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Leader (1850-1860), 23rd April 1853, Edition 1 of 1, Page 394, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      tiveness . I for a long time have desired your dragon powers , now you have not looked down upon me with contempt , but have entertained the statements of the match-maker , and agree to give Mr . Kang to be united to my despicable daughter . We all wish the girl to have her hair dressed , and the young man to p ut on his cap of manhood . The peach flowers just now look beautiful , the red plum also looks gay . I praise your son , who is like a fairy horse who can cross over through water , and is able to ride upon the wind and waves , but my tiny daughter is like a green window and a feeble plant , and is not worthy of becoming the subject of verse . and make

      " Now I reverently bow to your good words , use of them to display your good breeding . Now I hope your honourable benevolence will always remember me without end . Now the dragon flies in the Sin Hai term , first month , lucky day . Mr . Tu makes obeisance . May the future be prosperous . " The modesty of the old gentleman is so painful that we are almost nfraid to guess what may have been the feelings of Master Tan and Miss O ; but whatever they were , they must have overcome them by this time , for the friend to whom we are indebted for these epistolary gems danced at their wedding a couple of months back , and was nearly suffocated with drinking scalding black tea out of cocoa-nut shell cups . But the letters themselves—for we have received the

      originals , together with the translations—are , at least , as remarkable for external glitter as for internal value . Each of them is about the size of one of the Citizen ' s pages , and consists of a rich frame composed of something like our papier inaclie , inside of which is artistically folded a scroll of richly-tinted crimson paper , studded with the golden letters that convey the words of love and modesty . The outer surface is likewise emblazoned with a quantity of raised work , representing robes of honour , tails of distinction , the smallest of all small shoes , peacock ' s feathers , and a variety of other equally tasteful designs , which are supposed to be emblematic of the vast accession to the wealth and honour

      of both contracting houses that may be expected to flow from the union of the gallant Su Tan , junior , and the accomplished Miss Tu 0 .

      Untitled Article

      TRIAL OF THE BOOMERANG PROPELLER . The Boomerang screw-propeller , invented by Sir Thomas Mitchell , and which was so successfully tried , in May last year , at Sydney , was tested on the Mersey on Tuesday afternoon ; the application being made to the Genova , one of Messrs . M'Lean and M'Larty ' s Mediterranean steamers . The typo of Sir Thomas Mitchell ' s invention is , as our readers are aware , the curious weapon of the native Australians , which is formed of heavy wood , and resembles somewhat the form of a new inoon , but showing an elbow , rather than an arc , in the middle . The boomerang is generally about two feet in length , two inches broad , and a quarter of an inch thick . When thrown by the native to a great height in the air , it describes two motions , one rotary , the other direct , being almost imperceptibly in the plane of a screw . By the first motion , tho missile revolves round its own centre of gravity , and in consequence of this motion surviving the direct impetus with which the weapon is sent up , it is made to screw back in tho air to the very spot from whence it was thrown , the object of the native having been in the meantime accomplished in the woundinir or destruction of his foe .

      Tin ' s peculiarity suggested what is now called tho Boomerang Propeller . Wo gather from the inventor , and from other gentlemen who have been observant in these mutters , that after many experiments in the attaching of centres , various practical difficulties in tho use of propellers have been obviated , or are proposed to be obviated , by tho plan of Sir Thoimis Mitchell , whoso experiments , however , we must add , have as yet boon made only on a very limited scale , on account of tho narrowness in the present apertures of this cIuhh of vessels . Tho clhow-shupod weapon of tho savage , gliding through the nir , nIiowh how tho difficulty of tho

      centre may be avoided ; the cusps show how engineers may deul with the circumference ; while the general form of the missile , in acting obliquely , to the radius of rotary motion , demonstrates the possibility of embracing two-thirds of a column of water at once , with tho least possible ; surface , tins least obstruction to rotary motion , and yet with the greatest effect us a screw . If the theory of Sir Thomas Mitchell be coned , in its application to screw propulsion , the value of the screw over tho puddle-wheel will be thus greatly enhanced ;

      the Hcrow having been already found susceptible of nt least an high speed as the latter , when properly adjusted . Ah before hintoc 1 , however , then ; are considerable diflieuU . ies attending the introduction of Mm Hoomeranp :, in consequence of the narrow apertures of the vessels , wliilo this new propeller requires a space e <| intl by at least one-third the height of the aperture . Thus , under present , circumstances , not the whole apparatus , but only mutilated portions of it , can be applied ; mid ho great in thin mutilation , that whereas tin ; advantage , in

      the Boomerang consists in its embracing two-thirds of the helix at once , the common form adopted in experiments hitherto has been scarcely one-third , reliance being placed on the more harmonious nature of the surface , as compared with the ordinary screw , its perfect freedom at the centre from choking , and the consequent increased facility for rotary motion . In the Genova , on Tuesday , each blade in use was , from the cause alluded to , not larger than one-seventh of the whole spiral , while the pitch of these two

      abridged portions was nearly double the diameter , the former being twenty-three feet , the latter twelve feet three inches . The whole of the centre of the Boomerang was withdrawn on the ground of space—the utmost velocity attainable could not exceed sixty ; while the working surface was five feet less than that of the ordinary screw . We should not omit to mention , as an important feature in the invention , that from the concavity of one blade , and the convexity of the other , the water is not driven to the centre to choke it . Direct

      steering is thus" materially facilitated as compared with the operation of the ordinary apparatus ; which , whether consisting of two or three blades , has the effect of driving the water all in one direction . A noticeable fact also is the weight of the Boomerang as compared with the screw , the former being 26 cwt . and the latter 62 cwt . The trial trip was made round the Crosby Lightship . From a variety of causes unanticipated , the

      experiment was not so successful as it would otherwise have been , though this , we must in justice say , was not , as far as we could judge , attributable to any defect in the new plan . The average speed attained , under a pressure varying from 61 bs . to 91 bs ., in place of the proper one of lOlbs ., was 9 ^ knots per hour ; and this was acknowledged by several gentlemen of nantical experience on board to . be a gain of one knot at least over what would have been obtained under similar circumstances by the ordinary screw .

      Untitled Article

      " TABLE MOVING" IN VIENNA . ' The new American discovery" of table moving is , according to a correspondent of the Times , all the rage in Vienna . " A few days since tho Augsburgh Gazette contained a letter on ' Table Moving , ' "which immediately excited a mixed feeling of curiosity and incredulity here . Curiosity , however , prevailed , and for the last three days the Viennese have thought and spoken of nothing but the new American discovery . Of the innumerable experiments made , many have been unsuccessful . An eyewitness states that on Sunday after noon five members of our Juridical Political Heading Union—men of different nges—seated themselves round a small table , with double feet , and formed tho magnetic chain , and according to tho instructions given by Dr . Andree , of Bremen , in the above-mentioned letter . In an hour and a quarter the rotatory motion commenced . Tho experiment was made in tho presence of fifty persons . The Wiener Zeitung yesterday evening made mention of two other cases , in both of which the tables wero broken . Yesterday evening tho experiment was tried in my presence , at the house of a friend . A round veneered rliningtable , having three stout legs resting on . one base , was placed on the ' parquetted' iloor ( Dr . Andre " recommends a carpet ) of tho room . Round tho tablo three ladies and five gentlemen placed themselves , and formed a magnetic chain , which is cfFectcd by each person laying his hands lightly on tho margin of the table , and placing tho little finger of lira right hand on that of his neighbour's loft . The chairs must bo a foot apart , and care taken that none of tho drcHses coinn in contact . Tho feet ; must not touch

      the tablo . All rings and bracelets in the case now related wero removed . After tho experiment had lasted about nn hour , tho tablo began to exhibit an almost imperceptible undulating movement . Some minutes afterwards it ; was convulsively jerked to the right and left , and , finally , it turned to tho right on its own axis with such velocity thnfc tho persons forming tho chain , who had in the nieun time risen , wero obliged to run in order to keep puce with tho new fashioned locomotive . Tho movement was ho violent that tho bystanders woro soon obliged to relieve tho original actora . Whon ono person loft tho chain and another entered ; there was a slight interruption of tho electric stream , but . in two or three minutes tho table was dancing about tho room aH before . In theeourwo

      of the experiment , which altogether lasted two hours and a quarter , it became evident that some persons possess far greater magnetic ; powers than others . Jf , when a new chain had been formed , the tablo Roomed disinclined to continue its exertions , ono gentleman , u man of great strength and size , could always immediately rouse iln dormant energies . Thin circumstance induced fiorno persons to fancy that , by pressing tho palms of his hands forcibly on the tablo ho gave it , an artificial impetus , but ., to convince them that such wan not tho caso , ho hooked his little finj'ors into thorn * of his neighbours , and barely

      touched the tablo wilh the tips of bin thumbs . If tho drosH of any link in tho chain wiih touched , tlio electric fluid escaped , rind tho table stood still ; and the siuno effect wan produced if it was touched l > y a bystander . Tho sonsal . ioiiH experienced by the experimentalists before tho magnetic fluid wan equally distributed through all the links of tho chain wan very different , but . tho most common woro heat , tingling , mid pulsation in tho hands and firms , and puiiiN in the IkiimI . In two eases ladies fainted ; but , this is hardly calculated to oxeilo surprise , as there is something weird in tho whole affair . An agent of tlio police , who suddenly found himself In tho presence of a society of

      table-movers in expectation , -would probably take them for a gang of conspirators just swearing fidelity to each other . Successful table-movers—that is , those in action—are like so many wild witches and warlocks . After quitting the above-mentioned house I went to the Mercantile Club , where an unsuccessful trial was made . On leaving the chain , one of the gentlemen affirmed that his watch ' had gone backwards during the experiment . ' The assertion caused considerable hilarity at the tithe , but my own watch—which is known to Dent , of Charing-cross , as a capital one—went twenty-soven minutes too late this morning . " * Vienna , April 12 . This is not Mrs . Hayden ' s mode of moving the table *

      Untitled Article

      MISCELLANEOUS . As no news is good news , we may fairly presume that Queen Victoria is entirely convalescent . She has been daily visited by her mother .

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      The property taken by the police from the house of Mr . Hale , was conveyed to Woolwich Arsenal on Sunday and Monday . A public meeting is to be held on Monday evening at seven o ' clock , in the Marylebone Vestry-roorn ( which has been granted by the vestry for the purpose ) , to consider the propriety of supporting the motion to he brought forward by Mr . Duncombe in the House of Commons , for an Address to her Majesty on the subject of the occupation of the Roman States by the troops of Austria and France . Mr . Nicholay , a member of the vestry , is to be in the chair . Lord Dudley C . Stuart , Sir Benjamin Hall , and Mr . Duncombe , are

      expected to be present ; and various gentlemen of inflaence connected with the parish , and members of the Society of the Friends of Italy , are to address the meeting . We are glad to see the important parish of Marylebone following the example of St . Pancras in this matter , and we hope to see many more metropolitan meetings on the same subject . In the present position of our Government with regard to foreign affairs it is well that the people should follow Lord Palmerston's advice ( which , perhaps , in common with some later acts , he would now wish forgotten ) , and speak out their sentiments , so as to apply a little gentle coercion in the right direction .

      The petition movement against the prolonged occupation of Italy by the French and Austrians goes on bravely .

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      Unmistakable signs of the prosperity and spirit of the working-classes arc now abundant ; and wages are everywhere going up . The Cornish miners have struck , and returned to work , but on symptoms of the persecution of one of their leaders they turned out again . In South Wales , masons , carpenters , painters , and shoemakers claim an advance with success . At Nottingham hands are so scarce that foreign labour is accepted . At Newcastle , the flint glass makers , masters , have resolved only to defer for a short time a rise in price . The Direction of the London and North Western have agreed to advanco the wages of goods portors . And the Ashton spinners decline to work moro than ten hours . The journeymen carpenters of Winchester nre claiming from their masters an advance in wages .

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      Tho last mail from the United States tells us that Mr . Soulo has boon appointed Minister to Spain . Mr . Soule is a strong advocate for tho acquisition of Cuba . \ t y . Sir John Kamsden , a young baronet , and wo hoar young enough to bo sincerely liberal , offers himself for the vacant scat at Taunton . Jifis address is manly , moderate , and sensible , and has less of tho cant phraseology of tho hustings than tho majority of such compositions . I to is opposed by a local banker and Tory . Wo trust neither tho ono nor tho othor of these qualifications will give Mr . Badcoek , however estimablo as a citizen of Taunton , too great an advantage over his liberal opponent . Tho nomination for Athlono took plaeo on Wednesday : it was a very Hl . ormy affair ; tho mob would not hoar tho opponents of Mr . Keogh , who carried tho show of hands .

      Wo learn by electric telegraph this morning that tlio polling at Athlono took plueo yesterday . At twolvo o ' clock , Keogh was 71 ) , Norton 4 () . Norton retired , Keogh declared elected . Tho discuHHion on education in tho Manchester City Council terminated on Wednesday in tho adoption , without , a division , of a motion declaring further ( liHouHsion inexpedient until tho Government measure was before tho country . Manchester lias again come forward to givo its voice on

      Indian affairo . A meeting , under tho presulonoo of tho Mayor , was hold there on Thursday . JVlr . Tliomim Hazloy , Dr . Vatighiin , Mr . Henry Ashworth , and other gentlemen , pleaded tho cause of Indian Reform . The gJHt , of their views , however , wero embodied in tho following resolutions : - "That in the opinion of this meeting , tho con-Htitution of the Indian Government is not adapted to secure tho wolfaro of tho people of India , and has not promoted their bout interests , nor provided for Mint ; wise administration of nHairs which it , is the first , duty of every

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      * Hy this if in meant that either during the successful or the unsiioooHsful experiment tho watch IohL twontybovoh minuloH .

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      394 T H E L E A D E R . [ Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 23, 1853, page 394, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1983/page/10/