Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-08-21

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every case when different bodies are bro't
INTO this state of combination or chemical
union. Frequently we find, thatth prop
critics of each body are totally changed ;
and substances, from being energetic and
violent IN their nature become inert harm
less, and U1ce UerSa. For instance, that
useful and agreeable substance, culinary
salt, which is not only harmless but whole
some, and absolutely necessary for the
we'll being of man, is composed of two
formidable ingredients, either of which
taken into the stomach, proves fatal to
lie; one OF these is metal, and the 9TH
er an air; the former is called sodium, and
the latter chlorine. When presented TO
each other, the violence of their nature
is manifested by their immediate bursting
out into flame, and instantly they are both
deprived of their virulence. Can any
thing be more striking than the change of
properties in this case; and who could
have supposed that the culinary salt is
composed Of a l1eta united TO an air.
The medicine called Glauber's salt is
another instance; it is composed of caus.
tic poisons Of different kinds; one called
oil ct vitrol and the other basilla or soda.
There are also two substances known to
chemists which are disgustingly bitter H.
qnds; one Is called nitrate Of silver, & the
other hydrosul phate of soda; when mixed
they are found compound Of consdera-
bic sweetness. But the atmosphere which
we breathe is the most extraordinary Of
all instances; to those who are acquaint-
ed with the fact, that atmospheric air, in
| dispensabe as it is to life, is composed of
The same ingredients, rs that most violent
and destructive liquid called aqua forts,
or nitric acid. This powerful acid by be.
ing made to act upon sugar, the sweetest
OF all things, produces a substance intense
| ly bitter to the taste. Charcoal is, of all
known substances, the most difficult TO
convert to vapor, so much so, indeed, that
the conversion has never been yet deci-
dedly efiected it is also very solid sub
stance, and diamond which is nothing
but chrystalized charcoal, is one of the
hardest bodies in nature. Sulphur, in the
solid state, is a hard substance, and to
hold it in vapor requires high tempera-
ture. But when these two substances.
carbon and sulphur are made TO combine
chemically, so as to form the substance
called bisulphuret Of carbon, their proper
ties are strikingly changed. Instead of
the compound being hard il is thin Ii
Iquid, and is not known to freeze or soiidi-
y at any degree of cold that can be pro-
duced. Instead of the compound being
dfncnlt to evaporize, it is of all liquids
one of the most evaporable. Charcoal is
the blacklist substance with which we are
acquainted sulphur is of the most lively
yellow hue; but the compound is as col
orless as water. A new smell and taste
are acquired, and in a word there is not
one point of resemblance, with the com
poneht. These facts are strikingly illus
tratlve Of the change Of properties which
follows on the exerton Of chemical at
traction between the ultimate particles of
bodies.--Donogon's Chemistry.
The BLlND,--An exhibition of the &C.
quirements Of several youths in the Bos-
Ton Asylum for the blind, was had on
Thursday afternoon last, in the RepIesen-
tlves' Hall, before the constituted author
tiles of our state, together with many cit
lzens OF This town, and visitors from a.
broad. The pupils were five in number,
in charge of DR.. Howe, gentleman con-
nected with the above named institution.
The knowledge obtained by these unfor-
tunate pouth in reading, writing, geogra-
ply and arithmetic, as well as their skill
in music, WAS truly matter of wonder and
establishment to the audience. The books,
maps, and other apparatus employed for
their education were exhibited, in part,
upon this occasion, and explained by DR..
ii. St. Johns Gospel in most ponder
Gus volume. was in use for reading, pre-
pared by having the impression of the
types raised above the surface of the page.
so that the letters and words are ascer-
tanned by the touch. The maps we're
made by dissecting those in common use :.
the part representing land being severed
from the water, and affixed upon sheet
of paper, thus designating land and water
BY slight elevation and depression; and
state lines, rivers, principal towns, &c.
&c. by marks easily ascertained by the
scholars. A child of, we should think s
years. evlnced knowledge truly surpris-
ing in the geography of the United States.
answering uuestiNus NOT IF COu,sa ,,;t l.