The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-12-07
From The N. Y. Journal Of Commerce, Dec. 2.


Chaubert, if he has any regard for his pro-
fessional reputation, to avoid admitting law
yers to his exhibition. Being a stranger |
among us. he may not be aware that they
are considers ed match for him. On Thurs
day evening, after heating a shovel red hot,
he requested any of the spectators that
wished, to put ont their tongues, and he
woul,l apply it. ]. ii. Patten, ESQ, walked
up to the stage, and Mons. c. deliberately
rubbed the heated metal over his tongue
two OF three times, which Mr. P. bore with
the for,Itule Of u martyr. He then allowed
Mons. G. 10 pass the shovel over his face,
eyes, and hair.
Mons. c. then proceeded to heat a vessel
of oil, and when it was heated to $50, put
his fingers into it; and Mr.. Patten, lawyer
like. put his fingers in too. Mons. c. then
took a spoonful of the oil Mr.. p. also re-
quested his dose Of it, which was given him.
A vessel of red hot lead was then produc-
ed. Mems. c. after taking portion of it in
his fingers, and then putting it in his mouth
presented the vessel to Mr.. P. who did the
same. MIR. P. then offered to take the
Phosphorus or Piussic Acid, if Mons. c.
would let him; but he declined for fear he
would disc over his ant;dote.
Mons. G. then retired to prepare himself
for the oven, and returned, covered with
cloaks and f1annels. After preparing tine
steak, he placed it at the door of the oven,
which was Immediately opened, and the lu-
rid and glaring appearance of its atmosphere
threatened instant death to any living thing
that should dare 10 encounter it. Mr.. p.
however, stopped Mons. T.. and requested TO
DO allowed 10 accompany him. Mons. G.
declined, but told him he might walk in II
he pleased. Mr. P. coolly walked in, and
seated himself on the iron chair in the back
part of the oven; but as he had not prePar-
ed himself with wrappers, he staid but about
one minute. The door was shut, and the
thermometer stood at $50. He describes
the sensation as being that of u burning
heat upon the face for the first moment; al
ter that, the perspiration started, and it was
comparatively comfortable.
The moral from all this is, that the feats
Of Mons. C. are real. They are practical il
lustrations of some of the most beautiful
theories in chemistry; a science in which
Mr.. P. is an adept. both theoretically and
practically. But enough for the present.
Perhaps we shall have something more to
say on another occasion.
From The Journal Of Commerce Of Dec. 8.
We stated yesterday that the ability of
the human system to bear such extraor-
binary degrees Of heat as had been exem-
plifed in The case of Mons. Chaubert and
J. II. Patten, ESQ, was capable Of explanu-
ton on scientific principles. The theories
to which we alluded were those of Doctor
Black of Edinburg, and especially the one
relative to latent heat. The explanation Of
the matter given by Mr.. p. is founded upon
that theory, and appears to US both rational
and ingenious. 1t is this 1T is impossible
for any fluid besides mercury, to transmit
heat through itself except by an inter-
change of particles and in all such cases,
the heated PARTICLES rise, according to the
principles of grayitation. If you apply
red hot iron TO the surface of fluid, you
may evaporate it very fast, but you cannot
heat it. Fluids are perfect non-conductors
ofheat. A living human being may be con-
sidered as a vessel filed with fluid which
is constantly exuding through every part
of the surface, which surface is re 1lenished
from the interior reservoir as fast MS it is
evaporated. Take first the experiment of
the boiling oil. The oil is heated to A or
500 degrees of Fahrenheit. The finger is
then dipped into the vessel, and the heat is
employed in converting the perspiraton
upon it into vaper: the evaporation is ron.
stantly supplied from the vessels within
and the finger cannot burn until one of tive
things takes place EITHER the oil mnst be
SO hot as TO evaporate the psrspiratiop faster
than it can be supplied, or the finger mus,
remain in the oil long enough to exhaust
its peIspration. This is the reason why
it is necessary to perform the experiment,
so quickly. 1t is the same with melted
lead. The putting it on the tongue is n
mere parade; for the small quantity taken
up between the fingers is cooled before il
gets to the tongue.
Entering the oven is dependant on the
same principle. The moment you enter the
oven, the heat is employed in converting
the perspiraton over the whole body in va.
por, which is as constantly supplied from
within. The great heat certainly renders
the quantity of perspiration very uncomfort
able, but il is this alone upon which the
safety of the individual depends. The heal
! can no more penetrate the body threuel
| the perspiration, than sword could pene.
| trate through coat of mail. Should he
remain until persplration ceased, or should
the oven be SO hot as to dry the perspira-
ton faster than it could be supplied, death
would be inevitable. A dead BODY, like the
!
to the surface as fast as it is evaporated.
is soon penetrated by the heat. And SO the
living body would be, if it we're not for this
power. The hannels ia which Mons. C. is
wrapped, are only useful in keeping the
heat from coming too suddenly in contact
with his body.
SLEEP. Few of our readers, perhaps.
are aware, that the human body falls asleep
by tnstalmenis. According to M. Cabins.
French psychologist, quoted in late
number Of the Quarterly Review, the mus.
cles of the arms and legs lose their power
before those which support the head, and
these last sooner than the muscles which
sustain the back; and he illustrates this by
The cases of persons who sleep on horse
oack or while they are standing or walk
ing. lie conceives that the sense of sight
sleeps FIRST, then the sense of taste, next the
sense Of smell, that of hearing, and lastly
ina; OF touch. He maintains ALSO that the
vlseera fall asleep one after another, and
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