Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-09-18

He was also essentially INSTRUMENTS Ia Oehc.ai
Lafayette's last visit to this country, when he
came as the Nations Guest. to gratlry nations
eve. and charm a nations heart. Finally, mall
,be various relations Of life he was an estimable
mar, and benevolent individual, and long will
this loss be felt and his memory cherished by all
who had intercourse with him. This small and
very inadequate sketch Is offered as tribute OF
gratitude bv one who feels himself much indebt-
ed for his generous attentions and almost father
Iiy conduct towards him while resident IN the
French metropolis. Poulson's Phil .ddU.
-.ge7Sa>
Virginia Gola.-in order TO obtain correct IN
formation on the subject Of the gold mines IN Vir-
! pinia, the editor Of the Richmond Enquirer adj
dressed letter to Mr.. John Lewis, CT Spottsyl-
yania, a scientific gentleman, and received from
him an interesting answer. The latter gentle
man states that gold. in pieces varying from par
ticles barely perceptible to the eye to such as
weigh thirty or forty penayweights, Is extensive
ly difused over strip OF land passing through
Spottsylyania and other counties; 1t Is found on
the surface. and In stratum OF quartz. being NOT
unfrequentiy incorporated with It. The richest
strata rest upon slate, and enter IFS assures and
crevices; from such places much gold Is obtained.
Although gold of this character IS extensively
diffused over large surfaces, Mr.. Lewis asserts
!
produce will pay for the labor of separation. -
The present method of working is as follows
.sThe earth is dug up and carried to the near
est stream, and thrown on seive OF wlre' On
perforated wheel iron, placed in one end OF Sc
mi-cylindrical trough like canoe, about eight or
ten feet long, fixed on pivots at the ends so as
to rock like cradle; jette Of water tails on the
earth in the sieve. and passes through the whole
length of the washer, carrying of all substances,
| light enough to swim, or held in solution by the
water; the heavier substances are left, the larger
on, The sere. and if any Gold, it IS seen and taken
up-when the sieve becomes full Of pebbles, 1t
| is taken off to be examined and emptled. The
smaller heavy substances pass through the sieve
| with the water, to the bottom OF the canoe or
washer, where it subsidies, and any Gold Is de-
tanned, and forms an amalgam with quickIlver,
deposited in the bottom of the washer. and kept
from going out at the farther end, with the mud.
DIV water, BY transverse lodges fastened in the
bottom Of the washer. The Gold thus found,
is then either pieces in their raatire state. taken
off the sieve. or finer or rather smaller PARTICLES,
caught bv the mercury-and, therefore, IN the
form of amalgam, which is easily separated by
heat evaporating and re-condensing tor use again
! the mercury. About three ourthS OF the Gold
obtained, is in the amalgam."
The expense OF the fixtures, labores, &c, ne.
cessary TO work one Of the mines, is about $3.50
per year: from the same mine gold has been sold
in one year sufficient to produce S6505. This
it should be remarked. is surface mine; others
are not SO productiy e.s,ud - more fW labor
! Mr.. Lewis remarks th3t in pA'seeuting the busi-
ness much money will be expended and much
disappointment experienced oy the sanguine and
ignorant. He thinks. however. that through SCI
ence, practical skill, industry and economy. fair
profits will be realized. He states that foreign
and nothern capitalist are be Ching to turn their
attention towards the gold section, and doubtless
many valuable mines will fall into their hands.
-ssasN-
! a Singular .7dren'ure--0nce upon time a
traveller stepped into post coach. He vas
young man Just starting in life. He found six
passengers about him. all OF them grey headed
and extremely aged men. The Youngest appear
ell to have seen at least eighty winters. Our
youg traveller was struck With the mild and hap
! py aspect which distinguished all his fellow pas
sengers, and determined to ascertain the secret
of long life and the art of making old age com.
Portable. He Il, st addressed the one apparently
! the oldest, who told him that he had always led
regular and abstemious life, eating vegetables
| and drinking water; the young man was rather
things of this life. He addressed the second,
who astounded him by sa, ing he had always eat
roast beef and gone 10 bel regularly fuddled for
seventy ars,-add;ng. 'hath always depended
on regularity. The third had prolonged his
days by never seekin. OF accepting oihce--the
fourth BY resolu,ely abstaniug from all political
or religious controversies. and the tyfh by going
to bed at sun set and rising at dawn. The sinfh
was aDparently much Younger than the other FIVE
his hair was less grey md there was more of it
! "a placid smile. denoting perfectly easy con-
science, mantled ms face. and his voice was jo-
cund and strong. Thes were all surprised to
learn that he was BY ten wears the Oldest man in
the coach. How exclaimed our young travel
Ter. ''how is it you have thus preserved the fresh
ness of iife--where there is one wrinkle on your
brow there are ffteens. that of each and every
one Of your juniors--te!l me, pray your secret
of long life" lit is 40 great mystery" said
the old man, Il have drank water and drank
wine-I have eat meat and vegetables have
held public Office have dabbed in politics