EMI
ilriljt Tr4lo Argidr.r.
ALLENTOWN,'PA.
NESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1855.
WE
C. I`. HAINES, EDIToIt
13: — WANTED.—An intelligent boy, of active
and industrious habits, is }canted immediately
at this office, to learn the printing business.
CONGRESS
The first session of the thirty-fourth Congress
commenced on Monday the 3rd instant, but
When our paper• went to press no organization
of the House had been effected. They have!
had, thirty-three ballots for Speaker, and from
present appearances will not be likely to elect !
one for some time to come. There arc seven
canEidates in the field, and as no party has
majority of votes it is difficult to tell how it
will terminate. The Democratic members,l
from first to last, voted for their caucus nomi
nee, Mr. Richardson. They number, on a full I
vote, 75, and constitute a large plurality over
either of their opposing factions.
To give our readers an idea of how things
stand, we append the last ballot. ItiAardson,
Dem., of Illinois, 75 ; Banks, Republican, 100:
Pennington, S ; Fuller, American, of Pennsyl
vania, 30 ; with a number of scattering votes.
The Senate has organized under NS old offi•
cerS, elected its Chaplain, and is ready for busi
ness as soon as the House succeeds in elketing
an organization. The session will be an inter
esting and protracted one, in consequence of
the exciting topics which will be brought umler
discUssion. What disposition will be made or
the Kansas issue, time which brings all hidden
things to light, will soon disclose. The contest
between Whitfield and Reeder, we presume «•ill
early be called up. There is an evident move
ment among all parties towards President mak
ing, and which will unquestionably occupy
more time during the present session than
wholesome legislation. It is not likely that
much business will be done until afro• the
holidays.
A Shut C arson
We wish to read a short - sermon to a certain
class of very worthy citizens and patrons, and
wo are sorry that it embraces so large an
audience. Our text will be found in the Bible,
and it is thus ivritten—" Do unto otlu•ns as
you would that they should do onto you."
The text is woi thy of its author and should be
followed in spirit and in tenth, by every man in
all his social and business relations. Every loan
should fix it in his mind as an active principle
to guide him_ through life. And it• honestly
followed, his dreams at night will be sweet, and
morning will find hint refreshed and with a
renewed determination to follow the right. Let
this be a governing principle of existence, and
every year would see the world growing better
and better and mankind happier. Wars would
be no more, and peace and brother iv love
would reign Omnipotent. Petty discords and
social strifes would cease, and man would deal
justly with his brother man—that is—all un:n
would then pay their subscription din• the L •
high Register when due. Now this is the point
which we wished to arrive at, in N . .. hieli we arc
•considerably interested. We p 4 our tlebts
when they are due--it is first rule of husinei:s
—but one which we lied great dillieulty in
carrying out, unless we have the co-operation
of..our patronS. Every man whose account has
been running more than six months, should
consider that lie is using our money, and with
holding from us that which we very much need.
We do not wish to complain—but we do hope
that every ono to whom these rentarlcs are
applicable, will give the matter due considera
tion, and in view of our great necessities will
extend to us a helping hand.
Cclumbia Firo Comi;any
To•tnorrow evening the second anniversary
ball of Columbia Engine Company is to tal:e
place. The managers present the assurance
that the affair will be one worthy of the Com
pany, and that all in their power will be (tone•
to render it agreeable and pleasant to those who
may attend.
THEATRE
Last evening terminated the present slnn•t
Reason of the theatrical company at the Odd
Fellows' Hall. During the week. several new
pieces were produced which were received with
great satisfaction. The local Drama of the
' Allentown Fireman" was a great hit, and on
Saturday evening the Hall was tilled to over
flowing. In this piece the members of the com
pany sustained their respective characters re
markably well, and particularly, Mr. Bates, as
Fred. Jerome, and Mr. Hyde, as eincinatus
Blubber. As It negro delineator the latter gen
tleman has few equals, and will, with proper
time and experience, make an actor of great
omit.
Farm Journal
With the December numb6r of this periodi
cal, Which we have just received, ends the sth
volume. With the new volume commencing
in January next, also commences the services
of a new editor: DAVID A. Wma.s, A. M., a
writer of some celebrity among agriculturists.
and the author of several practical works on
Agriculture, is to be the principal editor, with
M. A. SPANGLER, the Original editor and pro
prietor of the Journal, as assistant editor.—
Many improvements and several new features
of interest to subscribers, will be introduced
into-the coming volume.
A Largo Egg.
We wore last Iveek shown an egg by Mr.
Sot.p3m:4 BOIILER, ,of Upper Mneungy town
ship, this county,' which is a regular " Shang
hai," and no mistake. Its weight was 5 oun
ces ; length, S inches ; circumference, el.
is hard to beat.
THE LEHIGH REGISTER, DECEMBER 12, 1855.
WINTER,
December—cheerless, bleak Dedeniber—is
upon us, shaking his snowy locks in our faces,
breathing his wintry blasts upon us, and walk
ing up and down the earth with an icy tread.
The outer world puts on its garb of frosty
winter ; the days grbw shortcl, dawning late in
the morning and closing early in the afternoon ;
while the oblique rays of the retiring sun seem
to shed a pensive influence on all below.
Winter in our northern latitudes, though
bleak and dreary, is not void- of charms and
pleasui-es. It brings with its biting air, its
shroud' of snow, a thousand little blessings
which make the heart- of man better and warm
er than it was before—and among these bless
ings arc the long winter evenings—golden hours
in the dreary wastes of snow and darkness'.—
If turned to a good account, no time can be I
more profitably spent than these star light
hours. To the young and gay who have
enough of this world's wealth, to meet win
ter's coming, it brings visions of joy and hap
piness. They see in its train the season of
balls, parties, sleigh-rides, and the attending'
sports and enjoyments, or the opportunities of
display, and the only apparent elnet of the cold
air is to heighten the .color upon the cheek,
while indulging in a brisk promenade enveloped
by, rich velvets and furs.
But there is another class, in cur community,
to whew the coining of ‘N inter brings tellections
arafTeelingS of a dill irent character ; those who
through sickness, misfortune, Cr a %vant of em
ployment have not the means to prepare fur
the long months of cold and storm.
Not the least among the blessings of Winter
evenings is the lire-side at home. There can
be no happier scene than the family group
gathered around the domestic hearth in social
converse, or engaged in perusing useful books.
Nothing more beautifully describes the advent
of a winter evening to the family at home than
the following lines by Cowper :
.nom s::r IT. a:1 ti Cie F!:t
fall ti.,
A r.A....•!,
It:ul-hi,1:1;: urn
trie
El=
: 2 , 1,1 i..•,1i-ont• i.:."
Thu family book tab:e should not lie forgotten
during the vinter. Let it be provided Acid' in
teresting, but whole: , onie reading—the hi,tory
of our count! v, biographies of great and good
111511, the entertaining. magazines, and promi
nently among these the newspaper:
ilic hur:,!•l. ttr
In this age of cheap publication.,, the ntmily
book table should not l neglec:ed. Let it be
made inviting to all, and the childrtn especial
ly, that they may be delighted in spending their
winter evenings; around it, and thereby kept
from the had influences which arc sure to beset
them if allowed to spend their evenings in the
street.
Remember the Nvinter evenings, and look
well to their imnrovement.
li.bu Tclcli
Cul. A. K. McClure and Jas. M. SLllers,
: - . , :nator from the Juniata district, have pur
chased this establishment and will take posses
sion on the Ist January, when they propose to
issue it in a nev. - and improved form, on the
cash principle, on the following terms : Single
copy ; five copies ~50 ; ten copies $l7 ;
twenty copies . ::30—and at the rate of $1,50
per copy fur every number over twenty. The
paper will be issued selni - weekly during the
sessions of the Legislature, and weekly durim_.7
the remainder of the year. These gentlemen
have the capacity and tact to issue a paper at
the State Capital worthy of general confidence
and an extensive patronage.
Darkaccs
In consequence of some slight defection in
the Gas Works, the gas lights for the last week
or so MIT in rather a flickering condition, and
on one or two occasions it was no go at all, and
it was of course found necessary to resort to
tallow and camphene. On Thursday evening,
during the perlbrmanee of Imzotnar, by Town
send' Dramatic Troupe at the Odd Fellows'
Ilall, the audience: as suddenly plunged into
a darkness equal to that which overshadowed
Egypt in the days of Noses. After some - delay,
several camphene lamps were procured, and
the performanoe gone through with to the entire
satisfaction of the audience.
Brotlicr Jonathan,
BROTHER JONATHAN'S Brno or or PICTURE'S for
Christmas is particularly funny this year. We
don't know when we have had so gOod a laugh
as while looking it over. Tuodles l—the un
happy individual whom Mr. Burton has im
mortalized—goes on an Elephant Hunt in his
dream. and experiences a m altitude of:misfor
tunes which the artist has worked up in the
(holiest manner imaginable. This series has
thirty engravings. Mr. Spoonbill's Pranks on
the Ice, and Major Muggin's Fight with. Mr.
Cheeks,—both comprising some twenty pie•
tures—are likewise excellent. Incidents oldie
War in Europe is a series of five very large and
beautiful engravings suitable for framing. •The
Drinkard Reformed is another huge sett, com
prising four spirited scenes in the Drunkard's
life. We have no room for further particulars.
Brother Jonathan will afford a whole winter's
amusement to any family. Send 1:2 cents, (or
four stamps) to B. 11. DAY, 48 Beekman street,
New York, and yOn will get a copy by mail—
or ten copies for one dollar.
ATIBROTYPES
We invite the attention of our readers to the
advertisement of Mr. S. W. BUROAW. .I.IC has
at great expense secured the right for taking
Ambrotype pictures iu this county, which are
far superior in every respect to Daguerreotypes.
Mr. B. ns an operetor stands at the head of the
profession, and his pictures are admired for
their accuracy and beauty of finish.
Holidays-are near at hand. Now is
the time to advertise your goods !
North Whitehall Teachers' Assooiation.
December Mb, 1951
Ptirsuant to public notice, this association
met last Sathrday, December Ist, at the usual
time and place.
The president having called the house to;
order,' the minutes of last meeting were read
and, on motion, received and adopted. A neat
and copious essay upon corporal punishment
was then read by the author, Charles F. Pflue-
ger. An animated discussion ensued which!
was chi 4 efly confined to the necessity and expe
diency of u,ing the main school. The essayist
and his partisans advocated a judicious system
of corporal punishment, as an essential feature
of school discipline, and maintained that " to
spare the rod is to spoil the child." Others
deemed moral suasion sufficient to secure order in
school, and therefore preferable to the infliction
lof bodily pain. They argued from experience
and observation, and maintained that to tux the
rod is to spoil the child.
Two appropriate and well written addresses
were then delivered. The one in the German
language, by P. G. Berndt, subject—" The
school and its influence," the other in the Engt ,
fish language, by W. F. A. Kohler, subject—
!
" The Common School System."
The association then held an election for offi
cers which resulted in the choice of 11. IL
Schivartz, A. 8., for President ; C. F. Plliner,
Recording, and 11. 11. Rhoads, Correspond
ing. Secretary. Two Vice Presidents and an
executive ceminittee were also elected.
The executive committee appointed 11. 11.
Schwartz, to deliver an address next meeting,
and Jailes Kramer, A:mis Steckel and 11. 11.
Rhoads to read essays on the best method of
teaching the art of reading.
On motion the Meeting adjourned to meet
again on - Saturday the _'Bth of December. The
public is respectfully invited to attend.
11. IL RHOADS, Secretary.
.:S:i o %;iucrti~i
The correct moral and intellectual training of
the rising generation not only tends to prevent
but actually to h.ssen, every kind of wicked
ness. It makes tore secure— diminishes in
cendiaries, riots, and all kinds of crime ; hence
it lightens taxation for police estaNishments,
poor-house::, and prisons. It dispels de
lusions and - ;t:ilerstitioi.s like mist before the
burning sun—it fosters genius, and giiTs to
society the purest ref I:lenient—adds grace and
dignity to families, stability and glory to the
nation. The poor nven who has been disap
pointed in a thousand cases ; whose early pros
pects and lv , pes , have been blasted who has
no earthly chance of leaving his children any
pecuniary inheritance, who is often harrrassed
and surrounded by innumerable difficulties ;
whose body is bowed down by toil, whose
spirit is often crushed " worse than the bruised
reed"—loves his country in proportion 'to the
excellence of the schools and the prospect his
children have of attaining future usefulness,
respectability and happiness.
1 3 opulation (4' the erllalta
In the present state of things some exact in
formation as to the population of the Climea,
ma'- not be without interest to your readers,
and I send you the following, which has reach
ed me from an authentic source. The total
number of male inhabitants in the peninsula
may be divided as follows: 150,000 Tartars,
of whom 80,000 are peasants, Partners or shop
hem ds ; 10.000 Imamis and Mullahs, acting at
the same time as priests or judges ; 10,0(10
myrsas or nobles, a kind of feudal lords whose
influence and rrivileges have, not without great
ditlimlty, resisted foreign dominion ; and 50,-
000 bourgeois and petty tradesman residing in
The Christain population does not amount
to more than 2:2,000, and is entirely of Euro•
peen origin. The number of Russians carry
ing on trades, who have established themselves
in the Crimea since the conquest, are not
calculated at more Own 3000. Turkey, and
more particulatly Constantinople. have furnish
ed a contingent of 0,000 Greeks, who estab
lished themselvss fur the most part at Balakla.
va and Eupatoria. 5000 plc; and 6000 Poles,
Germans and French, forming a mere floating
portion of the population, complete this census.
A Nine Mnl'lClNE.—•' When was there a time
when there was not ?'' asks the reader. There
never was any very long time elapsed ; we think,
but some new nostrum made its appearance,
but as one medicine cannot cure all diseaser,
whatever the vendors may say in their adver
tisements, we think that there is room for sci
ence yet. Dr. L. B. Wright. has discovered and
prepared a vegetable 'Liquid Cathartic,' which
merits some attention. If we can administer
good medicine to our children or our invalid
friends without producing nausea or any of
those severe pains attending any other purga
tives, we will consult not only their health, but
idso our own comfort by so doing. This Cath
artic or Family Physic is very pleasant to take,
and is, we are fully assured; prepared, by an
old experienced practitioner personally, he as
sures us there is nothing in it but what is pure
ly vegetable and wholesome in all cases (old or
young) where physic is required. give it a
trial.
FROM CAuPottnA.--The steamship Star of
the West-, arrived at New York on Thursday
last, with dates to Nov. sth. The steamship
Sono•a shipped e 2,000,000 in gold. The Indi
ans arc getting exceedingly troublesome.
Nearly all the tribes north of Columbia river
have confederated together and sworn to exter
minate the Americans. Col. Walker has been
reinforced' by another party of recruits from
San Erancisco. Indian hostilies still continue
in the southern part of Oregon.
EC7Cream upon milk is abOut the only arti
cle which has not risen of late. Nothing has
gone down but the mercury in the thermoraa-
War in Kansas !
At last, war appears to have commenced in
the Territory of Kansas, between the " Free
State" settlers and " Border Ruffians" and ,
Missourians. There has been some fighting
and burning of houses. The Free State men do
not acknowledge the laws enact6d by the re
cent Legislature, chiefly on the grounds that
said Legislature was nut elected by the citizens
of Kansas, who were driven from the polls by
the armed Missouts, who flocked into the
Territory on electionlay for that purpose.—
On the other hand the " Pro-slavery" party
contend that the Legislature has been legally
chosen, and that its acts are law, and this state
of things caused the outbreak.
Up to the time of writing, only ono side of
the story has been received, which is, that near
llirkory Point, three Free State men, armed
with . rifles,nrdered a Mr. Coleman, a pro-sla
very man off his claim, threatening to shoot
him if he refused to leave. Ile returned, arm
ed, and met one of the three, who fired but
missed, whereupon Coleman shot the Free-Stat
er dead, and del iver,d hinistlf up.
By telegraph from St. Louis of the'.3d inst.;
we learn that advices received from Kansas.
state that Governor Shannon had telegraphed
to the President in relation to the threatening
aspect of nflitirs, stating that one thousand men
had arrivtd in the town of Lawrence, and res
cued the ringleaders in the attack upon Mr.
Coleman, of Hickory Point, who had been taken
prisoner by Sheriff Douglass. The mob burned
a number of houses and other property.
Governor Shannon has re•!nested the Presi
dent to order the troops; from Fort Leaven•
worth, to aid in the execution of the laws.
Despatches from Weston announce the start
ling news from Atchison, that the Free State
officers had taken posse,sion of important pa
pers.
Aa nttael: upon Atchison was anticipated.
and a requost had been stilt to Weston fo
fifty armed men to aid in repelling the assnyilt.
The National Intelligencer of the 3d confirms
the re sorts received from Kansas. The des
patch from Gov. Shannon, making! a demand
for troops, w•as received by President Pierce
yesterday. It stated that civil war was threat
ened and requested prompt assistance. The
immediate transfer of troops freiM all tho near
est hosts was transmitted by telegraph by the
Presid,r.t.
Lat etEnropcdr News
The steamship Atlantic arrived at New York
last niday night, from Liverpool, bringing
news from Europe one week later. A victory
was gained by Omar niche and his troops over
body of ten thousand Russians, at the river
Ingour, which the Turks, twenty thousand
strong, crossed at. four different points, taking
sixty misoners end three guns, and causing a
Russian loss of four hundred. Anather des
patch, referring to the same encounter, says
that the Turks creased the river at the sea-port
of Anaklia , and stormed the Russian redoubts,
after which they pushed forward towards
Kutars. Russia and Turkey have both pro
hibited the export cf breadstufl7-3.
By the anival at Halifax of the steamship
Atlantic, we have news from Europe one week
later. There is a report that General Canro
bert has concluded a treaty of alliance between
Sweden and the Western Powers, to take active
effect both by land and sea early in the spring.
It was also said that the Emperor of Russia
had assented to Prussia's informing the West
ern Powers that he is willing to treat for peace.
The allied Generals at Sebastopol arc said to
have determined to bombard the Russian for
tillations on the north side of the harbor.—
The King of Sardinia had arrived in Paris.—
The London Nat authoritatively contradicts
the reported Swedish alliance, and says that
there is no prospect of such an event at present.
Lady I:incline Stuart Wortley, well known as
the author of a book of travels in America, died
at Beyront, on the 29th ult. General Sir Colin
Campbell returns to the binn a. at the end of
his leave of absence. In Asia, Omar Pasha
was expecting a battle, General Mouravielf the
Russian commander having detached a division
of his army which was making forced marches
for Kutais. In the Sea of Azoff, the town of
\Ia•ionopol was bombarded by the Allies on the
31st, and set on fire. It is rumored that Gener
al Wrangel menaced the allied position at the
Straits of Yanikale, but the Allies had 30,000
troops there, and expected 15,000 more. A
British steamer is watching in the Baltic for
an American clipper, laden with a cargo of
revolvers. The fanatical Turks at Constanti
nople arc persecuting the Christains.
Three magazines belonging to the French
Artillery, had blown up near Inkermann, kill
ing seventy soldiers and two officers, 'and
wounding one hundred soldiers and ten officers.
The magazines contained 30,000 killogrammes
of powder, 600,000 cartridges, and 300 shells,
all of which were destroyed. A large quantity
of Russian grain had been destroyed on the
Gheiskcinan coast. A terrific fire had occur
red at Paris in the government bakery.—
Twenty-eight thousand quintals of corn and an
equal quantity of flour and biscuit were burnt.
The destruction ofßussian train on the coast
near Gheiskeinan, was 'effected by an allied
flotilla sent for the purpose. Tho grain. was
intended for the Crimean army, and was pack
ed in six tiers, which extended two miles along
the coast. The Czar. has dismissed. Prince
Menshikoff as Chief of the staff, and appointed
General Adlenburg' in his stead. Advices from '
Kais state that .General Itlouravieff, overcome
by his befeat before Kars, had become insane,
and Gen. Bubutoff had been summoned to as
sume his command.
[ll",),ltestton" for a Debating Society:—" If
a'rellow has nothing when he gets married, and
the girl has nothing, is her things hizzen or his
things hearth" ,
(I•Young ladies, remember next year is
Leap Year. - •
Lynch Law in California.
The California papers abound with accounts
of crime. Murders appear to bo of almost
daily occurrence. Lynch,Law, too is carried out
freely and frequently. We have before us
several accounts. Three Mexicans and a Ger
man, charged with horse stealing, were recent
ly arrested near Dill's Ferry, tried by the
Lynch code, and all hung in a row. Six Span
iards had also been arrested on State Creek,
on suspicion of having murdered - several Chi
nese, but as there was no evidence against
them, they escaped with their lives. In another
case however, a man named Barclay was hung
by the mob at Columbia. He was charged
With having murdered a female: After this
execution, a reaction took place in his favor,
his body was exhumed, and buried in due form
in a cemetery. Before, his arrest he enjoyed
an estimable character, and had many friends.
A meeting was also held at Chinese Camp,
Columbia, when his execution was denounced
as downright murder, and the meeting pledged
itself to secure the punisment of those who
participated in his illegal execution.
The Placerville American has the following
account of a legal execution of two men, named
Free and Crane, (the latter a firm believer in
spiritualism.) which took place at Coloma, on
the 26th of October, in the presence of 6000
persons.
At 1 o'clock P. M., accompanied by Sheriff
Carson and his assistants, the prisoners cams
forth and took their seats quite gayly in a
wagon. Crane was elegantly dressed in a full
summer suit of white—pants trimmed with
blue, a blue sash, with rosette or star upon his
breast, and looked and acted a perf.Tt Kentucky
gentleman.
Free was also well dressed ; light coat, trim
med with red ; an elegant low-crowned blacl
rowdy hat, which he wore a little on ono side
and appeared not like an unconcerned jolly sai
lor.
Arriving at the foot of the gallows, both as
cended with a firm step to the platform. Free,
quite gaily (not being entirely unconfined)
skipped upon the platform, sniffing upon the
arrangement. They were now permitted to
address the assemblage. Crane, in a very gen
tlemanly manner, and aprarently without the
slightest hesitation, read in a loud, firm voice
his address. lle seemed to regret nothing ex
cept he hail not been permitted to take his own
life long before that he was soon to be with
his beloved bride, but who the world called his
murdered victim, and continued to speak for
nearly twenty minutes.
Free said he had concluded not to make any
remarks, as it would only excite the people
present, and stepped back from the edge of the
scaffold. Calls from the crowd of "Go on !
let us have it," brought him forward. He then
said, " I'll give you Mickey Free's scaffold
song," and commenced, but after singing three
lines stopped, toying, "Gentlemen, I can't go
through with it ; you must excuse mc."
Crane came'forward and commenced singing
a hymn faom manuscript, probably of his own
composition, in which Free heartily joined.—
They were attended upon the scaffold by the
Rev. James Rogers and Rev. J. Petito.
They were clothed in the habiliments of the
grave, and step - ped upon the drop without the
slightest apparent reluctance. The ropes were
adjusted about their necks, a prayer offered up
to the Gad of Heaven and of Earth for mercy
on their souls, and with the " Amen" fell the
drop and the two murderers.
The last words of Free were, " Now. boys.
see that this is done up right." Crane's last
words were " Susan, receive me ; I'll soon be
with you."
The above is the sequel to two of theblond
icst tragedies ever enacted within the borders
of this State, the particulars of which were pub
lished in this paper at the periods of their oc
currence.
Crane was tried and found guilty of the mur
der of Miss Susan M. Newnham, near•ltinggold.
El Dorado colinry, on August 10, but she stir•
vivcd until the 15th. He shot her witli a Colt's
revolver.
In his confession he stated that he had form
ed an attachment for her some fifteen months
previously ; that they • had been married, but
only by God himself, that another, who was
suites for her hand, and who was favored.
moreover, by her parents, had caused all the
difficulty. He confessed that a bar existed to
his marrying Susan openly. viz : that he had
a wife living in the Eastern States. Crane was
over thirty years of age, and has four children
living near Lexington, Kentucky. De was an
enthusiastic Spiritualist, and on this subject
was regarded as a monomanaic.
Free had, according to his confession and the
evidence adduced on his trial, led a long career
of crime. He married a good, true and virtu
ous woman, whose precepts and example had
hefollowed would have deferred him from vice,
He, however, robbed her of all her money, and
left for California some years ago. Here he
had been known as a thief, highway robber,
and finolly it is satisfactorily demonstrated that
be was engaged in several murders before jus
tice overtook him. The crime for which he has
just 'suffered the extreme penalty of the law
was committed some months ago. He was then,
in the' region of Lake Valley, El Dorado, in
company with one Kelly Wilson and others,
where they encountered two . traders.
They decided to kill them.
137*Tna Summer DAY in the year is nine
hours and four minutes in length. 'This will
occur on the 18th of December, and the length
of the day will only vary a fraction of a min
ute for nine days from that time, ino;•easing a
single minute on the 27th of P'ecember,, when
the day is nine hours and. five minutes long.—
This day, (Dec. 12th,) is nine hotir . s and four
teen minutes in length. The decrease will only
be ten minutes more before the days will begin
to lengthen again.
CRUCIFYING IN CIIINA.—Tho special corres•
pondent of the Neo York Times, writing from
Canton, relates the following :
" A woman was crucified for the crime of
having given birth to ono of the rebel chiefs.—
If a father is a rebel his family is considered the
same,. and the whole family, from the old man
of four score, to the child of four years, share
the same fate. The poor woman was nailed to
the . cross while living, a gash made across the
forehead to the bone, and the skin peeled down
so as to hang over her eyes ; after which the
breasts were cut off : they then proceeded to
break every bone in her body ; a large knife
was thrust into her throat and passed down
ward, cutting the chest open. The executioner
then thrust in his hand, and grasping the
heart, tore it from its socket and laid it beating
end reeking before the Judge. At Shanghai
they drown them by dozens."
Out Buhr, Orrnom—Mr. Benjamin Adams,
a genuine son of Connecticut, thus writes to
the editor of the New York Tribune
I wish to prove wo have a 'Yankee born
citizen who is superior on the violin to any
that have come on the stage. I can do it. I
can play four parts at one time on the violin.
I can play whole pieces on one string with one
finger only. and with rapidness, and many curi
ous executions I can perform ; also, my music
will be wholly miginal, nod beholdcd to no
foreign compositor. I coin enced playing at
seven years of age; have pr tised for twenty
nine years, more or less ; nevt went to music
school in my life ; am. therefore self-taught--
a regular Yankee genius in music as some
would term it. I could give you quite a his
tory of my life, and manner and style of
playing together with my su.tcess in gaining
the point of playing the instrument, as I con
sider, to the nicety of it. I can play it with
my arms laced with a cord to my body, as well
c..a to have then at lih,..Ky."
CntcAon GnAIK MAttizar.—Chicago, as a
great grain mart, is attracting much attention.
Within the last eighteen days, says the Chicago
Press, the Marine Bank has paid checks of Mr.
E. IL Badduck, of Chicago, to the amount of
$1.200,000, all of which have been given for
the purchase of wheat.,. Among these checks
was one to a well•knotrtt;gruin and commission
house of Chicago for $62,000, and one to
another extensive business house for $68,000.
- Mr. Haddock is still in the market, as are other
parties also, and we presutne will continue to
purchase as long as shipments can be made by
lake. Last year the total grain trade of Chica
go fell short of 1,5,000,000 bushels. This year
it will exceed 20,000.000 bu4tels.
Powonn Mtm. Exnustos --We learn that
an explosion took place Lout 8 o'clock on
I uesday morning, at the powder mill of Mr.
Johnson, situated a short distance below Nor
ristown, in consequence of the derangement of
the machinery, whereby 500 pounds of the dan
gerous compound was ignited. The explosion
caused an intense excitement in the neighbor.
hood, and the shock was felt for miles around.
The mill was blown into atoms, and we aro
pained to stale that one of the workmen, named
Michael Webele, wnd.SO shockingly burned that
he died at 1 o'clock I'. M., slier suffering tho
most excrutiating agony. The deceased leaves
alarge family, who, by this sudden casuality,
are deprived of the head to whom
they looked for support. Sun.
DURATION 01' POSTS.—The result of forty
years, experience and observation with me is,
that common fence posts set in the ground
4 , rren, end butt end downwards, will last, in a
sandy loam about tin years.' The same set in
a like situation,lnverted, will lust fifteen or
eighteen years. The same timlier, (and soil,
the same,) Well seasoned before setting, wilt
last much longer made into posts than when
cut at any other time. I have chesnut and
white oak posts standing well that were set 28
years ago.—N. Earmrr.
TIIK GRAM Ciwe of CALIFOUNIA. Tho
grape crop of California is said to be very large
this year. Last year there were shipped to
San Francisco from Southern California not
over 500 tons of grapes whereas this year it
is confidently believed the shipments will reach•
1,500 tons, exclusive of 200,000 gallons of
wino which will be manufactured at Los Anga
los. The grapes at San Francisco average
from 10 to 12c. per pound to the trade, and
from 15 to 25a. at retail. The Most extensive
arrangements have been made at Los Angelos
for the manufacture of thcjuico of the grape.
NOVKT. LEGISLATION.—In the House efltepre—
sentatives of Pennsylvania, in 1833, while a bill;
granting pensions to certain revolutionary vete-.
vans was pending in that body, Mr. Matthias
moved to add a gratuity of forty dollars to one.
Sarah Cross ' the sweetheart of an old soldier,"
which motion prevailed, 45 to 36 . !
,frA gentleman residing in Mount Vernon,
Me., has raised in the open air, for
.the list
three years, the coffee plant, the seed' of which
was brought five years ago from Cuba. It
grows about fwo feet high, and produces its
berries. in po.is something like peas. Tho
plants, he says, have matured, even this season,.
and berries ripened without injury.
1:0 - Cigars.—Our young friend C. IL Rums
last week favored us with a bunoh of Opera
cigars of -exceeding fine flavor. Those wbo
use the weed will always find a good article at
his Store.
WHAT GIVES TILE SOUTH POWELL—The N. Y.
Express gives an article, with a table, showing
that the secret of the power of' the South in
Congress, is iu keeping its titembers in those
bodies continually. The north changes its
representatives often,, and in this way loses
that power which old and experienced members
command. • -