The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-19
FOREIGN ITEMS.


"A French chemist has discovered pro-
cess by which the numbers on houses are
rendered visible at night by the application Of
phosphoric paste, which can be renewed
once month.
The experiments of the Prussian govern
ment with riled artillery have given rise to a
new industry. Ball thieves, as they are called,
lie in wait near the target, and, if the shell
does not burst Immediately, rush out of their
cover in the neighborhood, seize the shell,
knock off the leaden coating with few sharp
blows of q chisel, and make Off with their
BOOTY Sentries are posted near the line OF
flight, but they often fall in catching the de-
predators, who, regardless Of danger, place
themselves Just where the shell is expected to
fall.
A German photographer has inventedsa
method of making seals and stamps with the
portraits of his customers. A thin layer OF
gelatine, sensltized with bl-chromate ofpotash,
is exposed to the action Of light under pho
tograph positive, by which the parts acted on
are rendered insoluble in water. Tho gelatine
hlm is immersed in water, and the parts not
acted on by the light swell up, and we obtain
picture in relief of which plaster cast can
be taken. A galvanic plastic copy being taken
OF the cast, we have o metallic fac -slmile OF
of the photograph, which can be employed as
seal. This process suggests method OF
obtaining perfect likenesses OF persons in
metallic checks for the use of the printer, and
also an admirable way OF illustrating scientific
books.
The following illustration of postoflice adj
ministration In Russia is communicated to the
London Times: 'Tcn days ago was staying
at the Hotel de France, in ST. Petersburg, and
having written letter and closed it, | had
occasion to open 1t again. but time did not per-
init me to use fresh envelope, so that 1t was
posted with evident signs upon 1t of having
fbeen opened. In about three hours after post
ing nv letter message came from the post
Office, with the letter, toinquire if had posted
It in that condition and if its contents were in
tact. This vigilance may have been due to
necessity, caused by the great robberies which
have undoubtedly been committed In the
St. Petersburg postoffice, but I think If the ad-
ministration have suffered in reputation by
the dishonesty of some of their employees,
they should have the credit of such circum-
stance as that have related
The horrible atrocities of the Skopzi, the
fanatlcal sect of Russia, are still exciting the
attent.o on of Europe. A Russian paper gives
an account of one of their recent exploits.
One day last month party of four hundred
of these fanatics left the Town Of Balatschow
and proceeded to neighboring wood to pray.
The scene witnessed on their return was hor-
rible. A madman named Wasloff declared
that he was the son of God and, after choos-
ing twelve apostles from tn, party, called for
human sacrifice. Five victims were at once
selected, placed On a number OF wagons which
had been piled up for the purpose, and burnt
alive. A woman who had distinguished her
self by the violence of her religious parox-
ysms seized the shaft of the cart and beat two
Young girls to death; while another female was
first trodden under foot and then literally torn
to pieces by the fanatical crowd. other de-
tails are given of the horrors enacted, whcn
are utterly unfit TO publication. The governor
of the town heard of the facts and sent COM
pany of soldiers to the spot, where the whole
party was arrested and placed in 'onilnemcnt'
thus stopping further cxcesses It's hardly tc
be wondered mt that the Russian authorities
are in perpleXity how to deal with the mem
bers of this sect.
A number of Prussian tourists. consisting
of preachers and their wives. professors and
artists, recently made a Journey to Italy, avail
inr themselves of the excursion trains WHICH
left the principal cities of Germany for the
Italian peninsula. Upon arriving at Rome
these gentlemen applied for an audience to The
Popc. who granted it Immediately The tourists
now asked each other whether their dignity
would permit them to comply WITH tue cefe
nonial that required them 10 kneel down be-
fore his Holiness and kiss his foot. The Holy
Father upon being informed OF their scruples
said. Let them do what their heart prompts
them to do" The audience took place. The tour
lists enter. and the simple. yet so majestic attitude
of the Pope, his mild glance. the sympathetic
sound of his voice, make such an impression
on them that they involuntarily complied will
the rules OF the ceremonial. The Pope theI
spoke to them of the hopes OF the church, ant
expressed his joy at seeing about him Chris
tians who, he said, despite their dssension'
among one another and with him. yet were
his children. He then added, ina voice trcmb
ling with emotion: 81 will give you the bene
dction: even though you do not believe in thu
Vicar of Christ, you will, at all events, receive
the blessing Of a father"
The Pail Mall Gazette says: People ma!
like to know what becomes Of all the news
papers that are seized by the French police