar voracity of manner, Mr.. Erskine
was struck with the idea that he resembled
Nebuchadnezzar in his state of condemnation,
Resolved to give him hit for the apparent
grossness of his manner of eating, the wit adi
dressed him with, DIR. Nee, ye bring me in
mind of the great Northumberland; and the
company were beginning to litter at the ludi
crous allusion, when the reverend vegetable
devourer replied. Gay, do mind ye O. Nebu,
chadnezzar? That'll be because Pm eating
amang the brutes
GUTrA PERcHA FOR HORSE SHoEs.-A Phil
adelphia mechanic has constructed horse
shoe in such a manner that it requires no nails.
and can be put on by any one without the aid o.
blacksmith. Attached to the shoe is fangs
extending around the hoof, and at the back on
the horses foot is a joint, held in its place by
a screw which allows the shoe to open anG
close SO as to accommodate itself TO the sizs O.
the hoof Between the hoof and the plate is
layer of gutta percha, for the purposa Of pre-,
venting injury to the hoof or leg Of the horse
by conclusion, while running over hard roads
or streets. The mechanism is very simple, aud
the application of gutta percha q new and in
genious idea.
Dome years ago, writes OOutnorn cores
pondent, "when sermon was considered short
that continued less than two hours, AMI smeet
ing often held till the small hours in the morn
ing, three ministers of different denominations
held meeting together. 1t was customary
for every minister, after preaching, to call
for members The first took for his tex; the
words of Peter: 6 60 fishing he preach,
ed about two hours then called for members,
but received none, and sat down. The second
remarked that, as he followed his brother, he
would take the words following for his text 4
also go with thee He likewise preached a
long discourse, called for members, las it is
Called and sat down. The third, who was
in favor of short sermons, arose and remarked
that he would follow the example of his brother,
and he chose for his text: And they toiled all
night, and caught nothing!' He rather had !
EN- !"-Knickerbocker
Two NEGATIVES MAKE A POsITIyE.-Once al
table Pitt was expatiating On the superiority OF
the Latin over the English language, and cited
as an instance the fact that two negatives make
al thing more positive than one affirmative
could do. "Then your father and mother
said Lord Thurlow, "must have been them.
selves two negatives, to have introduced such q
positive fellow as you are"
Az OLD WIDOW, when her pastor said to
her, "God has not deserted you in your old
age" replied, "No, sir; have very good ap'
petite STILL"