Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-07-31
Price Two cents
G8e 9aiIp spp.
FRIDAY. July 81 1snn

SINGULAR FUNERAL CUsToM.-A lady
writing from Florence, says---''There has been
grand funeral here; the sister of the GRAND
duke died, and was laid out in the state in
the Palatizo Pitt; crowds went to see her. :.
she was hump backed, and appeared like
child Of ten years of age. She was laid ont
III full dress of white satin, and covered with
Jewels. She was exhibited for five davs-
frlests were preparing mass all the tine. and
her iaales IN deep mourning praying by her
slde was rather a theatrical exhibition.
On the day of the funeral she was carried
through the streets in full view, with no
covering Tor the face, and reclining on sofa.
immense crowds of course thronged the
streets and balconies"
LEcoMPToN.-In a recent letter from Kan.
zas, Andrew Stewart, editor of the Steuben-
vile Union, furnishes the following gloomy
picture OF the capital of that territory
"At Lecompton we found Gov. Walker,
boarding in one-story frame building. I'm.
mediately opposite, Gov. Shannon resides in
tWo-story frame house, the most imposing
building in the place. The town is the dead
est have seen in Kanzas. There are but
two small stores, and no building going on,
Work on the State house has been suspended
Tor lack of iunds-the $55, 900 spent upon it
not having brought it up sufficiently to dis
cover the design Of the architect. 1t seems to
be understood that the capital will be removed
from the place, and this, 1 suppose, has
thrown wet blanket upon its prospects. 1t
IS badly located, and the population are very
hard drinkers Of very bad whisky"
OREIDE-A SUBSTITUTE FOR GoLp.-Tbis
is the name of a new metal which has recent
ly made its appearance under French patent,
granted IN this county in March last. 1t re-.
sembles gold in many respects, and may be
USED In pure condition or as a base for gold
plating. Its cost is about so cents per pound,
and yet Its appearance is such that it would
readily be taken for gold by most casual OBJ
servers. 1t is not pure metal, but COM
pound OF several metals, refined to such
degree, that it does not easily oxidize or tar
nlsh, These qualities make it a valuable ac-
QUESTION to the metallic arts. When tested
with nitric acid, ebullition takes place, but no
spot remains. This quality, though valuable
LOT utensils, makes it dangerous metal for
dishonest men. 1t can be used in counter.
letting gold so readily, that it will be exceed
lngly difficult to detect counterfeit from true
coin. When placed side by side with gold,
it requires close scrutiny to decide which is
gold and which oreide. In France law has
already been passed to prevent frauds, by
compelling, under severe penalties for neglect.
all manufacturers of "oreide" to stamp the
word upon the articles produced.
mandatory has recently been started
iniWaterbury, Connecticut, capable Of turn
ing out any quantity of the new metal. 1t
is said that great deal of the late imported
god-chase ware is nothing but oreide 1t
has already made its appearance in counter
felt coin out west.
metal having so many of the character
istics of gold will soon find its way to the
hands of dishonest men. The public need to
be on their guard. But it is likely, however,
that science, while furnishing combination
of metals so useful, will also furnish detect
or against its use as a counterfeit. Boston
Traveller.