The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-13

ribbon on the ground, until he has passed two
or three times around IT, where IL lies Tor the
time being, while he proceeds to perform some
other feat
He takes pair of Chinese brass swords, about
twenty inches long, exclusive Of the bilt The
blades are about an inch and half wide. and
are fiat. and the edges are not sharp. He places
these fatwise one upon the other, and then
puts them into his mouth point first, and both
at time. He throws his head back, SO that his
face is about al an angle of iorty-fve degrees
with the ground, and forces the two swords
downwards. he continues TO press down upon
the hils until all but the hilts, and three or four
inches of the part OF the blades nearest the hits
have disappeared While the swords are in this
position he walks slowly around the arena,
facing the spectators, some OF whom are within
, three or Iou rieet of him. There is evidently no
deception in regard to the swords being in his
mouth and extending downward. His boy at this
juncture calls upon the spectators to throw
cash into the arena, which is done oftentlmes
literally After while the swords are drawn
out OF his mouth and handed to those of the
spectators who manifest desire to handle and
sCrutinize them.
A CHINESE COUNTERFEIT DETECToR.
The outline of the bill, with various devices
to make counterieiting difficult, Is engraved
neatly on a solid block of brass in the case of
hard wood instead of brass. The righEhand
margin is made an inch or more wider than the
leit-hand margin OF the block of brass or wood,
for purpose which will be mentioned shortly
The value of the bill and the day of issue are
filed in with the pen, and one or more words to
facilitate the detection of q counterfeit. Va
rious stamps, large or small, round, or square, or
oblong some Of which are very curously and
eaborately engraved, are impressed on different
parts of the bill, using red or blue ink. These
add very much to the neat and pretty appearance
OF the note, and are believed usually to have
some secret or private mark, and are very diff
cult to initiate with precision and exactness by
counterfeiters.
But perhaps the use which is made of the
wide right hand margin furnishes the greatest
security against counterfeiting, On this margin
are stamped or written various words, phrases,
or sentences, before the bill is cut off or
trimmed and put into circulation. When every
thing is ready, these stamped or written SEN
tenCes or phrases are cut through by a sharp
knife, leaving the Tight-hand margin of the
bill about tie same width as the left-hand,
though 1t presents very different appearance.
or course the edge of the right-hand margin of
the bill and the edge OF the paper which was
cut of from it will precisely match each other;
but, as the sentences have been cut into two
parts, part OF the words and stamps will be on
These slips are all carefully kept in book form
ready Tor reference, each slip containing the
value, date, and private marks of the bill cor
responding to It. On the presentation of a
bill for payment, if there is the least doubt of
its genuineness, reference is made to the cor
responding proof-slip, and the banker or his
clerks know Immediately whether it is genuine
or counterfeit. A successful imitation of the
WHICH SSuICuCCs anu NOIuS, Iu6 DluG duu Teu
stamps, which are found on the right margin
of a bank-bill and which have been cut
through on a line parallel with the lett-hand
margin, it is almost impossible to lake so
exact, precise, and minute as to fit the pre-
served proof slip.
When a new bank is opened, custom demands
that the propretcrs, the head directors or clerks
OF the principal neighboring banks, and the prin.
cipal money go-betweens who are connected with
them, shall be invited to feast at the expense of
the propTietors Of the new bank. Generally,
after this feast, these neighboring bankers unless
they have especial reason 70 distrust or be dis
satisfied with the new banker are willing to
recognize the new bank, and use its bills, &C.
cording to custom. The bank go-betweens also
consider the new bank as now established, and
do business with it on the usual TERMS as with
old banks in good and regular standing.
The bills are all made payable on demand. If
the holder of bills against particular bank pre-
sents them for payment, he may be paid in cash,
or the current bills of other banks, or in silver
orgold according to the current rate Of exchange.
1t is not entirely at the option OF the bll.holder
what shall be the equivalent given him, but more
at the option of the banker. especially in case of
an emergency. AS general rule however, the
wishes of the bill-hOlder are complied with.
Cash bills are usually paid in cash.