New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-01
THE PAINE LIGHT.
Report OF the Scientific Committee on the
Carbouated Hydrogen Gas.

Carbonated Hydrogen Gas.
We give below the report Of the Committee Of
Scientific Chemists appointed some days since to
investigate the merits aud processes of Mr. Paine
new Gas Light, about which go much has lately
been lad and written. The report, as far as the
facts are concerned, is complete but it was di.
vused in Boston sooner than was intended by the
Committee, and consequently appears without the
conclusions which the Committee came TO- These
conclusions we shall probably give tomorrow
morning They will aid the unlearned reader in
understanding the scientific terms and statements
Of the report:
WORCESTER, Msss Tuesday, Juns 25
We, the undersigned, met at the Worcester Ho-
tel this day by appointment-Mr. Green, the agent
of Mr. Pedricb, having given to Mr.. Roome the as
iurance that Mr Paine would this day be present
end prove " bis satisfaction and the satisfaction of
such scientific gentlemen as he Mr. ROome) might
invite, that bis discovery of new method OF de-
composing water and generating Illuminating gas
was genuine and valuable.
Having been introduced to Mr.. Pedrick the
partner Of MIR Paine, by Mr. Green the latter stated
that he was sorry Mr.. Paine could not be present,
having been called from the city by previous en-.
gsgement Mr.. Pedrick invited US TO visit tho ma
chinery Of Mr. Paine, at his room in the Worcester
Exchange building. We accordingly proceeded to
DO so and were tneTc introduced 10 u younger
brother OF Mr.. Paine.
In the center of the room we saw disiointed
piece of machinery, said by Mr.. Pedrick to be the
machine with which Mr.. Paine decomposed water.
Mr. Pedrick and Mr.. Paine, Jr. explained as far,
they said az they could do so, the action Of this
machine but from its dis ointed and imperfect state
we could form no definite idea of its mode Of ope-
ration
Thence we accompanied Messrs. Pedrick and
Green 10 the dwelling of Mr.. Paine, the brother OF
MIR. Paine having preceded us. Ga arriving at the
house we were ushered into a front paror
two chit gas bracket stood on the mantel. Mr..
Paine Jr. lighted one Of the burners, which gave
very bright light Onsmelling the gas, as il passed
through these burners when not lighted, it had the
odor Of oil or re sin gas. We were then shown into
a basement room in the rear of the house la this
room, supported on four bricks, was box about
two feet square and ten inches high, said by Mr..
Paine Jr TO contain the msguets-tTo strips of
copper, said to be the electrodes, extended from
tie tox TO a circular tin vessel about two feet high
and about eight inches in diameter resting on the
top of the box, and this tin vessel Mr.. Paine, Jr.
CO led the decom posing vessel From this vessel
apipe passed through the wall, and we were told
connected v it'll gas holder placed on the outside
Of the building. From this pipe was branch lead.
ing to small TN cylinder OF the capacity Of quart
measure.
In this cylinder Mr.. Paine Jr. said the gas used
in the house was carbonized. A small plugged
opening attached to this cy Under leaked DR.. Tor
rey tasted the liquid which dropped. and ascer-
tanned it to be pater. Another branch pipe leading
from the one connecting the gas holder with the
decomposiDg vessel, turned of 10 another direction
and bendirg downward, passed through the cork OF
a wideDecked bottle and dipped into spirits OF tur'
peDtlne-tbis bottle was Of glass. Another tube
ives inserted ia the cork, with burner attached 70
its upper end. Mr. Paine having lighted the gas,
it burned with bright light proving it TO be car
buretted by drogen.
Mr. Paine and nr Pedrick both assured US that
the gas was hydrogen, produced from water by the
machine before u.s. and that it was carbonlzed by
being passed through the turpentine alone.
MIR hoome then asked Mr. Paine. Jr. to discon-
meet the pipe from the bottle OF turpentine and
prove the gas to be free hydrogen by burning it
This Mr. Pane refused TO DO saying that bis brother
he'd forbidden bis disconnectng any pipe.
Mr.. Bake then asked Mr.. Pedrck if he would
permit the pipe that dipped into the spirits Of tur.
pentne TO be drawn through the cork far enough 70
raise IL above the surface OF the turpentine.
After some conversation between Mr.. Pedrlck
ard oupg Mr.. Paine, during which the Latter tJt
the room and returned, Mr.. Pedrick consented and
the pipe was raised as requested; on applying
match, the gas burned with very feeble hight,
showing the presence Of free hydrogen. M;
Roome then asked that the pipe be again Immersed
in the turpe tine and the burner lighted as before
Mr.. Paine, Jr. objected, but as we all insisted upon
the experiment being made, 1t was done, and the
fame rom the gas after passing tn ongh tdrPen-
tine was proved beyond all doubt IN our minds TO
be hydrogen only, and not carburetted hydrogen as
at fret and TO be totally unfit for Illumination. Mr.
Paine, Jr. on witnessing the result of the last ex-
pertinent, appeared confused and declared that the
light burned as well as before. bat Drs Torrey aud
Chiffon told him that the light did not burn as we'll
a, before, but was much paler to which we all as
,euted. Mr. Paine then shut of the gas aud posi-
lively refused to permit further examination.
(sgped.)
JOHN TORREY, 81. d. Prof Chemistry In College Of
PhysiciAfs and Surgeons Nsw-Yofk
JAMES X. Chiffon. PrseIic al Chemist " York
CHARLES ROOME, Engineer Manhattan Gas WORKS
NeE-l
GEORGE DARRACOTT, Agent Boston Gas Co.
J. Ii BLAKE Engineer and Chemist Boston.