Litchfield enquirer., 1838-02-22

8 and the latter chIOrinc. When presented to each other, the violence of their nature x manifested 0y their immediate bursting out 'm'" flame, and instantly they are both deprived Of their virulence. Can any 'h'ng "e more striking than the change of properties im this case and who could have supposed that culinary sal, is composed of a metal united tO an air2
 The medicine called Glauber's salt is an. other instance; is composed of two caus- tic poisonS of different kinds; one called oil "f Vitriol, and the other barida or soda. There arc also two substances known to 1 chemists, which are disgustingly bitter It. qnids; one is called nitrate of silver and the other hydrosulpIiate of soda: yet when mixed, they form compound of consider able sweetness.
 But the atmosphere which we breathe is the most extraordinary of all substances; ; it must be surprising, to those who are unac- qnainted with the fact, that atmospheric air, indispensable as it is to life, is com- posed "t the same ingredients as that most violent and destructive liquid called 0quG fortis, OF niiric acid. This powerful acid by being made to act upon sugar, the sweetest of all things, produces substance intensely bitter to the taste.
 Charcoal is, fall known substances, the most difficult to convert into vapor; SO much SD, indeed, that the conversion has never yet been decidedly efiec,ed-ii is al- so very solid substance; and the diac1 ond. which is nothing hut chrystal;zed charcoal, IS one of the hardest bodies in nature.- Sulphur, in the solid state, is also a hard substance, and to hold it in vapor requires high temperature. But when these two substances, carbon and sulphur, are made to combine chemically, so as to form tho substance called bisul phuret of carbon, their properties are stikingly changed. Instead of the compound being hard. it is a thin liquid, and is not known to freeze or solid- fly in any degree of cold that can be pro- duced. Instead ofthe compound being diff. licult 10 evaporize, it is ofall liquids one of the most evaporable. Charcoal is tho blackest substance with which we are ac- quainted-snlphur is of the most lively yel- low hue: but the compound is as colorlcss as water. A new smell and taste is ac- qnired; and in a word, there is not one point of resemblance with the components. These facts are s,rikingly illustrative of the change of properties which follows on the exer.iun of chemical attraction between the ultimate particles of bodies.
 Dunoyan's Cheu,istry. Fire.-Destruction of Steamboats.-Yestcr- day morning about l o'clock, the steamboat Marmora, which had come in from Natchi. toches the day before, was discovered to be on fire. Having on board a cargo of cotton, upwards of 1900 bales, the flames spread with great rapidity, seizing upon two other boats, the Cumberland and the Chickasaw, which were lying near. The latter attempted to move off, but the floating cotton, much of which was on fire, driftcd under her guards, thus surrounding and enveloping her in flames as she passed upwards with the eddy. As she passed along, u line was thrown to a Hat boat; but the persons to whom it was thrown refused to make fast, and it was only through the great exertions of those on board that the ChickasaW was prevented from get. ting out into the current, where she might have gone down, drowning all whom the flames had not previously destroyed. There was anotherflat boat whose owner acted very differently, yielding the Chickasaw all possi- ble aid in bringing her up to the pier, where she was secured, and after the fire was ex- l the levce. The Cumberland and the Mar. mora both sunk and some hours afterwards we saw merely a small glimpse of the bows above water. A large part of the cotton was saved. We do not know the extent of the loss, but it is estimated to be about SSO,OOO.
 ~. o. Picayune
 Fatal A6ray.-" IHe last of has triJe"-On Wednesday last, an Indian, living at Green Hill, Derby. was killed by man named James Driver, under the following circum- stances, us related to us. Mir. Driver, on re- turning home from work, at noon, found the Indian in his house, using threatening san- gunge to his wife. On reproying him, the Indian drew long knife, and made at Dri- yer, who retreatcd to his bed room and f;st- cned the door. The Indian attempted to fol- low, but was told by Driver, if he made for cible entrance he should shoot him-having loaded his gun and prepared himself for the worst. The Indian still threatened him, as- serting that he would kill or be killed, and finally burst opeu tho door Driver immedi- ateiy fired, and tho contents of the gun were lodged in his :.bdOmen, which caused his death in few moments Driver gave him. self up, was examined before justice, and acquitted. We nre informed that this Indi- an was the sole descendant living of that great and warlike tribe the Pequots,> which | once held sway in the valleyof the Nauga- tuck.-N. Haren paper.
 Shooting Proper Resentment. Saturday, | in the Senate, the memorial of David Eher. rod and others, colored people, of Boston. praying the Legislature "not to repeal the law which interdicts marriage between white people and persons of color," as petitioned for by Charlotte F. Thompson and others,