Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-07-09


JoHH PH9xIxs FELINE ATTACHMENT
Phoenix has invented and patented machine,
and he thus discourses of its needs and merits
in the Rnickerbocker for July:
Circular to the PHblie.-Perrnit me to call
your undivided attention to an invention lately
made and patented by myself which is calcula-
| ted to produce the most beneficial results, and
urove of inestimable value 20 mankind 1t Is
well known that the sewing machines now SO
,,a,,erslly in use are the most important lnVen-
7 ton, and greatest blessing Of the age. Every
I lady considers this instrument indispensable to
her happiness; il has completely usurped the
( place Of the piano-iorte and harp In all wen,
4 regulated families, and she who once purchased
materials for clothing by the yard, now pro-
cures them by the piece or bolt, TO enjoy the
rational pleasure OF easily making them into
garments.
In the humble cabin of the laborer, and in the
/ halls OF the rich and great, now reSounds, from
morning until night, the whirl of the sewing
machine. The result of this universal grind
ing, although eminentiy gratifying to the deal
erS of dry goods, and the philanthrOpic fathers
and husbands who discharge their bills, has not
been of u favorable nature to our ladies' in
physical point of view. ltiSfound the constant
use of the crank has brought on rheumatic and
neuralgia affections in the shoulder, and SINH
Z lar application of the freddie has tendency to
produce hip diseases, and white swelling Of the
knee.jont, accompanied by nervous complaints
of a painful character. The undersigned IS ac-
auainted with most estimable single lady, OF
middle age, who, having procured one OF the
fast-running machines, WAS so enchanted with
it TINT she persisted in its use for thlrty-SiX
hours, without cessation, and found, on cndeaS.
oring to leave off that her right leg had acquired
the motion of the freddie in such painful
manner that it was impossible to keep 1t stI'
and her lOcomotion thereafter assumed species
of polka step exceedingly ludicrous to witness,
and particularly Notifying to herself regret
to add that she was compelled, by vote OF the
society. to withdraw from the Methodist Church,
on n charge of dancing down the aisle on Com
munion Sunday.
He mentions another melancholy instance,
where Mrs. Thompson, having by much use of
her sewing machine, lost all control Of the Hex-
sars and extensors of her right arm, inadyert-
emily punched her husband in the eye, and
originated thereby the famous case of Ihomp-
son VS. Thompson. He proceeds:
turn for mechanism, and an intense desire
to contribute to the happiness of the female sex
have ever been distinguishing traitsin my char
acter. On learning these facts, therefore, de-
voted myself to thorough Investigation of the
subject, and after month of close application,
have ut last made an invention which will at
once do away with every thing Objectionable in
ti'S use of the. sewing machine.
This beautiful discovery IS now naneu Fhu-
nix's Feline Attachment Like most great in
vcntions the Attachment is of great simplicity.
An upright shaft is connected with the machine
by a cog-wheel and pinion, and supported below
BY a suitable framework. Two projecting arms
are attached to the shaft, to one of which
large cat is connected by light harness, and
from the other living mouse is suspended by
the tail, within few inches of the nose Of the
motor. As the cat springs toward the mouse,
the latter is removed, and keeping constantly at
the original distance, the machine revolves with
great rapility The prodigious velocity produ-
ced by the rapacity of the cat in its futile en-
deavors to oyertake the mouse, can only be i'm
agined by one who has seen the Attachment in
full operation.
1t is thus that man shows his supremacy over
the brute creation, by making even their rnpa-
cious instincts subservient to his use.
Should it be required to arrest the motion of
the machine, a handkerchief is thrown over
the mouse, and the cat at once pauses disgusted
Remove the handkerchief, and again she
springs forward with renewed ardOr. The wri-
ter hrs seen one cat "a tortoise SHELLY of so ar
dent and unwearying disposition that she
made eighteen pairs of mems pantaloons, two
,lvEsrI shirts aud stitched skirts, before
she lay down exhausted. Its to be hoped that
the ladies throughout the land will avail tha'"
selves of this beautiful discovery, which will en-
| tirely supercede the use of the needle, and
make, the manufacture of clothing and house
| hold materials matter of pleasure to them
selves, and exciting and healthy exercise to
their domestic animals.
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