Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-05-16

circumstances Mr.. Herbert, if found guilty at ALL
could be convicted of murder
&C. The annual meeting of the Stockholders of the
Wilmington Topsail Sound Flank Road Company
was held oday in the Court House. D R Gorpto ESQ
was called 10 the Chair, and DuBrutz Guitar and E.
Kldder, Esqs., appointed to act as Secretaries ma,
orlty of Stock being represented, the meeting pro-
eeeded TO read the Presidents report which was re-
csived. N. N. Nixon was re- elected President. end
we believe the old Board of Directors was also re.
elected for the next year.
Daily Journal, 18th inst.
s9- The Secretary and Treasurers statement of
the operations of the Wilmington and Topsail Sound
Plank Road Company shows that the receipts of the
road have been for the last year, s2,273 So; 1857
of which amount was derived from the Company's
Cart-house The expenses for the same time includ-
ing payments on constructions were 81 $40 80 A
dividend of three per cent has been declared by the
Board of Directors, payable on and after the 10th
inst
RECE1vED.-The North Carolina University Mag
azine for May has just come to hand Contents
" Revolutionary History of North Carolina" -" The
Study Of the Greek Language " The Maid OF Bla.
dondae,' (Poery) "Child's History of North Caro-
lima" 90 The Dream" (Poery,) The Art of Print.
ing" SC, Tear for the Red Man." (Poetry)
o. The United States Ship Portsmouth went 10
sea on Thursday last from Norfolk, under the COM
mand of Captain Andrew H. Foote The transcript
says that she " is the first United States vessel that
ever left that port having entirely dispensed with the
spirit ratons by the voluntary arrangement of the
crew."
O. d. F. Williamson, Esq, is the Democratic can
didate 10 represent Columbus County in the next
House Of Commons of the State. Mr.. Williamson
is gentleman both worthy and capable, and the Sc
lection capital one He is bound to sweep the field
ao- A rumor has got afoat in The English and Ca
madam papers that Queen Victoria intends visiting
Canads in the course Of the present summer Rather
doubtful, we think, but not q matter of any great
Importance
o. The Southern Literary Messenger, Jno R.
Thompson Editor, Richmond, Va, for May, has been
received We have not had time to give it a perusal
o. We are indebted 10 Hon. Asa Biggs for valua.
Bile public documents.
Improvement N Marincr's COmDa.ses
Mr.. John Prime, of Washington N c., has sug-
gesed and patented the method of covering the boxes
of all kinds of cOmpasses with conver glass 50 as
TO shed water, and thus exclude moisture. Simple
as the invention may seem, it is nevertheless an
important one. The common plan is to use fiat
glass placed within the lips of the compass box; this
forms shallow cup, which catches water the glass
10 somewhat smaller than the diameter of the box 80
as TO allow for contraction and expansion occasioned
by differences of temperature
ne compass IS an instrument that must be ALWAYS
in sight; consequently, on shipboard, OF in survey
lng is more or less exposed to the weather When
waite" falls upon the fat glass obscures the sight
| OF needle = nd so ~
ment into the box. Here it turns into 7apor and
lodges on the undsrsde of the glass again obstruct
ing the vision it also dsfaces the card rusts the
needle, and endangers It's proper operation It is al
legged that the electricity induced by the conversion
of the water in tie box into vapor, although quite
trlhng in amount is sufficient, however, to affect the
magnetic properties of delicate instruments like the
compass. In stormy weather, when correct com
pass is most needed on shpboard it u.s. as at present
constructed, most likely to become deranged
| All the objections named are obviated bv Mr.
Primes improvement. The glass 10 convex and
placed wholly outside OF the compass box formins a
complete cover. The space between the rim of the
glass and the box is filled with an elastic material.
winch permits expansion, and always preserves a
tight joint, so tina. Water cannot beat in. Indeed a
compass thus fitted could be submerged without the
least detrlment. This invention is worthy the at.
tsntion of all ship owners instrument makers. and
others. 1t is applicable to surveyors compasses and
all other kinds
Address the inventor as above for further informa
ton Patented in the United States Feb IL, 1856.
Also patented in England through the Scientific
American Agency.
We Copy the above from the Scientific American
Mr.. Prime is d most worthy citizen of Washington
N. c., and it gives us pleasure to see that he has
succeeded in procuring patent for so very valuable
though apparently so very simple an invention
mechanic by trade, and of the highest intellect
genius and sobristy he is justly deserving of all the
benefits his invention possibly bestow upon him.
The fact of his invention having been patented in
England, after having secured letters patent from our
own government fully proves its value He evil
IDENTIFY has rich reward before him.
PENSACOLA HARBoR. Capt. Whipple, submarine opera
tor has removed from Pensacola harbor sunk caissou
which was constructed thirty years for permanent