Various Intelligence. THE TELESCOPE. It has been long known, both from theory and in practice, that the imperfect transparency of the earth's atmosphere, and the unequal refraction which arises from differences of temperature, combine to set a limit to the use of high magnifying powers in our telescopes. Hitherto, however, the application of such high powers was checked by the imperfections of the instruments themselves; and it is only since the construction of Lord Rosse's telescope that astronomers have found that, in our damp and variable climate, it is only during a few days of the year that telescopes of such magnitude can use successfully the high magnifying powers which they are capable of bearing. Even in a cloudless sky, when the stars are sparkling in the firmament, the astronomer is baffled by influences which are invisible, and while new planets and new satellites are being discovered by instruments comparatively small, the gigantic Polyphemus lies slumbering in his cave, blinded by thermal currents, more irresistible than the firebrand of Ulysses. As the astronomer, however, can not command a tempest to clear his atmosphere, nor a thunder-storm to purify it, his only alternative is to remove his telescope to some southern climate, where no clouds disturb the serenity of the firmament, and no changes of temperature distract the emanations of the stars. A fact has been recently mentioned, which entitles us to anticipate great results from such a measure. The Marquis of Ormonde is said to have seen from Mount Etna, with his naked eye, the satellites of Jupiter. If this be true, what discoveries may we not expect, even in Europe, from a large reflector working above the grosser strata of our atmosphere. This noble experiment of sending a large reflector to a southern climate has been but once made in the history of science. Sir John Herschel transported his telescopes and his family to the south of Africa, and during a voluntary exile of four years' duration he enriched astronomy with many splendid discoveries.-Sir David Brewster. TRANSMARINE TELEGRAPH. The electric telegraph is laid down across the channel between England and France; the salt sea is traversed by instan taneous communication. We stand on the threshold of an im provement that may hasten the progress of our race more rapidly than any other. It provokes the most audacious speculation. The electric telegraph has received striking improvements in simplification even before its known applicability has been realized; still greater improvements may facilitate the economy of labor, and so remove what must henceforward be the chief obstacle to its extension. The salt sea passed, direct communication between the British capital and the most distant of our dependencies becomes a question only of years. Calcutta may be brought within a few minutes of London. The post may be superseded. A merchant may have in London a wire to his counting-house in Calcutta, and address his clerk down at the antipodes as he would in the counting-house below stairs. Documents, nay "securities" might pass under proper notarial attestation at the two extremities; a man in London might sign a bill in Calcutta, transmit it for indorsement to St. Petersburg, and receive cash for it on authority from Cairo, in the space of an hour or so. If the Why not extend the communication to America? depth of the Atlantic should forbid, go the other way-through Russia, the Aleutians, and Oregon, to New York, Montreal, and New Orleans, Mexico, and Rio de Janeiro. You may put a wire round the earth that shall do your spiriting in forty minutes. Is not this compassing of the whole globe alarming? Well "nothing of him that doth fade!" Destruction is a poor human notion. Après nous le déluge ;" but in the history of worlds deluges are preludes to more glorious life.-The Spectator. WASHINGTON'S PORTRAITS. The difference of expression in the two standard portraits of Washington, those by Peale and Stuart, has been the subject of much occasional reflection, and has of late been made the ground of an attempt to impeach the justice of Stuart's representation of the patriot hero. An intelligent correspondent of the Newark Sentinel accounts for the difference in the following manner, speaking, it is claimed, on the posthumous authority of Peale himself. Washington sat to these artists on alternate days, commencing with Stuart. It so happened that a few days previous he had just commenced wearing a new set of false teeth, and with them in he sat to Stuart. On the subsequent day, as they somewhat incommoded and pained his jaw, he re moved them. After that he continued as he commenced, giving them alternate days, but always removing the teeth when he sat to Peale. As many artists consider that the mouth is the feature most important to the expression, this fact is very necessary to account for the diversity in these originals.-New York Sunday Times. We can vouch for the correctness of the above explanation. At least we have often heard the tradition, and from such unimpeachable authority, that we never doubted its correctness. There is, or was, a few years ago in this city a bust of Washington in plaster, which corroborated the anecdote, the expression of the mouth being exactly similar to that in Peale's picture. In Stuart's portrait the mouth is remarkably firm, tightly closed, and altogether peculiar. It has often been referred to as singularly characteristic of Washington's iron resolution. Yet the truth is, it obtains this expression from a badly fitting set of teeth. A close observer can see, on scrutinizing the portrait, that the mouth looks swelled above the lips, so that the picture itself, in the eye of a competent critic, corroborates the tradi tion. It is unfortunate that neither Peale's nor Stuart's portraits give the exact expression of Washington's mouth, especially as that feature is one of the most expressive in the human face.-Phil. Bulletin. JENNY LIND IN NEW YORK. The arrival of Jenny Lind is the most memorable event thus far in our musical history. The note of preparation had been sounding for half a year; her name, through all the country, had become a household word; and every incident in her life, and every judgment of her capacities, had been made familiar, by the admirable tactician who had hazarded so much of his fortune in her engagement. The general interest was increased by the accounts in the chief foreign journals of her triumphal progress through England, and when at length she reached New York, her reception resembled the ovations that are offered to heroes. Her first concert was given at the Castle Amphitheatre, on the 11th September, to the largest audience ever assembled for any such occasion in America. There was an apprehension among the more judicious that the performances would fall below the common expectations; but the most sanguine were surprised by the completeness of her triumph. She surpassed all that they had ever heard, or dreamed, or imagined. It was, as the Christian Inquirer happily observes, as if all the birds of Eden had melted their voices into one, to rise in gushing song upon the streaming light to salute the sun." Her later concerts have increased rather than diminished the enthusiasm produced by her first appearance. Mlle. Lind is accompanied by M. Benedict, the well known composer, and by Signor Belletti, whose voice is the finest baritone probably ever heard in New York, and whose style is described by the Albion as near perfection." The orchestral arrangements for her concerts have never been surpassed here. Many were deterred from being present at her first appearance by a fear of crowds and tumults, but so perfect were Mr. Barnum's appointments that all the vast assemblies at the Castle have been as orderly as the most quiet evening parties in private houses. 66 The personal interest in Mlle. Lind is almost as great as the interest in the singer. Her charities in New York have already reached more than $15.000, and it is understood that all the profits of her engagement in America, not thus dispensed here, are appropriated by her for the establishment of free schools in Sweden. International Miscellany. THE LATE CONGRESS. The Congress of the United States adjourned on the 30th ult., after a session of nearly ten months-the longest, we believe, in our annals,-having passed several acts of the highest importance to the whole country. We allude more particularly to the acts embraced in what has been called the Compromise or Adjustment; and which have most happily composed the extraordinary excitement growing out of the acquisition of new territory in the war against Mexico, and its bearing upon the subject of Slavery in our Southern States. The debates upon these topics," says a contemporary chronicler, "especially in the Senate, have been exceedingly able, and have engrossed public attention to an unusual degree. The excitement which animated the members of Congress, gradually extended to those whom they represented, and a state of feeling had arisen which was regarded by many judicious and experienced men, as full of danger to the harmony and well-being, if not the permanent existence, of the American Union. The aetion of Congress, however, in the measures referred to-concludes the controversy upon these questions, and for the time, at least, prevents vigorous and effective agitation of the principles which they involved." So we hope THE CONVENTION. The Convention to Revise and Amend the Constitution of the State, assembled in the Capitol, in the Hall of the House of Delegates, on Monday, the 14th inst., and (after a preliminary proceeding) was competently organized by the election of the Hon. John Y. Mason, of this city, as President, and Stephen D. Whittle, of Mecklenburg, Secretary. We confess we have looked forward to the meeting of this body at this time, with no small solicitude for the effect of its action upon the future welfare and honor of our State; and we shall continue to observe its proceedings with the most profound interest. We are sensible it is not our office. in this work, to advise or admonish the body; but only to record the result of its labors in due time. We may be allowed, however to say, (in character, as well as in all sincerity,) that we shall earnestly and devoutly hope that the same historical and conservative spirit which so happily and honorably distinguished our two former Conventions of 1776, and 1829, will animate this present assembly also,-that the blessing of Divine Providence may be upon it in all its counsels and conclusions, and that it may finally provide a Constitution which shall continue to enshrine the rights and liberties of our people in the best and fairest forms,-unite all parts and sections of our State in one unanimous and cordial community,-and enable us to pursue a wise and proper course of progress and improvement, with increased energy and effect, for years and ages to come. LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION. 1 DISTRICT-Accomac and Northampton. Louis C. H. Finney, Henry A. Wise. 2 DISTRICT-Norfolk City, Norfolk County and Princess Anne. Samuel Watts, John Petty, Arthur R. Smith, Tazewell Taylor, John Tunis. 3 DISTRICT-Southampton, Nansemond, Isle of Wight, Sussex, Surry and Greensville. John Y. Mason, Robert Ridley, John R. Chambliss, A. S. H. Burgess. |