The daily union., 1846-10-24
IFrom our European correspondent
No. v.
FRANKFoRT-oN-rHE-MArNE,
SentennheI 40 1916

Nov.
FRANKFoRT-oN-rHE-MAN MANE,
September 30, 1886.
DEAR One Of the most wonderful scientific dis
coveres Of modern times has been exploited here and
at Basle, in Switzerland within the last few weeks
Professors Batger of the former place. and SchonbeD
of the latter, simultaneously, by similar course OF
experimenting, have invented method OF prepar-
ing ra,p cotton which will undoubtedly eventuate in
the discontnuance of the use of gunpowder! The
article which they prepare has been submitted to
many severe ordeas, and ts superiority for all
explosive purposes, over gunpowder, is acknow-
edged by the first chemists and military officers in
Germany. | can scarcely believe my own senses
| when witness exhibition of its extraordinary
properties. ... ...-..:
Upon my arrival in this city was invited by q
| friend, distinguished member of the German
Diet, to dine with him. and not declining his hosp-
| taity, met with and was presented to Professor
| Baltger, who it is but proper to remark is dlsn-
| gushcd for his attanments, and who has charge of
| the public laboratory as chemical lecturer. Be-
fore the separation of the party Professor b. tock
| from each of his wastcoat pockets paper contain
ing some raw cotton; email portion of that which
| was in one he placed upon sheet of white paper,
| and near it some gunpowdcr upon another sheet.
| He touched them at the same moment with the
burning end of cigar, and with the quckness Of the
lightnng's blast, the cotton was consumed without
smoke .odor, ashes, or even the slightest stain
upon the snow white sheet Of foolscap; while the
| ignition of the gunpowder seemed to be slow, al
though of the best quality, by which the paper
burnt and coored, and the room filed with smoke.
| He then took small quantity Of gunpowder and
placing it upon paper entirely covered it with pre-
pared cotton from the other paper. Touching the
cotton with the blaze of a match, it exploded with
out burning the gunpowder Subsequently, at my
apartments, he exploded cotton upon the palm of my
| hand, without my feeling the sensation of heat,
| such was the remarkable rapidity of its igniting.
short time, it is stated by the inventors, is only
required for the preparation of the article, and the
process is so exceedingly simple that 1t be
ufactured by common laborers, and without any
danger Whatever of combustion. II can be fit for
use in few hours after the cotton is taken from the
bale, and without the aid of machinery; and it may
| be thoroughly saturated with water without affect
/ ing its properties njurously. As re-dried
it ia again fit for There is nothing to appre.
hend to il from its spontaneous combustion, nor will
it ignite by friction in Its transportation or in the
loading Of firearms, or become innamed under n
| temperature of 1000 Clesius. Ii will catch fire,
| either from blaze or spark.
The fact has been ascertained from repeated ex-
periments, that the forty eighth part of AN ounce OF
| the prepared cotton, will prope bullet from an
American rife as far and fast as the hoefh part
of an ounce of gunpowder. The sirieenh part of an
ounce will drive threc-quarter ounce ball distance
of sixteen hundred paccs Moreover, the barrel
never requires cleaning. Forty shots without in
| termission have been made, and without any per.
ceptible accumulation OF hlth, while the gun was
| throughout entirely free from heat. In firing /,
3.pounder the result the same IN this respect
| The experiments in blasting rocks with prepared
cotton have also been emnently successful. Al
Base large block Of granite, measuring 240 cubic
feet, was blown up by four ounces, which could not
have been effected with less than two pounds Of su-
perior gunpowder.
Last week the power of the article tested at a
meeting of the "British Scientific Associaton'--an
association composed of the most profoundly learn
ed individuals in Europe---and they were amazed
with what was accomplished. Sir j. Herschel took
occasion to remark Professor Schonbein being pres
ent, that "the discovery in the next generation
might arm mankind with the widest powers. The
| inventor was Titan who could tear up the rocks,
and almost call down the lghtnings"
understand that 125 lbs Of cotton in the state in
which il is found in the BALE when properly pre-
pared will weigh l65 lbs, and that even here, where
the staple s much dearer than in the United Sates
the article will cost considerably less that gunpow
der. What the other materials are, used in the
manufacture, will Of course remain secret until
patents are secured among the various nations
one has already been taken out for Great Britsin
| and the States OF the Germsnc confederation have
through the Diet consented to give 100000 forms
merely for theright Of preparing It for the army
provided a commission, which has been instituted
to test il in every conceivable way, shall report e.