The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-02
GENERAL ITEMS.

A machine for dressing stone, of simple con-
strucuon, has recently been invented by me-
chanic of Worcester, Mass. The steel cutters
now employed produce uneven surfaces, In conse
quence of the difference In temper of the tools
and Of the harder veins in the stone. The machine
In question compels the stones to dress each other
with the sill of sand and water. It consists of
one Or more rotary grinders, adjusted in suitable
chuck. and held in the upper part Of the machine
by perpendicular hollow shaft. The stone In
the chuck is SO arranged as to leave an open space
in the center, to which sand aud water are con-
veyed through the hollow shaft. carriage car.
ries the larger and heaviest stone 10 be dressed,
and is made to vbrste beneath the rotary grinders
by suitable machinery. BY the rotary motion,
combined with the moving carriage, the GRADING
capacity lie largely increased with comparatively
small motive power. The grinders held 10
position by an adjus able or elf-adjusting frame,
which rises or falls to accommodate the thickness
of stones and 70 compensate for the reduction of
the stone 90 II wears away. The machine, 1t Is
asserted, will do the work of thirty men. and will
dress the hardest kind OF stones, such as pudding
stone. which heretofore it has been impractical BILE
to reduce to level surface.
Mr. Walter. proprietor of the London Times, is
now entertaining, at his elegant estate, Bearwood,
Mr.. George w. Childs from Philadelphia who is
very properly described in the American papers
as "the publisher, editor and philanthrspist."
Mr.. Chds is one of the largest newspaper pro-
prietors in America. The Public Ledger, of which
he is the owner, is now one of the most prosper
ous publications In the Union; and the building in
which il is published is of the finest structures
in the United States. During his stay in England,
Mr.. Childs will be the guest Of t1e duke of Buck
iDgbsm, Mr.. Walter, Mr.. Dickens, Mr.. Peabody,
Mr.. Reverdy johnson and other gentlemen, some
of whom have enjoyed his princely hospitality in
America.-GLiverpool Daily Mercury.
The wsysnds, a United States revenue steam
cutter, has recently returned to San Francisco,
after a summer cruise to the important islands of
MI ard md fha ufa of IA r-
iDg's sea. The expedition has obtained very val
usbe information. South of the Aleutisn Islands
coal of good quality has been discovered in numer-
Gus localities along the coast. The Indians have
been visited at various points, and found well
disposed and peaceful, even those from whom
difficulty has been anticipated. number of val.
liable harbors. not laid down on the charts, have
been visited, and described with accuracy. TIE
0sysnda is now undergoing repairs at San Fran
cisco. and will, a. soon as they are completed re-
turn to Alaska for the winter.
The Supreme Court for New York city has re.
Gently decided that although in prize cases the
United States courts had asserted the right to treat
the rebels beligerents, yet that civil contracts
between parties North and South were not dis
solved by the war. as the United States retained
Jurisdiction all over the country, and that sum-
mons served during the rebellion upon person in
New Orleans would be Sufficient to sustain jadg-
meDt against him party In a suit brought In
the United States courts In New York. ff
The initial velocity of cannon balls was recently
tested by very delicate instrument. the Schultz
cbromoscope, employed by the ordnance deparl-
ment at the experimental frings at Fortress Mon
roe. The sppaIatgs oDegated by A,sst.i;;ty %
-,iaoed CO shnn. ,w.n,r ra,as f.oua A. gnn "a
pc $1,000 49,, tha ss SistaOca ssr,sar %
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