Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1878-12-14
A Swim on Horseback.

script.
A Swim Oh Horseback.
A novel swim took place on the
Thames, the performer being young
officer in the Hungarian army, Lieu
tenant Won Zubovits. This gentleman
has invented a saddle by means of
which wide and rapid rivers can be east
ly crossed on horseback, the rider re
naming dry above the waist.
Considerable interest seemed to be
taken in the trial trip, saloon steamer
which had been chartered to accompany
the swim being crowded with visitors.
Lieutenant Won Zuyobits rode grey
horse, the property of Mr.. Henderson,
the ship owner, this horse having had
previously only three trials in the
water; but the Lieutenant states that
when he commanded Circassian regi-
ment in the late war he had no diff
Guilty in easily persuading horses to
take to the water, and on one occasion
in the Danube he swan one horse for
eighteen hours.
The start was fixed to take place at
five o'clock, by which hour Westmins-
H. :. =. ys. = ss<tass. eth ep-s-. tors.
A cheer soon announced that the lieu
tenant had commenced his swim, and
in the distance, off the Horse-ferry,
could be seen what appeared to be one
of those dummies used OF seaside re-
gattas in aquatic tournaments, but as it
approached the strange sight came to
view of a man comfortably seated in
the saddle-the top of which was about
three inches above the waters edge
swimming down the stream on horse
back, the horse with arched neck ap.
parently exhibiting no signs of fear be-
You'd occasionally taking nervous sip
of the by no means too pure water.
The invention consists in simply
double india-rubber saddle inflated with
air, which keeps the horse afoat with
ease. The saddle, when emptied, weighs
between 8 lbs. and 10 lbs, and, it is
stated, can be used for carrying water
or fodder when not required for the
purpose of enabling cavalries to cross
rivers. Westminster Bridge was passed
at twenty five minutes past five o'clock,
the steamer starting at the same time,
considerable interest being evidently
taken in the proceedings by the mill.
tary attaches Of the foreign embassies,
who were on board. The rider was &C.
companied by little boat, in the stern
of which sat Mr.. Henderson, who en-
/, couraged on the horse.
A JAPANESE PRINTING oFFICR.-The
advantages of alphabetic writings are
nowhere more conspicuously shown
than in large printing Office. The
compositor stands within reach of every
character of which he may have need
and boy can learn the position OF
: each in the case in v few hours. It il
quite another matter where each word
has distinct character, as in China and
Japan. A full fount of japanese type
, comprises 5000 characters, of which
5000 are in constant use, and for 2, OOl
!, more there are frequent calls. The
j: type is disposed about the composing
l room on racks, like those in q reading
room. and the compositors wander uI
and down the aisles setting type and
! taking exercise at the same time. With
SO many characters, it is no wonie,
9 that Japanese proof readers have to bt
4 men of intelligence and high scholar
4 ship. The impossibility Of telegraph
!: ing single character words has KEEP
4 this great instrument of civilization il
1 foreign hands. and made il practically
!, useless for the natives OF China and ia
b pan. To these the telephone is An -
: pecial blessing, which they are no
slow to appreciate.
Y A lecturer on natural history va
q called upon the other day TO pay for
Q live rabbit which he had in basket il
}, . railway car. and which the conductor
D said would he charged the came -
. dog. The lecturer vsinly explaine,
, that he was going to use the rabbit il
J. illustration Of lecture he wss about b
give in another town, and, indignant!
{ taking . small live tortoise from hi
+ pocket, said, you'll be telling me mex
+ that this 10 dog. and that ! must Pc,
8 for il also" The conductor went fo
1 superior orders, and on his return de
e livered this lecture on natural history
J Cats 10 dogs. rabbits 10 dogs, bat
+ tortus Is . himself" The professor hsG
! to pay dog fare for the rabbit.