Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-26
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
TIE PRESS.

That truly eloquent clergyman, Rev. DR..
Fuller, of Baltimore, in recent address at
one Of the religious anniversaries in New
York, paid the following tribute to 1.-The
press"
"Who can measure the power of the press?
An ounce oflead moulded into bullet, and
put into a Minnie rifle, with few grains of
powder beneath it, will 60 two miles and do
its errand in an efficient manner, if it en-
counter no obstacles. But that ounce of lead
made into types and put into one of Hoes
lightning printing presses, will 20 thousands
of miles and do its errand effectively, not on
one man merely, but on millions, and that
though oceans, rivers, and mountains
may intervene. A steam printing press!
Did you ever go down in one Of the spacious
vaults beneath your sidewalks here, and
watch the monsters? Why, my friends, |
feel something like awe in looking at them.
i feel like taking my hat off to the huge ma
chine. Laughter. 1t seems to me to be
living thing-one of Ezekiel's living crea-
lures with the hand of aman and the sound
of many waters, and the living eye III the
wheel
He asks no nourishment, knows no weari-
ness How it strips itself to its work and
tolls on with strength that mocks to scorn
the might of the giant, and with clamor as
if it would shiyer to pieces every substance
in his grasp. And yet, with delicacy and
precision unattainable by human muscles, it
receives fabric SO delicate that rude touch
would rend it, and imprints upon it in the
twinkling of an eye, that which it cost hours
to compose. 1t filings off sheet after sheet
to entertain, instruct, regenerate and bless
the earth. None of US have yet begun to
appreciate the influence of the press as
an agent for the diffusion of knowledge,
whether it be in volumes, pamphlets, or,
above all, through the daily newspaper, the
moral institution which has reyolutionized
not only the literary, but the commercial
and political world. If you have read the
Constitution, you will remember that there
are only two estates in Congress, the Senate
and House of Representatives but a third
estate has sprung up, occupying during the
session of Congress seat higher than that
occupied by the Senators and Representatives
themselves, and which continues in session
lang after Congress adjourns. everywhere
and at all times. 1t is composed Of the rep
resentatives of the press"
How THE WOMEN OF The NATION LOST
THEIR TEETH-Dr. Livingson's Travels in
Africa, is one of the most valuable books Of
modern times Among the many curious and
amusing things in it, We find an account
of strange deformity existing in tribe OF
negroes in suntoasted country, he has been
exploring. Every man, woman and child
are without front teeth. 1nquiring into the
cause Of the unnatural appearance, it was
given him thus:
Once on time the chief Of the tribe, like
many better civilized countries, was possess
ed Of a refractory wife. lie endured her i'm
pudences and annoyances for many years.
but one day his passions became suddenly
aroused, he gave her what IS termed, in civil
lized parlance, u plug" in the mouth with
his fist. The blow must not only have been
severe but we'll aimed, for it relieved the
mouth of the proud woman of all her front
teeth.
Thus despoiled of her most priced beauty,
the sable matron hid herself in shame, and
afterwards became tractable and obedient
wife. The warriors of the tribe, in council
assembled, observing the good effects of that
one blow of the chief, and being troubled
generally with disobedient wives, resolved at
once to follow his pugilistic example. Each
repaired to their homes, and rested not con-
tent until their wives were deprived of their
front teeth.
The result of this general afliction, how.
ever, was far from being satisfactory. The
toothless women became enraged at the loss
of their pearly jewels, and combined against
their lordly masters in general mutlny,
which the warriors were unable to resist.
After period of serious trouble, peace was
restored, and u compromise effected on the
following terms:
The husbands were Immediately to extract
their front teeth, and thus detorm themselves
as they had detormed their wives, and from
that day on, all their children were to suffer
the same inhction at the earliest possible
age The covenant has been faithfully ad-
hered to, and the tribe, from custom, now
consider teeth an enormity.
CITY HOTEL,
CORNER Of ROYAL AND CAMERON STREETS,