The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-10-17 00:00:00

- - -
ds some distinct and well marked
neatest of which dates back but

1 LIVER.

the 10th instant, at the Roydl 1-s•itutinn, the paper for
the evening being by Mr. Spent:cr. on some new voltaic
arrangements, with impr,venten's in the art of working
in most of the metals by the same agency.
We find it impos.ible to give nutre than a very brief

abstract of the interesting—we may say important—mat-
ters connected in this geetleman's cote amnication, it con-
sisting of a further improvement of the principle of his
former discovery of electrotype, with its practical applica-
tion to purposes of art, together with an account of some
most curious experiments in illustration of the principle
be has now so successfully applied, and showing the ex-
traordinary power of electrical transference.
Mr. Spencer commenced by stating that the gem of the
principle he was now about to lay before the society—as
applied to voltaic electricity -he -had already laid before
this body at their first meeting, end many months before,
the paper containing the details of his discovery of elec-
trotype, notice of it having been given as early as the close
of 1838. Although the experiment he alluded to was pub-
lished at the time, and subsequently in a work of his own,
it had attracted no attention, except perhaps as possessing
an abstraet philosophical interest.
It was, however, susceptible of most important results.
Before proceeding further with this branch of the subject,
he took brief notice of the present state of the process of
applying voltaic electricity to the metallureic arts since
his discovery of its applicability. Ile also referred to the
dates of his former communications to the society, to show
that the principle and form of his apparatus at present
employed was precisely the same that he had first brought
under public notice at several meetings of that society
1839. Two‘forms of apparatus were exhibited, being those
referred to as already shown to the members. lie then
took notice of several patents that have been obtained for
applications of his principles to several branches of art;
and although it might appear, in consequence, that much
improvement had taken pl.,ce, yet his patents were n erely
for applications of the invention to any branch of business
the party might be engaged in, without laying claim to
anything more—many specifications being literally copied
as respects the progress, from the pamphlet of Mr.
Spencer. which was published by the society in 1839. Se-
veral voltaic combinations were then referred to as having
a connexion with the deposition of metals—one of which
was exhihited in action, it being an invention of his own,
and consisting of a lead surface, made rough by mechanical
means, in order to obtain a numerous series of points. It
is afterwards made to receive two separate coatings of
platinum. The first as solid platinum ; the second being
the shine metal in the state of powder—each of which pro-
cesses are effected by electrical agency.
The experiment alluded to at the beginning of the paper
was.now brought under notice. It consisted of a piece of
unconnected copper placed in a wall of moist clay, which,
as a division separates two fluids' from each other, the
poles of a galvanic fluid being led into each of them. After
the galvanic current thus generated had been kept in action
for a number of weeks, it was found that the piece of cop-
per had lost considerably at one end, while it had gained
an equal amount at the other—yet it had no direct com-
munication with the battery, being merely placed in the
line or wake of the current. It was then shown that in-
duced electricity might be made to play an important part
in the transference of Dative metals in mineral veins,
although the primary current might he generated at any
imaginable distance. This principle be bad now applied
to the manufacture of all kinds of metallic plates, or other
surfaces, but more especially those required for photo-
graphy—a number of splendid specimens of which were
exhibiting, most exquisitely polished, yet jits: in the state
they are in when removed from the galvanic trough they
had been forrhed in, the apparently burnished surface be-

log the result of the galvanic process without th., applica-
tion of labour of any sort. it was stated that plates of this
description were far better fitted--from their chemical
purity and equal texture of metal—for photographic pur-
poses, than those constructed by mechanical methods:
A galvanic apparatus, with a plate i❑ the act +of form-
ing, was shewu—the apparatus for the construction of
one, fifty, or five hundred, being of equal simplicity. We

shall endeavour to render this as clelias possible without
the aid of a drawing. In all galvar.ic arrangements
hitherto described, it is necessary to have all the metals
composing them in direct metallic communication with
each other, which is effected by soldering wires, or fasten-
ing slips of metal to them by screws, they must be so done
to etery,plate or surface present, whether positive or•ne-
gative—furthermore, both sides of the plates are alike

acted on. To prevent this latter action various expedients
have been resorted to; as for nearly all .electrotype- sr-
rangements, this .is an evil to be avoided. if possible.
Varnishes are used for the purpose of protecting those
parts that arc not=requited to be acted on. in mostcases,
however, they are ineffectual, as the fluids the plates are
immersed in, frequently dissolve them, it is this co n-

. .
plicated system of wires and screws that present such a
forenidinle appearance to the uninitiated, as it also gives
rise to many failures in practice. By ;the principle• Mr.
Spencer now brings into action, nearly the wholeof these
complicated ,arrangements are avoided, and not only so,
but the inmallic deposit is of a far superior texture and
equality of thiAcness throughout, together •with -much
economy of time, labour, and expense, there•beitig no

iple employed. In this arranvvinent Slr. Spencer,
tor the first time, calls into practicaruperation ti,e hitherto
abstract principle of electrical induction. To gives com-

iorm a copper plate by the (no
process, we -should require a pair of plates, coot
a vessel, forming. our battery. The plate we intend to use

vmmoti) e!ec trotyp

of metal.'in like manner, has now to be fastened to the
other plate of the .battery, and tdso placed- it the vessel
oontainingthe metallic salt in sotution. Thus to,produce
one:plate-is required a pairof battery plates, in one vessel,

aelc•of the plates have to be,burnishett;auttior every

plate re;quiretlheyequired an equal amount of

_ .
By the-method now proposed, however, thy -strange-
ment,:iust described will do tor any • number of such
plates

no-further quantity of wires

selliatim,-each having a piece of the metal required to be
deposited -leaning against it, should there be fifty such
they will-be alike acted on. That action which is techni-
cally -termed polar, or ra her polariseation takes pia-.
that is one side of each interposed plate becomes.,
while the-other is negative, and the metal from the posi-
tive aideis transferred tethe negative side of the next,
and so on, through any number. It was shown this prin-
ciple of action was susceptible of many curious modifi-
cations; among others, that it was capable of :keeping a
circular-body revolving in a fluid for any 1, ngth of time,
the action of which might be registered like a clock. It
was shown also that a number of such might be kept in
motion, while inductive actions -capable of retarding or
accelerating might be obtained at pleasure. :In con-
nection with this subject--one most remarkable experi-
ment was described, which we regret we cannot-give in
full, as-theresuits were most extraordinary. During six
months -it was kept in constant action, and the results
noted at intervals. A narrow butlong plate glass•trough
was divided into four cell,, by three porous earthenware
divisions, each of which were 21 inches apart, and Chad a
small aperture capable of admitting a half sovereign.
The poles of a powerful voltaic:pair were placed at each
end of the trough, the positive pole being silver, the
negative platinum. In the first aperture, and next to the
silver pole, apiece of gold was inserted ; into:file next a
piece of silver, and in like manner-into the third, was in-
serted a piece of zinc. The whole trough being tilled up

positive,'