Smyrna times., 1868-01-01

Sloop Tcoaderogd, cruising in the Mcditera-
mean, gives the following description Of Pisa,
Italy, and it's celebrated tower:
Pisa is situated at the foot Of range of
mountains, on very low ground, which destroys
the beauty of the situation, which otherwise
would be beautiful. | visited the Leaning
Tower, which is truly grand sight. 1t Is
l89 feet high, and has winding stairway of
279 steps from bottom to top; 1t is hollow in
side. There is two walls which constitute the
stairway. | had to stop several times tor
breath going up, it was so close and dark
There are no means by which you can procure
air or light, only by small loop holes in the
side. Going OH the top there is nothing but
an iron railing round it, and seven large bells,
which the guides kindly chimed for US. There |
was an American lady and gentleman on the |
tower; they were travelling the Continent, and
were glad to see US, and spoke to us all about |
the curiOsities we were then viewing. Our de- !
scent was much easier accomplished than our
ascent Dropping IA stone from the top of the
Tower it will fall sixteen feet from its base.
Leaving the tower, on your left there Is
splendid Cathedral, and to the left of that
again is the Monastery, or place OF baptism
The cathedral contains at the least calculation,
two hundred oil paintings, of Bible pictures,
the smallest being six feet high, and broad in
proportion they were really magnificent. The
cathedral, like many others L have visited, Is
beautifully adorned with mosaic work, &c.
[ entered the Monastery, which was formerly
used as a Whispering Gallery The lady that
was with US made some sounds that were
| truly beautiful; but when heard the sounds
that seemed to come from all parts Of the
dome, lit is ike one in shape) it was truly
astounding you could hear it for two minutes.
| How MUsKRATs SWIM UNDER THE Ice
| MuSkrats have curious method OF travelling
| long distances under the ice. In their Winter
excursions to their feeding grounds which are
frequently at great distance from their abOdeS,
they take in breath at starting, and remain
under the water as long as they can. They then
rise up to the ice, and breath out the air in
their lungs, which remains in bubbles against
the lower surface of the ice. They wait till
this air RECEIVERS oxygen from the water and
lce and then take it In again. and go on till the
operation has to be repeated. In this way
they can travel almost any distance, and live
any length Of time under the ice. The hunter
sometimes takes advantage Of this habit OF the
muskrat in the following manner: When the
marshes and ponds where the muskrats abound
are first frozen over, aud the ice is thin and
clear, on striking into their houses with his
hatchet for the purpose of setting his traps,
he frequently sees a whole family plunge into
; the water and swim away under the lce.-
Following one Of them iOr some distance, he
secs him come up to renew his breath in the
manner above described. After the animal
has breathed against the ice, and before he has
time to take his bubble in again, the hunter
strikes with his hatchet directly over him, and
) drives him away from his breath. In this case
he browns in swimming few rods, and the
hunter, cutting a hole in the ice, takes him
out Mink, otter, and beaver travel under the
ice in the same way; and hunters have fre'
quently told me of taking otter In the manner
[ have described when these animals visit the
houses of the musktat for prey.-1he Trap
J per's Guide
e The GooD TIME COMING.-Mark Twair
. takes this view of the millennium OF woman
= : rights
s s In that day a man shall say to his servant
i "What is the matter with the baby?" AnC
g the servant shall reply, 1T has been sick fol
. hours" And where is its mother" "Sht
y is out electioneering for Sale Robbins" AnC
/ such conversations as these shall transpire be
J J tween ladies and servants applying for situa
p" tions.
d +" Can you cOokF"
u y "Wash?"
70 eyes"
:, ,e IAN right. Who is your choice for Stat
!, mliner?"
u u Judy McGinniss." b"
~ "Well, you can tramp.
And women shall talk politics instead of dis
Z cussing the fashions; and men shall nurse tn
le baby while their wives 60 to the polls to vote
- And in that day the man who hath beautifu
IL whiskers shall beat the honely man of wisdor
Y for Governor, and the youth who waltzes wit
& exquisite grace shall be chi of police in pre-
~ ~ ference to the man of praeticed sagacity an
I, - determination. .'....
y, Every man, take has a selfish end in vie
~ when he pours out eloxuence in behalf of tn
- public good in the newspapers, and such is th
y. - case with me. | do not want the privilege c
iy women extended, because my wife holds Ofic
= in nineteen different female associations and
~ have to do all her clerking If you give th
4 Il woman full sweep with men in political Affairs
u u she will proceed to run for every Office unde
~ ~ the new dispensation. That will finish me-
y - The uould not have time to do anything at
=. T. then, and one solitary thing have shlrked
No No to the present time would fall on me- and IN
iSo family would go to destruction; tor pm nc
-: qualified For a wet-nurse.
~.
M How TO DETECT CoUNTERFEITs. rq
,ts by which counterfeit greenbacks may be d'
he tected has lately been discovered, which, qpo
thorough trial, has proved infalllble. nt
Of this Divide the last two figures OF the bll