The Dramatic Artist and the Terrible Marine Monster

The Semaphore of December 22 says:

While the steam packet Le Claire was on its way from Marseilles to Algiers, with 400 passengers on board, it encountered a strong gale from the south-west. In the middle of the night a tremendous sea struck the ship, swept the deck, penetrated into the cabins and engine room, and threw every thing into the greatest confusion. In the midst of the general panic, while the crew were making every exertion to rid the interior of the boat of the superfluous element, a terrific cry was heard from the second cabin: “Help! help! the shark is gnawing me!” screamed, in a voice half-suffocated with terror, an unfortunate dramatic artist, who, awaking in a cold bath, had found in his arms a sheep, which had been precipitated into the cabin through an opening made to let off the water.

Buddhist MSS

Original literary monuments written in the old language called Pali, used by the Buddhists in their sacred books, are exceedingly rare in Europe. The Imperial Library here and the Royal one at Copenhagen are the only establishments possessing a series of MSS. in that tongue. This extreme scarcity is owing to the great reluctance the Buddhist priests evince to intrust their religious writings to Europeans, or to allow them to copy them. Two years ago the Imperial Library succeeded in purchasing a series of MSS. of this kind, and valuable on account not only of the number of volumes, but also of the contents, which are extremely curious.

American Locomotives

The best manufactory of Locomotive Engines in this country, is the establishment owned by Baldwin, Vail & Hussey, Broad street, Philadelphia. Since this company began their labors, few short years ago, they have manufactured one hundred and twenty-nine locomotive engines. Of this number twenty-six have been for the Columbia and Philadelphia Railway, twelve for the Utica and Schenectady, and ten for the Georgia Rail Road.

Adjournment of Congress

The 14th of August has been fixed upon for the adjournment of Congress. Much important business remains to be acted up on, and it is said to be impossible for it to adjourn at the time appointed, without serious injury to the best interests of the country. Among the important bills pending are those for the increase of pay of the officers of the Army who are continually quitting the service because they cannot support themselves as becomes their station.