Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-03-29

A Loss OF THREE THOUSAND LIVRS.-Near
Tsganrog, on the sea of Azof, catastrophe oc-
Cured, about the beginning of February last,
which involved loss of life unparalleled except
by memorable earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
II appears that some three thousand inhabitants
of Taganrog, relying upon the promise OF fair
weather made by the genial atmosphere and the
cloudless sky, proceeded to the Azot sea to In
dulee in the sport of fishing beneath the ice-a
fayorite pastime in that region. The atmos:
phere continuing serene, the party were luiled
into q feeling of security, and ventured further
than usual on the ice in the hope of obtaining q
good haul" Suddenly breeze sprung up from
the east, which, growing boisterous by degrees,
whirled the loose snow and fine particles of ice
in all directions, and before long succeeded in
detaching the ice from the shore. The large ice.
field then broke into numerous pieces, which
with their terrified and helpless human freight
ldrifted towards the open sea. No assistance
could be rendered the unhappy beings BY their
frantic relatives and friends on shore, and within
two hours not sign of life was visible on the
surface of the sea. On the following day cake
/ of ice drifted on shore upon which were five OF
the unfortunates- three of them dead, and the
other two numb and insensible. The two latter
"a pirl and an old man-were restored by
means of the usual appliances, the girl, however,
survived but a few hours; the man recovered,
but lost the use of his tongues consequence,
probably, of the fright caused by the scene he
had passed through. He prepared written
narrative of the occurrences of that fearful night
on the Azoff. By this catastrophe at least three
thousand persons found watery grave. oa
A MOUSE DRyoURINs A SNAKE.-About two
yeers ago Mr.. Wm. Donnelly, the gentlemaniy
Postmaster at the Blsirsvill Intersection. West
moreland county, received as present from 3
friend. two large rattlesnskes, which he preserved
in box covered with glass. After Keeping
them for some time it was but natural to sup,
pose that the "pets" should be an "hungered.f
Acting upon this idea, and being under the I'M
pression that snakes would eat only living 1000,
mr.. Dopnslly caught four or five mice, and put
them in the cage with their Shiny companions
to be. as was then supposed, devoured at SIN.
ola aalp. But to the astonishment OF the pc
holders, the mice, for several days. cacortsG I.
over the snakes with seeming zest and enjoyed
themselves "as we'll as could be expected under
the CIRCUMSTANCES Finally one OF the mice be-
inc gnawed with hunger, commenced gnawing
at the snakes. During this operation, MS snake
sbip would sometimes remain perfectly qulet,
but on other occasions, would raise bis head,
and dart forth his forked tongue, at which Time
ssour small rodent quadruped." would make q
s.straight coat tsil"--or rather tail without the
coat--einto the corner. Bnt when the snake
rstnrned to its quiescent position, the mouse
nartook again of its dainty meal, and really con-
tinusd this operation until it eat so much OF the
ftesb-ss TO leave part Of the back k.bone and sew.
srsI I Of the ribs on either side exposed from
which the snake finally died.--Pittsburg 0hron
ieZs tf. .--fr5 vs+f-ist+ rz