Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1893 — A Real Castle In the Air. [ARTICLE]

A Real Castle In the Air.

Mr. Tobiansky, the engineer, is starting a company for the introduction of a novel feature to the Antwerp Exhibition, which is to be held next year. It is to consist of a 1 aft, with an area of about twenty square yards, and constructed of bamboo rods and steel and aluminum tubing, on which a palatial restaurant is to be erected, and the whole suspended in mid-air at an altitude of 500 yards, by means of captive balloons. An ingenious combination of anchor cables will hoid this “aerial castle" in position, effectually prevent any oscillation even in the strongest gale. Two smaller captive balloons, each to carry eight or ten persons, will serve to convey visitors to this floating island and back again to terra firma. Each of the larger balloons is fitted- with a silk tube, through which,* by means of an automatic arrangement, a fresh supply of gas is obtained when required. Electrio lights of intense brilliancy are fitted to the raft for the purpose of lighting the exhibition grouuds. The entire fabric oan be brought down to the ground in ten minutes by means of steam winches.

Amelioration of Smallpox by Darkness.—lt was several years ago that Gallavardin drew the attention of French practitioners to the advantages of treating the smallpox according to the plan originally suggested and carried out by John, of Goddesden, and Waters. The treatment in question consisted simply in keeping the patients absolutely away from all solar light, and this solar darkness had to be from first to last, complete and uninterrupted, otherwise no beneficial results could be looked for. The sane authority has recently published the results of his experience with this method, covering a period of some sixteen years, showing that if this plan be carried out, the great' advantage ensues of there being no period of suppuration, and in consequence the subsequent scarring is infinitesimal.