Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-07
miscellaneous I,ems.

The oldest engine-driver in the world is be-
lieyed to be dead. The person thus distinguished
was John Mann, a driver in the employment of
the Caledonia railway company. 1t seems to
be known that he was the first locomotive en-
gine-driyer in Scotland, having come from the
north of England to drive the first engine on
the old Monkland and Kirkintilloch railway,
about thirty years ago.
The Indianapolis journal asserts that Indiana
has within her limits a field of coal which for
extent and value is unequalled in the world So
extensive is the coal field of Indiana that thou
sands Of acres of land, containing the best
quality of block coal, and convenient to the
railroad, can be purchased at rates very little
higher than the ordinary prices of agricultural
lands in the same vicinity.
A correspondent, writing from Bordeaux, de-
tails the following evidence of anti-Teutonism:
"The French Savans holding German diplomas
have returned them, stating that they could not
even have scientific relations with country
which treated France so badly. The society of
acclimatization have erased from their books the
names of the German princes who were mem
bers. A society has been got up here, trying
to prevent the Bordelase merchants from
trading. with or employing Germans in their
offices"
DR.. Robert, of Paris earnestly recommends
the use Of salts of copper, as the best preserva-
tive against the weathering Of stone in moist
climate; and endeavors to prove that the vast
various causes, one of the most important of
which is the development Of minute lichen
This plant is so destructive that the beautiful
marble sculptures in the park at Versailles would
be completely destroyed by it in the space of
6fty years, unless precautions were taken to ar
rest its rayages. DIR. Robert states that the
amount of weathering away of rocks of all
kinds, granite not excepted, is much greater
than the public generally are aware of, especially
when subjected TO the influence of a moist at
mOsphere. Thus the ohesk of Luxor, which
was brought to Paris, from Egypt, forty years
ago, has become completely bleached out, and
full Of small cracks, while for the previous forty
centuries during which it stood in Egypt no
change had been produced.
A southern paper relates a laughahle incident
connected with the visit of the Joint high COM
mission to Harper's Ferry. The presence of the
distinguished party attracted large number of
citizens anxious TO obtain a peep at the titled
visitors, and among them was a pompous old
gentleman somewhat noted for his venerable ap-
pearance, huency of speech, and strict conserva-
tive principles, who was conspicuous in his en-
deavors to make himself agreeable. Attaching
himself specially to a gentleman who was evil
IDENTIFY one of the most prominent of the party,
he took occasion to remark in oratorical tones
II am happy to see you, gentlemen of England.
AS an American citizen | came 10 pay nv re-
| spects to you; but want nothing to do with
those DID Yankees with whom YOU are asso.
ciated" The gentleman addressed, and those OF
the visitors within hearing, appeared to enIoy
the remark hugely; but the old gentleman him.
! sell was intensely disguised when he was in.