The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-24

these curious passages of ancient geographers-
fomponiaus Mela and j. Solinos Polyhistor
Tor exampie-which describe the peculiarities
OF the Irish soil and climate, eighteen centuries
ago, almost as we should depict them now.
but the Influence of the Gulf Stream does not
stop even here. The climate it may be said to
convey is diffused, more or less, over the whole
norwegian coast, the aspects and produce OF
which sipguiarly contrast with those of cores
pondlng ATTITUDES in North America, Greenland,
and Siberia. Other causes doubtless contrib.
ute TO this fact, but none, We apprehend, so
largely or increasingly. The influence Of the
temperature of the Gulf Stream upon animal
life in the ocean is very serious. The whole
80 sedulously shun its warm waters, as almost
10 indicate their track by absence, while vet
aouncantly found on each side of it.
The physical reasons are doubtless the same
winch prevent the great marine mammalia
rom ever crossing the equator, from one hem
isphere to the other-a fact now well sscer.
lsined. The various species of fish, which are
firm and of excellent favor in the colder belt
OF the sea, upon the American coast, lose all
their good qualities when taken out of the Gulf
Stream running parallel with it. On the other
hand, the more delicate marine productions,
whether animal or vegetable, which multiply
and prosper by warmth, are redundant in the
Gull Stream, even after it has Quilted the trop-
ical regions, whence its heat is derived. The
food is thus matured for the whale field of the
Azores, while the huge denizen of the seas
hourishes in colder water, amid the abundance
SO provided.-Edinburgh Rerieso.
BEAU BRUMMEL.-In the palmy DAYS of
George ~, while Prince of Wales, there was
club celebrated for its exclusiveness, number.
ing among its members the Prince, Sheridan,
Brummel. &c.-fashion, politics, or literature.
a vacancy occurring, Lord Deloraine, the
famous due!list applied for admission. Sus-
pectir that his quarrelsome propensities might
initiate against him, he called upon every mem
Der the morning before the ballot, and very
plainly intimated that he should consider the
rejection personal affront, and demand salts.
faction from every one severally, except the
Prince of Wales, whose position, as heir to the
throne, protected him.
On the night In question, Lord Deloraine
went to the club, sent up his card, and request.
ed to know If the bslloting was over, and wheth.
er he had been elected. AS he had been black
balled, an answer was sent that he had not been
elected, there being unfortunately black ball
in the box.
de sent the waiter up again to say, that as
it must have been a mistake, he wished to see
the chairman of the club. The Prince was
about rising to comply with the outrageous re.
quest, when Brummel volunteered to satisfy the
incenssd duellist.
Telling the waiter to show Lord Deloraine
into private room, he advanced in his blandest
manner, and said
" lily dear Deloraine, it's truly unfortunate,
but you are blackballed"
The other replied, "Qnite a mistake. You
bad better try again"
"No use," returned the fop, "for there was
not white ball in the ballot. But, pray wait /:
allow me to ring"
When the waiter appeared, Brummef said
Charles, bring me pistol, and coffee for
Lord Deloraine stared in silence.
When the waiter brought tie articles, Beau
Brummel said
beg pardon, Charles, but have forgotten
q dice box"
During this interval, Brummel talked about
me weather, the crops, and the most frivolous
things, Deloraine gazing at him with severe
expression of countenance.
When the waiter brought the dice, Brummel
smiled at him, saying
"You can go. One of us will ring. if we
want you. / don't know which of US it will
be-5ut one Of US will ring"
The waiter bowed and retired.
Brummel, then turning to Deloraine, thus ad.
dressed him:
know your lordship likes coffee SO do |.
When we have finished it, we will proceed to
business"
so l en- blackballed," Kissed the duelist
between his teeth.
Most certainly. Now, my dear lord, as
am the challenged party, claim the right of
debating the terms. Here is pistol, here are
dice; we will throw for the chance. In other
respecs we are quite equal. If you fall, you
will have widow to mourn your loss if
perish, shall have disconsolate tailor to weep
my fate"
The battle bravo put down his cup. turned
on his heel, and left the room.
Brummel rejoined his friends with no small
glee, whom he set in a roar; and when the story
got around In the clubs, Lord Deloraine was 30
much annoyed, that he went suddenly out of
town.
TIE NEW KIND OF PAPER.-It appears that
the parchment paper" recently invented by
Mr.. Game, of England, is soon to be manufac.
tured and brought into general use. Accord.
ing to the London Mechanics Maqazine's re-
port on this matter, and which is remark ed
upon approvingly by the Scientific American.
Mr.. Gaine instituted series Of experiments
to discover the effects of acids of different de-
grees OF strength upon vegetable fibre; and he
succeeded in discovering that, when paper is
exposed to mixture of two parts concentrated
sulphuric acid of the specific gravity of /. 1854.
with one part of water, for short time, simply
drawing it through the liquid, it is Immediately
converted into strong, tough, skin like mate.
rial. All traces Of the suphuric acid must be
instantly removed, by careful washing in water.
If the strength of the acid much exceeds or
falls short of the above degree, the paper is
either charred or converted into dextrine, or if
1t is allowed to remain for many minutes in the
sulphuric acid, after the change in its texture
has been effected. In little more than a Sec
ond OF time, piece of porous, weak, and un-
sized paper is converted into parchment pa
per-a substance so strong that ring of it,
seven-eghths of an inch in width, and weighing
no more than twenty three grains, sustained
weight OF ninety.two pounds; and a strip Of
parchment, of the came dimensions, supported
hfty-six pounds. Like parchment, it aba.rhs
some water; but it is even indestructible BY
water. Printed paper is capable, by this pro-
cess, of being converted into parchment paper
without celebrating the printing.
KIT CARsoN.-A Santa Fe correspondent of
the Washington Union writes as follows:
II this day had the pleasure of seeing and
conversing with the far famed Kit Carson. He
is mild, pleasant man in the expression of
his face, and one would never suspect him of
having led the life of daring and adventure
which distinguish him. He is refined in his
manner, and very polite in his intercourse his
conversation is marked by great earnestness,
and his language is appropriate and wellcho.
sen, though not pronounced with correctness
he has strong mind, and everything be says
is pointed and practical, except when indulging
in vein of humor, which is not unfrequert.
No one can converse with him an hour without
being favorably impressed; he has a jovial,