_Modes of salutation._--From the form of salutations among different
nations we may learn something of their character, at least of their
manners. In the southern provinces of China the common people ask "Ya
Tan," that is, How have you eaten your rice; for in that is their
greatest felicity. If two Dutchmen meet in the morning they wish each
other good appetite. "Smaakelyk leten." In Cairo the inhabitants ask
how do you sweat? for the not sweating is the symptom of an approaching
fever. The Italian and Spaniard ask How does it stand? "Come sta." The
Frenchman, How do you carry yourself? "Comment vous portez vous?" The
German, How do you find yourself? "Wie befinden sie sich." The English,
"How do you do?" The Dutchman says, How fare you. "Hau vaart uwe."
There is one nation (we forget which) which ask "How do you live," and
these are certainly the most wise of all.
_To make starch._--To make starch from wheat, the grain is steeped
in cold water until it becomes soft and yields a milky juice by
pressure; it is then put into sacks of linen, and pressed in a vat
filled with cold water; as long as any milky juice exudes, the pressure
is continued; the fluid gradually becomes clear, and a white powder
subsides, which is starch.
_Chestnut wood_ has recently been successfully applied to the purpose
of dyeing and tanning, thus forming a substitute for log-wood, and
oak bark. Leather tanned by it, is declared by the gentleman who made
the experiments, to be superior to that tanned with oak bark; and in
dyeing, its affinity for wool is said, on the same authority, to be
greater than that of either galls or sumac, and consequently the colour
given more permanent. It also makes admirable ink.
_The ants of Valencia._--M. Humboldt informs, that ants abound to such
a degree near Valencia, that their excavations resemble subterraneous
canals, which are filled with water in the time of the rains, and
become very dangerous to the buildings.
Mr. Heathfield has published a pamphlet, in England, proposing to pay
off one half of the national debt, by an assessment of 15 per cent.
on the capital of all property in the kingdom. The Courier says the
project "is wise, necessary, and will be effectual," and permit the
repeal of twenty millions of taxes.
_Longitude._--La Baronne De Paris Boisrowvray, has arrived in England
from Paris, charged with a commission to present to the Admiralty
Board, a theory of the compass, which gives the longitude and latitude
of the globe, for the discovery of which the whole world has so long
looked. The husband of this lady has submitted his theory to the
Academy at Paris. His wife's mission to London was to prevent delay, as
well as to have a trustworthy agent.
_Indian Jurisprudence._--The Cherokees, it is said, have established
something like a judiciary system, and introduced into their society
many of the laws and usages of civilization. Some of their savage
institutions are disappearing, under the ameliorating influence of
moral justice. As a specimen of the manner in which they dispense
justice in cases of trivial import, we relate the following anecdote,
said to be authentic:
An Indian assaulted another, of which regular information was made.
The judge ordered the sheriff to bring the parties before him. The
sheriff went in pursuit of them, but returned without them. "Where
are your prisoners?" said the judge. "I caught them," replied the
sheriff,--"What did you do with them?" "I gave the defendant fifteen
lashes." "What did you do with the plaintiff?" "Gave him fifteen too."
"What with the informer or witness?" "Why I gave him twenty-five
lashes--for, had he held his tongue, there would have been none of this
fuss and trouble." It would be well if all the dispensations of justice
could be so equally and promptly administered.
[_Savannah Museum._
_Preservation of Water at Sea._--M. Pernet, after an examination of
the means which are, or may be adopted for the preservation of fresh
water at sea, gives the preference to the following: 1½ parts of oxide
of manganese in powder is mixed with 250 parts of water, and agitated
every fifteen days. In this way water has been preserved unchanged for
seven years.
The editor of the Annales de Chimie observes, that oxide of manganese
has the power, not only of preserving water, but of rendering that
sweet which has become putrid; but he also points out the important
circumstance, that the oxide is slightly soluble in water, and
therefore recommends the use of iron tanks for the water, as in England.
_A species of limestone_ has been discovered in working the canal
through the state of New York, and since in many parts of the country,
so well adapted for water cement as to supercede the necessity
of importing, as heretofore done, at great expense the principal
ingredient of hydraulic mortar.
_Charleston, January 27._--We have seen a specimen of white marble,
recently discovered in Spartenburg district, about five miles from
Broad river. It is acknowledged to be very superior; and its grain is
said to surpass that of the Italian marble.