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known, from its inventor, as the "Drummond Light," probably ranks the first.

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In 1724, Lieut. Drummond, then engaged in a governmental survey of Ireland, in which it was frequently desirable to take the respective bearings of points, some 70 or 80 miles distant, felt the want of a light for communicating such infor. mation, that could be visible a greater distance than any yet known. The firing of rockets and similar means, that were usually resorted to, could only be employed to advantage, where the stations were not widely separated, and when the atmosphere was quite clear from any haze, which was seldom the case. had for a long time been known that lime, with some of the other earths, became very luminous when exposed to an intense heat-such, for instance, as that obtained by combining a jet of oxygen gas with the flame of spirits of wine; but the happy idea of rendering this pro. perty of the earths subservient to practical purposes, was reserved for Lieut. Drummond. After a series of experi ments, he found that by throwing the united flame of spirits of wine and oxygen gas upon a ball of lime, only threeeighths of an inch in diameter, a light was obtained of such brilliancy as to be fully equal to that emitted from thirteen Argand burners; almost too intense for the eye to bear.

Of later years, it has undergone a slight modification, hydrogen gas having been substituted for the spirits of wine, as being less expensive, and perhaps otherwise preferable. The apparatus is very simple; it consists of two gasometers, in which the respective gases are generated; from thence proceed two tubes, which unite near the ball, so as to form, there, but one. The gas is conveyed by these tubes to the ball of lime, and there ignited; and, with the ball, is connected an arrangement for replenishing the balls as fast as consumed; if desirable, a parabolic reflector is added, thus rendering it complete. This light was found to answer admirably the purpose for which it was designed,-for signals, to be given at great distances. In several trials made with it to test its powers, it was distinctly seen as a clear, white, vivid light, at a distance exceeding 70 miles; thus placing its claim to superiority over all others, beyond dispute.-Scientific American.

DISAPPOINTED CUPIDITY.-Dr. Tschudi, in his travels in Peru, relates the following anecdote :-

The Salcedo mine, in the province of Puno, is celebrated for the tragical end of its discoverer. Don Jose Salcedo, a poor Spaniard, was in love with an Indian girl, whose mother promised to show him a silver vein of uncommon richness if he would marry her daughter. He did so, and worked the vein with great success. After a time, the fame of his wealth roused the envy of the Conde de Lemos, then viceroy of Peru. By his generosity and benevolence, Salcedo had made himself very popular with the Indians, and this served the viceroy as a pretext to accuse him of high treason, on the ground of his stirring up the population against the Spanish government. Salcedo was imprisoned and sentenced to death. While in his dungeon he besought Count Lemos to send the papers belonging to his trial to the supreme tribunal at Madrid, and to allow him to make an appeal to the king's mercy.

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If this request were granted, he promised to pay a daily tribute of a bar of silver, from the time of the ship's sailing from Callao to that of its return. those days the voyage from Callao to Spain and back occupied from twelve to sixteen months. This may give an idea of the wealth of Salcedo and his mine. The viceroy refused the condition, hung Salcedo (in May, 1669,) and set out for the mines. But his injustice and cruelty were doomed to disappointment. While Salcedo prepared for death, his mother-in-law and her friends and relations betook themselves to the mine, destroyed the works, filled it with water, and closed the entrance so skilfully that it was impossible to discover it. They then dispersed in various directions, and neither promises nor tortures could induce those who were afterwards captured to reveal the position of the mine. To this day it remains undiscovered.

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THE FAMILY SCHOOL. The slate, as we have before had occasion to remark, is a most important part of the furniture of a family school, as it should be of every other. Writing may be performed upon it without the inconvenience and exposure attending the use of ink, while it is much cheaper; and the young pupil has not to encounter the unreasonable com, lication of obetaeles presented by paper and pens. Blots are out of the question, as well as the spattering and spreading of ink, the vary, ing hardness of pens, and the evils arising from thick and thin ink, fibres, dust, &c. &c. A pencil will make a good, uniform mark; and that is all that is necessary in first forming letters. Success will reward the pupil's well-meant exertions, and encourage him to future trials.

Some of the best exercises at the opening of school are in grammar, on the following plan. It will be seen, however, that writing and spelling are also to be practised at the same time.

Let the child, every day at a particular hour, write in a column five names of things on his table, or articles of food or dress, trees, flowers, fruits, countries, montais, &c. The number of words required may soon be doubled. Then in parallel column words may be added, expressing their col r, shape, size, &c., over which column should be written " 'adjectives:" "nouns," being written over the former. By degrees verbs and other parts of speech may be added, until five

or more sentences are composed daily instead of single words.

We need not extend remarks on this subject. We have tried the plan with great success; and others will invent numerous variations and additions, as they proceed, which will render the practice interesting and useful month after month.

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Mexico.-General Santa Anna has returned to Vera Cruz, at the invitation of some of the people, who have rebelled against President Paredes, and imprisoned him. The reception of Santa Anna, however, was not enthusiastic; and it is uncertain what will be the effect of his return upon the war, which appears to be continued without any definite motive or object by our government, except for the want of a respectable excuse for bringing it to a close.

Our army have commenced their march into the interior; but they have a long, difficult and desolate region before them. The Mexicans have shown both patriotism and humanity, and deserve better treatment from us.

Mr. King, our Missionary in Greece, was condemned by the court of Areopagus, a short time since, for publishing certain extracts from the Greek fathers against the worship of the Virgin Mary, and was to have another trial at Syra. We learn that the Board of Missions have received information, that the trial was deferred at Syra, in consequence of the popular excitement against Mr. King. A band of men had been formed, to destroy his life; and his counsel objected to his landing on the island. The court itself concurred in the propriety and necessity of a postponement on the same ground.

It is said that the case has excited general attention, and that the results may be highly beneficial on the religion of Greece.

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We continue occasionally to present our readers with drawings and descriptions of some of the most valuable agricultural implements, in the state to which they have been brought by the latest improvements.

To a person who pays sufficient attention to the objects of the ingenious invers, and the success with which they have surmounted difficulties heretofore deemed unconquerable, and submitted to by thousands of patient, self-deying laborers, these portions of our weekly numbers cannot fail to prove interesting. The following description of the machine depicted above, we copy from that valuable work, the American Agriculturist.

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This machine is mounted wheels, the axle-tree of which carries two standards, supporting a long hopper, marked c, in the above figure. One wheel carries a gear-wheel, which works into another gear wheel, inserted on a shaft set in the standards, and connecte l with a long cylinder, b, directly below the hopper, c. This cylinder has a number of cups formed by holes bored about 1 1-2 inches deep, which depth is reguted by large-headed brass screws, with hods about the size of the calibre or bore of the cups. In the bottom of the hopper is a board made to fit close to the

upper part of the cylinder, b, with holes in it, which are so arranged as to come directly over the cups. Each of these holes has a small sheet-iron slide to shut off the supply of seeds from the cylinder, b. The other carriage- he carries another wheel geared into a small pinion fixed to the cylinder, 4, which is also set on the standards on the axle-tree, and is armed with numerous pegs or pins. The size of these several gear-wheels is so adjusted that the lowermost cylinder moves six times faster than the upper.

The operation of the parts is as follows:-The machine is first drawn to the place where it is to be used, by horses, and the hopper filled with seeds. The small sheet iron s'ides are then withdrawn, and the whole set in motion. The seeds, in descending through the holes in the board above described, fall into the cups or holes in the cylinder, b, and, after being carried partly round, drop on the cylinder, a, which moves at a greater velocity than the cylinder, b, and by means of the small pins, become scattered after the manner of sowing broad-cast.

For spreading lime plaster, guano, &c., the board in the bottom of the hopper is to be taken out, and the iron lide on the back of the hopper is to be so adjusted, vertically, by means of the screws, as to allow a sufficient quanti y of plaster to escape from the hopper to the cylinders

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below, and be scattered after the manner of the seeds. The machine may be followed by a harrow, roller, or any other implement used for covering seeds with earth, or for raking in lime, plaster, or guano.

Price of six feet cylinders, $60. Ditto nine feet cylinders, $70.

WM. J. JONES AND H. C. SMITH.

A Kiss for a Blow.

A visitor once went into a school in this city, says the Boston Sun, where he saw a boy and girl on one seat, who were In a moment of brother and sister. thoughtless passion, the little boy struck his sister. The little girl was provoked and raised her hand to return the blow. Her face showed that rage was working within, and her clenched fist was aimed at her brother, when her teacher caught her eye. "Stop my dear," said he, "you had better kiss your brother than strike him."

The look and the word reached her heart. Her hand dropped. She threw her aims around his neck and kissed kim. The boy was moved. He could have withstood the expected blow, but he could not withstand a sister s kiss. He compared the provocation he had given her with the return she had made, and the tears rolled down his cheeks. affected the little sister, and with her little handkerchief she wiped away his tears. But the sight of her kinduess only made him cry the faster; he was completely subdued.

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Her teacher then told the children always to return a kiss for a blow, and they would never get any more blows. If men, women, families and communities, and nations, would act on this same principle, this world would almost cease to be a vale of tears. "Nation would not lift up the sword against nation, neither would they learn war any more.'

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THE DEATH OF ZWINGLE.-But the death of one individual far surpassed all others. Zwingle was at the post of danger, the helmet on his head, the sword hanging at his side, the battle axe in his hand. Scarcely had the action begun. when stooping to console a dying man, says J. J. Hottinger, a stone hurled by the vigorous arm of a Waldste te struck him on the head and closed his lips. Yet

Zwingle arose, when two other blows, which struck him successively on the leg, threw him down again.

Twice more he stands up; but a fourth time he receives a thrust from a lance; he staggers, and sinking beneath so Does many wounds, falls on his knees. not the darknes that is spreading around hin announce a still thicker darkness that is about to cover the church? Zwingle turns away from such sad thoughts; once more he uplifts that head that had been so bold, and gazing with calm eye on the trickling blood, exclaims, "What evil is this? they can indeed kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul!" These were his last words.

He had scarcely uttered them ere he fell backward. There, under a tree, (Zwingle's pear tree), in a meadow, he remained lying on his back with clasped hands, and eyes upturned to heaven.

Two of the soldiers who were prowling over the field of battle, having come near the Reformer without recognizing him, "Do you wish for a priest to confess yourself?" asked they. Zwingle, without speaking-for he had not strength -made signs in the negative. "If you cannot speak," replied the soldiers, "at least think of the mother of God, and call upon the saints!" Zwingle again shook his head, and kept his eyes still fixed on heaven. Upon this the irritated soldiers began to curse him. "No doubt,' said they, you are one of the heretics of the city."

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One of them, being curious to know who it was, stooped down and turned Zwingle's head in the direction of a fire that he had lighted near the spot. The soldier immediately let him fall to the ground. "I think," he said, surprised and amazed, "I think it is Zwingle!" At this moment Captain Pochinger of Unterwalden, a veteran and a pensioner, drew near; he had heard the last words Zwingle!" he exclaimof the soldier. ed, "that vile heretic Zwingle, that rascal, that traitor!" then raising his sword so long sold to the stranger, he struck the dying Christian on the throat, exclaiming in a violent passion, “Die, obstinate beretic!" Yielding under this last blow, the Reformer gave up the ghost. He was doomed to perish by the sword of a mercenary. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."-Select.

INTERESTING RELIC.-There is still standing, in the town of Deerfield, the only dwelling house that escaped destruction, when the Indians and French ravaged that town, fired its buildings, and killed and led into captivity the greater part of its inhabitants, on the 12th of March, 1704. This and the meeting-house were alone unburnt on that dreadfully memorable day. The attack on the town was made 142 years ago, and this house, now standing, is supposed to have been then built over 20 years; consequently it is now over 160 years old. Nevertheless it remains in a good state of preservation, though, as might be expected, some of the rooms are not close enough to render them comfortably habitable during the winter. season. The timbers all seem strong and sound. The building is of wood, of course; the walls lined with brick. The original clapboards still remain on the gable end of the house, and are well preserved.

The other parts of the house have been recovered since it was built. The front door exhibits the blows of the tomahawks of the attacking savages, and a large hole was cut through it, by these instruments, which is now covered by a patch. Bullet holes may also be seen in several places about the house, and in the rafters of the front rooms. One of the bullets may be seen and felt, imbedded an inch or two in the timber. The house is situated neatly in the rear of the present Unitarian church, on the main street of the village. It is a beautiful spot, and its beauty is hallowed by the remembrances of the blooly and frightful scenes once enacted on it." The place is now owned and occupied by Mr. Hoyt, who, we regretted to learn, while on a recent visit there, has serious intentions of pulling down the old house for the purpose of building one more modern and suitable for his wants.

We sincerely hope it may be spared; with decent care it may stand yet these many years, a monument of olden time, that will bring back to our minds, and to those of our children, with almost the strength of reality, the dangers and sufferings to which our fathers were exposed and subjected in their efforts to make this then wilderness blossom as a rose. Around and within its ancient walls, better than on any other spot, can

we recall, in a vivid remembrance, the savage scenes and bloody exploits of the tomahawk and scalping knife, which those days, when this house was in its prime, were the witness of. May not the feeling of veneration, still existing in the Connecticut valley, be called upon to aid in staying the destroying work, which the necessity of the owner of this interesting and valuable relic feels obliged to threaten-Springfield Republican.

Combustion of the Willow Tree.

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The fact of trees being subject to spontaneous combustion, is wonderful, though well attested, and forms another of those natural phenomena, which only can be explained by the scientific. read in a late number of the Cambridge (England) Advertiser, that the banks of the Cam this season have exhibited an unnsual number of these cases, occurring principally in growing willows. At one point on the river in particular, the process was seen going on thoroughly. "It was really astonishing," says the Advertiser, "to look upon a fine willow, in the full vigor of robust vegetable health, pouring forth clouds of smoke from its half burned stem, and doomed speedily to expire-itself its own funeral pile. How explain this? How account for the fact that this tree, yet hale and green, covered with a rich mass of foliage and flourishing like a green bay tree' on the river bank-should suddenly burst forth into ignition, burn like a tinder to its very core, and to-morrow be prostrate! There is no putrescence-we think there can be no fermentation in this process. If instances of spontaneous vegetable combustion thus frequently happen, why dispute the analogous case of spontaneous animal combustion? The tree which we observed last week, as stated above, is now prostrate-its every foliage charred, a vegetable ruin-as if stripped, shattered, blasted, and half-consumed by the electric fluid.-Worcester Spy.

Mehemet Ali is now on a visit at Constantinople to the Sultan, and has been received with great cordiality and rejoicings. It must be very galling to the Divan to have to pay such court and attention to their rebellious and successful vassal.

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