The Portland daily press., 1862-08-11
MATTERS ABOUT TOWN.


MORE LIGHTNING.-On Saturday afternoon
between the hours of five and six O'clock a
thunder tempest passed over the city, charac-
terized by the incessant flashing of lightning,
and peals of crashing thunder. A barn be-
longing to Messrs. Smith Brown, of this city,
was struck by the lightning and entirely con-
sumed with about fifty-ive tons ofhay. We
learn also, that a lady, in the dwelling house
near by, was stunned by the conclusion, but
happily sustained no other injury. A horse
while standing attached to chaise, near Lib
by's corner received a death stroke, while a
man occupying the vehicle remained uninjur-
ed. A barn belonging to Mr.. Skillings, near
the Reform School, was also struck and de-
stroyed with its contents.
CIT is an incontrovertible fact, that in
nearly all of the cases we have had to chroni-
Gle of deaths and injuries received by lightning
the unfortunate persons have been standing at
doors or windows. 1t IS well that windows
and doors be opened during the continuance
of a thunder storm, but it is not well to expose
oneselfto an electric currently standingor sit
ting In front of these apertures. Many per-
sons havea constitutional dread of thunder and
lightning, which can perhaps never be over
come, no matter even how much ordinary self
possession they at other times might be able to
command. The only rule during the transit of
the electric cloud, is to avoid a careless risk,
such as seeking the shelter of trees, standing
at open doors or windows, sitting near an
animal, or handling edged instruments, &c,
DC. The distance ola thunder cloud from a
person can be tolerably well computed by
counting the number of seconds between the
time of the flash, and the report received. A
gentleman Of this city, celebrated for his self
possession and equanimity, under any and all
circumstances, was asked during the storm of
Saturday, to give his opinion in regard to pre-
caution, necessary to be taken during thun-
der storm. Said he, placing his hand upon his
heart, and reverently uncovering his head
Gentlemen, the best lightning rod person
can have, is that Of a soul prepared to de-
The expression produced an effect upon his
auditors not soon to be forgotten.
PERSONALITIES. r. Davis, ESQ.,, of this
city, leaves town this afternoon for Portsmouth
Grove Hospital, r. l., for the purpose of ascer-
tanning the true condition of our Maine sol
diers at the hospital, so that the facts can be
reported to the Department at Washington,
and that the men may be removed to the Ma
rine Hospital at Portland. We have seen pri-
waite letters from this place, in which the suf-
ferings Of the returned sick and wounded of
Williamsburg, are adverted to as being of the
most heart-rending nature. Some two thous-
and soldiers are now lying sick at this place, of
which forty belong in our own State.
To THE WOMEN OF PoRrLANp.-we find
1t necessary to appeal to you again for aid in
behalf of the sick and wounded soldiers of our
State, and request that you will Immediately
call at the Ladies' Committee Rooms, New
City Building, where may be found large guam
Titles Of light clothing, already cut out, but re-
quiring to be put together. Will you not as
sist? We know that you will!
TINES Amt NOW AS THEY USED TO WAS.
The good old days when folks were willing to
be called by their proper christian names now
rank with the past, and plain Susan, Betty and
Ann have with them departed. Names now
a-davs do not SAVIOR sufficiently of the roman
tic unless the poetical finish of lie be annexed,
viz: George, go and tell Lucie to take Ed
die and frankie over to see cousin Emmie, and
request the pleasure of her company at our
house tomorrow, and also ask her to bring
Susie and Willie that they may become ac-
quainted with aunt Lottie and their cousins
Fannie and Freddie
s1-It is estimated that over 10000 troops
have been furnished by Maine since the break
ing out of the rebellion.
GIVE noticed at the Ladies' Committee
Room on Saturday last fifteen large cases of
currant jelly, weighing $50 lbs donation from
Samuel E. Spring, Esq, ofthis city.
sVrWe would suggest the propriety of pre-
senting to the 18th Regiment flag, bearing
upon it the coat of arms of the city. Will not
some of our citizens move in the matter?
~ The sermon delivered before the State
street church and congregation, yesterday
morning by Professor r. d. Hitchcock, of New
York, was of very impressive and sterling
character.
AccIDENT.-Gustavu Cooley, of Bingham,
connected with the both Regiment now at
Camp King, while in the act of chopping a
piece of board last evening, severed the thumb
from his left hand. Doctor Clark was called
who Immediately dressed the wound
BOUND TO Go.-Charles Low, of Water
vile, fireman on the Waterville train, stout
young fellow of 10 years, weighing 2l0 lbs and
standing six feet in his stockings, enlisted on
Saturday, without having informed his friends
or employers Of his intention so to do. This
was somewhat Of a sudden move, but Charles
says he is bound to go for a soger"
BUSINESS FOR THE PoLrcE.-Two women
and eleven men were arrested on Saturday
evening, and confined in the Marshal's apart
ments, for having yielded to the seductive in
fuences of strong drink. Seven of the delin-
quents were sent over to the brick stronghold
to await requisition from Judge Lane, to-
morrow morning.
1- We learn from the Courier of Satur-
day, that the members of the Pine street Sab