Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-05-11
News of the Day.
nuNERAI. NEWS.

GoLp closed in New York Saturday at
14O14.
In italy, it is said the first savings bank
was founded in Venice in 1922, and In
1850 there were 70 of these institutions in
Italy. which number was increased in 1854
to III savings banks, of which ITO were
branches and 81 parent institutions.
TIE trombone, it is said, was in use
among the ancients. but the art of making
this instrument was lost. In excavating
Herculaneum, one of them was found and
sent to George III, of England, under
whose direction tie manufacture was re-
vived.
SCIENCE AND LONGEVITY The fact that
both Sir David Brewster and Mr.. Faraday,
whose death likewise is comparatively re-
cent, died at very advanced age, Is an
additional proof, if any be needed, that the
peaceful prosecution OF scientific pursuits
is not adverse to longevity.
A FRENCH PHYSICIAN announces a case
in which a man, bitten on the tongue by
viper, was cured in five days by ligatures
and suction, and counteracting the result
ing torpidity of the nervous system by
means of stimulants and aromatics; leeches
and purgatives being used to expel the de-
composed blood.
RAINY SEAsoNs.-It is stated as the result
OF careful experiments for six years at
Greenwich Obs vatory, that rain is more
frequent betw cen noon and midnight, than
between midnight and noon. The smallest
rainfalls take place in the morning, as the
sun is going up; the greatest in the after
noon as the sun Is setting.
The Midshipmen of the United States
Naval Academy who graduated in 1866, and
who since that time have been serving in
the navy, are now being examined by
Naval Board, preparatory to their promo
tioh to the rank OF Ensigns. The total num-
ber of members of this class was 73, but two
have died since graduation.
ELECTRICITY AND CHoLERA.-It is stated
as the result of experiments on air in Italy,
during the late cholera outbreak there,
that electricity was nearly or quite want
ing during the whole time, while ozone.
though in less quantity than usual, was
still present. Hence the inference that the
presence of atmospheric electricity is
better guarantee of wholesome air than
ozone.
In New York, where the cost of militia
is very great, it is proposed to reduce the
force from $4,000, its present number, to
$4,000 men. These troops are known as
the "National Guard" The order of re-
duction will limit New York city to a.
600; Brooklyn to 5000; the river counties
between New York and Albany to 1000,
and of the rest of the State to 1900.
A BILL was recen tly introduced into the
British Parliament to do away with public
hanging, and it encounters SO little oppo-
sition that its passage is said to be assured.
Upon this subject correspondent writes:
'sThe change in public sentiment on this
subject during the last five years has been
something wonderful. Even twelve months
ago such bill would have stood no sort of
q chance"
The British Navy for 1858 according to
the estimates just laid before Parliament,
is to cost $56, 100000. The navy consists of
624 ships. including 80 iron-clads, and 55,-
600 men are employed to man these
vessels. Yet, with all this enormous force
and great expense, the British navy is un-
satisfactory to that nation. The London
papers say the Admiralty itself is COM
PEELED to admit that the ships of the Brit
ish navy are every way inferior to those of
France and the United States.
STEEL rails are becoming quite popular
on American railways. 1t is stated that
the New York and New Haven railroad
intend soon laying some 1000 tons of these
rails In places where old ones need taking
up. Steel rails, though they cost consider
ably more than iron rails, are cheaper in
the end, through their strength, firmness
and slight liability to be rendered brittle
by the cold; and several roads throughout
the country have already many miles of
track laid with them.
The ssThames Embankment" is at pres
ent the Subject of admiration in London.
The Times says it will be zone of the finest
quays that any capital in Europe posses
ses.n Several years will still be required
to complete it. This embankment consists
of river wall of granite, eight feet thick,
averaging over 40 feet high, with its foun-
dations from 16 to 80 feet below the river
bed, and extending about 1000 feet. In
the formation of this wall and the auxiliary
works of drainage, subways and filling in
with earth behind 1t, there have been used
nearly 100000 cubic feet of granite, about
30,00QO00 bricks, over 100000 bushels of
cement, and nearly 100000 cubic feet of
concrete. Besides this, 125,OOO cubic yards
of earth have been dug out, and no less
than 1,200, 600 cubic yards of earth filled in.