The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-27
Electric Light.
Iron Correspondent Of the National Intelligence
New Yong, March II. 1870.

Electric Light
IRON the x YORK National lnes
New YohE. March al, 1870
BRILLIANT PERMANENT LIGHT, WITHOUT COMBUSTION,
WITHOUT HEAT AND WITHOUT cosr Startling and won
derul as the OF sueA fact may seem, it
is affirmed to be among the achievements OF science
OF the present day have been looking into several OF
the latest London scientific journals the notices of
States improved apparatus Tor furnishing permanent
light by electricity brief paragraph concerning il APP
peared in the papers OF this country month ago.
since which We have heard nothing OF il This side the
water. But according TO the notices the London jour
mails, IT is there attracting great attention. and seems
likely TO prove OF the most important scientific I'M
proyements OF the age. The London ARTISAN" says
this invention has excited more curiosity, probably
than any that has preceded 1t for many years. The Lon
don Mechanics Magazine" for January says: mir
States long and aduou endeavors to snbdue the light
ming OF The heayenshltheo fearful In It's manifesto
tlons-to the dominion OF for his dslectation and
comfort are universally known, and we believe may
add, highly esteemed by all who are qualified to appre
cate them. One Of the most striking pieces Of nforma-
ton supplied by his patent specification is the fact that
the chemical products OF the batteries he employs are OF
greater value articles OF commerce. than Inc eSerng
elements employs and that, consequently, the light de-
veloped costs literally aOttlag"
Tie London % Magazine OF Science for January says
During the last fortnight there have been several exh
billions of the light produced by this apparatus, 10 which
mach interest has been attracted The principle which
is Produced the contact or proximity OF the opposite
poles OF electric gayanc battery has long been
known But the difficulty OF producing continuous and
uniform light, and the supposed Cost OF lis production,
have been hitherto considered to render its practical APP
pcaon TO ordinary purposes impossible, and to limit MS
employment TO that OF costly experimental Toy. Both
OF these difficulties Mr.. State, by his improved apparatus
claims to have His apparatus consists OF
ordinary yoac battery consisting OF about hundred
cells in series OF the usual sort employed IN galVame
apparatus"
tached piece OF carbon carbonaceous material, artl
iiciay prepared When the battery is in action, the
light IS produced by first bringing the points OF the
bon into contact, and then separating them to short
distance apart, the distance varying with the intensity OF
the electric current The battery exhibited by Mr. Static
produced light equal 10 eight nine hundred wax
candles, at estimated cost OF slxpence an hour And
this small cost from later accounts to be
initiated, is said the materials used for the produc
ton OF Light are not consumed but undergo chemical
change which actually increases their value articles OF
commerce Parties who witnessed the exhibition OF the
light produced by Mr. States battery able read
small print the distance of two three hundred yards
And the patentee expresses the most perfect confidence
that for lights at which will be OF its most I'M
poriant and useful applications he will be able to light
up fully of one hundred miles,
The Magazine OF Science Tor February adds: "The
experiments already tired in the various paris OF the
ropos have proved very satisfactory. The light has
been raised upon the Duke of ioks column and other
emnences, and reflected various directions with the
most brilliant effect"
The magazine, however, takes TO informs its
readers that the production Of electric light by the gal
vanc battery is not a new discovery, for among the
earliest experiments the battery the production of
intense light; and that seven years ago American
patented an invention for Tins purpose"
II the London Magazine OF Science will turn to the
columns OF the National lnteigencer it will find accounts
OF TINS electric Ugh, W!y gears ago In 1872 IN the In
telgencer among other accounts may be found letter
from Judge Megs, of this city, to his father, who
then Commissioner OF the General Land Office Wash
ingOn, IN which he says . Since | wrote YOU have
account of discovery OF singular and highly
important character announced in Paris by Professor
Meinke--a German probabIy-vz artificial gas
fined in glass; assuming by electric shock permanent
steady light, tpho heat combustion Here is grand
de.ideratum indeed candle which can be thrust into
carded cotton nnocuous; into csern unextngushed ;
which can be placed under ones pillow while sleep
and pulled out al pleasure The whale may keep his
| blubher, and the shark his liver" &c.
According to the London Journals, the gas companies
OF that metropolis already suffering quite panic The
difficulties and ntricaces OF the battery may perhaps be
TOO great for the use of small lights for ordinary pur
poses but for marine light houses, and for lighting Cities
towns, and public buildings there seems 10 be good rea
expect very interesting and important results from
the use OF electrical light.
From the following paragraph, however, from scien
ic London paper, it would appear that this light is
altogether innocuous
ELECTRIC LIGHr.-A curious and melancholy fact con.
necled with the electric light has Just been communicated
to us. A gentleman, Waham Abbey, experiment
ing with the electric fight few days ago, having an in
cised wound on his left hand touched the conducor-a
copper wre-and shortly afterwards experienced an ir
ation, which Immediately spread in inflammation to the
arm. The arm became Immensely swollen, and large
nmors appeared all the body and limbs Some of
the nos opened, and every resorted to for
the purose OF checking the poison. but without avail
We learn that the unfortunate patient lived without the
least hope OF recovery.-Lonion Mining Journal