Smyrna times., 1861-10-31


To CRYsrALIzE FLowERs.--The experiment
is simple aud can be tried without difficulty.
Dissolve eighteen ounces of burnt alum in a
quart Of soft spring water observing proportion
for greater or less quantity,) by boiling il
gently ln close timed vessel over modera te
hre, keeping 1t stirred with wooden spatua
until the solution is complete
When the liquor is almost cold, suspend the
subject that Is TO be crystaliZed, by means of a
smaIl thread or twine, from lalh or a small
stick laid horizontally across the aperture Of
deep glass or enrihern Jar, as being best adap-
ted Tor the purpose, into which the solution
must be poured. The respective articles should
in the solution twenty four hours when taken
out they are carefully to be suspended in the
shade until perfectly dry.
When the subjects to be crysaized are put
into the solution while it is quite cold, the
crystals are apt to be formed loo large; on the
other hand, should it be too hot, the CRYSTALS
will be small in proportion The best tempera-
ture is about So deg.
Among the vegetable specimens that may be
operated upon, are the moss rose or holly, fruit
of sloe bush, the hyacTnth, furze blossoms
rsnneculus, garden daisy pink, and great
variety OF others; IN fact there are few subjects
IN the vegetable world that are not eligible to
this mode Of preservation.
The fitness of the solution for the purpose
may be ascertaIned by putting drop of it on
clip of grass and seeing if it crystalizes as it
cools If so, the solution is sufficiently strong
Then twist around sprig Of plant, cinder,
or wire ornament Of any kind, some cotton,
or still better some worsted After being i'm.
mersed. as already Indicated the surface Of the
whole will be found covered with beautiful
equalization.
The effect of the above is very pretty es.
pccially adapted to winter boqusts.
JEFF. THOMPSON CHAsrIsED.-T very bril-.
liant success of Col. Plummer's attack upon
the rebels at Fredericklown, Mo, adds another
proof to the proposition that the loyalsls are
ever an overmatch for traitors when they meet
in anything Ike equal numbers. The rebels
under Jeff Thompson and Gen. Lowe, are said
TO have numbered about 5 GOO. Col. Plummer
brought against them about an equal force +;
and the rebels were utterly routed, being
severely peppered," and taking 10 the woods
pell- nell for safety.
The chastisement of the semi.savage, Thomp.
son, who so lately talked in his gasconadns g
proc lamatOn of " hanging drawing and quar-.
Icring" Unionists, will d,ffuse intense delight
in Missouri He will fall back now, and Win.
ter, perhaps, in the swamps of Arkansas. He
wns animated by strong hopes of " booty" in
his advance upon Ironton. The Government
has, at that place, very valuable stores
enough to subsst 600 troops for nearly
year, it is said-besldes arms and ammunition
1t was jeff Thompson's purpose to seize
Ironton, and possess himself of this proper
ty. Col. Plummer disappointed him most
grieveusly.
LIFE THE World OvER.--When Peter Of
Cortono was engaged on picture for the Roy
al Palace of Pitt, Ferdinand the II, paTticu-
larly admired the representation Of a weeping
child. I" Has your Majesty, ''sa id tn painter,
ga mind to see how easily il is to make this
very child laugh!" And suiting the action to
the word, the artist merely depressed the cor
ner of the lips and inner extremity of the eye
brows, when the little urchin seemed in danger
of bursting his sides with laughter, who in
moment before seemed breaking his heart with
weeping.
Ifthis be true, in the world Of living men.
slight, very slight are the causes that ina ke or
break the happiness of life. The touch Ofa
brush can dim heaven with cloud, or brighten
! the prospect OF the fair horizon.