Procure a large cask, and place it in the vicinity of places_The Rural Magazine, and Literary Evening Fire-Side, Vol. 1 No. 07 (1820)

infested with rats. During the first week, this vessel is employed

only to allure the rats to visit the solid top of the cask, by

means of boards or planks arranged in a sloping direction to the

floor, which are to be strewed with oatmeal daily, or any other

food grateful to the palate.--Being thus lulled into security,

and accustomed to find a regular supply for their meals, a skin

of parchment is substituted for the wooden top of the cask, and

the former is cut for several inches in the centre in transverse

directions, so as to yield on the slightest pressure. At the same

time, a few gallons of water, to the depth of six or seven inches,

are poured into the empty cask, in the middle of which a brick

or stone is placed, so as to project one or two inches above the

fluid, and afford to one rat a place of refuge. These measures being

taken, the top of the cask should be furnished with the proper

baits, in order to induce the marauders to repeat their visits. No

sooner does one plunge through the section of the parchment into

the vessel, than it retreats to the brick or stone, and commences

its lamentations for relief. Others follow, and share the same

fate. A dreadful conflict then commences to obtain possession of

the dry assylum. Battles follow in rapid succession, attended with

such loud and noisy shrieks, that all the rats in the neighbourhood

hasten to the fatal spot, where they experience similar disasters.

Thus, hundreds may be caught by stratagem, which might be greatly

facilitated by exposing a living rat taken in a trap, or purchased

from a professional rat catcher.

_Important to Millers._--A very valuable machine has lately

been invented (and is now in operation) by Richard French, of

Morrisville, (Pa.) for cleansing all kinds of grain and grass seeds.

This machine cleanses the grain completely of the white cap, and at

the same time rubs off the dust that always adheres to grain, and is

the cause of specks in flour. The grain at the same time receives a

fine polish. It operates equally on rye and buckwheat, cleansing it

from all the dust and fuz which darken and cause grit in the flour,

and are so liable to fret the bolting cloth. It is the opinion of

a number of millers, that one barrel of flour may be obtained more

from every hundred bushels of wheat, cleaned by this machine, than

from the same quantity in the usual way. This machine will remain at

Morrisville, for public inspection, a few weeks, after which it will

be removed to Brandywine. Millers and others, who wish to make more

and better flour, as there is no loss of grain, are invited to call

and see the machine in operation. I believe they will not regret the

time and trouble of so doing.

[_Trenton paper._

_Rhode Island._--The thrifty little state of Rhode Island is, at

this time, the most prosperous of any in the Union, notwithstanding

the multitude of small banking institutions that abound there, from

the force of domestic industry applied to manufactures; which, in

despite of every obstacle, is in a condition that must be considered

a happy one, compared with that of most other places; a most rigid

economy, in some measure, supplying the want of public protection,

except in the people themselves--who chiefly consume the products of

their respective neighbourhoods.--The balance of trade is generally

in favour of the state, and the want of specie is not felt by

those who have a right to demand it, for the banks are in a very

_comfortable_ state.

_Maine._--The first organization of the government of the state of

Maine, took place on Wednesday, May 31st, at Portland. John Chandler

was unanimously chosen Speaker of the Senate, and Benjamin Ames

chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives, also unanimously.

General William King elected governor, by 20,000 votes out of

something over that number, was qualified next day.

_Oil Stones._--Within a few weeks past a body of very superior

oil-stones has been discovered in the neighbourhood of Easton,

(Penn.) We believe they were first discovered on the farm of

George Ibrie, Esq. on the river Lehigh, in Williams township. The

bed, however, is not confined to that farm alone, but extends to

a considerable distance on each side of the Lehigh. They have

heretofore been found lying on the surface of the earth, and it

is matter of astonishment they were not sooner discovered.--The

carpenters of that place have almost entirely substituted them for

the Turkey stones heretofore used for setting tools; believing them

to be superior to those of Turkey, and infinitely better than those

gotten near Oley, which they somewhat resemble in colour.--The

discovery is certainly valuable to the mechanics, as the Turkey

stones have sold there for 75 or 100 cents, and the Oley stones at

25 cents per lb.

_Longevity of the Land Tortoise._--An article dated Sunbury, (Penn.)

June 15, says, that as a person was lately rolling logs near

Shamokin creek, he discovered a land tortoise, and through curiosity

picked it up, when the following engraving was observed upon the

under shell:

"Thomas Musgrave, 1712;"

and immediately below, in large capitals,

"ROBERT HUNTER, 1790"--

the former having been engraved 108, and the latter 30 years ago. He

engraved his own name below, and set the Recorder of ages at liberty.

_Great crop._--A. Mr. Blakeman, at Silver creek, Indiana, has

published that he raised last year 1350 bushels of shelled corn on

_ten_ acres of newly turned prairie land.

_Western navigation._--The Louisiana Advertiser, of the 6th of May,

gives the names and destination of _twenty-three_ steam-boats then

lying in the port of New Orleans!

_Pennsylvania Hospital._--The expenditures of the Pennsylvania

Hospital the last year were about 55,000 dollars. The number of

patients during the year ending April 22, 1820, was 945. The deaths

were 52. Persons relieved 81. Cured 428. Remain 209. Eloped 23.

_Salt water._--The whole western country seems to be _under_-flowed

with salt water. Some late borings through the rock, at depths of

from 259 to 317 feet, at Cannonsburg, Pa. have been completely

successful.

_Fire at Savannah._--An advertisement from the London Phenix Fire

Office states, that the loss occurring in Savannah, by the great

fire of January last, swept away every thing that had been received

for premiums during twelve years, and as much more.

_British Revenue, &c._--The _ad valorem_ duty, on British

manufactured goods, exported from Liverpool, amounted, for the first

quarter of the year 1819, to upwards of 13,000_l._ For the first

quarter of 1820, the amount was only 5,700_l._ A great falling off,

indeed.

Average price of grain in England and Wales, from the returns up

to the 15th April--Wheat, 69s. 2d.; Rye, 41s. 9d.; Barley, 36s.

5d.--[Grain at these prices would afford a fine market for the

surplus product of the United States; but England will not receive

our bread stuffs; she prefers to keep up, and to a most unreasonable

extent, the market for her own agriculturists.]

_Origin of Almanacks._--The ancient Saxons used to engrave upon

certain square sticks, about a foot in length, the courses of the

_moons_ for the whole year, whereby they could always certainly tell

when the new moons, full moons, and changes, should happen; and such

carved sticks they called _Al-mon-aght_ (_all-mon-heed, i. e._)

the regard or observation of all the moons. There is in St. John's

College, Cambridge, a Saxon almanack exactly answering to the above

description.

_Iron Boat._--A London paper of May 4, says, that a passage boat, of

malleable iron, now plies on the Forth and Clyde Canal, in Scotland.

It is called the Vulcan, and succeeds to admiration. The length

is 63 feet; beam, 13 feet; depth, 5 feet; draught of water, when

launched, 22 inches abaft, and 19 inches forward--when fitted with

cabins, &c. 37 and 25 inches--when laden with two hundred passengers

and their baggage, under 48 inches, on an even keel. The weight of

iron employed was 12 tons 11-3/4 cwt. which is less than a wooden

vessel of the same dimensions. The iron is of the kind called scrap.

_A Great Eclipse of the Sun_ will take place on the 7th of September

next. This eclipse will be visible over an extent of more than four

millions square leagues, a surface nearly equal to a sixth part of

the earth, and resembling a kind of oval of about 7500 leagues in

circumference, comprising all Europe, the western part of Asia, all

Africa, as far as to Monopotapa, and a part of North America. The

eclipse will last three hours.

_Lord Thurlow._--This eminent lawyer's superiority of ability was

very early manifested both at school and at college. They extorted

submission from his equals, and impressed his seniors with respect.

The following anecdote is told of him.--Having been absent from

chapel, or committed some other offence which came under the

cognizance of the dean of the college, who, though a man of wit, was

not remarkable for his learning. The dean set Thurlow, as a task, a

paper in the Spectator to translate into Greek. This he performed

extremely well, and in very little time; but instead of carrying it

up to the dean, as he ought to have done, he took it to the tutor,

who was a good scholar, and a very respectable character. At this

the dean was exceedingly wroth, and had Mr. Thurlow convened before

the Masters and Fellows to answer for his conduct. Thurlow was

asked what he had to say for himself. He coolly, perhaps improperly

replied, "that what he had done proceeded not from disrespect, but

from a feeling of tenderness for the dean; he did not wish to puzzle

him!" The dean, greatly irritated, ordered him out of the room; and

then insisted that the Masters and Fellows ought immediately to

expel or rusticate him. This request was nearly complied with, when

two of the Fellows, wiser than the rest, observed, that expelling or

rusticating a young man for such an offence would perhaps do much

injury to the college, and expose it to ridicule; and that as he

would soon quit the college of his own accord to attend the Temple,

it would be better to let the matter rest, than irritate him by so

severe a proceeding. This advice was at length adopted.

Such was the consciousness which Thurlow felt of his towering

abilities, that long before he was called to the bar, he often

declared to his friends that he would one day be Chancellor of

England; and that the title he would take for his peerage, would be

Lord Thurlow, of Thurlow.

_Machine for crossing Rivers._--The mechanist, Xavier Michel,

residing at Offenbach, has invented a very simple and compact

machine, by the aid of which rivers may be crossed, and even the sea

attempted, without any danger of sinking. It is nearly five feet in

diameter, when unfolded. An opening of about thirteen inches in the

centre is destined to receive the traveller. When dismounted, this

apparatus is easily transported from place to place--for its entire

weight scarcely exceeds five pounds. This inventor has made a number

of experiments on the Rhine, all of which have been crowned with

entire success. He can make the machine move forward, or otherwise,

at pleasure, and without any great exertion. In order more fully

to prove the utility of his invention, M. Michel has determined to

embark at Khel, and descend the Rhine to its mouth.

_Cattle Scenting Rain._--Liable to long and parching droughts, the

author of "_Letters from Buenos Ayres, Chili_," &c. notices the

well-known instinct of cattle in scenting water at a wonderful

distance, and describes an occasion wherein it was displayed on the

approach of rain, in a similar manner as if a river or spring had

been found.

"The negroes were sent in different directions to see how far the

scorched grass extended, and were at a considerable distance when

the Father Provincial cried out, 'Look at the oxen, they smell

water:' we all eagerly turned to the poor panting animals, and saw

them stretch out their necks and raise their heads towards the

west, and snuff the air in a manner as if they would be certain of

obtaining drink could they but raise themselves in the air. At that

moment not a cloud nor a single breath of air was to be seen or

felt; but in a few minutes the cattle began to move about as if mad,

or possessed by some invisible spirit, snuffing the air with most

violent eagerness, and gathering closer and closer to each other;

and before we could form any rational conjecture as to what could

occasion their simultaneous motion, the most tremendous storm came

on of thunder, lightning, and rain, I ever witnessed in my life.

The rain fell in perpendicular streams as if all the fountains of

heaven were suddenly broke loose; so that, in the space of a very

few minutes, torrents of water rolled around us, and the cattle

easily drank their fill at the spot on which they stood."--_Literary

Gazette._

_Irish Bulls._--The secretary of a celebrated Agricultural Society

in England, some years ago, in his rage for improvement, and not

being overburdened with understanding, sent an order to a bookseller

for Mr. and Miss Edgeworth's essay upon _Irish Bulls_, for the use

of their society, to assist the members in improving the breed of

cattle.

_Modern Inventions._--The improvements made in all arts and sciences

within the last 200 years have nearly doubled the present limitation

of life, in that we live more in less time.

The Egyptians were so ignorant of medicine, that, when any one was

sick, they called in as many persons as possible to see him, that,

if any one of them had the like distemper, he might say what was fit

for his cure.

Surgery was much the oldest branch of physick which they practised.--

Æsculapius was followed by a dog and a she-goat. The dog was taught

to lick all ulcerated wounds, and the goat's milk was given for all

diseases of the stomach and lungs.

_Receipt to make Yeast._--Three gallons water, two quarts loose

hops, boiled together about three hours in brass or bell metal,

strain them off from hops, and at once stir in a quart of flour.

When cool stir in a pint of good yeast, and half a pound of brown

sugar, to remain open in a piggin or jar 15 or 20 hours, and to be

stirred often. Put it then in stone jugs about three fourths full,

cork them well and place them in a cool situation. Your jugs ought

to be of such a size only to contain yeast for the usual quantity of

bread baked at a time. One gill of yeast is sufficient for a common

sized loaf of bread, that is made from a plate full of flour.

_Boots without Seams._--A patent has lately been obtained for the

manufacture of boots without seams.--For this purpose, the patentee

proposes that the thigh of the beast should be flayed without

cutting open, and afterwards dressed and curried upon blocks. The

boot top upon the same principle is to be made of the shoulder,

prepared in like manner.

FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

The stanzas inserted below are ascribed, it is believed with

correctness, to the pen of the late Governor HOWELL, of New

Jersey. The occasion which gave rise to them, was that of his

leaving home to join the army which was embodied to suppress

the Western Insurrection. They breathe a delicacy of feeling,

and a warmth of attachment, alike honourable to the author as a

husband and a man. They likewise illustrate, very forcibly, the

true character of WAR, whose approach is witnessed with sadness

and sorrow, by all the endearing charities of domestic life.

THE SOLDIER'S ADIEU.

Ah! Clara, cease--those silent tears

Steal down thy cheeks in vain;

Kind hope shall chase away thy fears,

Till I return again:

But wheresoe'er our route shall be,