Volume 13 (1866) (424 pages)

? She Rlining and 9 Beientific Bross. Alechanicat. A New Materian For Sourixe Suoes is said to be coming into use, of which Indiarubber is the basis, bat it is henvier, and has a solidity almost of iron, yet a flexibility and elasticity which renders it a most perfvet substance fur the purpose for which it is specially offered, It is not all of the vualennized rubler character, though it pppears nt a glance to he like that inuterial. Asan article for solus it is said that it will nutwear four pairs of the best English leather. ‘The substance is oot to take the place of tue ordinary leather sule, but is to be applied by a peculiur cemeat to the boot or shoe, to whieh it nppears to adhere perfeutly, It is then pared nn the ede, and the work is over, Ileels aro put on in tho same way. The inventor snys u pair of soles, worn dnily, will lust one yeur. It is patented aud will svon be intrnduccd. It is elaimed that any none possessing an ordirary shoc-knife, a sandstone to sharpen it, a box of the eement, aud a few pouuds of this substance, enn set up a shoe shop, and the regular shoe trade cau make it a most profitable branch of indastry. Preventinn Iron rrom Rustina.—lt has been nlready observed, as a quite remarkable fact, that the extremely thin sheets of iron which have lately beeo rolled in this country and England, to show how thin iron could be tolled, possess a great power of resistiug oxidizatiou. The cause of this peculiar property was not at first understood, but careful examination has recently shown thnt it is due to an exceedingly thin fnsed layer of magnetic oxide with which they are always covered; and the fact has been applied to the protection of articles nf wrought-iron, The latter are imbedded in a pulverized layer ol native oxide of iron— hematite, for instance—and kept at 2» full red heat for several bours, after which they are allowed to cool gradnally. Plates treated in this way are perfectly covered with the oxide, and are well suited for ship-building. A combination of the nxides of zine and iroa, formed by the use of the oxide of zine, also in the proecss, gives rise to a black coating, which is, porhaps, even more effective. New Non-Metanuic Resistixe Supstance. Some curions experiments bave recently been made in Genoa, witb a new non-metallic snbstance, designed to resist the force of projectiles. In the experiments a breast-plate was formed of tbis new composition, which is ex-. tremely light and flexible, aad entirely free . from any admixture of metal, and whicb was placed upon a straw stuffed figure, and became a target for all who niigbt feel desirous of testing its power of resistance. ‘fhe conical bullets of a revolver, discharged at ten paces distance from the figure, glaoced off the breastplate and fell to the ground, and neither the projectiles nor tbe object which they had struek seemed any the worse for the operation. Iron and copper smelters have hitherto avoided the prescnec both of alumina or clay and lime in their furcaces on account of its refractivility. But Mr. Freney has proved that an aluminate of lime, containiug eighty of the former to twenty of the latter, or better still, ninety to ten, is more fusible than a silicate of the same earth. He also discovered that au aluminate of lime containing more base, eagerly absorbed sulpbur and phosphorus, and consequently improved iron or conper made in their presence. Horrt Terncrapas.—Some of the European hotels are utilizing the electric telegraph greatly to the convenience of tbcir customers. In each room of the house a telegvapb is arranged, with signals explained and posted up so that they may be readily understood by any gnest. ‘be names of the different articles which can be ordered by teleerapb are giveu with the proper sigaal for-eacb. When anything is wanted the customer presses a button marked “ bell,” and then sends the order by pressing the button under the article named on the board. In a very short time whatever may be required is brought iu. The machinery attached to the telegraph is so simple tbat it can easily be worked by aay one. . worked without friction. Tue Bessuner Process.— We bave already stated that Mr. Bessemer has an American rival in addition to his English rival, Mr. Mushet, who claims priority of date in the dis eovery of his process for making etecl. We now perecivo thut a late correspondeut of tho Londen Mining Journal presents nnother bame us ante-dnting the entire tro. That writer says; Tho system of Yorcing air through molten metal, to give it a steely texture, is not due’ to either Mr. Mushet or Mr, Bessemer; und the nge of inanganese (whicli is all that gives advuutugo in the use of spiegeleisen) wns suggested and nsed by Robert Leath almost before Mr. Mushet knew that the iron trade existed. But this is not the sole rensen that would lead me to orge thnt as little ns possible ‘should be said about the rights of the several cluimants ; it is very eurreutly reported, and 1 aul oot uware that Mr. Mushet has denied it, that a pecuniary consideration lus becn paid ng a compensation to him, upon eondition that he should raise no claim to the invention. When this arrangement was made no doubt was entertained on the port of Mr. Gessemer that the claims of Mr. Mushet were nufounded, but it was thought to be preferable to muke a money sacrifice rather than have a realty useful invention prejudiced in the eyes of the public, more especially as it was intended to forma company to develop the inventiou. New Source or Macyerism.—A new and singulnr source of maguetic iron has been discovered. It appenrs that the shavings of iron and’steel, aed especially the long spirals produced in turuing iron on tbe lathe, are highly magnetic, especinlly in ease of soft iron. This magnetism is permaneut, and M, Greiss, the discoverer, las observed that the south pole is alwnys at the end which is first toucbed by the tool. Tron 1x Missourr—The Iroa Mountain is not the only large deposit of iron in Missouri. Near Staunton, there is what is known as “Trou Hill,” covering a base of some two or three acres, yiclding an ore worth from 60 to 75 per cent. of iron. “ James’ Iron Hill is an-. other locality of a similar character. There is a peculiarity about the “ Iroa Hill,” which we believe does not elsewhere oecur—the gulch which bounds it ou ooe side is said to be ricb in indientions of copper, while the hills oa the opposite side of the gulch abound in lead. Tue deposits of iron ore from which England draws her chief supply of iron, are supposed to be fresh water formations, deposited at first as hydrated peroxide of iron, just as the bog ore now forming iu Swedish lakes, and afterward reduced to tbe carbonate by tbe presence ol decomposing organic matter. Hlarpextne Coprer.—it is alleged that one Diusman, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, has discovered a process for hardening copper, and has secured a patent forit. A correspondent, referring to the process, says: The material is properly called ‘silicated copper, and can, be All necessity for oiliug machinery made from it is obviated. Yhe writer says the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati railroad is now testing the prepared metal, andin case of its success is prepared to give the inventor $10,000 for its use on the road. There is much excitement and interest iu Upper Sandusky over the subject. Tus Swirtest Vessen Aritoat.—The Mahroussa paddle-wheel steamer, just built for tbe Egyptian Viceroy, and now on ber voyage out, jis said to be, without exception, the fastest “vessel afloat. At themeasured mile in Stokes Bay her average speed was aboat twenty and a half statute miles an hour, Her cost is said to have been $166,000. Cutorororn.—It is suggested in the London Chemist and Druggist that chloroform is an excellent mediuni for the removal of stains of paint from clothes, ete. It is found that portious of dry white paint, which resisted the action of ether, beuzole, and bisulpbide of earbon, are at once dissolved by cbloroform. Usercn Ixvention.—A_ soldier who needed it hus invented a left-handed knife and fork combined, with which a persou who has lost his right arm caa feed bimself very coaveuiently. Fire Briex my Conorapo.—Messrs. Bell & Co. are turning out about one thousand a day . of the handsoiwest kind of fire-brick at their works in Goldeu City, Colorado. They have now orders for some 20,000 or 30,000 ahead. . Swimming. Swimming is a most useful art, and one that is easily learned ; yet there are many persons who never make the eflurt to learn. Hundreds of lives are lost every year which might have been saved if the unfortnunte victims had only known how to swim. ‘There are most excellent opportunities in this city to learn tho art of swimming. At least two swimming schools are constantly in operation. A gontleman who hos been very snecessful in teaching this useful art has published the following very simple method by which any futher may readily teach his son; or by which apy boy ean learn to swiin without the aid of a teucher ; 1. Make tho boy’s desire to learn as strong as possible, 2. Get his confidenco. Lot him feel assured . tbat you will not play him any tricks or allow any uthers to do so. 3. Stund him in the water up to his neek if possible, if not, then as deep water as you can got him into. 4, Place one land on his chest at the wentre of gravity, and the other on his back, opposite to the first. 5. Tell hiiu to strike out and kick, supporting him at tho same timo properly ia tho water. 6. Correct steadily the motions of his arms and lezs and the positions of his hands and fect, until they are exactly what they ought to be. One method of teaching him the proper motions cf his legs is to place him in shallow water, so that he ean rest npon his hands with his head to the shore. You can then observe and correct his kicking. aud, if necessary, catch hold of his feet and guide his motions until be gets the right idea. You can also teach him the proper motions at home by balancing him upon a bench or chair, just as the Russians are said to teach young sailors on dry land by making them ciimb niasts and handle rigging. ‘This is in fact amapproximation to the anxions mother’s idea of not allowiug her boy to go into the water until he knows bow to swim. It also save valuable time ju the water, for some boys soon get chilled, and one iunst keep a constant eye upon them. 7. Relieve the monotony of this part of your instruction by letting the boy stand while you swim around him, or letting him jump toward you from a rock into the water so that you can catch him and lilt him ont, or, still better, by letting him swim in any fashion he cao, while yon support him toward some definite } object, such ag a rock or a stake. 8. As soon as his motions are correct, tell him you will let go of him while you. count one, but remove your hands only a short dis. tance fron him so as to be uble to catch him instantly.’ ‘Then count two, thea three, etc., counting aloud so tbat be can hear you. 9. ‘Don’t attempt to go any foster than tbe boy wishes to go. Courage and confidence are sometimes of slow growtb, aud any burrying ie pretty sure to retard. 10. Never count more than you agree to, for the ouly result will be to frighteu and discofirage. Wowen.—Tbeodore Parker, in one of his sermons, uttered the following remarks touching women : “ There are threo classes of women: Tirst domestic drudges, who aro wholiy taken up in the material details of their housekeeping and . Their housekeeping is a trade’ child-keeping. and no more, and after they have done that, there isno more which they can do: In New England it is a small class, getting less every ear, eC Next, there are domestic dolls, wholly taken up with tbe vain show that delights tbe eye and ear. They are ornaments of the cstate. Similar toys, I suppose, will be more cheaply mannfactured at Paris, Nuremberg, at Frankforton-the Main, and otber toy sbops iu Hurope, out of wax or papier-mache. and sold in Bos. ton at the haberdasher’s by the dozen. These ask uotbing beyoud the functions as dolls, and bate all attempts to elevate womaukind, “ But there are domestic women, who order a housc, and are not mere drudges, adorn it and are not mere dolls, but womeu. Some of these—a great many of them—conjoin the useful of the drudge and the beautiful of the doll, into one womanliood, and have a great deal left besides. They are not wholly takea up with their functions of housekeeper, wile and motber.” Tue Lazarum.—This was the name given to the military eusign of the later Roman Emperors. It was composed of a long pike, made in the form of a cross, from which was suspended a bandrol ornamented with gold and precious stones. Constantine placed on the summit a crown emblazoned with the monogram of Christ. The standard was usually accompanied by a guard of fifty picked men, who were believed to be inviucible while in the diseharge of their duty. ‘Treatuest or Copper Orks.—The nuniber of processes whieh have from time to time been brought forward for treating eopper ore is, doubtless, large, hut except in isoluted instances they are still unused, and now that something is really required to aid the miue adventurers, so fertile a souree of profit should cvrtainly not be passed over ‘There is room enauzh for all, und, therefore, no inventor shonld be eondemned until his processes have been fairly tested—the result will in mest enses be a large profit to those who have sufficient confidence to give their snpport. Nearly ten years siuce, amongst the many ingenious processes sought to be introduced wus that of Mr. William Henderson, of Glusgow, and some valuable iniprovements upon it have just been patented by the same gentlemau. To states that the inproveinents relate to ineuns of obtaining in solution copper when it exists in the state ol oxides, carbonate, arseniate, or other salt of eopper, associuted with large proportions of silica, or other suostances insoluble in dilate acids. When the salts insolub's in water are dissolved out hy muriatic aeid, and tho copper precipitnted by iron, a solution of protoclloride is Gbtained, whieh has usually been allowed to run to waste, or be decomposed by evnporation; but Mr. Henderson hns found that by treating the protochloride of iron in this manner a consideruble proportion is decnmposed into chlorine and oxide of iron, and that the gaseous chlorine passcs up through the water, and escapes from the tower uneondensed. Le bas also lound that the perchloride of iron bas a strong solvent action on the oxides, and the salts of copper insoluble in water, nnd that it readily dissolves copper from ores of this class depositing peroxide of iron, and that by long contact it decomposes aud dissolves the red oxide and sulphurets nf copper; and he oow proceeds in accordance with his increased experience. Tas Porson or THE Ratrursnare.—Dr. J. W., Burnett recently related befnre tlie “ Boston Natural History Society” soine experiments and investigations made with tbe rattlesnake, which will be found interesting to tboscioclined to pet the venomous beasts. Tbe virulence of the poison of these animals is too well known for special description ; I will only add, there is good reason for tbe bel:ef that its action is the same upon all living things, vegetables as well as animals. It is even just as fatal to the snake itself as to other animals. Dr. Dearning had a snake confined in a cage, which he irritated, and subsequently dropped some chloroform on its head, under the influence of which be extracted some poison from one of his fangs, He then took some blood from one of his own fingers, with whicb he mixed a minute quantity of the poison, and immediately therealter submitted it to examinatioa under the microscope. The corpuscles ceased to run and pile together ; but remained stagnant without any special alteration of structure. The whole appearance was as though the vitality of the blnod had been suddenly destroyed, exactly as iu death from lightning. This agrees also with anotber experiment performed on a fowl, where the whole mass appeared quite liquid, and having little coagulable power. The physiological action of this poison in animals is probably of’ amost powerful sedative acting through the blood on the nervous centers., ‘his is shova by the remarkaole fact that its full and coinplete antidotes are the most active stininlants ; of those alcobol, in some snape, is the first. Toe Art or Printing.—D'Isreli believes, and briugs up a mass of evidence to sustain him, that the art of printing was knowa to the Romans, but that they-rejected it as unsuited to their civilization, and that the Emperors were bitterly opposed to it, asin it they recognized a powerful enemy’ to their tyranny. They did, however, make use of it on a small scale. The Emperor Justinian had astemp on which were engraved or carved the letters of: his name, and had made constant use of this for signing documeuts. ‘heodoric did the same, ‘lie moveable letters with which the Roman potters stamped their wares were similar to those used by the book-binders of the present day for lettering, etc. ‘Ihe Romans were also perfectly familiar witb printing ink, and their refusal to make use of the printing press must be attributed eitber to the opposition of the Emperor, or the popular belief that it was not suited to sueb high civilization. Tr costs each member of the Baptist and Methodist sect $3 40 2 year; the Presbyterian, $6; the Congregationalists, $10; the Catholics, $14; the Episcopalians, $18; the Reformed Datch, $22 ; and the Unitarians, $23. A Mixtature Maener.—sir Isane Newton is said to bave had a magnet set in a fingerring, which, though weighing only three grains, could sustain 746 graias. Vawnto acrp is worth $150 per ounce, yet tbe clay bed which underlies Londou is esti« mated to coutuin 303,443 tons.

? She Rlining and 9 Beientific Bross. Alechanicat. A New Materian For Sourixe Suoes is said to be coming into use, of which Indiarubber is the basis, bat it is henvier, and has a solidity almost of iron, yet a flexibility and elasticity which renders it a most perfvet substance fur the purpose for which it is specially offered, It is not all of the vualennized rubler character, though it pppears nt a glance to he like that inuterial. Asan article for solus it is said that it will nutwear four pairs of the best English leather. ‘The substance is oot to take the place of tue ordinary leather sule, but is to be applied by a peculiur cemeat to the boot or shoe, to whieh it nppears to adhere perfeutly, It is then pared nn the ede, and the work is over, Ileels aro put on in tho same way. The inventor snys u pair of soles, worn dnily, will lust one yeur. It is patented aud will svon be intrnduccd. It is elaimed that any none possessing an ordirary shoc-knife, a sandstone to sharpen it, a box of the eement, aud a few pouuds of this substance, enn set up a shoe shop, and the regular shoe trade cau make it a most profitable branch of indastry. Preventinn Iron rrom Rustina.—lt has been nlready observed, as a quite remarkable fact, that the extremely thin sheets of iron which have lately beeo rolled in this country and England, to show how thin iron could be tolled, possess a great power of resistiug oxidizatiou. The cause of this peculiar property was not at first understood, but careful examination has recently shown thnt it is due to an exceedingly thin fnsed layer of magnetic oxide with which they are always covered; and the fact has been applied to the protection of articles nf wrought-iron, The latter are imbedded in a pulverized layer ol native oxide of iron— hematite, for instance—and kept at 2» full red heat for several bours, after which they are allowed to cool gradnally. Plates treated in this way are perfectly covered with the oxide, and are well suited for ship-building. A combination of the nxides of zine and iroa, formed by the use of the oxide of zine, also in the proecss, gives rise to a black coating, which is, porhaps, even more effective. New Non-Metanuic Resistixe Supstance. Some curions experiments bave recently been made in Genoa, witb a new non-metallic snbstance, designed to resist the force of projectiles. In the experiments a breast-plate was formed of tbis new composition, which is ex-. tremely light and flexible, aad entirely free . from any admixture of metal, and whicb was placed upon a straw stuffed figure, and became a target for all who niigbt feel desirous of testing its power of resistance. ‘fhe conical bullets of a revolver, discharged at ten paces distance from the figure, glaoced off the breastplate and fell to the ground, and neither the projectiles nor tbe object which they had struek seemed any the worse for the operation. Iron and copper smelters have hitherto avoided the prescnec both of alumina or clay and lime in their furcaces on account of its refractivility. But Mr. Freney has proved that an aluminate of lime, containiug eighty of the former to twenty of the latter, or better still, ninety to ten, is more fusible than a silicate of the same earth. He also discovered that au aluminate of lime containing more base, eagerly absorbed sulpbur and phosphorus, and consequently improved iron or conper made in their presence. Horrt Terncrapas.—Some of the European hotels are utilizing the electric telegraph greatly to the convenience of tbcir customers. In each room of the house a telegvapb is arranged, with signals explained and posted up so that they may be readily understood by any gnest. ‘be names of the different articles which can be ordered by teleerapb are giveu with the proper sigaal for-eacb. When anything is wanted the customer presses a button marked “ bell,” and then sends the order by pressing the button under the article named on the board. In a very short time whatever may be required is brought iu. The machinery attached to the telegraph is so simple tbat it can easily be worked by aay one. . worked without friction. Tue Bessuner Process.— We bave already stated that Mr. Bessemer has an American rival in addition to his English rival, Mr. Mushet, who claims priority of date in the dis eovery of his process for making etecl. We now perecivo thut a late correspondeut of tho Londen Mining Journal presents nnother bame us ante-dnting the entire tro. That writer says; Tho system of Yorcing air through molten metal, to give it a steely texture, is not due’ to either Mr. Mushet or Mr, Bessemer; und the nge of inanganese (whicli is all that gives advuutugo in the use of spiegeleisen) wns suggested and nsed by Robert Leath almost before Mr. Mushet knew that the iron trade existed. But this is not the sole rensen that would lead me to orge thnt as little ns possible ‘should be said about the rights of the several cluimants ; it is very eurreutly reported, and 1 aul oot uware that Mr. Mushet has denied it, that a pecuniary consideration lus becn paid ng a compensation to him, upon eondition that he should raise no claim to the invention. When this arrangement was made no doubt was entertained on the port of Mr. Gessemer that the claims of Mr. Mushet were nufounded, but it was thought to be preferable to muke a money sacrifice rather than have a realty useful invention prejudiced in the eyes of the public, more especially as it was intended to forma company to develop the inventiou. New Source or Macyerism.—A new and singulnr source of maguetic iron has been discovered. It appenrs that the shavings of iron and’steel, aed especially the long spirals produced in turuing iron on tbe lathe, are highly magnetic, especinlly in ease of soft iron. This magnetism is permaneut, and M, Greiss, the discoverer, las observed that the south pole is alwnys at the end which is first toucbed by the tool. Tron 1x Missourr—The Iroa Mountain is not the only large deposit of iron in Missouri. Near Staunton, there is what is known as “Trou Hill,” covering a base of some two or three acres, yiclding an ore worth from 60 to 75 per cent. of iron. “ James’ Iron Hill is an-. other locality of a similar character. There is a peculiarity about the “ Iroa Hill,” which we believe does not elsewhere oecur—the gulch which bounds it ou ooe side is said to be ricb in indientions of copper, while the hills oa the opposite side of the gulch abound in lead. Tue deposits of iron ore from which England draws her chief supply of iron, are supposed to be fresh water formations, deposited at first as hydrated peroxide of iron, just as the bog ore now forming iu Swedish lakes, and afterward reduced to tbe carbonate by tbe presence ol decomposing organic matter. Hlarpextne Coprer.—it is alleged that one Diusman, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, has discovered a process for hardening copper, and has secured a patent forit. A correspondent, referring to the process, says: The material is properly called ‘silicated copper, and can, be All necessity for oiliug machinery made from it is obviated. Yhe writer says the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati railroad is now testing the prepared metal, andin case of its success is prepared to give the inventor $10,000 for its use on the road. There is much excitement and interest iu Upper Sandusky over the subject. Tus Swirtest Vessen Aritoat.—The Mahroussa paddle-wheel steamer, just built for tbe Egyptian Viceroy, and now on ber voyage out, jis said to be, without exception, the fastest “vessel afloat. At themeasured mile in Stokes Bay her average speed was aboat twenty and a half statute miles an hour, Her cost is said to have been $166,000. Cutorororn.—It is suggested in the London Chemist and Druggist that chloroform is an excellent mediuni for the removal of stains of paint from clothes, ete. It is found that portious of dry white paint, which resisted the action of ether, beuzole, and bisulpbide of earbon, are at once dissolved by cbloroform. Usercn Ixvention.—A_ soldier who needed it hus invented a left-handed knife and fork combined, with which a persou who has lost his right arm caa feed bimself very coaveuiently. Fire Briex my Conorapo.—Messrs. Bell & Co. are turning out about one thousand a day . of the handsoiwest kind of fire-brick at their works in Goldeu City, Colorado. They have now orders for some 20,000 or 30,000 ahead. . Swimming. Swimming is a most useful art, and one that is easily learned ; yet there are many persons who never make the eflurt to learn. Hundreds of lives are lost every year which might have been saved if the unfortnunte victims had only known how to swim. ‘There are most excellent opportunities in this city to learn tho art of swimming. At least two swimming schools are constantly in operation. A gontleman who hos been very snecessful in teaching this useful art has published the following very simple

method by which any futher may readily teach his son; or by which apy boy ean learn to swiin without the aid of a teucher ; 1. Make tho boy’s desire to learn as strong as possible, 2. Get his confidenco. Lot him feel assured . tbat you will not play him any tricks or allow any uthers to do so. 3. Stund him in the water up to his neek if possible, if not, then as deep water as you can got him into. 4, Place one land on his chest at the wentre of gravity, and the other on his back, opposite to the first. 5. Tell hiiu to strike out and kick, supporting him at tho same timo properly ia tho water. 6. Correct steadily the motions of his arms and lezs and the positions of his hands and fect, until they are exactly what they ought to be. One method of teaching him the proper motions cf his legs is to place him in shallow water, so that he ean rest npon his hands with his head to the shore. You can then observe and correct his kicking. aud, if necessary, catch hold of his feet and guide his motions until be gets the right idea. You can also teach him the proper motions at home by balancing him upon a bench or chair, just as the Russians are said to teach young sailors on dry land by making them ciimb niasts and handle rigging. ‘This is in fact amapproximation to the anxions mother’s idea of not allowiug her boy to go into the water until he knows bow to swim. It also save valuable time ju the water, for some boys soon get chilled, and one iunst keep a constant eye upon them. 7. Relieve the monotony of this part of your instruction by letting the boy stand while you swim around him, or letting him jump toward you from a rock into the water so that you can catch him and lilt him ont, or, still better, by letting him swim in any fashion he cao, while yon support him toward some definite } object, such ag a rock or a stake. 8. As soon as his motions are correct, tell him you will let go of him while you. count one, but remove your hands only a short dis. tance fron him so as to be uble to catch him instantly.’ ‘Then count two, thea three, etc., counting aloud so tbat be can hear you. 9. ‘Don’t attempt to go any foster than tbe boy wishes to go. Courage and confidence are sometimes of slow growtb, aud any burrying ie pretty sure to retard. 10. Never count more than you agree to, for the ouly result will be to frighteu and discofirage. Wowen.—Tbeodore Parker, in one of his sermons, uttered the following remarks touching women : “ There are threo classes of women: Tirst domestic drudges, who aro wholiy taken up in the material details of their housekeeping and . Their housekeeping is a trade’ child-keeping. and no more, and after they have done that, there isno more which they can do: In New England it is a small class, getting less every ear, eC Next, there are domestic dolls, wholly taken up with tbe vain show that delights tbe eye and ear. They are ornaments of the cstate. Similar toys, I suppose, will be more cheaply mannfactured at Paris, Nuremberg, at Frankforton-the Main, and otber toy sbops iu Hurope, out of wax or papier-mache. and sold in Bos. ton at the haberdasher’s by the dozen. These ask uotbing beyoud the functions as dolls, and bate all attempts to elevate womaukind, “ But there are domestic women, who order a housc, and are not mere drudges, adorn it and are not mere dolls, but womeu. Some of these—a great many of them—conjoin the useful of the drudge and the beautiful of the doll, into one womanliood, and have a great deal left besides. They are not wholly takea up with their functions of housekeeper, wile and motber.” Tue Lazarum.—This was the name given to the military eusign of the later Roman Emperors. It was composed of a long pike, made in the form of a cross, from which was suspended a bandrol ornamented with gold and precious stones. Constantine placed on the summit a crown emblazoned with the monogram of Christ. The standard was usually accompanied by a guard of fifty picked men, who were believed to be inviucible while in the diseharge of their duty. ‘Treatuest or Copper Orks.—The nuniber of processes whieh have from time to time been brought forward for treating eopper ore is, doubtless, large, hut except in isoluted instances they are still unused, and now that something is really required to aid the miue adventurers, so fertile a souree of profit should cvrtainly not be passed over ‘There is room enauzh for all, und, therefore, no inventor shonld be eondemned until his processes have been fairly tested—the result will in mest enses be a large profit to those who have sufficient confidence to give their snpport. Nearly ten years siuce, amongst the many ingenious processes sought to be introduced wus that of Mr. William Henderson, of Glusgow, and some valuable iniprovements upon it have just been patented by the same gentlemau. To states that the inproveinents relate to ineuns of obtaining in solution copper when it exists in the state ol oxides, carbonate, arseniate, or other salt of eopper, associuted with large proportions of silica, or other suostances insoluble in dilate acids. When the salts insolub's in water are dissolved out hy muriatic aeid, and tho copper precipitnted by iron, a solution of protoclloride is Gbtained, whieh has usually been allowed to run to waste, or be decomposed by evnporation; but Mr. Henderson hns found that by treating the protochloride of iron in this manner a consideruble proportion is decnmposed into chlorine and oxide of iron, and that the gaseous chlorine passcs up through the water, and escapes from the tower uneondensed. Le bas also lound that the perchloride of iron bas a strong solvent action on the oxides, and the salts of copper insoluble in water, nnd that it readily dissolves copper from ores of this class depositing peroxide of iron, and that by long contact it decomposes aud dissolves the red oxide and sulphurets nf copper; and he oow proceeds in accordance with his increased experience. Tas Porson or THE Ratrursnare.—Dr. J. W., Burnett recently related befnre tlie “ Boston Natural History Society” soine experiments and investigations made with tbe rattlesnake, which will be found interesting to tboscioclined to pet the venomous beasts. Tbe virulence of the poison of these animals is too well known for special description ; I will only add, there is good reason for tbe bel:ef that its action is the same upon all living things, vegetables as well as animals. It is even just as fatal to the snake itself as to other animals. Dr. Dearning had a snake confined in a cage, which he irritated, and subsequently dropped some chloroform on its head, under the influence of which be extracted some poison from one of his fangs, He then took some blood from one of his own fingers, with whicb he mixed a minute quantity of the poison, and immediately therealter submitted it to examinatioa under the microscope. The corpuscles ceased to run and pile together ; but remained stagnant without any special alteration of structure. The whole appearance was as though the vitality of the blnod had been suddenly destroyed, exactly as iu death from lightning. This agrees also with anotber experiment performed on a fowl, where the whole mass appeared quite liquid, and having little coagulable power. The physiological action of this poison in animals is probably of’ amost powerful sedative acting through the blood on the nervous centers., ‘his is shova by the remarkaole fact that its full and coinplete antidotes are the most active stininlants ; of those alcobol, in some snape, is the first. Toe Art or Printing.—D'Isreli believes, and briugs up a mass of evidence to sustain him, that the art of printing was knowa to the Romans, but that they-rejected it as unsuited to their civilization, and that the Emperors were bitterly opposed to it, asin it they recognized a powerful enemy’ to their tyranny. They did, however, make use of it on a small scale. The Emperor Justinian had astemp on which were engraved or carved the letters of: his name, and had made constant use of this for signing documeuts. ‘heodoric did the same, ‘lie moveable letters with which the Roman potters stamped their wares were similar to those used by the book-binders of the present day for lettering, etc. ‘Ihe Romans were also perfectly familiar witb printing ink, and their refusal to make use of the printing press must be attributed eitber to the opposition of the Emperor, or the popular belief that it was not suited to sueb high civilization. Tr costs each member of the Baptist and Methodist sect $3 40 2 year; the Presbyterian, $6; the Congregationalists, $10; the Catholics, $14; the Episcopalians, $18; the Reformed Datch, $22 ; and the Unitarians, $23. A Mixtature Maener.—sir Isane Newton is said to bave had a magnet set in a fingerring, which, though weighing only three grains, could sustain 746 graias. Vawnto acrp is worth $150 per ounce, yet tbe clay bed which underlies Londou is esti« mated to coutuin 303,443 tons.