Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-02
VOL. 4.---N0. Is.

SrRYcHSINE.-This poison, which has of
late become so notorious in its abuse, eve can
not say use,) is the most uncertain in its ac-
ton on the human frame; in some producing
instant death, the same dose in others only
bringing on tetanic convulsions, and in lucky
few no effect at all, and this does not appear to
have any relation TO the physical strength of
the patient. 1t is a whitish. crystalline sub
stance, and is extracted from the nut of tree
called strychnine ron'icG. This tree grows
in Ceylon, is of moderate size, and has thick
shining leaves, with 4 short, crooked stem.
In the fruit season il is easily recognized by
its rich, orange-colored berries, about as large
as golden pippins. The rind is smooth and
hard, and contains white pulp, of which ma
ny varieties of birds are very fond. Within
this are fat, round seeds, not an inch in diam
eter, covered with very beautiful silky hairs,
and of an ash-grey color. The nut is the
deadly poison, which was well known, and its
medicinal properties well understood by Ori-
entail doctors before Europe or America had
heard its name. sDog killer and fish SCALE
are two of its Arabic names. The natives of
Hlndoostan often eat it for months, and it be-
comes a habit, like opium-ea with the
same disastrous results. They commence with
taking the eighth of a nut day, and gradual
ly increase their allowance to an entire nut,
which would be about twenty grains. If they
eat ii directly before or after food, no unpleas-
ant effects are produced; but if they neglect
this precaution spasmS result. The chemical
tests for it are numerous, but only one or two
can be relied upon as thoroughly accurate.
FREE TRADE AND THE CuRRENcy.-To show
the effect opon currency,'as well agricul-
ture, suppose gentleman wants a new coat
he goes to British importer and pays him
twenty dollars, hard money, and hard to get
| England takes none Of our rag money. A
way it goes, in quick time. We see no more of
it; as far as circulation is concerned, the gen.
tleman might as well have thrown il into the
fire. Suppose, on the other hand, we want
coat, and go to the American manufacturer,
and buy twenty dollars worth OF American
broadcloth. Well, the manufacturer the next
day gives it to the farmer for wool; he gives
| it to the shoemaker, the halter, the black
smith; they give it to the farmer for meat and
bread; and thus it goes from one to another.
| \ ou may perhaps see this twenty dollar note
| five oI six times in the course of a dsy. This
makes money plenty. But where is the FREQ
Traders hard money vanished, gone to re-
ward and enrich the wool growers and farmers
shoemakerS, hatters, and blackSmiths of Eng
land. Now we go for supporting the Ameri-
can farmers and mechanics, and the Free Ira
der goes for the British-that's the difference
Can, the Free Trader deny it? There arc
but twosides in this matter, the British and the
American side; and the simple question is,
which side TO take, The great struggle is
between the British and american farmers and
mechanics for the American market, and We
must decide which shall have it. Can any
true-hearted American. be his party politics
what they may, hesitate to take his position on
the American side of this question