Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-05-12
Thf Arts a1ln &rtemcfs

The London Journal of .arts and SCI
ences for March, contains the following
new inventions and Improvements -
A pencil case with an internal slider
actuated by screw, for the purpose of
projecting the blacklead forward, so
that the point may be advanced as it
wears away, without the tro uble of cut
ting, the same contrivance applying al
SO to crayons, chalk and colored pen
ellis.
Pens made Of tortoise she'll or horn
instead of quill. The material when
cut Into nIbs, is 10 be softene6 by INNER
sion in boiling water; and small parti-
cles of diamond, ruby, or other hard
substance immersed into the points, by
which means pens are made, combining
great durability with pleasant elasticity.
Or thin pieces of gold or other metal
may be affixed to the tortoise shell or
horn. As still farther Improvement,
movable springs may be placed on the
backs OF pens which will regulate the
stiffness at pleasure.
a Bride intended occasionally to ex-
ert the power of a curb. The rein is
attached in the usual place but by
means OF silders in such a manner that
strong pull makes it slip down to the
end OF a lever and when the hand re-
lakes the rein is restored to its former
place by spring
lathe for making hats revolve dur
ing the process of ironing. The mo-
ton is in a contrary direction to that OF
common turning lathe, and goes round
about twenty turns in minute.
Steel wire hardened and tempered,
and cast steel wire, either hardened and
tempered or not, applied to stringed in
struments.
GAS LIGHTS rofessor Olmsted of
the University of North Carolina, has
ascertained that fine illuminating gas
may be obtained from cotton seed The
product of gas from bushel ofseed, is
more than double the average product
otthe same quantity of New Castle Coal
and greatly exceeds that in illuminating
power. 1t partakes of the purity and
splendor of gas from oil, with which
substance indeed, this seed is known to
abound
The experiments already made in
'duce the belief, that among all substan
ces hitherto tried for gas illumination
this article will be found the most eligi
BILE, especially for southern cities, where
cotton seed can be obtained at yer,
trlfiIng expense and the idea is suggest
ed that this article may possibly become
OF considerable value for expectation
The vast quantity of seed, amounting t.
many millions of pounds, that annual,
accumulate in our cotton districts, form
ing a pile almost useless and sometime.
noxlous, would, it is thought, afford ma
terlals tor Illuminating every city in the
United States.
1t is expected, that Mr.. OImsted will
shortly make public his experiments ant
scientific results on this subject.
Raleigh Reg.
Fill wine glass to the brim with
water, and cover it with piece of writ
ing paper, then place the palm of the
hand over the paper, so as to hold it e
ven, and turn up the glass, when, al
though the hand be removed, the water
will not run out. This effect is who'll,
produced by the upward pressure of the
external air upon the surface of the
paper.
liza piece oflead be applied TO the
upper part of the tongue, while a piece
OF silver is held to the under part, up
on bringing the two metals into contact
pungent sensation will be felt, accom-
panied by strong metallne taste.--lf 4
piece of tin-foil be laid on the point
OF the tongue, and the rounded end of a
silver pencil case be placed against the
ball of the eye, while the other END
rests on the tin-foil, pale fash of light
will diffuse itself over the whole of the
eye. 1.-THE experiment is made with
zinc and gold instead of tin-foil and sill.
yer, the flash is incomparably more viv.
i'd. DR.. Fowler also mentions, that by
placing one of the metals as high up as