The
Emigrant Soldiers Gazette
--AND--
CAPE HORN CHRONICLE

No. 6.]              "THAMES CITY," SATURDAY, DECEMBER l1th, 1858
LAT. 39.24 S. LON. 49.44 W.                                     Moon's First Quarter,
DEC. I3TH, AT 3H. 29M. P. M.

PROBABLY most of our readers are anxiously looking forward to the day when the ''Thames City'' will be safely anchored in Port William at the Falkland Islands.  We trust that their expectations may be soon realized, and that the few days we may remain there, will be a pleasant break in our long voyage.  The Falkland Islands form a group or cluster of nearly ninety in number; they were first seen in the year 1592, by Captain Davis, when there was no appearance of their ever having been inhabited.  Several attempts at settling in these Islands were made by the French, English, Spanish and Germans in succession, between 1763 and 1834, none of which appear to have succeeded.  At the latter date Lieut. Smith, R.N., was appointed Governor, and arrived there with a small party as the nucleus of a future Colony.  Col. Moody, R. E., under whose command we shall be in British Columbia, was also Governor of these Islands for some years.  In one point of view the Falkland Islands present to the English a most important feature, as the Eastern island possess a beautiful harbour of easy access, where excellent water, fine beef and good vegetables can be procured at moderate prices.  It is also in the direct track of every ship doubling Cape Horn.  The climate is temperate, but the weather generally unsettled; some parts of the Islands are mountainous, and few, if any, trees are to be seen.  Herds of wild horned cattle exist, wild horses are also found of small size and very hardy.  Game is extremely common, especially wild geese and ducks.  Fish abound in all the bays and inlets, particularly in the spring; their flavour is excellent, and when salted are considered by some to be superior to cod.  We hope that no time will be lost when we get into harbour by the Commissariat Department in obtaining a good supply of fresh beef, mutton and other necessaries of life for the use of all on board.  We also think that this opportunity should not be lost by the Chief Commissioner of Public Works for obtaining a good assortment of lamps, brooms, mops, buckets, hose, &c., sufficient to last for the remainder of the voyage.

We are aware that it is not usual for troops on a voyage to be allowed toland until they get to their destination, but should our Commanding Officer, taking into consider­ation the nature of the expedition, and the high character borne by the Detachment, grant this indulgence, we are sure that every one would consider it a matter of honour as well as duty not to abuse it.

IT is very pleasant and delightful of a fine clear night to be on deck and watch the stars or planets as they make their first appearance above the horizon, suddenly bursting upon our view with a cheerful little twinkle and throw their subdued rays across the intervening waters.  There is no ceremony or grandeur attending their appearance, but they suddenly shine forth bright and happy looking, in a hitherto gloomy portion of the horizon, and pursue their silent path through the deep vault of heaven.  If, however, we stay till morning, and see the sun rise, a much grander and more magnificent spectacle awaits us.  He sends his light before him to herald as it were his approach, and soon we see the first bright speck, gradually increasing from speck to segment, from segment to semicircle and from semicircle to circle, when finally the whole of the magnificent orb shines forth in stately splendour, and pursues his daily path, giving forth that light and heat so essential to our globe and all mankind, while the simple star-rise is almost forgotten in the solemn and stately splendour which accompanies the rising of the greater orb.  Ideas of this nature must evidently have actuated the man­ager of our theatricals in arranging the programmes of his entertainments, as, although it is far from our intention or wish to speak lightly of the performance of Monday week, which was in every respect excellent and amusing, it must be confessed that the successive portions of the entertainment of Wednesday evening last, which drew forth bursts of applause from an audience more delighted and more crowded if possible than before, as far outshone and eclipsed those of the former occasion as does the grand and stately appearance of the sun-rise overwhelm in magnificence the quiet and simple beauty which attends the first appearance of a star.  We have often observed that our nautical friends on board evince to a great extent, and more especially when hauling on the ropes, the existence in their noddles of the bump of "destructiveness," as no matter what they are pulling at, they invariably ejaculate "down his house, heigh ho!"  In this instance, however, we may safely predict that, whether their efforts are directed against "Howse the Manager " or the "House Theatrical," either house, to judge from the grandeur of their first successes, will effectually withstand all attempts at its destruction.  In connection with the play itself, we beg to congratulate all concerned on the addition to the Company of that beautiful and accomplished actress, Miss Matilda Hazel, who, in the character of Rosetta, combining becom­ing modesty with charming naivete and frankness, acted most admirably, and delighted the whole audience with the exquisite modulations of her voice.  The excellent acting of the gentlemen must have been obvious to all, but, as critics, we would beg more especially to notice that of Messrs. Sinnett and Derham, the former of whom as "Jerry Ominous," and the latter as his uncle "Geronimo," evinced great talent and a careful preparation of their respective parts.  After the play a collection of comic and other songs, such as probably have never before been heard on board ship, and rarely, if ever, on shore, produced loud bursts of applause.

First came the Christy's Minstrels (for we can call them by no other name), a band of negro performers of such rare ability and colour, and with instruments of so fine a tone and construction that, while at one moment their entreaties to a certain ''Susanna'' not to in­dulge in tears on their account, would all but affect the audience to indulgence in the same weakness themselves, their jokes and antics the next moment would make all laugh to an extent that threatened immediate explosion, and cause them to think of their own ribs in connection with some bones played by an old friend of ours in his favourite corner at the back of the stage.  Another gentle­man appeared rather bilious, in consequence, as he informed us, of his having detected in certain mutton pies the flavour, not of pepper, potatoes, onions, or salt, but of a patriarchal dog, in indigent circumstances, commonly called Tray, whose existence had been suddenly terminated by a dose of prussic acid. "Bobby Miles," who, by the by, imitates Robson as much as ever, told us a good deal, but not quite all about a trip to Gravesend with his wife, and the consequences.  Since his marriage he has indulged in a new suit of clothes, and has given further proof of his scientific capabilities by the invention of a complication of machinery which imparts to his head, while music is playing, a curious kind of reciprocating motion, that produces a pleasing and soothing effect on the audience.

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE VOYAGE.

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During the past week we have had the opportunity of observing a most remarkable species of ocean bird.  Last Monday, the 6th inst., two Albatrosses first made their appearance following our vessel, together with several Cape Hens and Stormy Petrels, who accompanied us the whole day in a most persevering manner, pouncing upon everything that was thrown overboard as if they had been weeks without food.  The following day, the 7th inst., scarcely one of this large party was visible.  The fact was we were almost becalmed, and, curious to say, these ocean birds seldom accompany a vessel except in rough weather.  The next day the weather was very unsettled, and we again found ourselves in the company of the two Albatrosses and their large retinue of Cape Hens and Stormy Petrels.  We cannot positively state whether they were the identical birds who had followed us on Monday, but in all probability they were the same.  The Albatross generally frequents the vast expanse of ocean which lies to the south of the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn, and seldom or ever approaches the tropics.  These birds, provided with enormous wings, which sometimes measure as much as fifteen feet in extent, follow and attend ships for many thousands of miles, and even from one ocean to another.  They are exceedingly voracious, and it is said they will even attack sailors who may happen to fall overboard, in places where they abound, if not immediately rescued by their comrades.  It was long supposed that the Albatross was peculiar to the Southern Hemisphere, but a species has been found in considerable numbers in the North Pacific Ocean about Behring's Straits, in pursuit of the vast shoals of fish which occur in these regions.  On the morning of the 8th, attention was drawn to a most curious appearance which the water presented.  Streaks of a gelatinous looking substance of a reddish brown colour were observed floating and extending for several feet in a zig­zag direction along the sides of our vessel.  This extraordinary looking substance was supposed to be the spawn of some large fish, but, on examining a tumbler of water drawn from the dark brown surface, some curious transparent looking creatures of an oblong shape, varying in length from one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch, were visible.  The head of one of these creatures presented a most interesting subject for reflection on the wonders of Nature.  The mouth was surrounded by a delicate fringe covered with very minute red specks, which under the microscope would have presented the appearance of trans­parent cylinders, furnished with suckers capable of being thrust out, and adapted for seizing and holding their minute prey, On each side of the mouth was a long tenticle or feeder, whose office appears to have been to attract the particles of food and conduct them to the animal's mouth.  After careful examination and close observation, we came to the conclusion that these interesting little creatures were small medusae, a species of living animal we had occasion to mention in the second number of our paper as contributing largely to the production of that beautiful phenomenon the "phosphorescence of the sea."  Anxious to witness this curious luminous property, I kept a few of these medusae in a tumbler of water until night, and, on agitating the water in the dark, I had the satisfaction of observing bright specks of light proceeding from the bottom of the glass where the creatures were lying; some of the sparks were very vivid, while others were faint and scarcely preceptible.  After a few minutes the emission of light ceased, but again appeared on stirring the water after having been allowed to rest for a short while.  The act of stirring the liquid however soon caused the destruction of the medusae, and life being extinct they ceased to emit any more luminosity.  The discolouration of vast extents of the water by these hosts of small animals is not an uncommon occurrence in the Atlantic, but it is more notice­able in the Arctic seas, where the water is most extensively coloured of a grass-green or an olive-green hue, owing to the presence of millions of medusas of microscopic minuteness.  The "green water" as it is called, though liable to slight shift­ing from the force of currents, is pretty constant in its position, occupying about one-fourth of the whole of the Greenland Sea. Mr. Scoresby, an eminent naturalist, computes that within the compass of two square miles, supposing these animals to extend to the depth of two hundred and fifty fathoms, there would be congregated a number which 80,000 persons counting incessantly from the creation until now would not have enumerated though they worked at the rate of a million per week.  And when we consider that the area occupied by this green water in the Greenland Seas is not less than 20,000 miles, what a vast idea does it give us of the profusion of animal life, and of the beneficence of Him who "Openeth His hand and satisfieth the desire of every living thing."

NATURALIST

(Continued.)

It is surprising to see with what fearless unconcern the savages about here venture in their light barks upon the roughest and most tempestuous seas.  They seem to ride upon the waves like sea-fowl.  In managing their canoes they kneel two and two along the bottom, sitting on their heels, and wielding paddles from four to five feet long, while one sits on the stern and steers with a paddle of the same kind.  The women are equally expert with the men in managing the canoe, and generally take the helm.  Should a surge throw the canoe on its side and endanger its overturn, those to the windward lean over the upper gun­wale, thrust their paddles deep into the wave, apparently catch the water and force it under the canoe, and by this action not merely gain their equilibrium but give their bark a vigourous impulse forward.  The effect of different modes of life upon the human frame and human character is strikingly instanced in the contrast between the hunting Indians of the prairies and the piscatory Indians of the Sea Coast.

The former, continually on horse-back scouring the plains, gaining their food by hardy exercise, and subsisting chiefly on flesh, are generally tall, sinewy, meagre, but well formed, and of bold and fierce deport­ment; the latter, lounging about the river banks, or squatting and curved up in their canoes, are generally low in stature, ill-shaped, with crooked legs, thick ankles and broad flat feet.  They are inferior also in muscular power and activity.  Towards spring the fishing season commences, the season of plenty on the Columbia River.  About the beginning of February a small kind of fish, about six inches long, called by the natives the "oolachan," and resembling the smelt, makes its appearance at the mouth of the river.  It is said to be of delicious flavour, and so fat as to burn like a caudle, for which it is often used by the natives.  It enters the river in immense shoals, like solid columns, often extending to the depth of five or more feet, and is scooped up by the natives with small nets at the end of poles.  In this way they soon fill a canoe, or form a great heap on the river banks.

These fish constitute a principle article of their food, the women drying them and stringing them on cords.  The "sturgeon" makes its appearance in the river shortly after the "oolachan," and is taken in different ways by the natives; sometimes they spear it, but oftener they use the hook and line, and the net.  Occasionally they sink a cord in the river by a heavy weight with a buoy at the upper end to keep it floating.  To this cord several hooks are attached by short lines, a few feet distant from each other, and baited with small fish.  This apparatus is often set towards night, and by the morning several sturgeon will be found hooked by it, for though a large and strong fish it makes but little resistance when ensnared. 

The salmon, which are the prime fish of the Columbia, do not enter the river until towards the latter part of May, from which time until the middle of August they abound, and are now taken in vast quantities, either with the spear or seine, and mostly in shallow water.  An inferior species succeeds and continues from August to December.  It is remarkable for having a double row of teeth, half an inch long and extremely sharp, from whence it has received the name of the dog-toothed salmon.  It is generally killed with the spear in small rivulets, and smoked for winter provision.

As we have lately had an abundance of the above article, a few words on its nature and origin may, I trust, be possessed of some interest to such as are not already acquainted with them.  Water poured into an open vessel is found to diminish gradually, and eventually disappear altogether.  This process is termed Evaporation, but as it is an essential property of matter that the particles composing any substance cannot be annihilated, and although decomposed in infinitesimal portions must continue to exist in some form or other, we know that the water has only changed its form and ascended into the air as vapour.  Evaporation is favoured by heat, as we have ample evidence to show.  Warm water for instance decreases in bulk, as is well known, more quickly than cold, and wet decks and puddles dry up more quickly in warm than in cold weather.  Whether, however, the process of evaporation be visible or not, depends on the state of the surrounding atmosphere; i.e., if the surround­ing atmosphere have a somewhat lower temperature than the evaporating body, the vapours as they rise become cool and are condensed being thus rendered visible.  If, however, the surrounding atmosphere have the same or nearly the same temperature as the evaporating body, the vapours are not condensed, and remain invisible.  This is evident from the fogs and mists which appear on the surfaces of lakes and marshes after the sun has set and the atmosphere cooled, but which are not visible by day when the sun is up.  The atmosphere always contains watery vapour in some form or other, whether it exists in a visible state in the form of mist, fog, or clouds (the only difference in these three consisting in the height to which they rise), or whether it exists in an invisible state as it does in clear weather.  A proof of its existence in the above state may be given by pouring cold water into a bottle on a warm day, when the exterior surface of the bottle will be soon covered with moisture, sometimes amounting to drops caused by the condensation of the air surrounding the bottle, owing to the diminished temperature of the latter.  In a similar manner dew is simply a deposition of moisture on the earth's surface, caused by the diminished temperature of the lower strata of the atmosphere.  Let us now extend this principle to the upper strata of the at­mosphere, and it will be readily understood, that if a cool stratum come into contact with a warm one condensation of the watery vapour takes place, and it descends to the earth in the form of rain.

AQUARIUS.

(From our own Correspondent.)

NEW YORK, Dec. 1st.—Since I last wrote to you nothing new of a political nature has transpired, so I will send you an extract from the Patent Office report as a gratifying index of the general inventive industry of the country.  In Prof. Rennick's examiner's report we hear of the invention of a harpoon which makes the whale kill himself.  The more he pulls the line the deeper goes the harpoon.  Examiner Lane's report describes various new electrical inventions.  Among those is an electric whaling apparatus, by which the whale is literally "shocked to death."  Another is an electro-magnetic alarm which rings bells and displays signals in case of fire or burglars.  Another is an electric clock, which wakes you up, tells you what time it is and lights a lamp for you, at any hour you please.  There is a sound-gatherer, a sort of huge ear trumpet, to be placed in front of a locomotive, bringing to the engineer's ear all the noises ahead perfectly distinct, notwithstanding the rattle of the train.  There is an invention that picks up pins from a confused heap, turns them all round with their heads up and sticks them in papers in regular rows.  Another goes through the whole process of cigar making, taking in tobacco leaves and turning out the perfect article.

One machine cuts cheese; another scours knives and forks; another blacks boots; another rocks the cradle; and seven or eight take in washing and ironing.

There is a parlour chair patented that cannot be tipped back on two legs, and a railway chair that can be tipped back into any position without any legs at all.

Another patent is for a machine that counts the passengers in an omnibus and takes their fares.  When a very fat man gets in it counts two and charges double.

There are a variety of guns patented that load themselves; a fish line that adjusts its own bait; and a rat-trap that throws away the rat, and then baits and sets itself, and stands in the comer for another.

There is a machine also by which a man prints instead of writing his thoughts; it is played on like a piano.  And speaking of pianos, it is estimated that nine thousand are made every day in the United States, giving constant employment to one thousand nine hundred hands, and costing over two millions of dollars.

NAVAL and MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

A gentleman who had an Irish servant sent him one day to the farrier's to get his horse shod.  John, the servant, foolishly took up one of the shoes while hot and burnt his hand.  On waiting at dinner the same day his master asked him what he had done, and, on being told, he said to John "You should always spit upon a thing if you want to find out whether it is hot, and if it goes phiz whizz you may be sure it is hot."  A few days afterwards the gentleman had a few friends to dinner, and on taking a spoonful of soup he burnt his throat and called out, "John, how hot the soup is."  John turning round said, "Well, sir, I am sure it ain't for want of spitting in it, for if I spat in it once I spat in it a dozen times, and it never went phiz whizz all the time."

“HOT WATER BELOW."

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So fair one you have again taken pluck,
And obliged us to listen to more of your muck,
About giants, and Jacks, and shadows, and dogs,
About noble bulls and slimy frogs.
So you're not "the chap wot sings" and fights,
You call yourself "the chap wot writes,"
You style yourself a noble bull, ha ! ha !
Run and tell such stuff to your mamma ;
Once more catch hold of her apron strings,
And tell her of "Charley," the chap wot stings.
You think your sheepish poem smashes
Because you underline it well with dashes,
You pertly say "come take it coolly,"
Now my lines set you frantic—quite unruly.
You know they did ; we all remember
Your frenzied rage, thirteenth November,
When you went stamping o'er the deck ;
Oh! you'd like to have twisted some one's neck !
I dare say we'll hear of you throttling a hen,
Endeavouring to think it's the "hawk," Miss "Wren !"
So my "noble bull " you the "frog " have pitied,
Yet still you say the frog eat till he splitted.
What sickly nonsense to send to the paper !
Why I'd scarcely use it to light a taper !
You say great big deeds have been done by "wee" men,
Mean you spreading a plaster or handling a pen ?
At rolling up pills I'll allow you're a stunner,
But don't talk of "firing," you're an infernal bad gunner.
You forswear "ox-tail soup"—you deny you're a "nobbier,
Yet you say you're a shark, and of course a great gobbler.
Take my advice, be a shark no more,
It's an infernal bad character at sea or ashore.
When next you write—write shorter, hit harder,
And between ourselves no more of the larder.
He's an ill-fed bull it's clearly shown,
Who can boast of naught but skin and bone;
Tho' " the nearer the bone the sweeter the meat,"
I think "noble bull" you'd be no great treat.
Oh! thou skinny bull pray "go to grass,"
For at present, by Jove, you are more like an ass.
You talk of being ready and always willing,
In the mighty mission that you're fulfilling,
You seem much more like a "peeler " to me,
Who may always be found where he ought not to be.
The next time you send me a "pill," "draught," or "julep,
Let it be "short and sweet, like a donkey's gallop."
Methinks my blister has made you sore,
Do you want "hot water? " any more ?"

Again the cry of "porpoises" is heard,
(As yet we've neither caught a fish or bird)
This time our worthy "tar," a knowing coon,
Intends to make sure work with his harpoon.
Again he takes his post as heretofore,
We wish him better luck than he'd before,
We watch with interest his every chance,
As oft the sea-swine glide beneath his lance.
His reputation being now at stake,
The first that offers on the hop he'll take;
At length one bolder than the rest advances,
He's struck, but from his side the weapon glances,
Off on his side he goes, and seems to say,
"I'll have no more of this, there's some foul play."
But yet again he conies beneath the bow,
As though he wished we'd take his trunk in tow;
His body now is by the lance transfix'd.
And with the ocean now his blood is mixed.
His comrades, horror stricken, leave his wreck,
We, with a lusty cheer, haul him on deck.                     J. B. L.

Now onward push united comrades,
Unto our battle field of life,
We'll ne'er repine tho' storms surround us,
But press on cheerful 'mid the strife.
'Tis true our path is strewn with dangers,
The thundering billows round us roar,
Yet golden nuggets shall repay us,
When we reach Columbian shore.

We'll build ourselves some pretty dwellings
By Fraser's river fair to view ;
We'll civilize the squaw and savage,
The Gospel Truths we'll teach them too.
We'll yield not there though hosts surround us,
But firmly duty's path pursue ;
For all who gild the page of story
Know these brave words—" Dare and Do."

We'll chase the deer on the woodland mountain,
The Bear and Elk we ne'er shall miss,
Shot shall echo thro' glen and forest,
Our spear shall bring us dainty fish.
So forward then with bright eyes beaming,
Try not lose the conqueror's crown,
With lifted arms let's seize our toil aright,
We'll take it, wear it, 'tis our own.

By our country we've been highly honoured,
Who selected us, the chosen few,
Let no one therefore waste his talents,
But each resolve his best to do.
Then when retired and freed from labour,
Triumphantly we'll tread the plain.
Then Fortune's pencil shall be waiting
To write our names in book of fame.

To the Editor.

SIR,—Last Saturday morning a vast amount of light penetrated the great saloon in the "City.”  Many conjectures were set afloat as to the cause of so extraordinary a phenomenon, till at length the curiosity of every one was satisfied by the discovery that the skylights were undergoing the purifying and cleansing process recently invented and patented by our zealous Chief Commissioner of Public Works.  This invention having met with such decided success, I venture to suggest that its general adoption would meet with the approbation of all the inhabitants of the "City," and might be easily applied in cleansing the interior of Long-boat Crescent, Duck Lane and Fowl Alley, where a large amount of vegetable and animal matter has been known to accumulate.  Should it also answer for cleansing paint and man ropes, the vicinity of Poop Square and Fire Bucket Arcade offer plenty of scope to the talent and energy of the patentee, who, though he may not realize a large fortune by his invention, will at least receive the thanks of those who benefit by it.

OBSERVER.

THEATRE ROYAL, "THAMES CITY."

THE MANAGER has the honour to announce to his fellow citizens that Capt. Luard, Lieut. Palmer, R. E., and Dr. Seddall have kindly consented to appear on Wednesday next, the 15th inst., in that celebrated and laughable Farce, entitled

BOX AND COX.

After which there will be a variety of Sentimental and Comic Songs, and during the evening the far famed CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS will have the honour of appearing.

Doors open at 6:30 p. m., performance to commence at 7 o'clock precisely.

Reserved seats for Ladies only.

The encouragement which the Theatrical Company have hitherto met with in their endeavours to afford some amusement to their companions during their long and tedious passage has induced them to establish it as a permanent affair, and to carry out on shore that which has been so successfully commenced on board ship.  To do this it would be necessary to raise a fund sufficient to enable the Company to purchase suitable scenery and appointments.  If therefore such an undertaking should meet the approval of their companions and they are willing to contribute a trifling sum towards its accomplishment, they are requested to signify their assent to it by entering their names and subscriptions in a book which will be opened for that purpose by the Manager on Monday next.  Proper arrangements will be made for appointing a committee to carry out the design and to purchase a few necessary articles, if possible, at the Falkland Islands.

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The publication of the Emigrant Soldiers' Gazette and Cape Horn Chronicle was commenced at 2 p. m., on the 9th, and was completed at 2 p.m. this day.  Published at the Editor's Office, Starboard Front Cabin, "Thames City."