davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 1859.

nay o 1COJ.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
l suppose most of the readers of the Era,
like myself, have felt some interest in the remin-
iscence3 and local traditions of Ireland, by
Slow jamie" Concerning the case he speaks
of as kaying occurred in Belfast, his informa-
ton is very erroneous, and in that one in
stance shall endeavor to put him right
1t is true, combination did take place in
Belfas. or rather in the country around, among
the jorrpeymen linen ioedrers, mot cotton-spin.
ners.) 1t was a pretty formidable affair, and
caused. much excitement. They attacked men
on the road, abusing them, and cutting in
pieces the webs they were bringing to the mer-
chants in that city. Not content with spread
ing tie -ror and dismay through the country,
they f. ally resolved to murder Mr.. Johnston
and hi family, who had become obnoxious to
them f eom his stern resistance to their demands.
They stacked his house in the middle of the
night, Jhen all were asleep, mot when company
were pfesent) with guns and pitchforks, firing
into the windows where they knew he slept
Anticipating danger, Johnston had employed
a watchrnan during the night. While this man
had stepped out at the back door, a bombsbell
was thrown into the parlor and just as he en-
tered, the bomb exploded, throwing him back
out at the door, and which rent the house from
top to Cotton. The family were seriously
alarmed .dreading an assault from these hellsh
miscresnts, but they luckily escaped injury.
A gun was found in the street next morning,
which had bursted, and, as was conjectured
must have injured the man in whose hands il
was fred. These suspicious were announced
and reward offered for their apprehension.
This man had gone to Downpatrick, abe ut
twenty miles of, TO surgeon, to have his hand
dressed. This circumstance was communicate
by the surgeon, and the man, named Gray, was
soon atSer arrested. He turned Kings eviden e,
gave trf the names of those ur me piots Y ey
were soon brought to the jail, tried, and foOnd
guilty at Carrickfergus. Either two or three
were condemned to capital punishment, and
the others were tied to the tail of Il cart, and
whipped through the town. The principal pun.
ishmeHt they received was the disgrace attend
ing the flashing and exposure.
The other case he speaks of l have never
heard If and | now leave the matter to "Sow
Jamie and your readers, to judge whether the
punishment was too severe for such a paltry
crime OLD JAMIE.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01
WASHINGTON D. c, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER l. 1859

mortified bride hid her chagrin and disappoint
mcnt IN bushes, and the rage of the infuriated
groomsman vented itself in profane anathemas
and frultless search for the fictitious clergy.
man, who had sioped. The next day the mat
ter was legally and enthusiastically eonsum-
mated, ana the runaways went home to sue for
a pardon which they knew could not lone he
denied. Evansville Iad.) Journal
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01

FACTS IN PHYSIOLOGY man is taller in
the morning than at night, to the extent Of
half an inch, owing TO the relaxation of the
cartilages The human brain is the twenty
eighth of the body, but in the horse but a
our-hundredth. Ten days per annum is the
average sickness of human life. About the age
of &c, the lean man generally becomes fatter,
and the fat man leaner. Richter enumerates
900 distinct species of disease in the eye. The
pulse of children is $50 in minute; at puber-
ty, it is so; and at 60, only 60. DIR. Lettom
ascrbed health and wealth to water, happiness
to small beer, and all diseases and crimes to
the use of spirits. Elephants live for two hun
dred, three hundred, and even four hundred
years. A healthy, full-grown elephant consumes
thirty pounds of grain per day. Bats in India
are called flying foxes, and measure six feet
from tip to tip. Sheep, in wild pastures, prac-
tice seIfdefence by an array in which rams
stand foremost, in concert with ewes and lambs,
in the centre of hollow square. Three Hud-
sons Bay dogs draw a sledge, loaded with 800
pounds, fifteen miles per day. One pair of pigs
will increase in six years to ll9, l60, taking the
increase at fourteen times ler annum. A pair
of sheep, in the same time, would be but 81.
A single female horseAy produces in one season
2O08O,32O eggs. The flea, grasshoPper, and
locust, Jump 200 times their own length, equal
to a quarter Of mile for man.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01
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The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01

The KAMDACTYLUs AGAN.-We have al
ready alluded to the curious paper of Dr. Bar
raft, offered to the Scientific Convention at
Springfield. The singular creature of which it
treats-the "Kamdactylus sub-humanus us
thus described by the reporters of the Spring
field Republican, who, of course, abridge the
remarks from DIR. Barratts document:
This sub-homo had nothing of the ape about
its formation. Accompanying this creature was
a race of ruminant animals. This sub-homo,
or man with three fingers and four toes, be-
tween seven and eight feet high, possessed
nearly the perfect form of our present period.
There is also n gigantic animal, called 'Cheira-
bousus Monstrosus,' three fingered OK, and
mammiterous ruminant, and he holds from these
facts that the zo0morphic sandstone of the Con-
necticut Valley is not the red sandstone but is of
the tertiary formation Of the middle Eocene
This formation is full of fossil bones and is Of
The same age as the Paris basin. There are
remains of these animals in the cabinet of Am
herst College, but not explained or developed.
There was also another animal, the 'CEeirabou-
sus Paradoxus, most remarkable as having three
fingers, and walking on its hands and arms,
which were about as long as the human 1t
had hoof behind and hands before, with the
horns turned down. There is also presented
the restored figure, from numerous detailed
specimens, which somewhat resemble a polar
bear. The man was often found in the com
pany of these animals, and lived upon their
milk and calves. There was also the Mages-
kepter, the great digger whose bristles lie
thickly scattered through the Portland sand
stone. 1t is conjectured that the Digger In
dams are in the line Of progression from the
Mageskepter. 1t is also surmised that the
term Dig in common use, had its root in that
fossil of the Eocene"
We are fain to believe that these pleasant
creatures are now extinct. If not, it would pay
well to exhibit them here, with DIR. Barratt as
explanatory lecturer. The three-fngered OK
would, we think, excite special attention.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01

Too HPICKs AND THE LIKE.-At a dinner
lately given by the President of neighboring
Antiquarian Society to a small party of associ-
ates, and to which had the honor of an invi-
tation, information on diverse small matters
was elected, which l think may be interesting
to your readers:
Pdlitos.-On the cloth being removed, Capt.
D., one of the oldest and most active mem
bers, and commando of a Rio steamer placed
on the table small box Of palitos, (toothpicks,
such as have been imported from the peninsula
into Brazil ever since the occupancy by the
Portuguese. They are made Of orange wood
by shepherds, and are of various qualities, ac-
cording to the labor spent on them. Those
before us were of the first chop-each being
ornamented at the blunt end with scrolls hkS
those of an Ionic column, the minikin invo-
lutes being delicate shavings left adhering to the
body "Palitos," said the Captain, care used
by every one in Brazil, from the Emperor to
the lowest tradesman. Even negro slaves may
be observed in the streets with them stuck be-
hind the ear, where clerks sometimes put their
pens when not in use. All repasts are wound
up by pushing round paliterio, a fanciful device
for holding the picks, and often forming an
item in familys silver plate. With those who
do not smoke, palitos are equal to cigars in
conversation, besides being cheaper
and more durable"
On this, the Secretary, who is at home on
most subjects, continued thus:
"From the times of the Normans to the pres
ent hour, the lively Gauls have been the teach
ers of the brus9ue and phlegmatic AngloSax-
ons, in manners, dress, and innumerable acces-
SORES of fashion and taste. From one branch
or other Of the Latin race we have derived
most Of these things. Table forks, it is known,
passed 3hrough Italy into England, where they
met with violent and general opposition. Those
who used them we're derided like the introdu-
GERS Of umbrellas, as tops and corrupters of
manners. This was not later than the seven
teenth century, for not till then did the feeding
habits Of our ancestors deviate from those of the
Orientals. For soups they had spoons, but for
other matters every one thrust his hand into the
dish, and fshed for himself. Another article of
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01

table furniture naturalized on Continental Eu-
rope since Greek and Roman times, are tooth
picks and yet they have but recently been ad-
mitted into our restaurants and hotels. An inhu-
entail New York journal, the Tribune, in its
issue of May l9, l847, severely denounced their
introduction.
"Toothpicks are brought on to some Of the
tables of public houses, in order TO drive most
of the boarders from the table before the ice
cream and jellies are served. But few years
have made a great change in popular opinion.
They are becoming generally domesticated
with us.
In works illustrative of Spanish manners,
they are Of constant occurrence. 1t was i'm
possible for Cervantes to overlook them. The
making of them was a gentlemanly amusement.
In his controversy with the Canon, Don Quixote,
after hearing his opponent, begs him to be
silent, and not continue to utter blasphemies
against chivalry, but to act like discreet per-
son, and peruse standard books on the subject,
by which he would learn, among other matters,
how every true knight-errant was honored By
princes, welcomed ut the castles of the great,
clothed in gorgeous apparel, led into banquet
ing apartments, waited on by damsels, ETC.,
and how, when the dinner is ended, and the
cloth taEen away, the knight Tolls in his chair,
and picks his teeth according to custom Eos
Of silver, wood, and feathers. The rudeltes
pennde Of martial were most usual. To pick
the teeth in the time of Elizabeth was the mark
Of a man affecting foreign fashions. ms ludi-
crous order in Nichols Progresses is the fol-
lowing Item. No knight of this order shall
be armed for the safeguard of his countenance,
with a pike in his mouth, in the nature of
toothpick.' Mares observes that the using of a
toothpicE in public was mark Of gentility.
Towards the close of the seventeenth century,
magnetic toothpicks and earpicks were fashion
able specifics for pains in the teeth, eyes, and
ears.
In fact, the application of the magnet as a
curative agent was known at least thirteen hun
dred years ago. In the middle ages, it was used
as a preservative against commissions and affec-
ton of the nerves. for relieving persons afflicted
with the govt, removing ordinary rheumatic
twinges, and as a sovereign remedy for aches
in the head, ears, face, and teeth. The invent
ors of magnetic necklaces, bracelets, armlets,
ankets, girdes, etc., so extensively advertised in
the newspapers, have, to their own loss, strangely
omitted in their lists of new pain extractors,
the magic picks that with touch removed the
keenest of mortal pangs. They might, certainly
for a season, become as fashionable and profit
able as metallic tractors once were."
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01
WAITS.
WHOM, NOT HAVING SEEN, WE Low

WHOM, NOT HAVING SEEN, WE LOVE
tits easy TO love when eye meets eye,
And the glance reveals the heart,
When the flush on the cheek can the soul bespea ak,
And the lips in gladness part;
Theess thrilling of bliss in a loving kiss,
As7 spell in a kindly tone
And ghe spirit hath chains OF tenderness
To fetter and bind its own
But . holier spell and a deeper Joy
From purer fountain flow,
When the soul sends higher its incense fire.
Ard rests no more below;
When the hea goes up 10 the gate of heaven,
ASd bows before the throne.
And,strking its harp for sins forgiven,
Calls the Saviour all its own.
Though we gaze not now on the lovely brow
That felt for the thorn;
Though afar from home pilgrims roam,
AID our feet with toll are worn
ThoL gh we never have pressed that pierced nEnd,
II $ stretched our lives above;
And we own His care, in grateful prayer,
Eyhom, not having seen, we love-
We save felt him near for many a year,
Wpen at eve we bent the knee
That mercy breath, that glorious faith,
Dear Saviour, came from thee.
Whsn stood beside the dying bed
And watched the loved one go,
la the darkening hour, we felt His power
As il hushed The waves OF woe.
And still, as we climb the hills of time
And the lamps OF earth grow dim,
We are Fastening on from faith to sight
We are pressing near to him;
And away from idols of earthly mould,
ELraptured we gaze above,
And long 10 be where his arms enfold,
"Yhom, not having seen, we loven
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01

PUZZLED PIG.-One of our Western farmers
being very much annoyed by his best SOW
breaking into the corn-feld, search was insti-
tuted in vain for the hole in the rail fence
Failing TO find one, an attempt was next made
to drive out the animal by the way she entered,
but of course without success. The owner re-
solved to watch her proceedings, and, posted at
night in fence corner, he saw her enter at one
end of hollow log, outside the field, and
emerge at the other end, within the enclosure.
" have you now, old lady," cried he. Accord
ingly he proceeded, after turning her out once
more, to so place the log Git being crooked) that
both ends opened outside the field. The next
day the animal entered her accustomed place,
and shortly after emerged again. Her aston
ishment says our informant at finding herself
in the same position whence she started, is too
ludicrous to be described. She looked this way
and then that, grunted her dissatisfaction, and
finally returned to the original starting place,
and. after deliberate survey of things, to sat
sfy herself that all was right, again entered the
log. On emerging once more on the wrong
side, she evinced more surprise than before,
and turning about, retraced the log in an op-
posite direction. Finding this effort alike in
vain, after looking long and attentively at the
position of things, with short, angry grunt of
disappointment, and perhaps fear, she turned
around and started off on brisk run; nor
could either coaxing or driving ever induce
visit to that part of the field. She seemed to
have Superstition concerning the spot"
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01

A CRUEL Practical JoKE.-A correspond
ent gives an account of a practical joke played
upon fugitive couple of lovers, who were es-
Gaping from the veto of an memorable parent,
which, if brought to the knowledge of the law
officers, might prove dangerous and costly fun.
An ardent and youthful couple came on board
a steamer, at Hawesville, KY, professedly for
an excursion down the river. The young gen
tleman, soon after "getting 6xed," began an
inquiry for clergyman ora Kentucky magis-
trate among the passengers. An impromptu
parson was soon found by the lovers Of fan on
board, who volunteered to give the legal sane
ton to the banns forbidden by the obdurate
parents.
The ceremony was performed with due So
lemnity before an assembled crowd Of passen-
gers, and the fond couple passed the evening
in an ecstacy of happiness, in which the whole
company seemed, by their hearty congratula-
tons, to sympathize. The lovers had entered
their stateroom, and were about retiring, when
the Captain, thinking the joke had proceededfa
enough, interviewed andrevealed the imposition,
in time 70 prevent any actual damages. The
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01

"A rufian shot at me last night" said
gentleman, and my life was saved
by the balls striking a silver coin in my vest
pocket"
Whoever takes true aim at your heart, re-
piled one who knew him, is very certain to
hit coinIn ~
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-27

The COLLEGE REGATTA YEsrERpAY-PRo.
GhEso OF ATHLETIC SPORTS 1T was remarked bv
an EogSsh jouroa some time ago, that the men
Of America we're becoming physically degeue-
rate very rapidly. The absence of those athletic
and muscle developing sports SO common among
The youth of England undoubtedly tended to re-
duce our young men to effemipacy but great
revolution has taken place in this respect Within
few sears we have made wonderful progress in
the cultivation Of manly exercises. Yachting,
rowing, cricket and base ball are now the uni
versal diversions of the youth in this country.
Clubs for the encouragement Of all these amuse-
ments exist almost everywhere, and we shall
bave in the rising generation muscular de-
velopement which may shame our British friends
Our yachtsmen are beginning to take long sea
stretches, in place Of the fresh water dabbling to
which they used to conlne themselves Almost
every level green sward around New York has its
party Of base ball players and cricketers, and
every river and harbor its rowing matches. So
great has the passion for rowing become that the
colleges have taken 1t up and formed rowing clubs,
Ike those at Eton and other English colleges.
We are led to these reflections mainly by the
fact that splendid rowing regatta came off yes.
terday at Worcester, Massachusetts,, between the
boat clubs of Yale and Trinity Colleges, and Har-
ward and Brown Universities, the prizes for
which were furnished by the city. This affair
met with 90 much kclat that the banks were shut
and business suspended during the day. The
description and result of this novel regatta we
give in another column.
The following table will show the fastest tune
made by the college boats in previous regattas,
compared with that of yesterday. 1t should
be borne in mind, however, that in most of the
boats were rowed by picked crews, while in
that which took place yesterday the oarsmen
were all students -
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-27
The Boston Bank Statement.
BOSTON, July %, 1859.


Markets.
PHILADELPHIA STOCK BOARD
PMLAbuPMA July 20, 1859.
e.il'Osd TX; MORT: Canal, elss Long Island Esli.
NEW ORIKANs July &c. 1859
Couon-Saes to day of 900 baeg ut 1l%o; the sales
the last three days add up 10000 baies the 70.
Freishts-Ootton 70 Liverpool, Xd ' '''' '-'' '''-'
BALTIMORE, July 20, 1859.
Flour declined 25c supe-nne, IS TOR all descriptions.
Wheat firm and unbalanced Corn du, at &c $40 for
Meas pork, $l6 IS SIG. Whakey nrm at &c.
PM ADEIpMA. July 20, 1850.
Flour dull super ape IS Co. Wheat dull white 81 81.
wbiskey dali at 27c. . 2sc
BUFFALO, July 2e-lP.M
ing downward sales 200 bbls At 50 SIX IS rs for
low TO fair extra spring nois - rs 81 50 for extra
a IS Is for extra Michigan, Indiana and Ohio IS Is
Sc % fer double extras. Wheat tending down yard.
nss qsd S1's s 81
yard sales 900 bushels No. at SOC, $500 bushels
NO. llnois ct Coo Oats lower sales GO bushels WIS.,
cors,n at &c. with offers at 900 Barley and rye DUH
Whitkey 70. better; sales Of 50 bSls 24Sc Canal
dour Lake Imports COO bbls -four, Saoo SusheIs
wheat 5000 buehes conn., $50 bushels oats Canal ex-
poris-2oo bbs. flour, IL, o0o bushels oats.
Flour-Good brands steady but low CRATES dull and
easier sales goo bbls at So 371 SO rs for ordosry
20 good extra spring Illinois, 81 % 81 90 for extra
wisconsin, IS IS rs for extra Michigan, Indisna and
Ohio; IS IS q SO IS for double extras. Wneaf-sses
confined wholly TO small milling loa Cora easier: safes
10000 bushels No. Illinois, frora store at &c., closing
heavy Oats lower; holders ask 400 buyers offer 37kc.
Whskey 10. advanced: Gales 30 bbs. at 24hc. Canal
ire'gbts steady. Canal exports-351 bbls -four $500
bushels wheat Lake exports6,o GOO bnls. -four 5000
bushels corn, 5000 bushels wheat
OswEGo, July 2s-8P.M
moderate demand; Milwaukee club at zoe o 75c; sales
10000 bushels private terms Corn scare aud no sales
Of Importance Canal ireghs steady at previous raes
lmports-1,oco bushels wheat. Canal exooris-4,9oo
bushelB corn. 49,
Flour nteady at S. for superAne Whlskey unchansM
Provisions unchanged.
CORRECTION sales Of cotton yesterday a. Now o.
leans were $500 bales The amount was misprlntod Ia
several Of the morning papers
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-27

THE SUNDAY QUESTION IN ST. LouIs.-While
New York is agitated with the Sunday question,
in reference to the right Of the people to indulge
in glass or two of lager bier, publicly or pri-
vately, on the Sabbath; while Philadelphia is
agitated with the more startling question Of the
right of the people to ride in the city railroad
cars on Sunday as well as in private carriages
we find the Sunday question in st. Louis assum-
ing still another shape. A recent law there
legalizes the sale of liquors at certain periods
during the day Sunday. Nine hundred clti-
zens have petitioned for repeal of the ordi.
nance, and the Council has directed the submis.
sion Of the matter to vote of the people on the
first Monday in August.
And that's fair Let the will Of the
people prevail. Let tie same line Of
aelon II the prsmiees BE- adopted here
i'e' party be organized hs.e, for example
Ii ievor d religious .ra civil ln..sgv
o. S4D2a., n -csa;lanse VA O.. ea. n