The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-29 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

Among the many attractions at this institution we
have been much gratified with a lecture, accompanied by
a working model, on the now hydro-carbon gas appa-
ratus, patented by Mr. Stephen White, which is ex-
hibited in the theatre, for the manufacture of gas from
water and common tar, or resin, &c.

The invention appears to be a very valuable one, and
is ably explained .in its various points by Dr. Ryan.
The apparatus consists of three retorts placed in a stove,
two of which are filled with charcoal and thin pieces of
iron, and the other with iron chains hanging from a
centre bar. The two first retorts are for the decom-
position of water, which is regularly supplied
by means of a syphon-pipe passing through and into the
centre of the retort; the water in passing through the
heated material becomes converted into pure hydrogen
and per-oxide of carbon. It then passes into the third
retort to receive its dose of bi-carburet of hydrogen,
which is prepared from common tar, resin, or similar
substances, passing or dropping on the red hot chain,
from a syphon tube which regulates its supply. This
causes the tar, or melted resin, to throw off an abund-
ance of bi-earburet of hydrogen gas. The gases being
mixed in this manner, are immediately conveyed into
the gasometer for use, without any purifying vessels
whatever, none being required.
The great advantages arising from this invention ap-
pear to be, the small, simple, and cheap apparatus re-
quired, and the beautiful, clear, and bright light pro-
duced, surpassing the ordinary coal gas ; also, its perfect
purity, being free from any nuisance in its manufacture,
and above all, so pure and innoxious that it may be
burnt in any private room without the least ill effects or
smoke resulting from it.
The apparatus may be used and the gas made in any
private mansions, churches, or manufactories, and on
any scale, from 5 to 1,000 lights or more, as well as for
cities and towns. As a sanitary measure it cannot be too
highly appreciated, when we consider the thou-
sands who inhale the poisonous fumes, con-
sisting of sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid gas,
ammonia, &c., given off by the ordinary coal
gas, not only affecting the health of a mass of indivi-
duals, but injuring jewellers', silversmiths', and drapers'
goods, books, prints, pictures, furniture, and a variety of
other articles. This gas can be made and supplied at a
price considerably less than that of coal gas. Thus we
see accomplished the foretelling of that eminent chemist
and philosopher, the late Sir Humphrey Davy, " that
at some future time gas would be generated from water
for general purposes, surpassing coal gas in brilliancy
and purity." ,
All who may be interested in the public health, as well
as the scientific, may spend an hour at the Polytechnic,
and hear this lecture and explanation of the invention.
Besides the foregoing, we must once more make par-
ticular allusion to the lectures delivered by Isham Beggs,
Esq., on the connexion between the Asiatic cholera and
the electrical condition of the atmosphere. The subject
of itself, connected as it is so intimately with the health
of the community, has in a marked manner arrested the
observation of the frequenters of the institution, and
treated as it has been by the fluent eloquence of Mr.
Baggs, the history of the great scourge of the nineteenth
century has acquired an additional fascination.
From an announcement made by the lecturer him-
self, it appears that the hypothesis of a connexion between
electricity and cholera originated in the mind of John
Howard Elyan, Esq., whose name has long been familiar
not only to the world of science but to society at large,
from his important discoveries as to the prevention of
decay in timber. Originated by Mr. Ryan and deve-
loped by Mr. Baggs, we trust that the mysteries of this
remarkable theory will be thoroughly investigated
before the arrival of the Asiatic cholera on the shores
of England.

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.--On Friday, Mr. George
Sinclair, a master baker. residing at Strood, having spent
the evening, as was his usual custom, with a party of friends
at the Watermill Tavern, near the terminus of the Graves-
end and Rochester Railway, left that house about eleven
o'clock on his return home, and about two o'clock in the
morning search having been made for him in consequence
of his unaccountable absence, the body was found lay a
police-constable in the adjoining mill-pond, into which he
had accidentally fallen, the accident, as is supposed, hav-
ing arisen from his having walked into the water by mis-
take, in consequence of the darkness of the night. Au in-
quest was held on Saturday before Mr. Lewis, Coroner for
Rochester, and a verdict of " Found drowned " was re-
turned, the jury at the same time severely animadverting
on the insecure state of the embankment round the mill-
pond.
SANITARY REFORM, ST. MARTIN'S PARISH. A
public meeting, convened according to the announcement
bill by the St. Martin's Sanitary Committee, for the purpose
of promoting public health, but evidently convened in reality
by Mr. C. Cochrane, for the purpose of promoting his own
private interest or political influence, was held last night at
the Rose and Crown, in Drury-lane. Mr. Cochrane arrived
shortly after eight o'clock, when there were about four per-
sons present, two of whom.had a few minutes before engaged
in a personal altercation, one accusing the other of smelling
strongly of ale. Mr. Cochrane proposed that the accuser
should take the chair, but after a moment's reflection, he in-
ducted another person, a Mr. Spiller, into the seat of honour.
The chairman was evidently not at home in his position, and
was about to seat himself when the following scene occurred :
—Mr. Cochrane (to a person present)—" Would you like to
speak ?" No answer. " Would you—would you !" Still no
answer. At length one of the disputautsirt the previonscon-
test rose. He commenced by observing (looking in a me-
nacing manner towards his opponent), " I'll break that chap's
wrap before he's many days older." This observation seas
checked by Mr. Cochrane, and the speaker went on in a more
regular strain. Mr. Cochrane afterwards addressed the meet.
tug, and stated some appalling facts connected with the sani-
tary state of the metropolis, and a resolution was agreed to
appointing a district committee.
MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.—Yes-
terday the half-yearly general meeting of the governors of
this valuable charity, instituted to provide, maintain, and
educate the orphans of seamen in the merchant service, was
held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, for the pur-
pose of electing six boys and six girls into the asylum.
Captain Embleton, who presided, announced the names of
the successful candidates immediately after tho termination
of the polling. The children elected, added to those pre-
viously admitted, will make the number of orphans now in
the asylum amount to 97—there being 65 boys, and 32 girls.
DISCOVERY OF A ROMAN VILLA.—The Hon. It. C.
Neville, with his usual zeal in his researches of Roman re-
mains,
has been enabled lately, through the kind permission
of Mr. Samuel Jonas, of Ickleton, to have a field in his pos-
session explored ; it is situated within sight of the Roman
encampment and Templi Umbra (as called by Stukeley), and
about a quarter of a mile from the Chesterford station, by the
road side leading to Ickleton. The men in the employ of the
Hon. Gentleman and under his personal directions, com-
menced their labours about ten days since, and have sue
eeeded in discovering the remains or walls ofalarg Roman
building, toNmlieawn
building, supposed a villa, having already exposed
five rooms or compartments. Hopes are entertained that it
will lead to some further interesting discovery, Amongst
the numerous fragments, &c., found on Friday
skeletons of two infants. ' last were the

Since the shooting season commenced, this town
has been abundantly supplied with red and black grouse,
which are selling at prices varying from 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. the
brace, according to quality.—Newcastle Journal. •