MISCELLANEOUS

Western Star, Issue 910, 3 January 1885, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS

Commenting on 1 lie recent disastrous fires in Adelaide, a correspondent of the “Register ” suggests that some of them mar have, been caused by frictional electricity, and quotes the following extract from a Lowell (US) journal:—“Ttis a general truth that friction develops electricity, and most workmen know that a machine-belt at high speed by its friction with the air is highly electrified. It has for years been a common experiment for workmen to light gas-burners by bolding one hand to a fast-going belt and the other to He open burner This matter was curiously demonstrated in the Appleton Mills recently. A strong smell of fire being noticed, the premises were carefully searched, and a small quantity of cotton lint inside a bell casting was found to be on fire. The lint lay upon a beam, which was within four inches of a belt some 15 inches wide, and moving some 220 revolutions a minute. In the beam was an iron bolt, the head of which was towards the belt. From the belt to the bolt was passing a stream of electric sparks, which had set the cotton lint on fire. After attending to this case Mr Molley, the agent, opened the casing of a similar belt, but the seam of electric sparks was at once seen jumping across the beam, although it had not set fire to anything.”

“ Only the oilier clay ” (writes “Anglo-Australian” in the European Mail) “I was conversing with a friend on the very evident advances now making in most of the Australian Colonies to a balancing of the sexes— an event not very far removed. It is evident that some persons here are extremely anxious to bring about this consummation, and, if half what I hear be true as to the systematic means now adopted or con tern pi at eel for furnishing disconsolate Australian bachelors with wives, the male sex will not very long predominate in numbers. At Grimsby, in Osborne street, there is, at the present moment, an agency expressly designed to provide wives for Australians, and great inducements are offered to charm away females who might otherwise be disposed to heed the more prosaic but practical pleas of the various A gents-general, who are likewise working to reduce the present disparity of the sexes at the Antipodes. I name no names, for obvious reasons, and sincerely trust the Grimsby and other similar agencies may do only good, but I fear that many women are disappointed. In one instance, we are seriously told (hat on (he arrival of one of these consignments of marriageable females, colonists rush to the clocks, examine (he new arrivals insto.nter, and forthwith propose! This is drawing a very long bow indeed.” A droll incident occurred during the journey to Scotland of the Marquis of Salisbury. He changed his costume for a full Highland rig-out, intending it as a delicate compliment to the Land of the Kilt. But when he looked at himself in the glass lie found that the tailor had cut his petticoats, or whatever they are called too short. So he made up his mind to put on evening dress. He changed his upper garments and then sat down for a few moments to read up his speech. This sent him to sleep. He only woke wiili a start, to find himself running into the station. Eorgetting what had happened, ho thrust on his hat and appeared at the window bowing, and this was how he looked : He had full Highland costume as far as his waist; above was a white shirt, and swallow-tailed coat, and the entire edifice was crowned wiitb a chimney-pot hat, upon wdiich he had sat down without noticing it. His lordship's horror when he stepped upon the platform and felt the keen wind cutting bis bare legs, changed to absolute agony when his valet appeared scrambling out of the carriage with a pair of trousers in his hand, waving them wildly and exclaiming “My lord, my lord, you’ve forgotten these!” —“ Referee.”

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