Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-11

A Boston paper says that new car
coupling has been invented which uses
the common link, but instead of pin
has tumbling hook pivoted in the lower
lip of the drawbar head, which, when the
link is inserted, passes up through it,
and is held in place by, grayitating
catch. This is disengaged by a lever on
the platform or top of the car.
A ladies' society was recently being
held at Boraboo, Wisconsin, at which
were seventeen babies, and everything
going on harmoniously until some one
threw an apple of discord by proposing
premium to the handsomest child.
There was instantly some lively conten-
tions about the merits Of the competitors,
and so much hard feeling produced that
the society was Immediately broken up,
The young lady balloonist, Miss Thurs
ton, was formerly teacher of music in
public institution in Troy, New York,
and is at present teaching in a school in
Albany. She is niece of La Mountain,
the celebrated eronaut, now deceased.
She is but nineteen years of age, hand
some, daring and an accomplished bal
charge the higher branches " of knowl-
edge well.
| In Russia the Gar has recently issued
an order granting to women certain
rights in that empire from which they
have hitherto been excluded. They are
to be allowed to act as surgeons, 10
vacinate, to be employed as apotheca-
ries, and the institutions for the instruc-
ton of women in midwifery are to be
enlarged in every possible direction.
They are to have every facility in edu-
cutional establishments; to be employed
in telegraphy and as accountants, and
the field of female labor is to be not only
extended, but thoroughly protected by
the Cars personal supervision.
At the breaking out Of the Philadel
phia FIRE late on Friday last, one hnn-
dred girls were sorting rags in the build
ing. All escaped except one, who de-
layed to change her dress, who was
removed by policeman, nearly suffo-
Gated. The loss is now estimated at
$l50,000, Foreign rags, composing part
of The stock, were destroyed to the value
of $4,000, upon which there is no in
surance. Mr.. Moore loses on private
account about $4,000 by the destruc
ton Of a valuable oil painting, which he
had just brought from Europe, and fur
niture stored in the building. Never
mind the property as long as no lives
were lost. The property can be re
stored, but life can not.
Albert, an old Fifteenth Amendment,
was discoursing in Lawreneeville, Ga,
last week upon the subject of negroes.
The Atlas thus reports him: /" He
rose to 'splain himself as follows 1
des tell you, niggers is a gitten too big
anyhow-da links demselves good as
white folks; dars my wife-shes done
had four pair high-up gaiter shoes dis
year, and now wants another pair. It's
auare that hein' sot free will make mig
gers such fools. Da used to dink da
was doin' mighty well j. da got pair
of shoes by Christmas. wish de last
one of dem was put back in slavery for
about five years to learn dem some
sense. I'd be willing to go back myself,
jes 10 see some of these bigoted niggers
took down. f..,.a..
The quality and color OF the hair was
a subject of speculative theory Tor the
aneieats. Lank hair was considered in
dieative Of pusillanimity and cowardice.
Yet the head Of Napoleon was guiltless
of a curl. Frizzly hair was thought an
indication of coarseness and clumsiness.
The hair most esteemed was that ter
minating in ringlets. Davis, the histo-I
riau, states that Achilles and Ajax
lebanon had curling locks; sneh also
was the hair Of Timon the Athenian.
As to the Emperor Augustus, nature had
favored him with such redundant locks
that DO hair-dresser in Rome could pro-
duce the like. Auburn or light brown
hair was thought the most distinguished,
as portending intelligence, industry, a
peaceful disposition, as well as suscepti-
bility to the tender passion. Castor and
Pollux had brown hair, so had Menelaps.
Black hair WAS not esteemed by the RO-
mans, and red was an object Of aversion.
I YelloW hair was, at the time q the Pian-
taganets. esteemed beauty, and saffron
was used by the ladies to dye 1t a color
which is now considered "Odi0us."