The national Republican., 1860-12-22

happiest man in Baltimore, and wanted Othcer
Allen to play il off on the rest who we're
LECTURE AT THE SNITHsoNrAN.-The intro.
ductory lecture of the season was delivered last
evening to a large audience by Professor Fred.
erick Rogers, or the University of Pennsyl.
vania. The subject was Civil Engineering,
and the lecturer announced that the special de.
partment for the evening would be Roads and
Bridges. Roads, he said, logically, should be
first described. He should devote but little
time to roads, as their history is soon told.
Merely tracks, trails, or marked paths, were
used in less civilized ages. Sometimes these
were made by man, sometimes by beasts, and
we're called bridle.paths. Our common roads
are called by Europeans paths. Necessity has
not yet developed our system Of road building
so perfectly as time may.
Railroads have such numerous points of in.
terest that it would be difficult to trace them in
one evening.
In locating roads, the points must be ascer.
tanned, and if entirely level, little difficulty
would prevent going directly from one to the
other but this rarely occurs.
In engineering 1t Is necessary 10 ascertain
whether the curve required be vertical or hori.
zontal. On horizontal curve no friction is to
be overcome, more than on q straight horizon.
tai plane, or at least very little. When raising
the weight the attraction has to be overcome,
and the load lifted that distance.
Expense is to be looked at, and engineering
may be called the science Of expediency. The
lecturer then described minutely the primary
steps to be taken in the location Of roads. In
this country there have not been careful surveys
of every locality, therefore much more is left for
the engineer to perform.
We can tell by the streams as drawn on
maps what the surface Of the country is through
which it passes, whether level or hilly. A very
winding stream is almost absolutely indicative
of level surface. Where straight streams are
indicated we may expect rapids. Here the
Professor illustrated these thoughts by draw.
ings, in a manner which evinced his familiar.
ity with his subject and faculty of impsrting in.
struction.
The method of illustrating by what is called
the contour lines has recently come into vogue.
Here the Professor drew some figures, which
gave an excellent idea, not only to the expert,
but was apparent to almost any one. This
method, he said was Of great use to the en-
gineer. The illustration showing the vertical
and horizontal distances on a contour map was
very happy. The working map should be made
on this plan.
His brief yet beautiful description Of the
| Swiss roads over the Alps, among the glaciers,
and through the passes, was extremely inter.
esting.
The next lecture of the course will be deliv.
cred January I'd.
CHAPLAIN SERvICE.-Rev. P. D. Gurley,
D. D., will preach in the Capitol on Sabbath
morning at eleven o'clock.
| A PLEASANT AFFAIR.-On Thursday after.
noon, the pupils of Primary School No. l, in
the third district, of which Miss Frances Ell.
vans is principal, presented that lady with a
beautiful silverplated cake basket. The pre-.
sentation speech was made by Master Isaac
Bassett, who acquitted himself admirably.
The teacher, after expressing her sincere
thanks for the generous token, requested Mr..
McKnew, one Of the trustees, to say something
in her behalf That gentleman responded in
q very neat manner, referring, before he con
cluded, in solemn and touching language, tc
the recent death of one of the scholars-ar
interesting little girl, the daughter of Mr.
James Lynch-which drew tears from almost
every eye. After which, Miss Elvans handed tc
Mr. McKnew q beautiful work-box, requesting
him to present it to Miss Emma Tucker one oftht
assistant teachers, which he did, accompanying
the presentation with few very neat and ap
propriate remarks to which Miss Tucker re.
sponded, sincerely thanking them for the pres
ent.
advice TO LADIEs-A lady complains Il
the Boston Post, that no gentleman arose t.
give her a seat in horse car, and asks what T.
do. The gallant editor recommends her il
such o case to place herself in the lap of tn
best looking one in the crowd.
WASHINGTON MoNUMENT.-Notwithsta
the perturbed state of our national affairs, e
forts are still progressing in behalf Of our Ma
tional Monument. A handsome block has ar
rived at the lapidarium, which is a presen
from the Jefferson Society of the University Q
Virginia. r. F. Keane, formerly of Washing
ton, but now of St. Louis, has also collecte
= $54.2O in the box put up at his election pre-
cinct. This money has been received. Twent
dollars came from Granville, Ohio.
SUSPENSION OF PAYMENT.-The operative
at the Washington navy yard failed to recev
their several wages on Thursday. The goth
the month is the regular day for payment. W
!, infer that they have to await the action Of tf
loan bill recently passed NY Congress.
Mr.. E. W. Corder, the gentleman who bic
out the gas at the Clarendon, has, we lear
! entirely recovered.
i. IycENDIARY CASE PosTPoNED.-The hearin
e of the case Of John Banks and Catharne Bank
3 charged with setting fire to the stable Of Jess
!. B. Haw, on Wednesday morning, which ha
d been ruled for a o'clock yesterday afternoon
has been postponed until o'clock this afte
noon, when it will come up at the office of Ju
r tice Thompson-Walter D. Davidge, Esq
counsel for the prosecution, stating that in
+ portant witnesses for the prosecution were al
sent.
BURoLARY-D During Thursday night, tn
a a store of Mr.. Redmond, on Massachusetts avenu
between Sixth and Seventh streets, was entere'
and the money drawer robbed of considerab