MISCELLANEOUS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 229, 25 July 1846, Page 84

MISCELLANEOUS.

Unexplored Territory. — Very much remains to be done for the exploration of the Mexican territory, and in particular that portion of it lying between California and New Mexico, which is only nominally subject to her authority, and remains in undisturbed possession of the Indians. Large tracts of this immense region have, perhaps, never been traversed by a man of European race, and the uncertain rumours which wandering missionaries and hunters have furnished, as to the portions they have visited, whet our curiosity as to the internal condition. It is the only portion of the earth which the darkness still hanging over it and the traditional greatness of its indigenous race of inhabitants combine to invest with an aspect of mystery and romance. Here it is possible the remains of the Aztecs, left behind in their migration to the south, may yet be traced. On the banks of the mighty stream of the Zaguananas ruins of ancient cities or palaces aud inhabited towns, resembling in structure and arrangement the remains of the Aztecs architecture in Mexico, are said to have been found by the missionaries. The Indians possessing this country are still unconverted and unsubdued ; their religion and customs are unknown ; and by an examination of these much light would very probably be thrown upon the mythology of the Aztecs. Even in the republic, there are Indian villages in various quarters, as Acapantzingo, near Cuernabaca, whose inhabitants preserve their own blood, laws, and customs, free from foreign admixture, are governed by caciques of their own, and avoid as much as possible intercourse with the Spaniards. Mr. Stephens heard of an Indian city among the mountains of the south, unvisited by white men. Similar reports may be heard among the natives of Peru. It would be idle to speculate as to the truth of these rumours. It is sufficient that they may be possibly true (and this we think cannot be denied), to induce an eager desire that the obscurity in which so great a part of the American continent is still wrapped may speedily be dispelled. — Foreign Review.

Danger to St. Petkrs's at Rome. — A letter from Rome contains the following: — " One of the most splendid monuments of Catholic art, the dome of St. Peters's at Rome, inspires serious alarm in the minds of the architects of this city. For a long time past, the cupola has been cracked in many places, and ten arches of iron, weighing 60,000 kilogrames, have been placed so as to prevent its fall. It has just been discovered that the lanternino, above which rises the cross which crowns the edifice, is cracked through and through. The numerous lightning conductors, which had been erected by Pope Pius VI 1., for the protection of the edifice, remove all idea of this mischief having been the pffect of a thunder storm. The lanternino is being surrounded by heavy iron chains, to "prevent the cracks from extending. The restoration of the ancient Basilica of St. Paul on the Ostia road, and which was destroyed by fire some years since, is almost complete. — Galigiiani's Messenger.

The Rkv. Sidney Smith's Opinion of Lord John Russell. — There is not a better man in England than Lord John Russell; but his worst failure is, that he is utterly ignorant of all moral fear; there is nothing he would not undertake. I believe he would perform the operation for the stone — build St. Peter's — or assume (with or without ten minutes' notice) the command of the channel fleet; and no one would discover by his manner that the patent had died — the church tumbled down — and the channel fleet been knocked to atoms. I believe his motives are always pure, and his measures often able ; but they are endless, and never done with that pedetentous pace and pedetentous mind in which it behoves the wise and virtuous improver to walk. He alarms the wise Liberals ; and it is impossible to sleep sowidly ivhile he has command of the watch^

How to Prepare Cheap Paint. — Take one bushel of unslacked lime and slack it with cold water ; when slacked, add to it 20 lbs. of Spanish whiting, 17 lbs. of salt, and 12 lbs. of sugar. Strain this mixture through a wire sieve, and it will be fit for use after reducing with cold water. This is intended for the outside buildings, or where it is exposed to the weather. In order to give a good colour, three coats arc necessary on brick, and two on wood. It may be laid on with a brush similar to whitewash. Each coat must have sufficient time to dry before the next is applied. For painting inside walls, take as before, 1 bushel of unslacked lime, 3 lbs. of sugar, 5 lbs. of salt, and prepare as above, and apply with a brush. I have used it on brick, and find it well calculated to preserve them ; it is far preferable to oil paint. I have used it on wood, and assure you that it will last longer on rough siding than oil paint will on planed siding or boards. You can make any colour you please. If you wish straw colour, use yellow ochre instead of whitening; for lemon colour, ochre and chrome yellow ; for lead or slate colour, lampblack; for blue, indigo; for green, chrome green. The different kinds of paint will not cost more than one-fourth as much as oil paints, including the labour of putting on. Cure for the Croup. — Slice or cut onions, then cover them with pulverized sugar (either white or brown) ; the juice of the onion will dissolve the sugar. When given to the patient in small quantities, it will give immediate relief.

Domestic Yeast. — Persons who are in th< habit of making their own bread can easily manu facture their own yeast, by attending to th< following directions. Boil one pound of gooc flour, a quarter of a pound of brown sugar, and t little salt, in two gallons of water, for an hour when milk-warm, bottle it, and cork it close, and it will be fit for use in twenty-four hours. One pound of this yeast will make eighteen pounds o bread.