yellow will probably be taken into their in the raw state, easily cooked, either by boil service by photographers. By the addition ing or roasting, and has no flavor but that of of a small quantity of acetate of alumina fecula. It is as much a readymade bread as during the process of manufacture, the gela- the potato, and is superior to the batatas, or tine paper becomes weather-proof, just as sweet potato.' The plants under cultivation linen or woollen cloth is rendered waterproof at Chiswick are of the species known as Diosby the same chemical substance. Before pass corea batatas, or potato yam; they grow with ing from this subject, we may add that zine vigorous runners, which have some resemwhite paper, a recent adaptation, is coming blance to our common black bryony. We more and more into use, being found particu- have no wish to see people content themselves larly suitable for copperplate engravings and with yams instead of bread; but as adding to lithographs, as also for memorandum-books. the ordinary supplies of food, we do wish sucOxide of zinc seems likely to have a wider cess to the Horticultural Society's experiments application.

on yams.

The prospect of increased silk-culture, which we have mentioned more than once, becomes still more promising. Sir William Reid, governor of Malta, states in a despatch to the Colonial Office, that the silk-worm, Bowbyx cynthia, introduced from Assam, is now acciimated and thriving, and he sends specimens of its silk. Already the eggs have multiplied so as to allow of distribution: the Agricultural Society of Grenada, West Indies, have asked for a supply, and are going to try them; and in Piedmont the new worms have proved themselves as productive and industrious as in their native country. Signor Griseri, and some of the nobility, have met with such success with the Assamese worm, that they are now experimenting on the native Italian grubs which feed on the leaves of the willow and lettuce. Where is the limit to be placed,' observes the Turin Gazette, when the object is nothing less than to convert the vegetable matter of the most common leaves into the valuable substance of silk?'

We mentioned, some months ago, the offer by the Agricultural Society of a £1000 prize for a "manure equal in fertilizing properties to Peruvian guano," to sell at £5 a ton, and be forthcoming in any quantity; 143 competitors have answered the call, and from other countries as well as the United Kingdom. However, before making the award, the Council of the Agriculturals intend to test the compounds sent in with scrupulous care, so as to protect the members from all chance of fraud or error. Professor Way reports more aduiterated manures in the market now than ever; some specimens of guano advertised as " genuine," which he has tested, contain rather less than one-fourth of real guano; all the rest is rubbish in disguise. In their list of prizes for 1855, the Society offer forty sovereigns for the best essay On the Causes of Fertility and Barrenness in Soils;" twenty sovereigns for the best, "On Artificial Manures, and the Principles of their Application;" twenty, for "The best Account of Artificial Food," and twenty for the best, "On the Prevention of The great fact in relation to this new BomMildew in Crops." These subjects, which are byx is, that its food is the castor-oil plant, in addition to the series on farming in coun- Palma christi, and not the mulberry, and that ties, indicate the mode in which agriculture plant can be produced in warm countries in seeks to profit by science; and it is in this re-any quantity. Our allies on the other side of lation that we call attention to them. The the Channel are busying themselves with it; present condition of political affairs is such as they have naturalized the worm at Algiers, to make the supply-of-food question especially interesting.

and find it to be one that keeps them fully employed, for the eggs are hatched very soon In this view, we may fitly say a few words after they are laid, and the second generation here about the Chinese yams, on which for of worms comes into work in about nine weeks, some few months past careful experiments and so on all the year round. Owing to the have been made in the garden of the Horti- cocoons having a hole in the end by which the cultural Society at Chiswick. Some are grown grub escapes, the silk cannot be reeled off in under glass, others in the open air, and so far the usual way, but is stripped off and carded. with favorable results. These roots were sent A trial is to be made in Algiers as to whether over from the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, and an acre of mulberry or an acre of the castoras they have long been cultivated in China, oil plant is the more profitable: the latter proit is believed they will more readily take to duces leaves in abundance. The Museum of their new situation than yams, and that they Natural History at Paris is distributing egos of may thus become a valuable substitute for, or the new silk-worm to any sericulturists willing supplement to, the potato. M. Decaisne says, to give it a trial. Talking of cocoons, those in reporting on the plant to the Academie, it recently described by M. Guérin Ménéville has been domesticated from time immemorial; throw all others into the shade. One or two is perfectly hardy in this climate [Paris]; its specimens have been sent to him from Madaroot is bulky, rich in nutritive matter, eatable gascar, which are nearly two feet in length,

spun not by a single individual, but a whole has invented a new polarimeter, which by a colony of worms. And this is not the only remarkably ingenious contrivance, enables the surprising gift to European naturalists from observer to note the polarization of the atmosthe great African island; for the shell of an phere with greater exactitude than by any egg laid by one of its gigantic birds has been received: it holds nearly ten quarts!

As if to prepare for the promised increase, experiments have been made on the preparation of silk at Manchester, from which the conclusion is come to, that it would be better to import silk in cocoons, than in hanks and bales as at present. The saving in cost and labor would be considerable, for there is much to be undone in imported silk before it can be made ready for reeling; while the new machinery reels off and produces a thread ready for the weaver at one operation.

other instrument used for the purpose, and to measure with ease and certainty the amount of polarized light contained in any given ray. He has also constructed a refractometer and a photometer, which, as well as the other, have excited the admiration of the most distinguished physicists of Europe. Solar light, when examined by means of these instruments, is found to be simple and not multiple, as some have believed the prismatic spectrum not being composed of superposed rays. Thus, the highest theories of optics are illustrated by contrivances beautifully simple.

Many persons will remember the discussion that took place after the burning of the noble steam-ship Amazon at sea, concerning the use of steam in extinguishing fire: vapor of water was shown to be more effectual in accomplishing the object than water itself. It gives us pleasure to be able to tell of a practical result. In France, the Préfét du Nord has issued an order to all the distilleries within his department, requiring them to be provided with flexible tubes and pipes communicating with the boiler, so that in case of fire a jet of steam may be at once directed on the flames in whatever part of the building they break out. We should be glad to see the example followed in large manufacturing establishments in this country.

The Photographic Society are making arrangements for another exhibition, to be held in January, when they hope to show satisfactory advancement in the artistic as well as the mechanical branch of their art-the one by copies from nature, the other by copies from negatives. That life-size portraits can now be taken, and that a legible copy of the Times can be produced on a plate but little more than two inches square, are certainly demonstrations of progress. The Paper versus Collodion question is not yet settled; nor the discussion terminated on the possibility of producing colored pictures. Becquerel still maintains his views, and pursues his researches. The Boston (Massachusetts) Society of Natural History have had photographs taken of an interesting slab impressed with the fossil Among the "subjects for premiums" just footmarks of extinct birds, and are distribut-published by the Institution of Civil Engineers, ing them among naturalists, to whom they we find An Inquiry into the Causes which will be more valuable than any hand-drawing, have hitherto prevented the asserted High as when examined by the microscope, every Speeds of Steam-navigation on the American mark is as distinctly seen as in the original Rivers from being arrived at in England;' slab, so perfectly does the sun bring out even The best Methods of reducing the Temperathe minutest particulars. Then, we see that ture of the Engine and Boiler Room of Steamgutta-percha has been successfully used as a vessels, and of preventing the Danger arising mould in the electrotype process: an engraver from the Overheating of the Base of the Funat Paris having to engrave a physical map of nel;' Improvements in the Manufacture of Spain in seven divisions, prepared one plate, Iron for Rails and Wheel Tires;'Improvefrom which he took moulds in gutta-percha, ments in the Construction of Railway Carand on these the electrotype plates were de- riages and Wagons, with a view to the Reposited in ten days, and at one-third of the duction of the Gross Weight of Passenger ordinary expense. Gutta-percha, too, is much trains;' 'The Drainage and Sewerage of used now in the manufacture of what are Large Towns;' Improvements in the System of Lighting by Gas.' The list, from which Two more small planets have been discov- these instances are taken, comprises forty-nine ered by the French astronomers, and added subjects, all of the same practical and useful to the already numerous list by the names of nature-all contributary to national welfare. Pomona and Polhymnia; and the Washington Let those who are able try their best, for nevObservatory has made its first planetary dis-er was there a time when such services could covery in Euphrosyne, another of the same be more acceptable.

called bronzes d'art.

group. This makes up the number to thirty- A method of discovering leaks in gas-pipes four; and there is every reason to believe deserves to be noticed: the tap at the main that more will yet be found, seeing that science is continually availing herself of new aids and appliances. M. Bernard, of Bordeaux,

being closely shut, air is to be forced in at the other end by means of a small condensingpump, until it is heard wheezing or whistling

as it escapes from the faulty place in the pipe, with intense heat, for five minutes. Being of and thus indicates where repair is wanted. a dense quality, it does not spread immediateAn individual at Rochester, state of Newly, but confines its energy to one place. He York, converts iron ore directly into steel' has another liquid to fire straw and similar by heating to a white heat in a retort, and combustibles by a mere sprinkling, and which, then treating it in the usual way. Another if thrown on a floor mingled with water, inin Pennsylvania has invented what he calls a stantly produces suffocating vapors; or when 'self-waiting dining-table,' which by means of mixed up with a certain powder explodes vioan endless band kept in motion underneath lently at the end of fifteen minutes. The the table by any power applied to the crank, French government are considering whether moves a number of guiding carriers' on the these compounds can be employed in the table top, and keeps them constantly going up one side and down the other with all the dishApropos of the war: as a good deal has es, castors, decanters, etc., that may be re- been said about the climate of the Crimea, we quired. The great hotels, where some three may observe that, in Professor Dove's isother or four hundred sit down to dinner, should mal maps, the line of equal winter cold for try it. January passes through Stockholm and the Crimean country a little to the north of Perekop. Our army may, therefore, have to endure the temperature of a Swedish winter; and that is quite cold enough.

The Greek fire, or an equivalent, is revived. M. Blanche, an industrious chemist of Puteaux, near Paris, has discovered a liquid which, flung on water, blazes furiously, and

war.

From Tait's Magazine.

TREATY WITH AUSTRIA.

The treaty with Austria, though a leading topic of the Royal Speech, turns out to be no treaty at all-no treaty of alliance, that is, for mutual offence and defence in a war against Russia. It simply secures to us the right of proposing to Austria such an alliance should Russia continue, beyond the expiration of 1854, to refuse conditions of peace; but it gives to Austria the all-important assurance of our defence in case she be attacked by Russia. It does not, according to Lord John Russell's interpretation, bind her to join us in the war; she may even. at the last moment, he says, object to our demands upon Russia as too hard. The basis of the understanding is the Four Points; any addition to which, whatever our successes, may serve the late friend or bondsman of the Czar with an excuse for resuming his neutrality, or returning to his allegiance. The only practical stipulation in the treaty is, that Austria will prevent the re occupation of the Principalities by the Russians, a military sinecure, as they have quite enough to do elsewhere; but a diplomatic position of incalculable value. What has been the nature, hitherto, of Austria's occupation of those provinces, is evident enough from the fact that Lord John Russell ascribes to her indecision the ability of Russia so enormously to reinforce her ariny in the Crimea, as to convert our position into that of the besieged instead of the besiegers; and from the express stipulation in the new treaty, that "no obstruction" shall be offered by Austria to the free movements of AngloFrench or Turkish troops. We are told, indeed, by Lord Clarendon, that General Hess, the Austrian commander, offered to concert with the allied commanders active operations against the Russians on the Danube-an offer which it

would have been so unaccountably culpable to decline, that we do not believe it was made without conditions, or received in good faith. It is, moreover, strenuously denied by Ministers, that France and England have guaranteed, or for a moment contemplated guaranteeing, the territo rial integrity of Austria, in case of war-but what is this denial worth, however strictly true? The danger of Austria's dismemberment by her own subjects, or by the enemy, on her undefended frontier and almost within sight of her capital, is so imminent, that no one can believe, that it is risked without an assurance of help that shall include all contingencies. The world knowsand we know-that the price of Austria's assistance, whatever it may be worth, is the renunciation of Anglo-French sympathies with Poland, Hungary, and Italy. If the people of Great Britain do not think that price far too great, they have become a people to whom the deepest disaster can bring no additional dishonor, and the completest successes no compensating glory.

Madame Ida Pfeiffer having returned from her second voyage round the world, after three and a half years' absence, we may look for a narrative of her observations and adventures. From time to time we have noticed in our columns her movements, as reported from different regions of the world. The general course of her voyages and travels will be seen in the following list of places on her route:-The Cape of Good Hope, Singapore, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Molucca Island, Batavia, California, Lima, Peru, across the Andes, to Quito, Guayaquil, Panama, New Orleans, up the Mississippi, Chicago, Lakes of Canada, Quebec, and New York. The narrative of the adventurous traveller will be looked for with much interest.

From the Patriotic Fund Journal.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.

God made her so,

And deeds of week-day holiness
Fall from her gently as the snow:
Nor hath she ever chanced to know,
That aught were easier than to bless.

LOWELL.

THE intense interest felt among all classes in the great work of mercy with which the name of Miss NIGHTINGALE is associated, stimulates a desire to know a few incidents of her previous life.

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ragged training school of St. Anne's-street, Westminster. She subsequently undertook the duties of "Lady Superintendent" at the Establishment for invalid gentlewomen during illness," in Harley-street, Cavendishsquare.

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its origin and management, on her return to England. As we have already intimated, Florence Nightingale gave early indications of an extraordinary genius, and of an anxiety to glean experience wherever opportunity presented itself. But for the war, the world would perhaps have remained, for many years to come, unaware of the existence of the subject of this memoir; and few of us would have learned how to estimate her real worth. But, it must not therefore be presumed that this noble woman was idly spending those talents designed by Providence for His highest purFlorence Nightingale is the younger daugh- poses. Her girlhood was distinguished by an ter of William Edward Nightingale, Esq., of active benevolence that is remembered with Embley Park, Hants, and Lea Hurst, Derby- lively emotions of gratitude by the poorer inshire. Her mother was the daughter of Wil- habitants of Wellow, Lea, and Holloway— liam Smith, Esq., formerly M. P. for Norwich. villages adjacent to her family residences. The The subject of our sketch is about 35 years of village school, too, was the scene of her first age, or, as the public have been reminded, educational efforts; and later in life she toiled about the age of Queen Victoria. Her per--even to the sacrifice of her health-in the sonal manners and bearing display, in a certain degree, the bias of her nature, and inspire those whose high privilege it is to enjoy her confidence, with an earnest and sincere attachment. Calm and gentle, she awakens the respect and admiration of all who come in contact with her, by the force of silent persuaWe have now to mention the most eventful sion, and the eloquence of an unspoken period in the life of Miss Nightingale. A cry language." That she is a woman of strong was heard from the shores of Turkey and the determination of character is evidenced by her Crimea-from the maimed and dying soldiery recent acts. To an intimate acquaintance-for help to mitigate the perhaps necessary with the language and literature of France, horrors of a military hospital. The appeal was Italy, and Germany-in which languages she not in vain. From one end of England to the converses with a rare facility-Miss Nightin- other offers of assistance were poured in to the gale adds a mastery of more than one branch Government; and, as we write, the streams of of the mathematics, and several similar studies charity are swelled by ten thousand benehave absorbed her girlish hours. She has also volent contributions of money and material been an observant traveller; every important aids in endless variety. But, unquestionably, . district of Europe having been visited, with a the most practical relief has been afforded by view to acquire information on those subjects the band of devoted women who under the which, at an early period of her life, chiefly superintendence of Florence Nightingale, set excited her curiosity; and she has penetrated sail for Scutari, and are now in attendance at even to the remotest sources of the Nile, and the bed-side of the striken warriors of civilizawhere, most probably, no Englishwoman's face tion, cheering the gloomy hours of sorrow, and had before been seen seen. Miss Nightingale softening the pangs of affliction, as true wowas in Rome during the period of the present men only have the power and faculty to do. Pontiff's popularity, and after a short sojourn, Lady Maria Forrester is entitled, without left the eternal city" while the enthusiasm doubt, to the honor of being the first to sugin his favor was at its height. In one of these gest the formation of a band of nurses for the journeys, our heroine visited a peculiar insti- East. On the 11th of October last, this lady tution, established on a comprehensive basis, having previously engaged three nurses— and embracing an hospital, infant and indus- waited on Miss Nightingale, and entreated trial schools, and a female penitentiary. The her, if possible, to take the management of the polity of this institution of Kaiserwerth was so expedition, or to recommend some other much in accordance with her views, that she competent person in her stead; Lady Forres remained there about three months, perform- ter adding that, in default of a more suitable ing the arduous duties of night-watching, and person being found, she would herself under complying, in all things, with the rigid disci- take this duty. But as Miss Nightingale pline of the establishment. She was indeed so yielded to her friend's request, and undertook favorably impressed by this singular associa- to organize a really efficient corps of nurses, tion, that she visited it again-making another and Mr. Sidney Herbert also immediately prolonged stay--and published an account of gave his official sanction on behalf of the Gov

ernment to the proposal, her ladyship “felt that her part of the work was over," and retired from active interference, expressing her satisfaction with all the arrangements that had been made.

AMERICA AND RUSSIA.

It was extraordinary how the Russians clung to the idea that they had secured the aid of America to save them from their embarrassOther writers have described the active ments. They spoke of the help they were to rescenes of piety and usefulness in which Miss ceive with as much assurance as if a treaty had Nightingale has been engaged since her arri- already been signed on the subject, and they apval at Scutari. But in reply to the sagacious States with as much respect as a sailor does his peared to regard the President of the United sneers and faint-hearted suggestions of the sheet-anchor in a storm. To do the Americans over-wise, who whispered their doubts of the justice, they took all the advances in perfectly possible efficiency of womanly efforts in a good faith, and rather encourged the hope: they military hospital, it is right to give an evidence were courted in all companies, feasted, petted, -brief, but cogent-of the complete success and as they say, "made much of," and seemed of the undertaking. Oh! there is more power rather pleased than otherwise.

in the "instinctive wisdom of a woman's heart" It is odd that citizens of a republican nation, than in the stale routine of professional ex-such as that of the States, should have so great a reverence for titles, orders, stars, and the like perience—at least in such matters as those we refer to. We will not dwell on this subject, in the proper sense of the word, it is not neces trumpery for surely, if a person be a gentleman but give the words of an eye-witness, dated sary that he be ticketed as such like a prize ox Scutari, Nov. 10th:-"Miss Nightingale," he in a cattle-show; and in Russia, above every says, "appears eminently qualified for the other country, a glittering star, or a cross susnoble work she has undertaken, and I trust pended by a scarlet riband round the neck, would she may have strength to carry it out. Her be a most fallacious criterion that the wearer labors will spare the clergy many a sad sight merited so high an appellation. Indeed, it often of men sinking for want of proper nursing, happens that the subjects of the Czar, the breast and because food cannot be administered often of whose coat is like a cushion, on which all the enough. This is impossible with only hospital and the blackest hearts, together with the most family jewels are pinned, have the vilest souls orderlies; but, with the nurses, all who need empty heads, in his dominions. I do not know will be supplied." To this testimony may be if a foreigner would not really form a more coradded a proof that the lesson of self-denial and rect estimate of their character if he judged of patient sacrifice of the world's enjoyments their baseness by the number of orders they dishave not been wasted upon ungrateful hearts; play.

for the same authority says: "Our soldiers The Americans in St. Petersburg did not seem are delighted with the nurses. One poor fel- to think so, for, the very morning I left it, one low burst into tears and exclaimed to me, I of the attachés of their Embassay showed my can't help crying when I see them. Only friends, with the greatest exultation, the Easter think of Englishwomen coming out here to nurse us; it is so homely and comfortable.'"

But there is still one suggestive fact told by the writer already quoted, which shows the bias of this lady, whose early life was surrounded by all the adventitious circumstances of wealth and fortune. "Lady Stratford," he remarks, comes and sends frequently, and has made me her almoner for jellies, pies, and soups for the officers. Miss Nightingale only takes care of the_men."

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a

eggs with which the Princess so-and-so, the Countess such-an-one, and several officials of high rank about the court, had presented him. He also exhibited the portraits of the whole of the Imperial Family, which he intended to hang up, he said, as household treasures,' when he returned to New York, whither he was going right away,' as he assured us.

6

The Russians, upon the strength of their hopes, were always threatening us with the the Allied fleets between two enemies. Is the American fleet in the Baltic, which would place

old adage about extremes meeting really so near the truth? Whether there were any substantial foundations to all these castles in the air, we had no means of knowing. The French have a proverb, Il n'y a pas de fumée sans feu.'-Eng

In the preceding narrative we have purposely endeavored to lay before the reader bare record of facts, and have restrained the expression of our gratitude to a woman who has so heroically vindicated the benevolent lishman in Russia. feelings of her sex, the charities of her order, and the humanity of these latter days. We have restrained the expression of an admiration we share in common with every phase of society, because we know how keenly sensitive Miss Nightingale must feel on the subject. It will be enough therefore for us to say, that in proportion as her heroism and devotion are known to the world, so must she command the respect and admiration of all good men.

A MUSTARD-SEED FABLE.- Connubial.-Says Mr. PIN, in a rage to his wife, MRS. NEEDLE, I only wish you'd a head on your shoulders." Says MRS. NEEDLE, in a passion, "Don't talk to me: if you had only an eye about you, as I have!""