The New York herald., 1844-11-21

gave lengthy address on this subject, and showed
that the Holy Scriptures were the only irne
OF every thing that was good, and when the Holy
Scriptures were not In general circulation among
the people, every thing that was evil prevailed.
The Rev. Bishop CHASE then came forward, and
forcibly and feelngly addressed the meeting at
had upon the public, the great good it was doing,
and calculated TO do, throughout the length and
breadth OF the land.
There were several beautiful pieces of music
sung during the proceedings OF the evening by the
powerful choir attached to this place of worship
The Cr0tOn Water-Anerican Institute.
Last evening, meeting of the officers and men,
bers Of the American Institute, took place in the
Museum Of that building, (the first, we believe, of
the winter seres,) and the subject being one Of no
small interest TO all classes Of the community, more
especially, the mechanics-the assemblage was
numerous, ,and the proceedings of the occasion emf
nently instructive. The subject OF conversational
discussion was the advantages of the introduction
ot the CrotOn water into our city whether in lts
influence upon bodily dsease-upon manufactures
produced by the operation of steam in relieving
boilers from cnlcareous cOncrete-the improvement
and economy II has produced in various depart
ments OF manufactures, arising from the absence OF
lime and magnesia, and thereby giving to the Gro.
ton water a pre-emlnence over every other--even
the Schuylkill-of not only producing, but perma-
nently furnishing more powers of extractive mat
ter than either the hydrant or cstern could supply
Precisely at o'clock, the chair was occupied
by Professor Mapes, and ]. H. Meigs that OF Sec
retary. The rules that regulate the interior eco-
nomy Of this department OF the Institute, were read
by the Secretary, and are that there
shall be one President, two Vice Presidents, and
one Secretary. The duty Of the President consists
in presiding over all conversational meetings-the
Secretary TO record faots--no one to speak more
than fifteen minutes, and few other regulations,
indispensable to the preservation Of good order and
the advancement OF science.
The PRESIDENT proceeded to state the topic of
the evenings discussion, and requested the opinion
OF any gentleman present, on the subject Of Steam
as a "solvent." No person ventured a reply. and
the President furnished the answer, by showing
that ordinary water contains many impurities. Ex.
tract OF dyewood, slightly soluble In water requires
30bs OF water; concentrate 1000 gallons OF water,
he proportion the lime bears TO the extract OF the
dye would alter the color Croton water dieso,yes
less the full saturlty. The President here alluded
to the properties OF the Croton as regards the
nufacture of soap, beer, the concoction oi teas,
coffee, &c., and illustrated his remarks by many
scientific evidences OF most convincing, but too
professional character for the generality OF read
ers. The absence of lime in the water employed
by the Shakers in their cultivation Of plants, Was
strongly relied upon by the President, as rendering
their production more prolific and luxarlant. In
this city, with the aid OF the Croton, the same adj
vantages to vegetation can be secured.
The difference of the introduction Of the Croton
in the baking Of bread, was next proposed by The
president, and in the absence of any answer, he
responded to the inquiry in manner that conyinc-
ed the audience OF the peculiar properties OF the
Croton in aiding the process of effervesceRce.
The influence of the Croton on steam boilers
was next proposed as a matter of conversation;
here, also, the president had 10 answe his own
question He had three boilers in use for which well
water was used: The location was bad-in Second
street. He had to blow the water out once tort
night, hammer into the calcareous substance upon
the surface, nc, but since the Croton water was
introduced no such operation was necessary. The
dross and filth OF the common water caused all the
expense and Inconvenience. This fact is fully cor
roborated by the evident improvement in the speed
of the ferry-boats, and even in the "Sound" boats
the former supplying themselves from the New
York side, and the latter providing themselves
with sufficient Croon to carry them into fresh wa
ter. The president explained the specific gravity
of each.
On the effect ofthe Croon on 'dsease ,, the pres-
dentremarked, that in many cases it had aleviated
several diseases, and In the case gravel although
not removing the disease, 1t had considerably mo.
tlon OF the Croton few, II any new cases, had been
presented to the faculty Of this character
EMr. SAMUEL WIGHALE, manufacturer of fancy
lamps stated, that in the progress of his Of gild
ing his lamps, he had to introduce variety Of ar
licles-cream of tartar, pearl ash, &c, to neutral
Ize the effects OF clstern water-now he experiences
but trlljng inconvenience, which he attributest to
the absence Of lime in the Croton.
To question from visitor, the PRESIDENT re-
Piled, that greater degree OF heat was necessary
to boil pure than impure water Pure water boils
at 2l2; salt water Is heavier-the greater heat is
necessary according to the SPECIFIC gravity. The
Croton, in the manufacture OF colors in calico, the
President recommended, as giving a permanent
stability to texture and color On tanning the Pre-
sidcnt produced many practical and philosophical
proofs Of the facility afforded by the use OF the
Croton.
The operation Of the Croton in the manufacture
of sugar, elected luminous and convincing evi;
dence of the superiority of the Croton, employed
in the process He stated that before the niroduc.
ton of the Croton, molasses sold in Philadelphia
for go cents, because free from saline excess, while
New York only reached 40 cents. The sugar made
from impure water became soft and liable to decay.
The effect of the Croton on mortar, or its tena-
city, was admirably illustrated by the president
describing the tenacty Of two bricks-the one sa-
turated with water and the other placed in dry
contact-the one, from possessing limy character,
adhering to the other.
The President here recommended an investiga-
tion OF Jennson's arrangements Tor the filterng the
Croton water
Several very interesting, instructive and improv.
ing remarks were made by Professor Mapes, upon
many subjects, although no. directly connected
with the express objects OF, It may be said the so
tary discussion, still were OF a nature to exhibit
his interest and attract the public attention TO to-
pics OF general and social improvement. Order
and regularity distinguish the meetings Of these
plrants for knowledge-and as one Of old said
the times" let all who prize free and
lsed for the purest OF purposes, and like our
cubt in our inte lectual stature.
Tlto rrafu vxxac ma nd udaxr sUR