Volume 11 (1865) (424 pages)

120 Ghe Wining and Scientific Beegs. [From the Dany Fare Press, Friday, August 23.) THE FAIR A SUOOESS, There were a number of reasons operating to raise » doubt in the minds of the managers, as to whether the Indnstrial Exhibition of the present year would prove as greut a success as those of the past. In a new and compuratively thinly populated State, isolated in its position with reference to other States of the . Union, the number of inventors must necessarily be limited, and without something ew each year of this kind to draw and interest the atteution of the industrial masses, a chief fea. ture of attraction at such places is wanting, not to be supplied by the ten thousand minor products of ingenuity, such as add beauty and brilliancy to a collection, without carrying with them the utility belonging to devices of the higher order of genius. The most celehrated works of art, and the most skillful inventions, had already been exhibited, which led to the presumption that they might not again be placed in the Pavilion for public inspection. The transportation of heavy machiuery, its ereetion, the attention and material necessary to. show it to advantage ; the expense of removing it from the hall when tbe Fair is over; the stringency of the money ‘market, and other causes, all combined to justify the apprehension to which we have alluded; and yet, despite these adverse considerations, the Fifth Annual Pair of the Mechanics’ Institute compares very favorably in all its features, excepting only the heavy machinery departinent, with that ol last year, which excelled by long odds those that had preceded it. Tbe receipts promw} ise to be much larger than those ever beretofore received. As a place of fashionable resort, the Pavilion has many inducements, wbich the young folks have not been slow to discover. ‘The nightly attendance of this portion of community is very large, and that they are abundantly satisfied with the nature of the entertainment offered, is rendered apparent in the fact that huudreds if not thousands of.the same laces are repcatedly seen by those who make their constant promenades around the spacious hall. There will not probably be another Fair held under the present auspices for several years to come. The object which the members of the Mechanics’ Institute had in view in first inaugurating the project, was to pay off a large debt of their society. ‘The proceeds of the present Fair will enable them to have accomplished that purpose, and iu addition, to purchase a lot for the enlargemeut of their premises, besides increasing the number of books in their library. After the Fair has closed, the building in which it is held will be taken down. This may be regarded as a foregone conclusion, inasmuch as the residents in that portion of the city object to it as an unsightly incumbrance to the lot which has been set aside by the city and devoted to the purposes of a publie square. The last opportunity, then, for a long time to come, ts offered to those who wish to examiue the collected works of art, science and invention of the State, and in so doing patronize a most laudable and worthy object. ‘the pittance expended for admission will be a thonsand times repaid in the valuable nature of the information acquired. Russ House.—This extensive hotel, the largest in the State, has always enjoyed au cxcellent reputation inthe interior as well as nearer home. The changa of proprietorship which occurred ouly a few weeks ago, has had the effect to add to, rather than cma the measure of its popularity. Mr. Pcarson was formerly himself a landlord, in Nevada county, with a wide and favorable acquaintance. monntain people therefore hold him in kindly retuembrance, by patronizing him when they conie lor a brief sojourn to tbe city, The Russ House is on Montgomery street, in a central portion of San Francisco, easy of access, and ust always reecive its full share of the public patronage. Dean.—The other evening a death occurred in the Pavilion of the Fair; the first, as we hope it may prove the last and only one of that iastitution. Jt was the death of tbe large sturgeon, which had only a few hours previously heen placed in the basin surrounding the fountain: . coast. The’ A New Arr.—Major the uews depot, brought ont from New York with him recently, and has placed in the Fair for exhibition, several specimens of a new art —or rather, an old art with a new application —of photography, by w!ich likenesses are transferred from the card to china, porcelain or white delph ware, and is rendered as durable as the colors originally imprinted there by the mauufacturers. Major Stratman is exelnsive agent for the patentees ou the Pacific A lady owning a valuable set of china, or a father wishing to make a holiday or birthday present to his children in the shape of a cup, ata trifling cost can have the likeness of either the donor or owner, or both, transferred to each separate piece, as the best and most elegant style of obtaining for it identity and recognition. Wnicu Suoutn Arotosize ?—Last evening, in his attempts to elbow.his way through the crowd in one of the avenues of the pavilion, a gentleman stepped upon the trail of a lady’s dress, tearing her skirt loose from a portion of its waist fastenings. With as much dexterity as he could possibly command in so contracted a spacc, he attempted to get off the lady's dress, but in doiug so, trod upon that of a second lady, tearing it also, tripping and falling with his side against one of the tables, by which he was severely, although not scriously injured. ‘The ladies looked daggers, and muttered something which the gentleman could not understand, on account of heing at the time himself engaged in the mental exercise of combining a variety of expressive phrases, which were better, perhaps, suppressed than uttered. Now, the question arises, who was at fault? Geutlemen have some rights on the sidewalks, in the street cars, and at placcs of public amusement. If the ladies wéd/ wear their skirts long enough to bedraggle, to sweep a track through the dust, and be trodden upon, can the gentlemen help it? A Vanuasiyx Invention.—The new hinder for sewing machines, invented and lately patented by Mr. George Vincent, of Stockton, is a most ingenious and useful appendage to tbe little iron-armed workers which at the present day take sueli active part in lightening the labors of our households. It can be seen in the Florence department of the Fair, the inventor haviug so lar particularly adapted them to this machine, which we suppose. until we saw the new binder, embodied within itself all that the ingenuity of mau could produce, or the heart of woman desire in a sewing machine. One binder, without change, puts on binding of va rious widths with the greatest ease and rapidity and ina perfect manner. The bottom of a dress can be bound in three minutes, and what ever kind of binding used, it is put on without being drawa or stretched in the operation, whiga is the great feature of the invention, and will be understood and appreciated by those who huve attempted to do good work with the imperlect contrivances heretofore used for the purpose. ‘This new invention, when compared with the thousand and one appliances tbat have been patented for sewing machines, must rank next to the sewing machine itself, in utility, as no sewing achioe can now be considered complete without the « Vincent Binder.” We congratulate Mr. Hill on having secured tbis valuable addition to his popular machines. Boots ann Suors.—Reader! have you ever considered what a vast number of boots and shoes must he worn ont annually in a city of a hundred and twenty tbousand souls—two hundred and forty thousand soles! ‘The little people must have a pair about once every month. It affords them delight to knock the toes out ; and tbe grown folks use up three or four pairs ayear. Such a vast demand necessitates an immense supply, sech as Wm. F. Burke, imporler, coruer of Montgomery and Pine streets, keeps always on hand, boxed for hoine demand and shipment. He thinks he is equal to any run that is likely to be made upon bim, so that jobbers and ‘country merchants need have no apprehensions of suffering for 2a supply. They have tbe hint, and will know just how to act upon it. Jack Stratman, of Truxxs.—The developments of modern science, no less than the practical experience of modern cosmopolitans and travellers, furnish evidence to sustain the declaration that * the dearest article is the cheapest.” Who that hag paid five dollars for one pair of boots, fur . instance, and fifteen dollars for another, has not foand that the cheap pair are manufactur from some inferior artiele, and go all to pieces when subjected to some severe test, and that, . the pair which was considered dear, exhibits no signs of dilapidatiou when the others are eutirely worn out. Nothinz demonstrates the axiom more truly than a trank, Sueb an article, composed of side or sole leather, will last a life-time ; tle cheap trunk is nsed up in half a dozeu stage-coach excursions. Ask Mr. Sansome street, if this is not so. ‘ae House or Fizstn & Co.—This firm has coly recently opened up at the corner of Caliis an importing house of wines, brandies and other liquors. Mr. Field was formerly a partner in the well known house of Despecber & Field, Sacramento. He gives his personal atteution tu the businees, and is a geutleman with whom every one will find it a pleasure to deal. ‘The house pays particular attention tu filling out orders lor clubs, social parties and lamilies. We heartily commeud it to popular favor. . A Growpen Auniener.—aA vast multitude of people were in attendance at the Fair last evening. The spacious hall of the pavilion was crowded so tbatit was difficult to get along, and the New England Kitchen was literally jammed with people. Anrricirs Founp.—It is perhaps not generally known that most, if not all the articles lost in tke pavilion of the Fair, are picked up and carried iuto the office of the clerks, where they can at any time be procured. The collection of articles already deposited there for identification is quite large, and includes ladies’ kid gloves, children’s woolen gloves, children’s scarfs, neck-ties and comforters, ladies’ veils, head-dresses, laces, kerchiefs, ete. Tne Buur Lenor.—Number 490, in our cabinet of minerals, is alot of rock from what is claimed to be tbe genuine Blue Ledge, in El Dorado county, which, by the way, should not be confounded with the Blue Ledge company incorporated in this city. This rock although it does not show much gold to the eye, is nevertheless very rich. We have seen a letter from tbe superintendent, dated Spanishtown, August 17th, saying that he had just putin a heavy blast which threw down a large mass of rock literally filled with gold. The rock thrown out by this blast is ofa darker hue than the previous average, showing more sulphurets, and giving indications of much richer yield. New Use ror a Sona Fountain.—Mr. Frisk has claimed for his recent. improvement on the Soda fountain, that he could make it propel muchinery ; and to redeem his word has introduced on his counter, iu the Pavilion of the Fair, a neatly constructed miniature steam engine, with a pipe attachment to his apparatus, aud when the gas is let into its eyl iuder the motion of the machinery is rapid aud perfect. ‘Tbe fountain itself has, lrom the . begiuniug of the Fair, been a great object of attraction, which is now vastly increased by this new and novel feature: Scene in tue Overn’s Orrice ar THE Pavition.—Iinter gentleman, inquiring of J. H. C., Can I get a card here witb * Hands Off?’ Crirrx.—" A hand saw 2” a Tbe roar of laughter that followed convinced J. H. C. that be had been slightly mistaken in the nature of the question. Proceenines at tae Pavition.—This afternoon, at tbree o’clock, Hon. Schuyler Colfax and party were present, as per appointment, at the Pavilion of the Fair. .A ineeting was organized, with Mayor Coon as Chairman, which was addressed by Mr. Colfax, Lieut. Gov. Bross, of Illinois, and Mayor Coon. Abeut 1,500 persons were in attendance. The ladies of the New England Kitchen occupied a scat in front of the rostrum, dressed out in their . characteristie array. a: ' fornia aud Leidesdorff streets, No. 422. It! James Longshore, 208 Bush street, or 306 . . Newfoundland, THE ATLANTIO TELEGRAPH CABLE, On the 24th of ae" the Great Eastern, according to advertisement, steamed out of the river Medway, and proveeded to the anchorage selected for her at the Nore, from which poiut she would sail for the purpose of laying att down the Atlantic Telegraph cable, about the 8th of Jnly. All the arrangements for the accomplishment of the work had been made . with such care and foresight that it was hardly thought possible there could be any failure, unless from the intervention of a severe storm, which might break the line and scatter tbe fleet engaged iu layiug it. 'lhey were looking for intelligence at New York, on the 25th of July, that the work had been successfully completed. The Great Eastern had in her 7,000 tons of cable ; 2.600 miles in all ; 500 miles more than, with good luck, would be wanted. Add tanks, coal and eugines, and the burden of the ship would be 21,000 tons, 3,000 less than her ton~ nage capacity. For convoy she had two British ships of war. Our Goverument was applied to tor the loan of a nativnal vessel, but replied with dignity on the ground that vessels of the United States were still subject to restrictions in leaving British ports. Valeutia, on the coast of Ireland, was to be the starting point ; Heart’s Content, 'rinity Bay, the destination of the telegraphic fleet. But the Great Eastern would not approach Valentia nearer than 25 miles, and would there splice the ocean cable with the shore end previously laid. On this side, the deep sea cable would reach to witbin three miles of tbe shore, and at that point be spliced. From Valentia, the shore end would be the heaviest and strongest piece of cable ever made, weighing per mile about haifus much as an ordinary railway track. It was to be laid from the head of a sheltered inlet near Cahireiveen, and the sea end huoyed and watched by tbe ships of war till the Great Eastern came up. The splicing of it with the end of the main cable would be a matter of five hours’ work, and when that was done, the voyage of the ships and payiug out of tbe cable would fairly commence. ‘Ihe telegraphic charges were to be £20 per twenty words. ~—_ Goop Inks.—It is stated that in Maine there is alaw which allows a certain reduction of taxes to each man who will pat up, and keep in good condition and well supplied, a trough or tub for water, on any public roadside. A reduction ol taxes is also made for those who will plant aud raise shade-trees alongside of the highways. ‘Three dollars a year is the amount deducted lor the water arrangemeut, and a certain sum is deducted for each tree grown. It would be a good thing to adopt Similar statuary regulations in this state. A little encouragement of this sort would induce farmers everywhere to plant trees on the rvadsides, and soon cooling sbades would spring up to destroy the monotoay and discomfort of our dry, dusty, and shadeless bighways.—Call, June 16th. Onicin oF Stockixes.—The stockings worn by the ancients consisted of strips of! iinen, or of the skins of animals. The Normans wore them made of cloth, or of costly stuff, embroidered and decorated with gold and silver. Knit worsted stockings were imported first in the time of Henry VIII., and were worn hy the gentry of that period ; and in 1530 a pair .of silk stockings was sent to that monarch trom Spain. In the time of Queen Hlizabeth it was common for young men of rank to wear stockings of different fashions and different colors on each leg. In 1561 the first pair of silk stockings were knit in England, and wero presented to the Queen. About the same period the metbod of knitting worsted stockings was brought to that country. In 1859 a machiue for weaving stockings was introduced by Wm. Lee, and this laid the foundation of the extensive stocking manufactyre now carried on in England. Mountain Quai.—Naturar Hisrory.—Our friend, Sam Hodge sbowed us some yonng mountain quails which he saw coming out of 2 nest in an oak tree, on his ranch from a height of about twenty feet. They were but recently hatched, as a few had the shell on their backs when they aligbted on the ground. ‘They spread their wiugs as they emerged and let themselves down to the earth with ease and comfort. This is a somewhat remarkable circumstance, as quail generally hatch on we ground — Grass page National. Tbe mother remained in tbe tree. _ ‘

120 Ghe Wining and Scientific Beegs. [From the Dany Fare Press, Friday, August 23.) THE FAIR A SUOOESS, There were a number of reasons operating to raise » doubt in the minds of the managers, as to whether the Indnstrial Exhibition of the present year would prove as greut a success as those of the past. In a new and compuratively thinly populated State, isolated in its position with reference to other States of the . Union, the number of inventors must necessarily be limited, and without something ew each year of this kind to draw and interest the atteution of the industrial masses, a chief fea. ture of attraction at such places is wanting, not to be supplied by the ten thousand minor products of ingenuity, such as add beauty and brilliancy to a collection, without carrying with them the utility belonging to devices of the higher order of genius. The most celehrated works of art, and the most skillful inventions, had already been exhibited, which led to the presumption that they might not again be placed in the Pavilion for public inspection. The transportation of heavy machiuery, its ereetion, the attention and material necessary to. show it to advantage ; the expense of removing it from the hall when tbe Fair is over; the stringency of the money ‘market, and other causes, all combined to justify the apprehension to which we have alluded; and yet, despite these adverse considerations, the Fifth Annual Pair of the Mechanics’ Institute compares very favorably in all its features, excepting only the heavy machinery departinent, with that ol last year, which excelled by long odds those that had preceded it. Tbe receipts promw} ise to be much larger than those ever beretofore received. As a place of fashionable resort, the Pavilion has many inducements, wbich the young folks have not been slow to discover. ‘The nightly attendance of this portion of community is very large, and that they are abundantly satisfied with the nature of the entertainment offered, is rendered apparent in the fact that huudreds if not thousands of.the same laces are repcatedly seen by those who make their constant promenades around the spacious hall. There will not probably be another Fair held under the present auspices for several years to come. The object which the members of the Mechanics’ Institute had in view in first inaugurating the project, was to pay off a large debt of their society. ‘The proceeds of the present Fair will enable them to have accomplished that purpose, and iu addition, to purchase a lot for the enlargemeut of their premises, besides increasing the number of books in their library. After the Fair has closed, the building in which it is held will be taken down. This may be regarded as a foregone conclusion, inasmuch as the residents in that portion of the city object to it as an unsightly incumbrance to the lot which has been set aside by the city and devoted to the purposes of a publie square. The last opportunity, then, for a long time to come, ts offered to those who wish to examiue the collected works of art, science and invention of the State, and in so doing patronize a most laudable and worthy object. ‘the pittance expended for admission will be a thonsand times repaid in the valuable nature of the information acquired. Russ House.—This extensive hotel, the largest in the State, has always enjoyed au cxcellent reputation inthe interior as well as nearer home. The changa of proprietorship which occurred ouly a few weeks ago, has had the effect to add to, rather than cma the measure of its popularity. Mr. Pcarson was formerly himself a landlord, in Nevada county, with a wide and favorable acquaintance. monntain people therefore hold him in kindly retuembrance, by patronizing him when they conie lor a brief sojourn to tbe city, The Russ House is on Montgomery street, in a central portion of San Francisco, easy of access, and ust always reecive its full share of the public patronage. Dean.—The other evening a death occurred in the Pavilion of the Fair; the first, as we hope it may prove the last and only one of that iastitution. Jt was the death of tbe large sturgeon, which had only a few hours previously heen placed in the basin surrounding the fountain: . coast. The’ A New Arr.—Major the uews depot, brought ont from New York with him recently, and has placed in the Fair for exhibition, several specimens of a new art —or rather, an old art with a new application —of photography, by w!ich likenesses are transferred from the card to china, porcelain or white delph ware, and is rendered as durable as the colors originally imprinted there by the mauufacturers. Major Stratman is exelnsive agent for the patentees ou the Pacific A lady owning a valuable set of china, or a father wishing to make a holiday or birthday present to his children in the shape of a cup, ata trifling cost can have the likeness of either the donor or owner, or both, transferred to each separate piece, as the best and most elegant style of obtaining for it identity and recognition. Wnicu Suoutn Arotosize ?—Last evening, in his attempts to elbow.his way through the crowd in one of the avenues of the pavilion, a gentleman stepped upon the trail of a lady’s dress, tearing her skirt loose from a portion of its waist fastenings. With as much dexterity as he could possibly command in so contracted a spacc, he attempted to get off the lady's dress, but in doiug so, trod upon that of a second lady, tearing it also, tripping and falling with his side against one of the tables, by which he was severely, although not scriously injured. ‘The ladies looked daggers, and muttered something which the gentleman could not understand, on account of heing at the time himself engaged in the mental exercise of combining a variety of expressive phrases, which were better, perhaps, suppressed than uttered. Now, the question arises, who was at fault? Geutlemen have some rights on the sidewalks, in the street cars, and at placcs of public amusement. If the ladies wéd/ wear their skirts long enough to bedraggle, to sweep a track through the dust, and be trodden upon, can the gentlemen help it? A Vanuasiyx Invention.—The new hinder for sewing machines, invented and lately patented by Mr. George Vincent, of Stockton, is a most ingenious and useful appendage to tbe little iron-armed workers which at the present day take sueli active part in lightening the labors of our households. It can be seen in the Florence department of the Fair, the inventor haviug so lar particularly adapted them to this machine, which we suppose. until we saw the new binder, embodied within itself all that the ingenuity of mau could produce, or the heart of woman desire in a sewing machine. One binder, without change, puts on binding of va rious widths with the greatest ease and rapidity and ina perfect manner. The bottom of a dress can be bound in three minutes, and what ever kind of binding used, it is put on without being drawa or stretched in the operation, whiga is the great feature of the invention, and will be understood and appreciated by those who huve attempted to do good work with the imperlect contrivances heretofore used for the purpose. ‘This new invention, when compared with the thousand and one appliances tbat have been patented for sewing machines, must rank next to the sewing machine itself, in utility, as no sewing achioe can now be considered complete without the « Vincent Binder.” We congratulate Mr. Hill on having secured tbis valuable addition to his popular machines. Boots ann Suors.—Reader! have you ever considered what a vast number of boots and shoes must he worn ont annually in a city of a hundred and twenty tbousand souls—two hundred and forty thousand soles! ‘The little people must have a pair about once every month. It affords them delight to knock the toes out ; and tbe grown folks use up three or four pairs ayear. Such a vast demand necessitates an immense supply, sech as Wm. F. Burke, imporler, coruer of Montgomery and Pine streets, keeps always on hand, boxed for hoine demand and shipment. He thinks he is equal to any run that is likely to be made upon bim, so that jobbers and ‘country merchants need have no apprehensions of suffering for 2a supply. They have tbe hint, and will know just how to act upon it. Jack Stratman, of Truxxs.—The developments of modern science, no less than the practical experience of modern cosmopolitans and travellers, furnish evidence to sustain the declaration that * the dearest article is the cheapest.” Who that hag paid five dollars for one pair of boots, fur . instance, and fifteen dollars for another, has not foand that the cheap pair are manufactur from some inferior artiele, and go all to pieces when subjected to some severe test, and that, .

the pair which was considered dear, exhibits no signs of dilapidatiou when the others are eutirely worn out. Nothinz demonstrates the axiom more truly than a trank, Sueb an article, composed of side or sole leather, will last a life-time ; tle cheap trunk is nsed up in half a dozeu stage-coach excursions. Ask Mr. Sansome street, if this is not so. ‘ae House or Fizstn & Co.—This firm has coly recently opened up at the corner of Caliis an importing house of wines, brandies and other liquors. Mr.. Field was formerly a partner in the well known house of Despecber & Field, Sacramento. He gives his personal atteution tu the businees, and is a geutleman with whom every one will find it a pleasure to deal. ‘The house pays particular attention tu filling out orders lor clubs, social parties and lamilies. We heartily commeud it to popular favor. . A Growpen Auniener.—aA vast multitude of people were in attendance at the Fair last evening. The spacious hall of the pavilion was crowded so tbatit was difficult to get along, and the New England Kitchen was literally jammed with people. Anrricirs Founp.—It is perhaps not generally known that most, if not all the articles lost in tke pavilion of the Fair, are picked up and carried iuto the office of the clerks, where they can at any time be procured. The collection of articles already deposited there for identification is quite large, and includes ladies’ kid gloves, children’s woolen gloves, children’s scarfs, neck-ties and comforters, ladies’ veils, head-dresses, laces, kerchiefs, ete. Tne Buur Lenor.—Number 490, in our cabinet of minerals, is alot of rock from what is claimed to be tbe genuine Blue Ledge, in El Dorado county, which, by the way, should not be confounded with the Blue Ledge company incorporated in this city. This rock although it does not show much gold to the eye, is nevertheless very rich. We have seen a letter from tbe superintendent, dated Spanishtown, August 17th, saying that he had just putin a heavy blast which threw down a large mass of rock literally filled with gold. The rock thrown out by this blast is ofa darker hue than the previous average, showing more sulphurets, and giving indications of much richer yield. New Use ror a Sona Fountain.—Mr. Frisk has claimed for his recent. improvement on the Soda fountain, that he could make it propel muchinery ; and to redeem his word has introduced on his counter, iu the Pavilion of the Fair, a neatly constructed miniature steam engine, with a pipe attachment to his apparatus, aud when the gas is let into its eyl iuder the motion of the machinery is rapid aud perfect. ‘Tbe fountain itself has, lrom the . begiuniug of the Fair, been a great object of attraction, which is now vastly increased by this new and novel feature: Scene in tue Overn’s Orrice ar THE Pavition.—Iinter gentleman, inquiring of J. H. C., Can I get a card here witb * Hands Off?’ Crirrx.—" A hand saw 2” a Tbe roar of laughter that followed convinced J. H. C. that be had been slightly mistaken in the nature of the question. Proceenines at tae Pavition.—This afternoon, at tbree o’clock, Hon. Schuyler Colfax and party were present, as per appointment, at the Pavilion of the Fair. .A ineeting was organized, with Mayor Coon as Chairman, which was addressed by Mr. Colfax, Lieut. Gov. Bross, of Illinois, and Mayor Coon. Abeut 1,500 persons were in attendance. The ladies of the New England Kitchen occupied a scat in front of the rostrum, dressed out in their . characteristie array. a: ' fornia aud Leidesdorff streets, No. 422. It! James Longshore, 208 Bush street, or 306 . . Newfoundland, THE ATLANTIO TELEGRAPH CABLE, On the 24th of ae" the Great Eastern, according to advertisement, steamed out of the river Medway, and proveeded to the anchorage selected for her at the Nore, from which poiut she would sail for the purpose of laying att down the Atlantic Telegraph cable, about the 8th of Jnly. All the arrangements for the accomplishment of the work had been made . with such care and foresight that it was hardly thought possible there could be any failure, unless from the intervention of a severe storm, which might break the line and scatter tbe fleet engaged iu layiug it. 'lhey were looking for intelligence at New York, on the 25th of July, that the work had been successfully completed. The Great Eastern had in her 7,000 tons of cable ; 2.600 miles in all ; 500 miles more than, with good luck, would be wanted. Add tanks, coal and eugines, and the burden of the ship would be 21,000 tons, 3,000 less than her ton~ nage capacity. For convoy she had two British ships of war. Our Goverument was applied to tor the loan of a nativnal vessel, but replied with dignity on the ground that vessels of the United States were still subject to restrictions in leaving British ports. Valeutia, on the coast of Ireland, was to be the starting point ; Heart’s Content, 'rinity Bay, the destination of the telegraphic fleet. But the Great Eastern would not approach Valentia nearer than 25 miles, and would there splice the ocean cable with the shore end previously laid. On this side, the deep sea cable would reach to witbin three miles of tbe shore, and at that point be spliced. From Valentia, the shore end would be the heaviest and strongest piece of cable ever made, weighing per mile about haifus much as an ordinary railway track. It was to be laid from the head of a sheltered inlet near Cahireiveen, and the sea end huoyed and watched by tbe ships of war till the Great Eastern came up. The splicing of it with the end of the main cable would be a matter of five hours’ work, and when that was done, the voyage of the ships and payiug out of tbe cable would fairly commence. ‘Ihe telegraphic charges were to be £20 per twenty words. ~—_ Goop Inks.—It is stated that in Maine there is alaw which allows a certain reduction of taxes to each man who will pat up, and keep in good condition and well supplied, a trough or tub for water, on any public roadside. A reduction ol taxes is also made for those who will plant aud raise shade-trees alongside of the highways. ‘Three dollars a year is the amount deducted lor the water arrangemeut, and a certain sum is deducted for each tree grown. It would be a good thing to adopt Similar statuary regulations in this state. A little encouragement of this sort would induce farmers everywhere to plant trees on the rvadsides, and soon cooling sbades would spring up to destroy the monotoay and discomfort of our dry, dusty, and shadeless bighways.—Call, June 16th. Onicin oF Stockixes.—The stockings worn by the ancients consisted of strips of! iinen, or of the skins of animals. The Normans wore them made of cloth, or of costly stuff, embroidered and decorated with gold and silver. Knit worsted stockings were imported first in the time of Henry VIII., and were worn hy the gentry of that period ; and in 1530 a pair .of silk stockings was sent to that monarch trom Spain. In the time of Queen Hlizabeth it was common for young men of rank to wear stockings of different fashions and different colors on each leg. In 1561 the first pair of silk stockings were knit in England, and wero presented to the Queen. About the same period the metbod of knitting worsted stockings was brought to that country. In 1859 a machiue for weaving stockings was introduced by Wm. Lee, and this laid the foundation of the extensive stocking manufactyre now carried on in England. Mountain Quai.—Naturar Hisrory.—Our friend, Sam Hodge sbowed us some yonng mountain quails which he saw coming out of 2 nest in an oak tree, on his ranch from a height of about twenty feet. They were but recently hatched, as a few had the shell on their backs when they aligbted on the ground. ‘They spread their wiugs as they emerged and let themselves down to the earth with ease and comfort. This is a somewhat remarkable circumstance, as quail generally hatch on we ground — Grass page National. Tbe mother remained in tbe tree. _ ‘