Widnes Examiner. — 1884-08-16 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

EQUINE DETECTITES.—A piece of detective work, rivalling in professional acumen and dramatic effect some of the most astonishing achievements of Vidocq, has just been done in Philadelphia by Detective Hauser in connection with a recent murder. The bode of the victim was carried out of town in a waggon, and disposed of under a covered bridge. It occurred to the detective to drive an intelligent gray gelding, belonging to the butcher accused of the murder. over the ground that must hive been taken. The horse arrived at the spot where the different remains were found, stopped voluntarily at each place, and gave the most unmistakable evidence of perfect familiarity with them. The detectives were perfectly convinced by his singular behaviour that he knew all about the affair, and that they had arrested the right man. How this evidence is to be introduced into court it is difficult to say. This is not, however, the first time that a horse has proved a valuable assistant in the detection of crime. A gentleman attended a church meeting, and left a valuable black horse tied up under a shed. When he came out of the meeting he found that his horse had been changed for a worthless old nag. He referred the matter to the detectives, who searched the neighbourhood in vain for the missing animal. At length some one suggested that the old nag should be allowed to go his way, which he did, and went directly to a barn some distance out of town, where the original steed was found. Dogs have frequently played important parts in connection with :criminal jurisprudence. In one celebrated case, the dramatieed version of which is doubtless familiar to many, a dog proved the principal witness for the prosecution. WOOLLEN UNDERCLOTIIING —lmong the many means by which we seek to guard ourselves from the effects of chill, there is one which hardly, even now, receives sufficient attention—the use of woollen underclothing. The majority of persons of the male max do, indeed, show their appreciation of its wholesome qualities; but there remains a considerable moiety of these, and a far greater number of women and children, who prefer an undereuit of smooth but relatively meagre linen. Yet the superior advantages of wearing wool next the akin are easily apparent on refl.ction. They do not depend merely on its greater warmth and close. nen of application. It is further capable, according to its texture and in virtue of its composition, of better adaptation in respect of temperature to the needs of various climates and the changes of seasons than any other dress material. Moreover, whether it be fine or rough, dense or light, woollen clothing, it is evident, exhibits a special faculty for absorbing and distributing moisture. It is this property especially which renders it the natural next covering of the constantly' perspiring skin. If one be engaged, for example, in active exercise of limb, a linen fabric will absorb what products of transudation it can till it is wet, but will leave much moisture unabsorbed upon the clammy surface ; whereas a flannel, from its more spongy nature, will rest npon a ekin which it has nearly dried, and be but damp itself. It is obvious, then, that in the event of an after chill—and this occurs in summer as in winter—the body is, in the latter case, most favourably disposed to resist it. Flannel is not less cleanly than linen, though it may appear less white; and if the wearer bathe daily, it is surprising how long it will retain its purity. The disadvantage of skin irritation to which it sometimes gives rise is esually associated with coarseness of quality or freshness of manufacture, and is with nearly all who have experienced it a merely transient condition. Women, as well as men, we repeat, but above all children and the aged, who are alike particularly apt to take cold, should certainly adopt a woollen material for their customary undergarment It is easily possible to adjust the texture to the seasons so that it shall be warm enough in winter and not too warm in summer.—Lancet. How