Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-02-05

For Special Notices or City Items 10 cts. per
line for the first insertion, and eight cents per
line tor each subsequent insertion will be
inarRed.
A HORRIBLE THEoRY.-The late execution
in Paris has revived the old question whether
death instantaneousy follows upon the sever.
ance Of the head from the body. In letter
to The GauloiS DR.. Pinel asserts that decapita-
ton does not Immediately affect the brain. The
blood which flows after deca pitation comes from
the large vessels OF the neck, aud there is hard
ly any call upon the circulation Of the Uranium.
The brain remains intact, nourishing itself with
the blood retained by the pressure Of the air
When the blood remaining 10 the head at the.
moment of separation IS exhausted, there COM
mences state, not Of DEATH but Of inertia,
which lasts up to the moment when the organ,
no longer fed, ceases to exist DR.. Pioel cst-
mates that the brain finds nourishment in the
residuary blood for about an hour after decap.
itatoD. The period of inertia would last for
about two hours, and absolute death would not
ensue till after the space of three hours alto.
gether. II, he adds, bodiless head indicates
b7 no movement the horror of its situation, it is
because it is physically i'm possible that it should
do 80, all the nerves which serve for the trans
mission of orders from tho brain to the trunk
being severed But there remain the nerves OF
hearing, OF smell, and of sight.-PuH -HaH Gd-
zette
SCENE IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGLIsLA-
TuRE. The Columbia Guardian says: Quite an
amusing scene, and one Indicative of the digni
ty OF that august body. occurred in the House
day or two since. Dearge having procured
something iD the appearance OF an apple pie,
was dividing it very generously among such OF
his conirees as were seated next him, when Ell.
lott, who was seated some distance Oft, rushed
up, and in rather peremptory terms, demanded
slice. Asto the pie, Dearge's iberality had
diminished, aud there being but single slice
remaining, lie replied to Eott's demand 10y
ramming that hastily in his own mouth. Eel.
lott was not be so easily robbed OF his expected
treat--like an eagle he pounced upon De- large,
member from Charleston. and grasplng him by
the throat, cndeavored to choke him into 4
more generous state of mind. Being the stout
er, and having the advantage in position, he
standing and the other seated. Elliott succeeded
in iamming Delarge's head down upon his
chair. when the latter ended the encounter by
using his knife upon his antagonist s leg. send
ing him scampering away to his seat. amid the
laughter of the House. -Chas. Ns,cS.
TRANSFER OF LAND IN ENGLAND. The ex.
traordinary costiliness attending the transfer OF
land by purchase in England has recently been
the subject Of investigation in that country. -
Tables have been compiled OF the purchase
money and of the corresponding expenses OF
obtaining the deeds in a large number OF instun'
ces, from which it appears that under the
present system, the title papers. in cases where
the price OF the property amounts to $4,000
require an expenditure six OF per cent, or $500
indvidal cases, however, have occurred, where
the burden is much heavicr-thus in one In
stance upon an investment OF $500 in land the
transfer required an expenditure of $ll9. OF
nearly twenty four per cent. In connection witt
this subject, the English journals are praisinq
the system for the transfer Of land In tOrce In
Belgium. Each parish has an engraved plan,
divided into sections. of its territory. On this
map each piece OF land has its number, AMI the
name of the owner is registered, and every
change of boundary and alteration by purchase
is entered on the books and rectifeI upon thu
plans.
THROAT DISEASES. Electricity as remedy
for fatigue, hoarSeneSS, sore throat and Othel
ailments from which vocalsts suffer so severely
has recently been recommended by the physl
can attached to the Paris Opera house. Tie
asserts that five pupils OF the Conservatory, wh'
came to him to be treated for horseness loss 0
voice and affection OF the larynX, were olcctrl
tied and cued The patients were required t
sing both before and after treatment, and tn
difference between the respective conditions o
the voice was very remarkable. After haVin
been electrified, the respiration OF the patient
was better and deeper, and their voices strong
er, fuller and more pure. The SINE treat
nent was made use OF to reuedy the hoarSe
ness Of an eminent male opera singer, who was
in consequence. enabled the same evening t
perform difficult part with triumphant an
unexpected success.
AN AMERICAN LADY'S INTERVIEW. .-Figar
I tells this story Of an American lady, who des
& ed the blessing of Plus IN upon an armtu
s beads. is that alp patiently asked the Pop,
# Holy Father. your photograph" Here it i
anything more?" Your autograph, if SO
y please, upon the carte de: vlsiie.' The Poi
heststed little, but signed nevertheless
s% Now is there any other favor you were golt
~ t,oslSn .s0b HnIy Father. give me- II VI