Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-11-27

But The end is no, yet. We are confident that
il is one OF the most valuable discoveries OF the
age. It's great recommendations are the perfect
security against danger in its manufacture; Tin
manufacturing gunpowder explosions often take
place, destroying life and propery;) and the fact
that this gun-coIton can be immersed IN wafer
and when dried, will be as good as ever. But
to DR.. Rogers interesting letter:
UNIVERSITY OF Va Nov 81, lSiG.
Wa. F. RiTcaE, Eso.-Dear Sir: Having
recently prepared some specimens oil Gun Cotton,
enclose you small portion as sample OF our
home manufacture. II you or your friends have
not already witnessed the curious properties OF
this material, you will be interested in making The
following experiments with IL:
/. Place a small quantity OF il. "a mere pinch
will be enough upon clean letter paper, and
touch it with an igniled body. The explosion
will be instantaneous, and will leave no percep-
lible stain.
3. Make the same experiment upon The palm
oflbe hand, and only slight warmth will be felt.
3. Place like quantity ON illie heap oil y un-
powder; when exploded, II will leave the powder
unburned
a. Inlroilce The same quantity into hall ounce
phial, pressing i, down TO The bottom. On hold
ins The phial over lamp fame, so as cautiously
TO heat The cotton 10 The exploding point, il Will
flash of with report; leaving an orange colored
tune in The vessel having The odonr OF nitrous
acid.
). A similar portion rolled up into compact
form and placed upon an anvil, may be exploded
by brisk impulse with smooth ha hammer
Nothing can be more simple or certain than the
preparation OF this article in The small way, ny
due attention TO The quality ut the materials and
,k,Nd h.tyo cd
is, in the main, that recommended by Que.
remain, yours very truly and respectfully,
r. Z. ROGERS.
S--a> evidence Of What We have said above,
!. ."e following shocking accident, de-
= -eSs3atence OF ihe Union:
aaaT.. RE, Nov %, 5P. NJ.
., J. ~. er all and great loss
a. r CITY, about eleven o'clock this
nc.r-. aas thrown into great excitement
by .oud rubbing sound, resembling distant
thunder, which shook every house 10 the city,
and in some few did some damage by the
upsel,iug and breakage oil crockery ware, &c,
&C. Il was al first thought 10 have been an
earthquake, but in a few moments an immense
cloud OF smoke wa. observed to rise in North
ern direction from lhe city, which soon explained
the whole matter as Two large powder mills were
known To be located sone eight miles beyond the
city in that direction An express was imme-
dalely sent out, and il was ascerained that
Bea,ly's immense powder mill on The York
road about eight miles from the city, was
blown up All the men in the establishment
were Instantly killed, five in number, AMI their
bodies scattered ir,o hundreds Of fragments. The
entrails Of one 1.-The unfortunate men were found
hanging in line branches OF tree two hundred
yards IRON the scene oi the disaster There were
/ ~ thr.a kpit. .spuc
cupied by the mill being all blown up and The
quantity OF powder burnt said 10 be not less Than
two tons. All the houses in the vicinity were
damaged by The explosion, and the mill was scat
tered in every direction, mol stone or stick being
! left ON lis former site