f, are these: In July,
1869, a lady, and wife of one of the clerks in the draftsmen's room,
made application to Commissioner Fisher for a position in the copying
division of the same department; and, upon the urgent solicitation and
recommendation of Mr. E. W. W. Griffin, chief of the division, she
was appointed, and has held the position from that time until now,
receiving as salary $1,000 per annum, which, with the full knowledge
of her husband, she has divided with Griffin, in consideration of his
services in procuring for her the appointment. About a month ago, one
of the lady's friends got hold of the matter, and reported it to the
Court, which resulted in an investigation and the subsequent dismissal
of Griffin. This is the only case of the kind that we have heard of,
and we have no reason to believe that there is any other, or that
corruption exists in the Examining Corps, as alleged.--EDS.

* * * * *

A method of testing the purity of samples of water, by watching
the rapidity of its action on soap and similar compounds, has been
introduced by the French _savants_, MM. Boutron and Boudet. The
experiment tests, at the same time, the purity of the soap. Dissolved
in water in which lime is held in solution, the soap is precipitated
in hard white flakes. If the quantity of soap put in the lime water
be noted, it will be found that the smaller the quantity producing
precipitation, the purer the soap. The _Journal de Pharmacie et de
Chemie_ (of Paris) reports some experiments, on this subject, by M. F.
Schulze.

* * * * *

LOUISIANA STATE FAIR.--The fifth State fair of the Mechanics, and
Agricultural Fair Association of Louisiana will commence in the city
of New Orleans, on Saturday, April 8, 1871, and continue nine days.
Over $20,000 in premiums are offered. Rules, regulations, and schedule
of premiums may be obtained of the Secretary and Treasurer, Luther
Homes, Esq., New Orleans, La.

* * * * *

KNITTED GOODS.--John Kent advertises, in this paper, valuable
machinery for the manufacture of knitted goods, to which we invite the
attention of all who are interested in this branch of industry. Mr.
Kent has devoted many years to the perfection of these machines.

* * * * *

KAOLIN, a white clay, used largely in the adulteration of flour,
starch, and candles, is found near Augusta,