The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-12 00:00:00

WHAT IS " GREEK FIRE ?"

A vitally important question just now : thus answered by
Dr. Richardson, in to-day's number of the Social Science
Review : —From the number of times I have been asked
this question during the last few days, the answer to it
seems to be one that would prove of great interest. I shall
try and give the answer, therefore, as briefly and clearly as
I can. The term " Greek fire," as applied to the substance
which the Federals are pouring into Charleston, is strictly,
a misnomer. The secret of the manufacture of the
original Greek fire has been lost fur nearly nine hundred
and fifty years, and it is probable that it will not again be
found, seeing that modern chemistry suggests agents
quite as dangerous, and perhaps simpler than the original.
the modern representative of " Greek Fire," although in-
tended for the same purposes, is different in character,
more portable, snore certain, more terrible. It is a fluid
substance, is cheaply made, keeps for years, and is pro-
duced so quickly that the ingredients of which it is com-
posed may be put together at the moment when the com-
pound is required. In using the liquid it has to be enclosed
in a shell which shall burst at a given point of destination
and allow the fluid to be distributed. The occurrence of
flame from this liquid is not immediate, various
circumstances modifying its action in regard to
time. I made some experiments in the course
of the present week with a little of the fluid that had been
in my possession seven years, and found thqt with the tem-
perature of the air at 63 deg. Fahr., and a fair wind blow-
ing, combustion took place in four minutes and a half, the
fluid being distributed on dry wood : on a moist surface of
wood, however, at the same temperature and with the same
wind, combustion was delayed half-an-hour. There are
other differences, varying with the external conditions ; but
these are really of no moment ; because the engineer, it it
were requisite, by calculating the temperature of the air,
the force of the wind, and the moistut e of the air, could come
to a very accurate conclusion as to the period of combus-
tion after exposure of the liquid. When combustion has
taken place, or before combustion has taken place, it may
be suppressed by water, and other means cf extinguishing
flame : but there is this peculiarity, that the fire is sup
pressed only, it is not extinguished; let the water evapo-
rate, or remove the covering, and, though a month, a year,
or a century I had almost said, had elapsed, the chances
are that the fire will break out again ; and paradox as it
may seem, it is still true, the more effectual the suppression
for the time, the greater is the danger when. that suppres-
sion is removed.
The construction of modern "liquid fire" is based on
simple scientific principles, and more methods than one may
be discovered for producing it. I think—and I know its
inventor, to whom I shall refer in a moment, thinks so too
—that it might be so formed that it would actually burn
under water. But, however much it might be modified in
detail, the principle would be the same, and the principle is
this : a rapidly oxydizable substance—which means a sub-
stance that in combining greedily with oxygen whenever
it can get it, gives rise to the evolution of heat and flame—
is suspended for a time through a liquid, in which it is held
innocuous, so long as the two aro confined together, bu
from which it is separated spontaneously when both are se
free in the open air.

The modern chemist who fist brought liquid fire into
notice, was Mr. Wentworth Scott, I have been told that
the method suggested by the late Lord Dundonald was of
the same nature; but, for special scientific reasons, this
view is not probable. Mr. Scott suggested the principle
eleven years ago, and during the Russian war he was un-
tirirg in his efforts to get it practically into use in our army
and navy. There is as official board which received Mr.
Scott, heard his plans, promised him means for experiment,
nibbled at his idea, and then repudiated it, and did many
foolish things which it is not worth while to rake up ;
suffice it, that after tantalising Mr. Scott for a long season,
and after supplying him with " lots of forms," our circum.
locutionists became acquainted with another gentleman,
who proposed a liquid fire, but who I believe in the end was
gently dropped also, I mean, Captain Disney.
While Mr. Scott's and Captain Disney's experiments
were being canvassed, in 1855, I wrote a letter to the Tiincs
on the whole subject, which letter was inserted, and gave
rise to much comment. I may state now what I could
not state then positively, that at the time come in-
quiriec were being made in a continental laboratory,
having in view the supplying of information on "liquid
fire," to the Russian Government, and my great object in
writing to the leading journal was to apprise our people
that the Russians,who, under the direction of Prof. Jacobi,

were constructing very terrible implements of war, might
some day. and qui3kly, envelope the whole of the British
fleet in flames. Fortunately the peace which followed
shortly afterwards put a stop to all proceedings of a war-
like kind, and my warnings,
as well as those of that
eminent patriot, Mr. Punch, who came up nobly to
second them, fell uselessly on the public ear. At the
same time experiments with liquid fire did not cease;
there was a gallant and ingenious officer named Captain
Norton, who took up the inquiry and advanced it an im-
portant stage. Captain Norton invented a small shell for a
rifle, which shell, filled with the liquid, would discharge its
ccntents by merely striking a piece of stretched canvass,
like the sail of a ship, and would set the whole rapidly in
flames. His experiments, of which he carried out a great
number at his own expense, pinto.' but to one conclusion,
namely, that certain kinds of warfare, such as sieges, and

battles in wooden ships, could be rendored impossible from
the certainty of entire destruction. At last, that which the
English nation, or rather Government, refused to study as
a means cf warfare, has been turned to practical account in
America. Liquid tiro has fouud its way into Charleston,
and the question to be asked is, Will its application atop
there

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Sept 11.

The Countess (Frances) Waldegrave and Mr.
Chichester Fortescue, M.P., have been receiving company
at Dudbrook House, Essex. Among the visitors were the
Duke and Duchess d'Aumale, Prince Conde, the Belgian
Minister, Miss Van de Weyer and Mr. Victor Van de
Weyer, Lady Gilbert Kennedy, Hon, T. Stonor and Miss
Stonor, Hon. and Rev, Francis Byng, Mr. and LadY
Horatio Wardlaw, the Rev. C. Harcourt, Captain Beau-
champ Seymour, Mr. George Russell, Mr. and Mrs.
Urquhart and Miss Money. The party will separate this
day.

Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston intend to
leave town early in the ensuing week for Brcadlands, nor
Ronisey.

Lady Hermoine Graham, who came to town from
Cumberland to visit her sister, Lady Ulrica Thynne, has
left town on her return to Netherby Park.
It is understcod that the marriage of Major the
Hon. Augustus H. Anson, V.C., brother of the Earl of
Lichfield, with ➢Liss Claughton, daughter of the Rev. Mr.
and Hon. Mrs. Claughton, will take place at Whitley Court,
the Earl of Dudley's seat in Worcestershire. The day i°
not yet fixed.

Lieutenant the Hon. Albert Denison, R.N., who
came to town to be present at the marriage of his brother,
Lord Londesborough, has left Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-
square, for Portsmouth.

Sir George Grey arrived in London on Thursday
night from his seat, Falloden, Northumberland.

Sir Edward and Lady Synge have arrived at the
Alexandra Hotel (late Wallace's), Hyde-park-corner, from
Windermere.

The marriage of the only daughter of the Count
and Countess Metaxil with Mr. Crawshay Bailey, only sou
of Mr. Crawshay Bailey, M,P., will take place on Tuesday,
the 29th inst., in Cheltenham. In the neighbourhood of
Nant-y-Glo and Aberaman Park the day will be kept with
a general holiday and great festivities, the inhabitants of
these localities being desirous of thus testifying the great
esteem and respect which they have always felt towards
Mr. Crawshay Bailey and his son.

HEALTH OF THE DUKE OF ATHOLE.—His grace's
health shows no symptom of improvement ; on the contrary,
it is uncterstood that his eyesight is failing rapidly under
the medical treatment which has been adopted with a view
to induce sleep, from the loss of which he has of late suf-
fered much. The most sincere sympathy is universally
felt for this esteemed nobleman, whose benefactions to the
labouring classes on his estates have greatly endeared him
in their eetimation.—Perthshire Advertiser.

AT THE KAISER'S ARRIVAL IN VIENNA, the
burgomaster, Dr. Zelinka, addressed his Majesty in
tho following terms :—Will your Majesty deign to allow we
to give expression to the joyful feeling which animates the,
entire population of your capital of Vienna at the return of
their beloved Emperor. Our blessings attended your
Majesty during your journey—you are received with
our joy on your return to your faithful city
of Vienna. Thisgeneral joy will proclaim through the whole of
.Germany,
yea, through Europe, that the people of Austria are bound
toyour Majesty by everlasting gratitude. For your Majesty'
has magnanimously
resolved that the historically just prin-
ciple should be recognised that Austria promotes the unity
of Germany, and also that Austria's strength is necessary
to protect Germany from all danger. This strength of
Austria is also rooted in the free institutions generously
granted by your Majesty, in the bravery of the Austrian.
army, and, before all however, in the love and devotion of
all your people, who regard their Emperor with pride. God
preserve our good Emperor, and long may he live I His
Majesty, thereupon, replied as follows :—I joyfully return
you my thanks for the friendly reception prepared for me.
I endeavoured to promote the interests of Austria most
energetically at Frankfort, and I rejoice to be able to assure
you that everywhere in Germany I have met with thta
warmest sympathy for our fatherland. On this occasions
Mr. Burgomaster, I renew to you verbally my approbation.
and thanks for the pains you took in carrying out the na-
tional festival. It did my heart good to hear of the good
order, and the lively patriotic sentiments of the inhabitants
of my imperial city and capital, and I regretted that I was
not in a position to personally take part in the festival.
" CLAW ME, CLAW THEE I" OR CUTTLE FISH AND

CRAB.—The cattle fish, aptly called, by old Ger-
man writers on natural history, the "weer spina," or sea-
spider, not only resembles a fat spider in its appearance, but
takes after the spider also in its habits, for it squeezes its
body into ambush, and there waits patiently till its prey
comes to it. True, it does not spin a web, but has enor-
mously long prehensile tentacles, covered with suckers,
with which it is enabled to grasp any living thing that
comes within its reach. The specimen at the Zoological
feeds principally upon crabs. The moment the foolish crab,
in his constitutional walk round the tank in search of
amusement, comes near one of the outstretched arms of the
octopue, it twines round him with the celerity of a whip-
lash round a gig-shaft. The crab struggles and fights with
all his legs working all abroad, reminding one of a naked
child about to be ducked under water by the remorseless
bathing woman who, coming stealthily round the corner,

has seized the infant from the steps of the bathing-Ina-

chine. The crab in the arms of the octopus is as help-
less as the child in the arms of the bathing woman. Go
he must; but there is this difference, the child is after a
while restored; the crab never. In and in and in he goes,
slowly and gradully ; the other arms of the hungry monster
come to tht; rescue; the poor victim is hopelessly involved
like a fly in a spider's web, and at last, thoroughly worn
ntlgdes up
pte incrack a bunch,
un
the shell shell of the and all is
out and exhausted, he is dragged up to the fearful mouth
quiet.of
H octopus—rhouw th
e
a I la
crab and get out the meat we know not ; but yet, after a
certain time, the octopus relaxes his grasp, and out falls the
shell of the poor crab as empty as the egg-shells which can.
be found on the table after the repast of a hungry tourist.
Tun WORLD TOPSY TURVY! or Life at the An-

tipo • des • being a few among the many Pecuiiaritiea
of Australia.—What strikes the European traveller the
most vividly when he arrives in this land of the Antipodes,
is the total °vet throw of the physical conditions to which
he has been accustomed. The course of the seasons, for
instance, is the reverse of what it is in Europe. January
marks the middle of summer, and July the middle of winter.
Spring embraces September and October; summer goes
from the commencement of November to the end of Febru-
ary. March, April, and May are the autumn months : the
remaining time to the 31st August represent winter. There
are threw months of rain : in March and April, two of the
autumnnal months, and. in August, the concluding winter ,
month. When it is midnight in Europa it is noon in Aus-
tralia ; and reciprocally. When it is flue weather in Aus-
•_ ,• _

tralia, the barometer sinks—to announce bad weather it
The longest day comes in June with us, in December
With the Australians. Tae heat blows from the north, the
cold from the south, and it is on the top of the mountains
that the heat is greatest. Everywhere there is the same
contradiction. The swans are black in :I'..Tew South Wales,
the eagles are white. The bees do not sting, the birds do

not sing ; tho owl comes forth during the day, the cuckoo

utters his own name to the cchoes during the night. Quad-
rupeds are seen which have a beak and which lay eggs,

others are furuithed with pouches to carry their young
The cherries hove stones; pears, which are so richly

melting in our climate, took in Australia as if they had
b...err cut out of oak. The trees do not iu general give soy
shadow, because it is the edge of their leaves, pot the side,

which. is turned toward the sin,

et,Tnitar
Tonal

Her Majesty drove in the grounds this morning.
The Elrl of Caithness and Col. Hon. A. Liddell
are the lord and groom, and .Major-General F
Seymour the equerry in waiting.
The Hon. Horatio Stopford and the Hon. Lucy
Lyttelton are the maids of honour in waiting to her
Majesty.

DEPARTURE CF THE QUEEN FOR SCOTLAND.
Her Majesty is expected to leave Windsor Castle
for Scotland on Monday. As at present arranged, the
Queen will travel by the Great Western Railway, and will
leave Windsor terminus at 10 minutes to 6, proceeding by
way of Leamington to the Bushbury junction, where
charge of the train will be taken by the North-Western
Railway officials. The train is timed to arrive at Perth at
20 minutes to 9on Tuesday morning. After a stoppage of
an hour and a half the journey will be continued, and Aboyne,
the last station, will be reached shortly before 2, when the
Queen will pursue her journey to Balmoral by road,
His Majesty Dom Fernando, King of Portugal,
father of the reigning King, Dom Louis, arrived in Amster-
dam on Monday lust. Prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg
visited his royal relative on Tuesday.
The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, and LadY
Blanche Somerset, who came to town for the marriage of
Lord and Lady Londesborough, left on Thursday afternoon
for their seat in 'Wales.
The Duke of Newcastle has arrived at Thomas's
Hotel, Berkeley-square, from his seat, Worksop, Notts.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Anglesey have
left town for Eastwell Park, Ashford, Kent, the seat of the
Earl and Countess of Winehilsea.
The Earl and Countess of Howth, and Mrs. Bar-
foot, have arrived at Claridge's Hotel, from Dublin.
Earl Brownlow and Lady Marian Alford have
arrived at Ashridge Castle, from Belton House, near
Grantham. The noble earl intends to pass the winter at
Madeira.
The Earl and Countess of Lincoln, with their
daughter, Lady Beatrice Clinton, have arrived at Clumber
Park, the Duke of Newcastle's seat in Nottinghamshire.
Adelaide, Countess of Yarborough, has left
London for their marine residence at St. Lawrence, Isle of
Wight.