Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-21

SerLlON.
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for notices over four lines.
The ATMOSPHERE AND THE COMET. Prot.
John Wise, of Philadelphia, the celebrated
aronaut, whose account of his recent aerial ex-
perience has been lately published, gives an ac-
couot of some phenomena he observed which
appear to be rather novel, and not IN harmony
with his former observations. That the tem-
rerature of the atmosphere becomes colder IN
proportion to the height is well known fact,
which Prof. Wise has found inVarable during
thirty niue years Of adventure IN the air. 10
which he had made 446 ascensions. The 447th.
on the 3Oth OF july astonished him, tor the
higher he rose the hotter 1t became, till, as be
expresses it, he felt as if he were approaching
coufagration. This reversal of all experience
be attributes to contrary Influence
This balloon ascension was made at four
o'clock in the afternoon when on the earth the
thermometer stood at II degrees. Nine min
utes afterwards, at height of 5,40O feet, 1t
registered 81 degrees; at 5000 feet 1t was Sc
degrees; but these proportions were not always
exact as is shown by an examination OF his
tabular statement of the variations of heat com-
pared with altitude. Thus, at only ,450 feet the
thermometer was 900 and halfan hour afterward
at 900 feet, it had fallen to 10. This rreguari-
ty he explains by the 6uctuation OF the perpen-
dlcular and horizontal movement of the balloon,
aui perhaps the accidental influence of the com.
ct yilded at times to the force of natural laws.
But however this may be, his tables are i'm
portant as showing an exceptional condition
of the atmosphere He also noted peculiar
shadow that fell across the city of Philadelphia
iu direction from northwest to southeast al
IL 49, olo Il, ,,,t hoe Oh fa
duce it. Professor Wise says of this remarka-
bic phenomenon: Nothing could satisfy my
coniectures of the cause so well as the idea that
the atteuuated envelope of the comet was trans
mttiUg beams and rays of sunlight, with focll
power, into our atmosphere, aud thus pro-
ducing positive and negative lines as we lind
them under the spectroscope.
The New York Herald, 10 which his account
is published, suggests that the dark appearance
was simply portion OF the city which had not
been reached by the sweep cleaners. Whether
or not the comet was responsible tor this we'll
defined penumbra, as it certainly was tor great
many shadowy theories, We are not prepared to
say; but the observations made by Professor
Wise deserve the investigation OF meteerOlo
qists. He has always been ao earnest worker
10 the cause of science and his reports are en-
titled to acceptance whatever the scientific
world may think of this particular theory.
CLOSE AT FIGURES. The Marquis West
minister, whom Mr.. Gladstone created duke
before resigning his premiership, is the richest
person in England. He owns nearly all West
minister, and his wealth is something fabulous
He is thrifty noblemaD. Some years ago
gentleman saw him at railway station, where
he had bought copy Of the Echo, price one
halt peuuy He gave the boy three penny
piece. and waited for his change. The boy
had no half peunies he could not make two
peuce half penny change. He had nothing
but pennies, and if the marquis took two pence
he would lose half penny. In the midst of
this embarrassment the train for which his
lordship was waiting rolled into the station. 1t
he did not 20 by it he would have to wait some
momcnts But he waited. Co" he said to
the boy land get some half pennies; | will
wait for your return And wait be did for
the next train. But thisis the gentleman whom
Mr. Gladstone has promoted to be duke. lie
can now wear strawberry leaves on his coro0ct.
The new duke is forty niue years old He has
a son aud heir, Earl Grosvenor, who has just
come of age, and who spends the paternai l.;
s. D. as cheerfully and eagerly as the paternal
gains them.
SYDNEY SMITH, 10 the prime of his days, be-
came total abs,ainer. Lady Holland sympa-
thizing with him, he thus writes to her: Many
thanks my dear, for your KIDD anxiety respect
ing my health not only was never better,
but never half so we'll in my te indeed, find
have been i'll all my life without knowing it.
Let me state some Of the good arising from ab
staining from all ierDented liquors. First,
sweet sleep; having never known what sweet
sleep was now sleep like baby or plough
boy. If wake no needless terrors. 20 black
visions of lite. but pleasing hopes and pleasant
recollections. Secondly, l can take longer
walks and undergo greater exercise without
fatigue. My understanding is improved. | see
better without wine and spectaclcs than when
used both. Only one:evil ensues from It, l
am 10 such extravagant spirits that must lose
blood or look out for some one who will bore
or depress me- Pray leave off termeuted Ii
quors; the stomach is quite at rest; no heart
burn, no pain, no distension.
1t is of the elder Dumas that the following
story is told A stranger, having heard with
surprise that Dumas was a quadrOn, called
upon him to verify the fact.
/ am told began the visitor, that you are
aquadron. Monsieur DumasF
Yes, answered Dumas.
Aud your father.
Was mulatto, the distinguished General
Dumas of the army of Italy-and mulatto,
reared the author, 10 tones that left no doubt
of the quality Of bis lungs.
And his mother, continued the Intruder in-
terrogatively.
Was negro, shouted Dumas, rising to his
feet.
And who, may ask, was her mother?
continued the enterprisipg indetatigable bore.
An ape, sir, an ape' thundered the iudig-
naut author My family began exactly where
Yours ends Waiter, show that monkey the
door
Belgium has for some time abolished capi
tai punishment, and the scheme has worked
Well That little country is an exception to
what has heretofore been general rule. Abo-
il'lou of capital punishment has not been fol-