Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-12
Battles and Storms.

Editor Star:-An interesting article in your
issue of some days since, on the subject of
battles and storms occurring simultaneously.
has recalled to mind some researches made
by the undersigned on the subject The
writer OF the article was wrong in accounting
for the usual fair t?) weather of our national
monday, accompanied as it is by such gene
raj discharge of explosive and other cOmbus-
uDles; oy stating that the cOncussion pro-
duced on that day by fireworks etc. is scat
tered over such an immense area as to produce
no noticeable atmospheric effect. During the
last eight years the Fourth of july has only
once passed in this locality without storm
| arising some time during the day: and in the
years ls14-lSl6 the most violent thunderstorm
day.
TO 60 back to former times, the battle Of
Crecy, noted as being the first European bat
tie IN which firearms were used to any extent.
was accompanied by a violent storm; and the
same may be said of many of the celebrated
engagements fought in Europe in medieval
times.
Scientists have advanced many and con-
! nlctlng theories in regard to these curious
! atmospheric phenomena; but the most plausi-
bic IS the simple fact that the large amount of
electricity and heat produced, and the con-
densatlon OF vapOr under pressure attendant
upon the sudden cOncuSSion, have brought
about the exact state Of the atmosphere neceS
Sary to cause storm.
1t is related of celebrated European aStrOn-
0mer and scientist that. on being invited by
his nelghbors to the city wall. on a clear day,
his umbrella with him. much to the amuse-
ment of the pOpulace; but he turned the joke
on them later in the day when, a severe storm
suddenly arising, they were compelled to seek
shelter from the rain, while he reached home
i'll comfort, with the aid of his umbrella.
The percentage of battles during the late
war followed by local storms is Sj.5, which fact
afone is sufficient to convince us that this rela-
ton between eNplOSi ion and storm really exists.
Napoleon was the first to take advantage of
this fact, and the success of many of his STRAIT
eglc movements against the enemy was due to
unnOticed maneuVerS of his armies under the
shadow OF the clouds that his artillery pro
duced.
Who knows but that. in the progress of sci
ence, our descendants may make use OF this
curious phenomenon, and their sultry summer
weather be relieved by an OccaSiOnr artificial
shower produced by powerfully equipped
weather bureau-a weather bureau which
might well be termed "Old Possibilities in
stead OF its present humorous designation, and
whose batteries would probably awaken new
life III the hot and Sultry thOrOughfares of our
national capital! d. b. NJ
RICHMOND ELoPEMENTs.-At telegram to the
Cincinnati Enquirer from Richmond. Va.
Feb. s, Says:-Of fifteen Richmond couples of
the best society married this season, ten have
elOped: The latest sensation of the kind hap,
pened last night, when Miss Mamie Freeand,
beautiful belle, IL years Of age, ran Off with
James Fox, an attache of the Richmond and
Danyille railroad. Miss Freeland is the daugh
ter OF a deceased millionaire and Mr.. Fox is
the news She gave vent to her feelings by
rushing to the street (Franklin street, the
boulevard of RichmOnd) and crying. "Oh. my
daughter! The daughter was supposed to be
aflanced to wealthy banker of Louisville.
HENRY CLEws ADMITTED TO BAII~-Tne
case OF Henry Clews, who was arrested few
days ago by officers of Chatauqua county, \.
y. on the charge of obtaining property by
false PretenceS, was before Judge DOnOhue in
New Ork yesterday afternoon, on application
to have bail accepted at $3.50. This was OPP
posed by counsel for sheriff and Chatauqiia
authorities, but the court decided to take bail
in that amount, and Messrs. Fleischman and
Frederick Butterfeld became CewS' suretieS.
MADAME REsTELL CAGED.-The notorious
style at NO. 81 east sd street, New York. was
arrested last evening. charged by An houy
C0mstOck, of the Society for the Prevention Of
wee, with selling to him, on two different oc-
caSlOns, medicines to cause abortion. She was
taken TO court and Justice Kilbreth fixed her
bail at $4,000, She offered the amount in
United States bonds, but the magistrate re-
fused to take it, and demanded real estate
bail. This the Madame could not procure.
and she was driven 10 the TOmbS in her own
carriage.
THE LAW OF NEWSPAPER LIBEL.-At Chi
cagO in the case of Farley agt. Storey, editor
awarded large damages to pIaintiff for f. defa
NATION cf the character of his daughter, the
supreme court of Illinois has reversed the de
ciSiOn. and remanded the case for trial. The
| principal grounds of this decision are that the
| lower court Judge gave an erroneous inStruc
| ton, and excluded competent witness of de-
tenda4t III Is alSo set Se tGrtn tt the Pagca
| of the law. from an expression OF opinion by
! the publishers OF a newspaper in the editorial
| columns. This decision was aSSented to by
! all but one OF the supreme court justices.
| AGENERAL SUSPENSION OF COAL PRoDUc-
| TION in the Schuylkill region commenced yes
| terday, and will continue until the 18th inst.
| In the Lehigh region resumption will go into
| effect on the 18th inst: The Reading coal and
on M hand at Port Richmond. This suspension
| is in accordance with the agreement of the
coal combination but falls with great severity
! upon the miners, who have been working upon
| half time for several weeks past.
A STRANGE WAY TO COMMIT SUICIDE.-
Charles Furst is lying at his home in Newark,
! n. j., suffering from severe wound in his
throat, inflicted under singular circum-
stances, if the story he tells is true: He says
| deSpOndent. and wished to terminate his eX-
istence. but had not courage enough to com
nit suicide; he therefore went into StOpfels
saloon, and asked Stopfel to cut his throat
| Stopfel. supposing he was Joking and in fun.
| took up large. carving knife and drew the
! edge across his throat. At the same moment
! knife being very sharp, inflicted a severe
wound, from which it was thought he would
die He is now, however, out of danger, and
| both he and StOpfel are anxious that he should
| recOver.-[N. Y. Times, lHh.
! BRITISH OFFICERS SUMMONED HOME.-A
telegram from Richmond, Va, Sth instant, to
| the Philadelphia Press says: Maj. G. E..
Norton, of the English army, who has been on
visit te friends in one of the lower countries
of this state, has to- night received a telegram
| from the cOmmandant of his regiment, in
! forming him that all leaves of absence granted
officers of that army had been rescinded, and
! that they were ordered to return to their COM
| mandS at once. This officer was directed to
report to his regiment without an hours de-
| lay
| COURTNEY AND DEMPsEY.-The Auburn
| Advertiser of the 9th inst. says: "Charles E.
Courtney, of Union Springs, the champion of
the world in the list of single scullers. was in
view we learned that he had just succeeded
in arranging a match at Geneva. His adver-
sary is Dempsey, the Oarsman OF that town,
for a three mile race for $500 a side. The race