Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-01-28
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K.
DYNAMITE.
Especial to the. SPEcTAToR.] . ..-.s..s
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 9th.
Quite an exciting scene occurred in the
House too day. White, of Kentucky,
charged Carlisle with causing his (White's)
remarks to be omitted in the Record, and
made wild harangue. The House passed
the army appropriation bill this evening.
The Senate discussed the Nicaragua
treaty all day. 1t will fail of ratification
A woman this morning communicated
to Representative plot to blow up the
capitol with dynamite. The member
deemed the matter of such consequence
that he turned it over to the State Depart
ment, and an investigation is in progress.
GEN. STEWART VIcToRIoUs.-Last Sat
urday week the column of British troops,
about 1000 strong, under Gen. Stewart
had severe fight near the Abu-Klea
wells, about 90 miles north of Metemneh
in Africa, with portion of the forces Of
the Mahdi, and after a struggle much re-
sembling in its general character the en-
gagement at Teb, in March last, put the
rebels to- fight and captured the wells.
The British force, while moving in square
upon the enemy's left fank, was charged
furious!y by the Prophets fanatical fel-
lowers. The square was penetrated about
its left rear, by sheer might of numbers,
and for awhile hand-to-ha fight was
carried on, but the admirable steadiness Of
the English in this part Of the field, to-
gether with the severity of the fire poured
into the rebels by the other parts of the
square, in the end prevailed. The losses
were heavy on both sides. The rebels left
800 dead on the field, and Of the English
seventy-four were killed and ninety -four
wounded. Among the killed was Col.
Burnaby, whose s'Ride to Khiva" has made
his name familiar to the readers of Eng
fish books the world over. Several other
officers Of some note were killed. The
proportion of killed to wounded is, in fact,
perate character Of fight in which all the
influence of example on the part of the
officers was required to keep the men up to
their work. The probable effect of Gen.
Stewards victory it is difficult to estimate.
Gen. Stewart himself inclines to
the opinion that from its decisive character
the fight of the 18th instant will discour-
age the enemy. The capture of Metem-
neh is the next problem to solve.
Later intelligence causes great appre-
hension to be felt that the English forces
may suffer a disaster, as it seems that the
forces of the Mahdi were not demoraized
as had been hoped and believed.
Mrs. LANGTRY AS A Princess
Langtry's first appearance in the adapta-
ton of Dumas's princess George" took
place at the Princess's Theatre in London
on the 10TH inst. A reporter says that Os-
car Wilde, who sat in box, almost
swooned with delight every time Mrs. Lang
try came on in a new costume.
The great interest among the ladies CEN
tered on Mrs. Largtry's dresses. A gorge
GUS reception gown in pink shades, trimmed
with beaded gold and black and glittering
otherwise with geld cuins, was voted love
ly, while others were in favor of white
satin and violet velvet ball dress, whose
apron embroided with pansies and yiolets,
velvet bodice strewn with pansies, panels of
white satin lined with violet velvet and
wide velvet sash crossing the hips and fall
ing over the long white fatin train. well be-
came the wearer. Then there was green
velvet carriage dress trimmed with pleas
ants feathers which fairly dazzled the eye
with its iridescent pumage
The REAL INVENTOR OF STEAM NAvIGA-
TIoN.-There can be no doubt of the fact
that the first person who propelled boat
by steam was James Rumsey, on the Poto-
mac, at Shephcrdstown, Jefferson county,
Va, now W. Va. This was some years be-
fore Fulton did the same on the Hudson, or
Fitch OF the Delaware
The credit of The application Of steam to
navigation which has revolutionized the
commerce and carrying trade of the world,
is due to James Rumsey, of Virginia, who
died in England The Lynchburg Vargin=
ian says
''Rumsey, after yainly endeavoring to Sc
cure the assistance he needed , ere, went
to England with bis models, and after
working up sufficient interest to secure an
audience OF capitalists, aud other important
before whom he hoped to speak
such words as would demonstrate to their
satisfaction the feas ,bility of his scheme for
the application of steam to purpose of
he succumbad to the terrible
strain he had long been under and Gied
without nttering word to the
assembled audience.
CAPTURE OF WHALEs.-There were CAD
tured Tuesday between East Hampton and
Amagansett, /. l., three right whales,
known to whalemen as '.two COWS and q
calf,' valued at nearly $1,000. The cap
lures we're made by the whaling crews of
Of the two villages. The whales were har-.
pooned close to shore, but, mixing des-
perate fight for life, towed the boat fnly
ten miles to sea before sporting blood,
Six whales hayc been killed since. Thnfs-
day within distance Of twenty niles along
that coast.