SELECTED ARTICLES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 192, 1 December 1876, Page 2

SELECTED ARTICLES.

-RAPIDITY OF MOTION". : A man walks three miles an hour; a horse trots seven ; a horse runs twenty ; slow rivers flow four; rapid rivers, seven; a moderate wind blows seven; a storm moves thirty-six; a hurricane moves eighty ; a rifle-ball moves 1,000; sound moves 743 ; light moves 192,000,000. CURRENCY IN ABYSSINIA. The currency in Abyssinia is coticular blocks of rock-salt, eight inches long, one inch in width, and one in thickness. No coin is recognised except the Austrian dollar of the year 1780, introduced since that year to replace the native go]d withdrawn. General Napier tried hard to.introduce rupees or shillings in the country, but it soon proved impracticable. The natives, beside being very tenacious for the dollar, were also very careful that the distinguishing marks were visible on the coin, otherwise they were refused altogether. These are a portrait of the Empress Maria. Theresa, with a diadem of pearls round her hand, a pearl-brooch on her shoulder, and the mint mark—S. F. It was very essential, therefore, that all the dollars were of the true orthodox stamp. As there were not enough dollars of that reign extant, new ones had to be coined, and it is a curious fact that 500,000 of this obsolete coin were struck at the Imperial Mint of Vienna expressively for the Abyssinian Expedition. CLEVER DECEPTIONS. At a lecture delivered in Croydon, England, the lecturer spoke of the dodges resorted to by unscrupulous persons, to secure prizes at Cattle Shows. Amongst other improvements made in their animals by the exhibitors, he mentioned a prize bull at the Ayrshire Association's Show, which was afterwards found to have false horns, and an Ayrshire cow was bought, which proved to nave a gutta-percha tail. On one occasion he saw three men pouring can after can of water down a cow's tliroat the morning of the Show, to give beast's rib a better spring. At Penniwick, an exhibitor had painted the noses of his black-faced sheep so- successfully that he would have got second prize If someone, in examining them, had .not been made as black as tlie ace of spades. A VERY SMART YOUNG JOURNALIST.

An interesting history of a " smart young journalist" is recorded by the Chicago Post:—"This clever young man came to Washington soon after the close of the war to correspond for this paper. He was very young and inexperienced, but a good telegraph operator, failing to secure the news ho wanted by personal observation and investigation, he adopted a method as novel as it was successful. He could read the Morse alphabet by sound. This was his stock-in-trade. Upon it he operated, and for months was recognised as one of -the most clever and enterprising of the newsgatherers at the Capital, and a!l without labor on his part. He would rise late, stroll down to the Capitol about noon (just when the other correspondents were sending off their despatches), wander into the telegraph office, listen to the click of the wires, and then send a telegram containing all the important items the other men had gathered. It was easy done, and eminently successful. Complaint was made of him, but it was unavailing. He overreached, however, and fell. The Washington Treaty was being considered in executive session of the Senate. The doors and windows were closed, but nothing could hinder this ingenious youth. He climbed to the top of the building, crept over the Senate Chamber, and, lying flat upon his face, shorthanded every word of the Treaty as it came from the lips of the Clerk and arose to the ceiling. He sold it to the New York Tribune. The legitimate correspondent of that paper was angry, and exposed him, and his paper dismissed him. A CURIOUS PLANT. The French Bishop of Canton has just sent to the Jardin d'Acclimation, at Paris, a plant whose flower changes color three times a day. It is spoken of as another wonderful evidence of Chinese art in leading [Nature out of her customary pathr. It is, however, not more remarkable than a floral freak of Southern Australia, a beautiful flower similar to our well-known morning glory, with five streaks of color on its bell-shaped calyx. In the early morning the color streaks are pale blue. Toward noon they turn to a rich purple tint, which changes to a light pink during the afternoon. As the day declines the color fades, disappearing entirely after sunset, when the flower closes and dies. ♦ THE CHAMPION LIAR. He said he was crossing a long railroad bridge, when he was surprised to see a locomotive coming round a curve, and tearing towards him at a terrific speed. The bridge was too narrow to allow of escape at either side, and he did not dare to jump into the yawning abyss below. In a flash he took in the situation, and formed his plan Of action. He started on a quick run towards the locomotive, and when within a few feet of it, he concentrated all his nerve and muscle into one effort, and leaped straight up in the air. The fearful monster shot under him, and he came down on the bridge saved from death, but seriously shaken by the descent. —There was a moment or two of deep silence upon the close of this narration. Then one of the company sighed, and said in a whisper loud enough to be heard a quarter of a mile off, " What's the use of presence of mind when a man can lie like that ?"

WEIGHING THE BABY. When Bouchet first recommended the periodical weighing of babies as the best test of their health and development he was laughed at, but those, according to the proverb, ever laugh best who laugh last. The idea has from its simple efficacy made such way that ordinary practitioners condescend to inquire, in case of baby being ill, does it seem to be heavier or lighter. When the infant is weighed in the balance and found wanting, be assured that something is wrong. Books are sold in which to record dates when baby has been weighed, and the number of pounds to its credit, any falling off being a warning to a mother like a storm signal. From a document published by authority, a new-born baby weighs from 6£lb. to BJib., and boys weigh at their birth a little more than girls. During the first three days of their life the little strangers diminish in weight, after which they rapidly make up for lost time. The seventh day they recover what they have lost in weight during the first three days of their existence. For the space of five months they increase in weight at the rate of three-quarters of an ounce daily, representing at the expiration of this period exactly double the weight they did at their birth. The seven months following the infant increases from one-fourth to half an ounce daily, so that at sixteen months its weight ought to be double of what it was at five. A baby is not to be considered in bad health if its increase falls below the above rates; but when well cared and fed a departure from the standard figures ought to be inquired into; primarily to ascertain if the wet-nurse does her duty. ♦ THE CHINESE AS JOKERS. Oriental travellers say that a Chinese gentleman thinks it beneath his dignity to manufacture his own witticisms. He appreciates wit, and he is fond of tea, but he would as soon grow his own tea as make his own jokes. When he goes into society, he carries in his pocket a package of prepared witticisms and repartees, which he has purchased at the nearest joke shop. When conversation flags, and he perceives an opportunity of saying something brilliant, he draws a humorous remark from the top of his package, and, gravely hands it to his neighbour. The latter as gravely reads it, and, selecting from his bundle of repartees the one which is appropriate, returns it with a bow to the original joker. The two then solemnly smile in a courteous and undemonstrative way, and resume their conversation, feeling that they have acquitted themselves with conspicuous brilliancy. i_ THE SWORD OF MACMAHON."" The Paris Tribune relates a curious anecdote of the President of the Republic. M. de Macmahon was an officer of the future. There was not a stain on. his honor, nor a stain on his tunic. It wa3 a spotless character in an irreproachable uniform. The lieutenant became captain, then major, then colonel. He got married. On the day of the nuptials he ascended to the altar with his sword by his side. He knelt down and prayed: It is said that the bride and bridegoom stood waiting, the spectators filled the church and the clock struck, but the priest came not. They still waited. Nobody came. Suddenly a beadle in his official breeches and chain advanced to the foot of the altar, stopped, saluted the tabernacle, then went straight to the bridegroom, and bent to whisper in his ear. The officer preserved his rigid attitude; the sword sparkled in his belt. At the very first words of the beadle, he contracted his eyebrows, and shook his head. Those who were nearest-could hear the following dialogue:—"l want your sword, S'r." " Why V' "To put it in the vestry." -"I ca,n take care of it myself." But the church;forbids it." "I will take care of it myself." " But:the priest is in waiting to come in as soon as you have taken it off;" "I will go away then, but I will not give up my sword." The beadle bowed and returned into the vestry. A few moments after the service commenced. ♦ THE PRODUCTION" OF PAPER. It appears there are 3,960 paper manufacturers in the world, employing 80,000 men and 180,000 women, besides 100,000 employed in the rag trade. One million eight hundred thousand lbs. of paper are produced annually; one-half is used in printing, a sixth for writing, and the remainder for packing and other purposes. The United States, with 3,000 machines, produce yearly 200,000-. tons of paper, which, for a population of 28,000,000, averages seventeen lbs. per head ; an Englishman consumes a German 81bs., a Frenchman 71bs., an Italian 3£lbs., a Spaniard and a Russian only lib. each annually on the average, "MAKING A HARE " OF THE HOUNDS. An interesting experiment was made on Saturday, September 9 (the Daily - News says), in a field not far from the Welsh harp, Hendon, with a mechanical hare, the invention of Mr. Geary, a gentleman of considerable experience in sporting matters. The invention has been patented, and its object is to make an artificial hare travel along the ground at any required pace, and so closely resemble the running of the living animal as to be eagerly pursued by greyhounds. Judging from the result of Saturday's experiments it may be said that the inventor has completely succeeded in his object. The hare having been started at one end of the field went at a great pace to the other, followed in full chase by a brace of greyhounds, which were completely deceived by its appearance and action, and by doing this,

not once m several successive ruiu, made itqmte'certain that for greyhound taring the artificial hare would servequite as well; as the real one. The hare "itself ■ is nothing but the skin of a real one carefully stuffed, and it stands on a carriage somewhat resembling that which gives motion to the rocking-horse. Its motion is effected by means of an open tube, over which it runs, and in which is laid a rope or wire of the length required for the distance to be run. At. far end is a winch of special construction and great power, worked by hand, and by turning this, two men give the hare any speed required. In the front of this machine is a screen of furze, into which the hunted hare runs, and disappears, much to the surprise and discomfiture of the hounds, who evidently are much puzzled as to what has become of their expected prey. The object of the invention is to provide artificial means for greyhound racing (not coursing), and is likely to do towards that object what the "rink" has done for skating, or the "Gyratory Pigeon" for the amateur of Hurlrngham.

THE CALLINGS OF GREAT MEN. Columbus was a weaver ; Franklin was a printer ; Pope Sextus V. was engaged in herding swine ; Ferguson and Burns were ploughmen ; .iEsop was a slave ; an engraver on pewter pots; Ben Jolinaon was a bricklayer, and the celebrated Professor Porson, the son of a parish clerk; Akenside was the son of a butcher, and so was Wolsey ; Cervantes was a common soldier; Halley was the son of a soap boiler, and Arkwright's father was a baker; _ Belzoni the son of a barber ; Blackstone and Southey were the sons of linendrapers'; Crabbe, a fisherman's son.; Keats, the son of a livery stable keeper ; Buchanan was a farmer ; and Canova, the sop of a mason; Captain Cook began his career as a. cabin-boy ; Haydn was the son of a wheelwright, and Hogg was a shepherd. THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. The army assembled at Waterloo under Wellington numbered 67,551—a conglomerate mass of many nationalities, whereof the British element only comprised onethird, the exact number being—British, 23,991 ; Dutch Belgians, 17,784 ; Hanoverians, 11,220; Brunswickers, 5,962; German Legion, 5,824 ; and Nassauers, 2,880. And yet English writers havfe the effrontery to speak of this as if it was exclusively British ; or, if allusion is made to the other two-thirds, it is in a tone of insolent disparagement, which is completely disproved by the heavy losses in killed and wounded they suffered. The French army consisted of 74,947 men, and the Prussian army, commanded by Blucher, actually present on the field of Waterloo, numbered 51,944 men, of wnom upwards of 36,000 took an active part in the fight. It was approaching noon before the action commenced ; and at past one o'clock p.m. the advanced of the 4th Prussian corps (Bulow's)/ in front of St. Lambert, only from two to three miles to Napoleon's right, which forced him to detach his 6th corps (Lobau's) to keep them in check—thus early in the battle losing the services of 10,000 men, and rendering his force numerically inferior to that of Wellington. Before four o'clock Bulow had 16,000 Prus3ians. in position ; and at about five o'clock the remainder of the 4th Prussian corps,- numbering in all about 30,000 men, were engaged with the French," who were now fighting against overwhelming odds. Between six and seven o'clock th» remainder of the Prussian army of 51,944 men were on the fisld, and upwards of 35,000 of "them engaged with the French. The total loss of the army by Wellington was 16,188, out of whioh the .'muchmaligned Dutch Belgians lost about 3,500 men ; the British, 6 ? 064. The' German Legion and Hanoverian loss was very heavy ; while no troops on the field fered more than the little Nassau cojitin' gent, who lost 643 men. The" heroio French, fighting against such terrific odds, lost 18,500 nien in killed and wounded« | and the Prussians, whose: presence all English writers in by=gone days affected ; to ignore—saying that the battle was decided before they came up—lost," accoxd-> ! ing to their official returns, 6,999 wen-= an actually greater los 3 than wjya austw\e4 by the British. j frii 1 i NAPOLEON'S COU= RAGE. His personal courage is very distinctly witnessed by the records of these events, It does not seem as if he courted, or fied, or despised danger in the chivalrous sense, so niuch as that his mind was so absorbed in the direction of liis battles that he had no place in it for apprehensions about himself. Constantly we read of him standing in situations where his staff and others were being destroyed close to him, and where shot and shell were falling profusely about; while he, surveying and contemplating the fortunes of.the field, was absolutely insensible to what was passing at his elbow. At Hanau, while he was giving some directions, a shot fell quite close to him. He paid no attention to it, and no one dared to interrupt his speech; but those about him hardly breathed while they awaited the explosion. The missile penetrated so far into the ground that its bursting was harmless. Napoleon did not seem-to have been aware that there ever had been any danger. At the passage of the Elbe, when a ball struck close to him and sent & splinter on his neck, he so far recognised the danger as to say : "If it had struck me on the breast all had been over.' When he was suddenly recalled to Dresden by the unexpected attack of the I Allies their fire was very hot over a apace I which he had to pass, and he crawled 3 along there on his hands, and knees,

nat«r thought of wmimx or of seeking gaotherpttifc Nelwxfy W ever given a waßo n why fortune should constantly fa VO r these strong, adventurous m«n ; nor # (l* th«y should be awts, aa they seen* to be, that they art) proof against accident 3 that may coma to othjr nien. Fore® of #ill and physical rigor might be wrsjed as ■the cause# of the men's temerity ; hot i«tr«ngt& of **o «" of cannot keep off the stroke# of shot and shell. —Btaekveooa * tfatfimm. _________