davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

10000 had left their colors under pretence
of attending to the wounded. Never was
spectacle so dreadful as the field presented
on the following morning. Above $4,000
men lay in the space of two leagues, welter-
ing in blood. The wounds were for the
most part of the severest kind, from the ex-
traordinary quantity of cannon balls which
had been discharged during the action, and
the close proximity Of the contending masses
to the deadly batteries which spread their
grape at half musket shot through their
ranks. Though stretched on the cold snow,
and exposed to The severity Of an arctic
winter, they were burning with thirst and
pteous cries were heard on all sides for
water or assistance to extricate the wounded
men from the heapes of slain, or the load
of horses by which they were crushed. Six
thousand of these noble animals encountered
the field, or, maddened with pain, were
shrekng aloud amid the sitting groans of
the wounded"
Allison's History of Europe, Vi, p IS.
The following is description Of the state
of the :own and garrison of Dresden in 1918:
"1he ravages of a contagious fever the con-
sequence of their prvations) made on the
inhabitants, added to the public Distress
Not less than three thousand were carried off
by it a week, among the citizens alone
Two hundred dead bodies were every day
brought out Of the military hospitals. Such
was the accumulation in the church yards,
that the grave-diggers could not inter them,
and they were laid naked in ghastly rows
along the place of sepulture. The bodies
were heaped in such numbers on the dead
carts, that they frequently fell from them,
and the wheels gave frigh;ful sound in
cracking the bones of the bodies which thus
lay upon the streets. The hospital attend
ants and carriers trampled down the corpses
in the carts, like cabbage or straw, to make
room for more; and not unfrequently some
of the bodies gave signs of life, and even
uttered shrieks under this harsh usage
Several bodies thrown into the Ebe for
dead were revived by the sudden immersion
in cold water, and the wretches were seen
struggling in vain in the waves, by which
they were soon swallowed up. Medicine
and hospital stores there we're none.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04
A Hoosier's Opinion.

Some years ago, several travellers were in
stage coach crossing the Alleghanies, and
among the number was hoosier, and a
preacher-the former prominent cattle
raiser in Indiana. The conversation was
general, and the preacher commenced little
chat with an old gentleman of the party.
"I've just heard of gentleman said the
preacher, that's been to the Holy Land, and
went over the Bible country. It's astonish-
in what wonderful things he has seen. He
was a: Sodom and Gomorrow, and seen the
place whar Lots wife fell"
"Tripped up, 'spose," said the hoosier.
"Ah!" says the preacher, "he went to the
very spot and what's the most remarkable
thing of all, he seen the pillar of salt what
she was turned into"
'Is it possible" says the gentleman.
"Yes, sir he seen the salt standin' thar
to this day"
"What," says the hooser, "real genewine,
good saltl"
"Yes sir aplar Of salt, just as it was
when that wicked woman was punished for
her disobedence"
All but the gambler, who was snoozing
in the corner of the coach, looked at the
preacher and hoosier with an expression of
countenance that pIainly'told that his mind
was powerfully convinced of an important
fact.
Right out in the open air?" he asked
eyes, standin' right in the open field,
whar she fell"
"Well, sir" says Tndiany,' "all I've got
to say is, if she'd dropped in Cur parts the
cattle would have licked her up afore sun
down"
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04
Casting Hea w Guns.

1t is mentioned in late London paper
that all the guns cast at the Royal Standard
Foundry, since the opening of that immense
establishment, have been condemned as unfit
for service notwithstanding that experiments
have been almost daily carried on for the
purpose OF ascertaining the best description
and the proper fusion of the metals required
The makers Of American cannons are more
successful than this. AT recent trial at
Castle Island, near Boston, gun Of nine
inch caibre, for the purpose of testing its en-
durance, it burst only at the l532d fire
1909 fires having been made with ordinary
service charges of ten pounds of powder and
shell weighing seventy pounds, and 90
fires with bursting charges, varying from Is
pounds of powder and one shot of 80 pounds,
to twenty pounds of powder, and ten shots
weighing nine hundred pounds. This last
charge very nearly filled the gun to the
muzzle, and burst it. The gun was one of
Capt. Dahlgren's for marine service, and
was cast by AIlger & Co. The test was to
ascertain the reliability of this formidable
engine of war Guns of this class weigh
ninety-two hundred pounds, and there was
consumed in the test no less than fifteen
thousand four hundred pounds of powder,
while the aggregate weight Of shot and shells
fired amounted to one hundred and fifteen
thousand pounds. Government has also
been trying the new rifle cannon of Mr.. Saw
yer, at Fitchburg. The cannon is gro owed
like a rifle, and the ball is sharped like the
Minnie rifle ball. 1t is filled with powder,
which explodes after striking and entering
an object 1t is said that at one mile the
body of an ordinary sized tree would not be
missed once in fifty shots, and experiment
has proved it to be nearly so. This is the
closest shooting with heavy cannon known to
the service FOrDpu'S Press
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04
Ornamental Trees.

The planting season, says the California
Farmer, is on hand, and if there is one feat
ure of our landscape that should be improv
ed it is that around our "homes," both in
the city and in the country. A few trees Of
handsome foliage and form, add much to
the beauty of homestead, and add to its
value also. So rapid has been the growth
of our nursery trees, that purchasers can now
provide for this establishment at little
cost. The beautiful Acacia from Australia,
is not only a favorite, but graceful and
hardy tree. The Pride of China, the Catal-
pa, the Hawthorn, Elm, Ash, Linden, Maple
and sycamore, are all fine trees and thrive
we'll. The ornamental climbers are abun-
dant; no country in the world can equal us
in Roses and Honeysuckles and here the
Chinese Wsteria, fragrant and beautiful, is
a hardy vine. The various kinds of the Pas
sion flower are hardy, and thus the grounds
and the buildings can all be beautified with
but little expense, while the home is made
more cheerful and healthy, and at the same
time increased in value.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04
NUMBER l3.

PUBLIC OP1NIoN.-Sneer at it as we may
it cannot be denied that public opinion, to
great extent, controls our judgment and
actions, in all the walks of life. Thus it is
that where there is healthfu public senti-
ment manifest, there do we find moral,
healthy state of affairs, as the natural conse-
quence. So, also, on the contrary is it
where vitiated, depraved taste has engen-
dered itself in the mind, we are sure to dis
cover as its results an immoral recklessness
visible in the community. 1t has much to
do in the shaping for veal or woe the hab-
its of us all. Sonora Democrat.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04
When and Where Deep Flowing is Bene'
fetal

An English paper discusses this subject at
some length, and the points brought out will
interest and instruct American readers. We
condense them in this paragraph: Deep
p'owing is most efiectua in autumn exposing
the soil to the influence of frost, rain and
air during the winter, which act upon the
mineral ingredients of the soil, rendering
them available for succeeding crops; also,
pulverizng the soil, and thus facilitating the
passage of the roots into the subsoil As
regards the period of the rotation, it should
precede root crops, Tor in this country In
dian corn,) or may be the first plowing for
fallowing preparatory to the wheat crop
Deep plowing Is the most beneficial to stiff
cIays, and, as rule, we may plow deep when
the subsoil is of the same character as the
surface, if both are tenacious, or when the
subsoil is composed of good clay, Only re-
quiring atmospheric influences to sweeten it.
Deep cultivation should be avoided in nearly
all very light soils, and in plowing for crops
after large applications of manure, thus bury
ing it too deeply; or in turning under clover
or other green crops. Deep plowing in au
tumn, on most clays, is equal to a half DIES
sing of manure. Clay from which the air is
excluded, exhibits dark blush color After
draining, it is not advisable to bring to the
surface more than two inches of clay subsoi
at Time, otherwise more is brought up
than the frost, etc., can fit for good growing
crops. Rural NeU Yorker.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04
Quicksilver Mines.

The New Almaden question has created
much interest in regard to quicksilver mines
AS a matter of information, we here give
the names of the most important quicksilver
mines in the world: The A Almaden Mine, in
Spain is supposed to be the richest in the
world, and is said to he owned principally
by the Rothschil,ls The next in point Of
wealth is supposed to be the New AImaden
mine, in California, and to obtain controll-
ing interest in this, it is stated that the
Rothschilds furnish the money used by
Laurencal and the Fossatt men in their en-
deavors to obtain possession of the mine
The third quicksilvermine in point Of wealth,
is that at 1dria, in Austria, controlled also
by the money kings above referred to. A
fourth mine is the New Idria Mine, situated
in Merced county, in this State. This has
not yet produced much quicksilver, as opera
tons have not fairly commenced; but it is
said to contain vast quantities of cinnabar of
a rich quality, and will soon be able to fur
nish immense quantities of quicksilver
Quite a large number of workmen are now
engaged at the mine 1t is owned by a
company, whose headquarters are in this
city. We are cognzent of the existence of
cinnabar in other parts Of the State, but they
have never been sufficiently investigated to
learn their extent and riches In all proba
bility, however, further explorations will de.
velop The existence of more rich quicksilver
mines in the State. s. r. Call.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04
The Christian Era.

The Christian Era was first used aboutthe
year 527 by Dionisius, surnamed "Exiguus," ;"
but better known as Denys le Petit, monk
of Scythia and Roman abbot, in conse-
quence of which it is sometimes called "Re-
capitulatio Donisi." 1t was not introduced
into Italy until the sixty century, and, though
first used in France in the seventh, it was
not universally established there till about
the eighth century. An Instance of the use
of tie Christian Era in England is supposed
to have occurred as early as the year $780,;
it was generally adopted in the eighth cen
tury, and it was ordained by the Council of
Chelsea, in July, el6, that all bishops should
date their acts from the year of the incarna,
tion of our Saviour. In Spain, the Christian
Era, though occasionally adopted in the
eleventh, was not uniformly used in public
instruments until after the middle of the
fourteenth century, nor in Portugal until
about the yeat l4l5. In the Eastern En-
pire and in Greece, it was not universal until
after the capture of Constantinope BY
Mahommet IL, in 1853
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

He who never relaxes into sportiveness is
a wearsome companions; but beware of him
who jests at everythingl such men dispar.
age by some ludicrous association, all objects
which are presented to their thoughts, and
thereby render themselves incapable of any
emotion, which can either elevate or soften
them; they bring upon their moral being an
influence more withering than the blasts Of
the desert
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04
Belle Brandon.
A FAVORITE BALLAD.

Meath tree by the margin of the woodland,
Whose spreading leafy boughs sweep the ground,
With path leading thther o'er the prairie,
When silence hangs her night garb around:
Where oft have wandered in the evening,
When the summer winds are fragrant on the lee,
There saw the little beauty, Belle Brandon,
And we met meath the old arbor tree
Belle Brandon was the birding of the mountain:
In freedom she sported on the wing,
And they say the life current of the red man,
Tinged her veins from far distant spring
But she loved her humble dwelling on the prairie,
And her gueless happy heart clung to me,
loved the little beauty, Belle Brandon,
And we both loved the old arbor tree.
On the trunk of that aged tree we carved them
Our names on the sturdy form remain
But now repair in sorrow to its shelter,
And murmur to the wild winds my pain.
Oft sit there in solitude repining,
For the beauty my dreams bring to me;
Death has won the little beauty, Belle Brandon,
And she sleeps meath the old arbor tree.
Annie Laurie.
Professor Aytoun, in his "Balads of Scotland"
gives the following as the original song of Annie
Laurie:
Maxwelton banks are bonnie,
Where early fa's the dew,
Where me and Annie Laurie
Made up the promise true.
Made up the promise true
And ne'er forget will l,
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'll lay down my head and die.
She's backit like peacock,
She's breastit like swan
She's jimp about the middle,
Her waist ye weel may span.
Her waist ye weel may span,
She has rolling eye,
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'D lay down my head and die.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

SCorT CLUBS IN The
Boston Post gravely asserts that move
ment is on foot for the organization of poll
teal clubs in various localities, for the bring
ing forward of General Winfield Scott as
candidate for the Presidency in 1860. 1t is
stated that ample funds are provided, and
that it is the intention to run him as the
peoples candidate.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

DAMP WALls.-The following method
is recommended to prevent the effect Of
damp walls on paper in rooms:-Line the
damp part Of the wall with sheet lead rolled
very thin, and fastened up with small copper
nails. 1t may be Immediately covered with
paper. The lead is not to be thicker than
that which lines tea chests.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

An individual, the other day, with very
white hair and very red nose was remark
ing to DIR. Spooner that he found Bourbon
whiskey applied to the hair an excellent pre-
ventive of disease of the roots. The doctor
remarked that his experience had always
demonstrated that the constant application
Of Bourbon to the head had less effect
upon the roots than upon the rooters, look
ing at the individuals nose, on which it re-
vealed itself in blossoms
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

poIitcan--an old watcher of party
and buyer and seller in the business Of
poitics-of Chicago, says: "lf President
Buchanan had offices enough to bestow, he
could convert the whole Douglas faction to-
morrow"
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

A Practical FREE LovER-The Yreka
Union says there was lady at hotel in
that town, recently, who had just obtained
her third divorce. She does not, however,
yet despair of enjoying "the sweets of con
genial bliss and connubial felicity" but she
says: You bet yer guinea, I'll look out
what kind of feller l git next time"
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

What is familiary known by the name of
Mosaic work, is simply kind of painting ex-
ecuted with small pieces of glass, or wood,
pebbles, enamel, etc, fixed upon any sab
stance with mastc When an artist com
mences a work in Mosaic, he cuts on a stone
plate certain space, which he encircles
with bands of iron; this space is covered
with thick mastic, on which are laid, confor-
mably to the particular design, the various
substances intended to be used. Fifteen
thousand different shades of color are en-
ployed. The origin Of Mosaic work must
be sought in the East, the rich carpets Of
which We're initiated in hard stone.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

Power OF THE SuN-A distinguished
chemist, in a recent lecture, while showing
that all species of moving power have their
origin in the rays Of the sun, stated that
while the iron tubular railway bridge over
the Menai Straits in England, 400 feet
long, bent but half an inch under the heavi-
est pressure of train, it will bend up an
inch and half from its usual horizontal
line when the sun shines upon it for some
hours. He stated that the Bunker Hill
monument is higher in the evening than in
the morning of sunny day. The little
sunbeams enter the pores of the stone like
50 many little wedges, !iEing it up.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

Do you suppose that the grown-up child
does not want amusement, when you see
how greedy children are of it! Do not i'm
agine we grow out Of that: we disguise our
selves by various solemnities, but we have
mono Of US lost the child nature yet
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

A tall fellow persisted in standing during
the performance, much to the annoyance Of
an audience and was repeatedly requested
to sit down, but did not! when a voice from
the upper gallery called out:
Let him alone, he's tailor he's resting
himself" He Immediately squatted.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

A MIsER's DEATH AND W1LL.-M. Crepin,
at Lyons, France, who was furnished with
two meals day by an old widow for thirty
five centimes, has left his fortune, three mil
lions Of francs, to this guardian angel over
his misery
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

NEW DEE1NIrIoN.-The Sword-the first
hope of the oppressor, and the last hope Of
the oppressed.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

CUR1oUs.-"It is curious fact" says
some entomologist shat it is only the fe-
male mosquito that torments u.s." A bach
sler says it is not at all curious"
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

GOVERNMENT FoUNDRY.-A CORRESPONDENT
of the SoIona Herald, writing from Vallejo,
states that on the l4th the work of excavating
for the foundry on the Island, was com
menced. The building will cover acres Of
ground and will be one Of the largest in
the United States. They intend to cast every
thing-from bullet to the largest canon.
Buildings seem to go up there now as if
by magic, and that too, with less hands than
ever; there's certainly a change somewhere
for Uncle Sans interests.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

The man who has never tried the com
panionship ofa little child, has carelessy
passed by one of the greatest pleasures of
life, as one passes a rare flower without
plucking it or knowing its value
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

A Western editor says that '.child was
run over by wagon three years cid, and
cross eyed, with pantaets on, which never
spoke aterward."
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

A contemporary noticing the appointment
of friend postmaster, says: If he attends
to the mails as we'll as he does to the fe-
males, he will make a very attentive and
efficient officer.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

BATTERY FRIGArEs.-The port of Cher
Boug, France, has just received an order
to put on the stocks two frigates, which are
to be cuirassed-That is to say, covered with
iron plates from ten to twelve centimetres
thick. The engines for these vessels are of
power to class them among the t1eeest of
man -of-war ships. Their armament will be
composed of seght enormous rifled cannon,
each intended for a long range, and with
ogivo cylindrical balls. The guns will be
of the oaibre of 80. In the meantime, the
Jemappes is going to be transformed in to
mixed vessel and barded with iron, like tho
floating batteries, or battery frgates as they
are called in France. England also is about
to construct some of these battery frigates
but the French claim the invention as theirs.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

When the heart is out of tune, the tongue
seldom does right
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

"Pray, friend, are you master of this
house?" asked a traveller at an inn.
"Yes sir" answered the host with smile
my wife has been dead three weeks
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

The sand in the hour glass reminds US
not only of the swift flight of time, but also
Of the dust into which we are one day to
crumble.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

When Socrates was asked why he bat
built for himself so small house, "Small as
it is" he replied, 81 wish could fill it with
friends
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

A COOP MAINE LAw.-The Legislature of
Georgia has passed law authorizing the ap'
pontment of liquor inspector, whose duty
it shall be to examine and thoroughly test
the poisonous ingredients contained in liquors
and should they find strychnine or other
poisonous drug in any liquor, the person
selling the same is to be ordered to take it
out of the State; and if he sells any drug,
ged liquor knowing it to be such, or after
its inspection, he is to pay fine of 800 for
the first offence, 5000 for the second, $400
for the third, and $1,000 for the fourth If,
in other States, people would hunt after sub
stances, instead of after fances, they would
cause to be passed just such law. 1t ia
liquid poison that makes so many madmen.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

A misery old fellow has hit upon an ex-
pedent to save candles. He uses ''the light
Of other days"
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

WHEAT AND FLoUR.-It was been calcu-
lated that the wheat crop Of California, for
this year, which will considerably exceed
that Of 1857, will produce 5000 barrels
of flour. The amount Of -four required for
home consumption, as food, is not far from
100000 barrels, which leaves 100000 barrels
of flour, or l,l5O,OOo bushels of wheat for
seeding and other purposes. Not more than
100000 bushels will be required for seeding
purposes.
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

An English writer says, in his advice to
young married women, that their mother
Eve married gardener. 1t might be added
that the gardner, in consequence Of his
match, lost his situation,
The Placer herald., 1858-12-04

Flkens lbelous fellow, says that wo-
mans heart is the sweetest thing in the
world-in fact, perfect honeycomb full of
sells.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-08-18
7,EZEdR1PHTd NEWS.
TIN CABLE.
RrJnIc1Nas IN AMERICA, I'D.

wAsmxoToN, Aug l7.-The President, On Che
bis message, a. prepared before the reception o.
the Oueeus compleie, should be sent directed that
Il should be forwarded without charge.
pxuonsrnArIons AT fHs NcRIn.
NEW Yoax. Avg. II ITO day 100 guss we're fred
In front OF the City Hall, and national salnfes q
the Battery and Central Park.
The civ Hall and public buildings are iliu-
minated, and there IL . splendid display OF nre-
works ia front Of the City Hail. with music pJ
Dodsworth's band.
Numerous b0Dfres are lighted along sne NORM
and East rivers, and In the public squares OF the
During the firing from the Park oil the church
bells 10 the city were rupg, and the ringing con-
,iuued for one hour; and this evening many citi-
zens IN the vicinity Of the Park illuminated their
buildings.
pH,LApELpmA August 1I.-Esrly this morning
tno puns we're ired from the navy yard and other
ponts The last round at the corner OF Broad ana
Washington streets exploded prematurely, shat-
teriug the arms Of two srtillerymcn.
BALrInoRR, Aug. 1.-THE streets to-day present.
al holiday appearance. At noon two hundred
gun. we're ired, aud the bells in the city rung
CHICAGO, Aug. 17.--Last night one hundred guns
wsre AIRED. bells were rang, bonfres lighted, sad
rockets ireo.
MEssAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK
TO THE MAYOR OF LONDON.
NEW Yoax, Aug. 1.-THE following message was
sent by Mayor Tiemann, of this city, to the Lord
Congratulate your Lordsbip upon the sue
cessfaI laying of the cable, uniting the two
continents-Europe and America ana new fork
and Iondou-the work Of Great Britain and the
United States-the triumph If science and energy
over space Thus uniting them more closely IN
the bonds Of peace aud comnerciai prosperity,
and thus introducing an era into the worids DIS
tory pregnant with results beyond the conception