The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-12

SAFErY-RAFT FOR SEAFARING MEN.-Mr. S. B.
Broad, of New York, has invented a safety-raft,
inten ded for sea-gong craft, which is worthy of
description. Three pontoons, or indiarubber
bags, of the length of about 2l feet, similar to
those now used by the army, are inflated with air
by means of a small bellows, and arranged by the
side of one another in such manner to form the
support of rope net work and piece Of canvas, 81
by IA feet forming the floor of the raft The pom
toons, canvas, and net work constituting the floor
are lashed to several spars crossing each other,
called spreaders, and stretchers, which hold the
several parts firmly in their place. An 1S-foot
hoist or mast may be raised at one end and sail
attached, enabling the crew to make good head
way, and the raft can be steered and managed with
the ease and almost the precision of sail boat.
The water does not strike the raft, as is the
with a wooden one, the canvas being lifted up
several feet. This raft will pass safely through the
breakers, and, it is said, will ride upon any sea,
even in the heaviest gale. 1t was tried several
weeks ago. in the toughest water, off Sandy Hook,
by officers on board the cutter Harriet Lane, who
speak well off Its lightness and compactness,
when folded, other merits being equal, commend it
to the attention of sea-faring men. Another trial
is to be made with it in the open sea, the more
fully to test its merits. When packed, the safety
raft has the appearance of roll of canvas.
MlsCHIEF-M MAKING.-The National Republican of
this morning says:
'About two weeks ago, paper box, containing
two snakes, directed to the President, to the
post office here u the Richmond Va, pouch
There was no post mark on the box. The discoy-
cry of the contents made in the office here, by
the breaking of the box. The matter was kept
quiet so long, in the hope that the party or par
ties concerned in sending the box might be dis
covered
The man who would indte such paragraph in
these times of excitement and passion is incen-
diary Why attempt to make such foul aspersions
against the South, when, by inquiry, the writer
might have easily known the truth of the matter?
The fact is, that couple of snakes were sent, not
"to the President" but to a gentleman at the
Smithsonian Institute, enclosed in paste-board
box. The box became broken by accident, and
at the opening of the mail bag, the clerk became
terribly frightened-the snakes got out and were
killed.
Here explodes the great snake story. 1t is true
the matter was kept quiet while, for the reason
that it was supposed to be matter of little moment
until 'such one,'' indited the above para
| graph, thought to make ga mountain of the mole
hill" and throw spiteful arrow into the midst o
those who despise the calumnies directed against
| them in malice, but which fall harmless at their
feet Wash. States and Union, April IL.
THE CLEANEsT PEOPLE IN THE WoRLD.-An Eng
lish lady has Just translated NJ. J. G. Kohrs Book
of Travels in Canada and some parts of the United
| States. 1t bears marks of being what he says il
is, simply book of first impressions; but it is as
| agreeable, and in general reliable his book:
always are, the most valuable books of travel, per-
| haps, of any contemporary author. Here is hi
| compliment to US on our neatness:
|
in the world, and traveller who has not yet con
vinced himself of the fact may do SO by inspecting
one of these steamers. There is not a place il
them which the most elegant passenger could hesi
tate to enter; throughout the drawing-rooms
dining-rooms, sleeping cabins, he will find every
thing in the most perfect order and brilliantly
clean. The washing and bathing rooms, perfume
ry and hair-dressers' shops, (lor all these thing
are to be found on board,) are elegant and a
well-kept as In the streets of New York or Boston
They save the busy passenger much time, and al
low him to attend to many things which his en-
crossing occupations may have left him no tim
for on shore"
STEAM ON City RAILROADS IN CALIFORNIA
San Francisco correspondent saws: "The first 10
comotive of the Market street Railroad Company
in this city, was part locomotive and part passen
ger car. 1t looks very well, and, apparently
works very well, but it lacks power. From som
cause those since built are all locomotives Tn
companys charter calls for horses, but so far the
have used steam, and the community appear to b
pleased with it. But two accidents have occurred
OF any account, and their cars have run since th
| In ~ Yulv