Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-12-19
Paine,s Gas Light.

$3.50
We are aware that many readers, on seeing this
caption, will be ready to exclaim, ''Ah! Monsieur
Topson come again! while others will salute it with
that ever ready retort, which ignorance opposes to
whatever it does not comprehensive magic word
ssHumbug'' Yet, we shall be deferred by no con-
sderation of this kind, from laying before the pub
lie. facts and considerations, such we deem that
our duty, as faithful journalists, requires.
On Tuesday afternoon, we called on Henry NJ.
Paine. at his shop and had the satisfaction of maxi
ing a most thorough examination of his machine and
apparatus for making hydrogen gas, and preparing
it for Illuminating parposes. Every portion of twas
exposed, even to the interior of the helce and cleo
trodes and the pecuarities of their construction, in
which the great invention consists, were particularly
pointed out We say 'great INVENTION for it IS a
great invention, and the world will yet acknowledge
it to be so, or we very much mistaken. Alter
all that has been published concerning this invention,
it is not necessary for to go into any detailed ex-
PLANTATION of it, Suffice it to say, that Capt. Paine
claims to have made improvements, by which he is
enabled to decompose water by the use of the COM
mon magnet, with mechanical means, lat compare
lively nominal expense, with the same facility and
rapidty that it is done by the gavanic battery at
heavy expense. The machine by which this is done
has been for some time exposed to the public all but
the hefices and electrodes and hundreds have seen
lis operation, yet, for the most part, have been skep
tcal because, on the known principles of electrical
science, as combined with the known construction
of any electric machine, such result was supposed
TO be impossible Here then, the matter has stood,
fact on side, opposed to theory on the other
Yet, it was said, that we were not certain of the
fact; it might be only apparent, while there might
be some deception practiced upon US. To satisfy
ourselves thoroughly on this point, we made the ex-
animation OF which we have spoken.
The apparatus was all reduced to its simplest
forms, and brought into such compass that every
thing appertainng to it under the eye at single
view. The receivers were of glass, so that every
thing could be seen. The pipes and conductors,
which were of the simplest construction, were taken
apart and examined, so to detect any deception,
if any were practiced. We then experimental with
the machine, producing the gas rapidly, while was
passed by pipe from the receiver into small glass
]
pipe to a burner A small burner was also connect
ed with the pipe which led from the receiver to the
jar of spirits. When the gas was let into this burn
er, (Which simply small tube, with stopcock
inserted into the ppe,) it burnt wha fame so light
and faint as to be imperceptble to the sight, yet
would instantly set fire to paper or other combus-
bic substances, while that which had passed through
Il -. Il 4 n r
high Illuminating power. That there might be no
doubt in this matter, to the identity of the gas
which was burning with that produced by the de-
composition of the water, repeatedly cut off the
supply at the receiver, and the light would be in
stantly extingushed. This, then, determines the
fact, of the Illuminating power being communicated
to the gas by its simple passage through the spirits
But this had already been satisfactorily demonstrat-
ed to be true, by other impartial, scientific men,
We may observe, however, that, in our opinion the
readiness with which this power is acquired by pass
ing through the spirits, depends much the purity
of the gas.
In relation to the production of gas from water by
the apparatus, have not doubt that it is done,
precisely as is claimed for it, and at expense COM
paratvely nominal The whole was examined un-
der such circumstances would preclude the sup
position of fraud. But, when the parts of the ma
chine in which the invention is contained the heces
and electrodes, were examined, sufficient cause
casJoWnd to account for The effect produced. The
construction of these is different from any thing of
the kind before known, yet founded on well estab-
Iished principles; and the instant it is KNOWN the
wonder is, that invention simple in ITSELF so
conformable to scientific principles, and naturally
proceeding from knowledge Of those principles and
one certain to produce the desired results, should
not HAYES uggested itself to some other person long
ago. Ia what this invention, or rather these inven-
tons consist, we not, of course, at liberty to
speak, at present, but soon as they properly
secured by patent in this country and Europe, for
which the necessary steps are already taken, they
will no longer remain secret Now, as to the prac
teal utility Of this invention, in its present state of
advancement, we are not 80 well prepared to speak,
swe feel that we are, to its reality. We do not
speak thus because we have any particular cause of
apprehension in this respect, but because we have
not yet investigated the subject in this respect suf-
cienty to enable US to speak with entire confidence
The difficulties in its practical details may not yet
have been all overcome. But, the iarsRtion is made,
and they aoiU be overcome, as certainly as those