The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-03-04

she looked at the magnificent new soli-
tairc on Elagar's forefinger, and said, like
one absolutely dulled by amazement Il
believe you knew it all the timc.--From
The A2diac f)r March.
For the Register.
From the Quaker City.
PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 81, 1873.
Mn EDIToR AS we meet friends or
acquaintances on the street, or at their
homes, after the usual salutation Of good
morning, or how are you, in the absence
Of any particnlar news to attract atten-
ton, we almost invariably speak of the
present or prospective state of the wealth
er. So with me Mt the present writing.
Not having much in that line to commu-
nicatc, either local or general other than
that which the public press Of the coun-
try has already made known, | will pre-
mise by speaking briefly of the weather
hereabouts retrospectively. The early
part OF the winter previous to the Sun
day before Christmas-herctoiore allud-
el to-th, weather had been mild, but on
that Sunday nature opened new ac-
count with the weather mongers and
prognosticators. Most of the time since
it has ultcrnatcd nearl y every day. from
cold to moderate, from snow to sleet or
rain, from hubs to mud, and from sun
shine to cloud and fog. Although the
winter has been nearly unparalleled for
cold and snow throughout most Of the en-
tire country, yet here the indicator at the
Merchants Exchange has only touched one
degree below zero but in the suburbs or
rural portion OF the town it has fallen
lower p the country about so miles
at Mauch Chupk, in mountainous re.
gion, during the last cold term, the mer-
curry settled or shrank to 80 degrees be-
low. The "Mauch Chunkers" about came
to the conclusion that time of reckon
ing with them was at hand in earnest.
That ancient tunctionary, the o. H.,
had never witnessed the like before, and
invoked the Great Spirit" that they
might never again. Although the Dele.
ware has had much floating ice, naviga-
ton has not been obstructcd nor ferries
interrupted, yet the Schuylkill, Il much
smaller river, that skirts the western side
Of the town, has been filed with an ice
gorge from Il point just above the cxten.
svc fairmouni Waterworks for nearly
two miles above. Seeing much in the
papers, as well as hearing much said of
it,some three or four weeks since | stroll.
ed across the eastern portion Of the park
until | reached the river. The view was
most gorgeous, reminding Que of the de-
scription Doct. Kane gave Of appearance
cs in the arctic seas. That once great
navigator is cntombcd in large natural
shaped rock on the abrupt declivity Of the
western edge of Laurel Hill, and nearly
overhangs the Schuylkill, | could but
think, il the great arctic sailor could a.
wake, and take an outlook from his sto-
ny bed, it would recall to his mind north.
crn scenes and appearances, which he so
graphically described although they are
Of lesser magnitude. But the jostling
and grinding of the huge ice blocks will
not awake him from that sleep that knows
! no WihluR uhlli luC III. II utk luC mas
sivc blocks of ice are OF every concciva.
Bile shape, and are wedged in every man.
ner imaginable, perpendicular, angling
and horizontal, and piled in some places
to great altitude, and sparkle and glis'
ten in the white and wntry sunbeams
like an extension field Of white quartz be-
stud led with diamonds Great fears arc
apprehcnded for the safety Of bridges
piers aud other property along the shores
should the gorga loosen suddenly.
la my last lil not do full justice to
the renowned Capt Fitch The history
of his trials an trllmphs is too lengthy
for this letter, hat will briefly touch
sam, noin,. in his career which may mo-
be wholly unintere,ting. He was borI
in Connecticut January 2lst, l743 (olt
r stylD. Aflcr his marriage, which, it i
sail. was an unhappy one, he cmigrate'
to thi. state, and at his home in Buck
. Co., the idea of steam as a motive pow
err was FIRST originated in his mind. IL
first undertook to make steam land car
ria1e. In this b. tl'el, as many 9th
ers have. lis inventive mind now IN
, dertook to construct small water crai
p model. with bras mlchinery and wOodel
> paddle wheels. # was tried on a sma
creek or stream, in bucks Coun'y,in Au
, gust, l7S5 The Captain came tn Phi
9 adelphia with his model, and On rein
: shown to a number of the principal me
in town, they gave certificates iavorin
his project Armed with these, he rt
,. paired to New York, and on the Goth {
August. 1885, he presented petition
y Congress then sitting in that city-asl
ing encouragement for his invention. Th
memorial was referred to a commltte,
Z who made no report on i. lie returne
l. to this city. then went to kichmond, Va
r anil petiiionei the legislature OF tia
: state for assistance to perfect his pr
Z ieciel steamboat. No formal report W;
% made. ilo then returned 10 Philiie
r, ohia, AMI p,lfionca the Hon l.'gi'lnini
d of thi, State, aud was again unsuccessful
'e Nothing dauated, he repaired at ouee
Q Annapolis. aud made similar applies
l. ton to the Leg ,ature of Maryland A
a.oretime, the pcr.cvering Captain W.
e az in unsuccessful As dernier rcsor
&c he applied to the Jersey Blues for he'll
T. aad even the Sand Snipes' repulsed tt
is distressed aud now half discouraged Cal
n tain, but shortly aIlcr, the now pluck
At State reconsidered her action, and ii
n Legislature passed law, giving to j oh
IT Fitch for Ii years, the exclusive right
le making and using all aud every specie