A Hundred Years Ago
THE " SPECTATOR," JANUARY 23RD, 1830. WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.
On Monday afternoon, as the Wonder, a Greenwich omnibus, was passing over Westminster Bridge, it became unmanagable on the slippery snow ; and horses, omnibus and all, were forced through the shop-window of Messrs. Hill, the braziers and iron- mongers, to the destruction of the glass and the derangement of saucepans. Fortunately, however, neither omnibus nor passengers were injured, and the horses were but slightly hurt. The dangerous state of this descent appears evident from the fact that since Messrs. Hill have resided there, similar accidents have happened seven or eight times ; and in one instance, where a dust-cart and horse were forced through the window, the proprietor being unable to pay the amount of the damage, was sent to prison.
MEETING OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
There was a very full meeting on Thursday night of the members of the Royal Society ; and some curious experiments were ex- hibited by the Chevalier Aldini. His object was to show how life may be preserved from fire. He has invented clothing of a curious texture which is impervious to it : gloves made of this fabric enable anyone to handle a red hot poker with impunity. He has also invented a covering for the head, by means of which any one may breathe freely in the fiercest flame.
A NEW LOCOMOTIVE.
A new locomotive engine, called the Wildfire, and built at Mr.
Robert Stephenson's foundry at Newcastle, on the principle of the Rocket, but with larger cylinders and wheels, was launched upon the Liverpool and Manchester Railway on Monday, and flew thirty miles an hour.
A Quin PRO Quo.
When Cicero lost his daughter, he comforted himself by con- sidering the fine things he could compose on the occasion. The Chronicle tells us that Sir Thomas Lawrence's family are consoled for his death by Campbell's writing his life. A man who desires to be profoundly lamented must not have a talented biographer. " The family of Sir Thomas Lawrence feel a consolation for the loss of their illustrious relative in the progress making by Mr. Thomas Campbell in writing his life."
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