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Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 10, 9 March 1860, Page 3

A novel kind of battery has been invented by Mr. James, a merchant, by which _ expense would be saved and celerity attained in the working of guns. The invention is as follows :—Within the wall of the battery is a circular revolving platform of iron or wood, which, by means of castors and cog wheels, can be turned by two men situated below. Affixed around this platform are the rails or bearers for the cannon to run on, much like the spokes of a wheel. If the circle formed by the extremities of these rails be twenty feet in diameter, Mr. James calculates that, allowing for the projection of the gun over the wall of the platform, a dozen ten feet guns might be mounted on the platform, and five feet of space would be then left for the recoil of each gun. To serve the 12 guns seven men only will be required, about the same number as under the present system is necessary for the efficient working of one gun. One of these men will be continually engaged in sponging out the gun after it has been discharged, as it presents itself before him upon the revolving platform; the gun thus spenged out, by another turn of the winch by which the platform is made to move round, appears before man number two, who charges it. Thus, in its gradual rotatory progress, by the time it reaches the man whose duty it is to fire it off, it is already loaded, and its contents are in a moment sent on their destructive mission. By two ingenious contrivances, the man on whom the duty devolves of firing the gun can in a moment stop the revolution of the platform, as soon as he perceives the object aimed at within range of his piece, and he can raise or depress its mouth.

The Long axo the Short of it. —A lady passing through New Hampshire observed.the following notice on a board:—“Horses taken into grass. Long tails, three shillings and six-pence, short tails, two shillings.” The lady asked the owner of the land the reason for the difference in the price. He answered: ‘‘Yon see. ma’am, the long tails can brush away the flies, but the short tails are so tormented that they can hardly eat at all.”

Servants in the Olden Time.—‘The charge these old domestios used to take of the interests of the family, and the cool way in which they took upon thenT to protect those interests, sometimes led to very pro* voicing, and sometimes to very ludicrous exhibitions of importance. A friend told me of a dinner scene illustrative of this sort of interference which had happened at Airth in the last generation. Mrs. Murray, of Abereairney, had been among the guests, and at dinner one of the family noticed that she was looking for the proper spoon to help herself with salt. The old servant, Thomas, was appealed to, that the want might be supplied. He did not notice the appeal It was repeated in a more peremptory manner, "Thomas, Mrs Murray has not a salt spoon,” to which he replied most emphatically, " Last time Mrs Murray dined here we lost a salt spoon.” I have heard of an old Forfarshire lady who, knowing the habits of her old and spoilt servant, when she wished a. note to be taken without loss of time, held it open and read it over to him, saying, “ There noo, Andrew, ye ken a’ that’s in’t, noo dinna stop to open it, hut just send it aff.” Of auother servant, when sorely tried by an unaccustomed bustle and hurry, a very amusing anecdote has been recorded. His mistress, a woman of high rank, who had been living in much quiet and retirement for some time, was called upon to entertain a large party at dinner. She consulted with Nichol, her faithful servant, and all the arrangements were made for the great event. As the company were arriving, the lady saw Nichol running about in great agitation, and in his shirt sleeves. She remonstrated, and said that as the guests were coming in he must put on his coat. " Indeed, my lady,” was his excited reply, " indeed, there’s sae muclde rinnin’ here an’ rinnin’ there, that I’m quite distrackit. I hae cast’ll my coat an’ waistcoat, an’ faith I dinna ken how lang I can thole [bear] my hreeks.” There was a waggish old mau-cook at Duntrune for sixty years, and during three generations of its owners. In 1795, when his master was skulking, John found it necessary to take another service, and hired himself to Mr. Wedderburn of Pcarsie; but he wearied to get hack to Duntrune. One day the Laird of Piersie observed him putting a spit through a peat (it may have been for the purpose of cleaning it), be that as it may, the laird enquired the reason for so doing, and John replied, “ Indeed, sir, I am just going to roast a peat, for fear I forget my trade.” At the end of two years he returned to Duntrune, where he continued to exercise his calling till near the close of his life.

Sporting Extraordinary. —A kangaroo hunt of an exciting nature took place on Tuesday. As Page’s up coach, loaded with passengers was coming through Epping Forest a kangaroo was spied quietly feeding by the side of the road. Poor “Joey” alarmed by the noise made by the coach tried to escape into the forest, but being stopped by a high fence, he bounded forward. At this moment a “ sporting gent” on the coach gave the “ tally-ho,” the passengers joined in chorus the coachman cracked his whip, a little dog on the vehicle “gave tongue” most gloriously, away flew the horses and away bounded poor “Joey,” flying for his life. The chase continued for some distance, and then the kangaroo changed his tactics. Crossing to the other side of the road he again attempted to take to the bush, but again he was stopped by a high fence. Once more the “ tally-ho was raised, once more the noisy pack yelled forth in chorus, and once more “Joey” bounded on at the top of his speed, closely pursued by his tormentors, until spying an opening in the fence the bewildered animal attempted to get through, but it stuck fast, and was caught as in a trap. The coach stopped —some of the passengers got down —poor “Joey” was caught alive, and borne far away from his native wilds, safely into Launceston.

In the Assembly, Sydney, the PostmasterGeneral stated that the Government were adverse to the proposal to subsidise the Panama line. Charles Keax. —During a visit to Exeter a ludicrous incident occurred. He had a favourite Newfoundland dog, named Lion, who accompanied him everywhere, and usually remained in his dressing-room while he was on the stage. One evening, during Richard lIL the door happened to be left open, and Lion heard the well - known voice in loud excitement. He trotted out, and apnsared at the wing just as Richard and Richmond were on the point of engaging m the last scene. Lion growled at his master’s antagonist, exhibited his teeth, and rushed furiouslv forward; whereupon the terrified Richmond, deeming the odds so serious, fled from the field and was seen no more. Kean, being left without an antagonist, was obliged to fall and die unwounded. Lion bestrode his master in. triumqh, licked his face, and barking vociferously whilst the curtain fell, amidst a roar of laughter and applause. Richard was then unanimously summoned before the curtain; presenting himself, he made his bow, and retired. Loud calls continued for the dog, but Lion, having enacted his unstudied role, declined a. second ap-. pearance.

“How very easy ’tis (cries Jem) to write; I find no hardship verses to indite.” “ That to believe (quote Dick) we oaths dou’t need ’em— The hardship is, for those who have to read: ’em!”