Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-14
POISON.

POISON.
Mr.. ]. Murray, in paper in Brew
ster's Edinburgh Journal of Science,
Just published, after detailing a num-
Der Of experiments on frogs, rabbits,
SC. SAYS, 81 have no hesitation to pro-
nounce, with most positive certainty,
that in Ammonia will be found COM
plete antidote to hydrocyanic (orprus-
sic) acid, in acetic acid, an efiectual
counterpoison to opium"
MIR. ROBERTSoN'S ERIAL VOYAGE.
Neu- FORK, July Ion Saturday af-
ternoon, little after seven O'Clock,
Mr.. f. Robertson, the son of Profes-
sor Robertson Of Paris, made an as
cent in a balloon from the interior Of
Castle Garden before an immense con-
course Of spectators.
About three O'Clock the apparatus
was nearly ready for filling the balloon
with hydrogen gas. More than do
zen casks were ranged in the form of
circle, with tin pipes leading into a
tub in the centre, in which was i'm
mersed cask Of a similar form to
the first. Iron filings being placed in
the casks, and the usual mixture Of
FIVE parts of water, and one Of sulphu-
ric acid being thrown into them, a
decomposition, accompanied with a
considerable effervescence, was then
occasioned. The oxygen gas remain
ed combined with the iron, while the
hydrogen gas escaped through the
pipes to the centre, and thence in a
purified state into the balloon. The
casks to the right were first put in re-
QUESTION, and as the gas was wanted,
they continued producing it by the
same process from the circle. 1t takes
considerable time to fill body Of any
magnitude with this species Of gas, in
consequence of the small proportion
of. it which is contained in water. In
hundred parts Of water there are
eighty-6ve of oxygen which must con-
tinue with the iron filings, and only
about fifteen parts of the hydrogen
with which the balloon is filed. The
process, however, of deeomposing the
water and procuring the gas, was so
new TO many Of those spectators in
the interior of the garden, that they
continued for the space Of several
hours with great patience to witness
the gradual completion Of the machine.
About four o'clock the balloon exhib-
tied the appearance of young Gle
plant, as one Of the spectators fanci-
fully remarked, with his proboscis, and
quivering about on the piece of can
vass on which it was placed, as if it
were just beginning to become instinct
with life. 1t gradually grew in its di-
mansions, and by four o'clock, the net
work to which is suspended the car of
the Eronaut was thrown over it, n
prevent it from ascending in the at
mosphere. This net work ended in
about dozen small cords, at which
where as many young men and boys
stationed for the purpose Of holding it
down. They were evidently pleased
with their office, as who would not be
pleased TO be admitted within the ring
of science, and there prevent the thing,
almost alive, from starting away to the
upper sky?
During the four hours occupied in fill
ing the balloon, the company crowded
into the gardenin one continual stream.
The crater proportion were females,
who exhibited in their countenances
every symptom Of satisfaction. The
front part ofthe upper terrace was soon
crowded, and the lower range Of cir
cular seats filled up with great CELEBRITY.
1t has been said, that by the hour at
which the balloon assembled. the garden
contained within its ample bosom a
bout FIVE thousand persons or more.
Towards seven O'Clock the carriage
of General Lafayette and suite made
its appearance at the outskirts Of the
crowd on the battery. A shout of
gratitude was then raised, and was
prolonged until it reached the very
centre of the garden. The carriages
made their way slowly to the gate OF
the castle, on which the venerable man
dismounted and walked along the draw
bridge to the inner entrance. Near the
bridge he stopped for few minutes,
and bowed to the crowd on either side,
who Immediately commenced their
raptures to a deafening peal. On en-
tering the garden, he was received with
the same overwhelming welcome, and
while he proceeded to the canopy pre-
pared for his reception, the air rang
with the shouts of the mingled thou
sands who filled the place.
As soon as Lafayette was seated, Mr..
Robertson FASTENED the process OF I'LL
ing the balloon. The acids and the