The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-15

the gates OF glory.'-B0ston Journal.
MArcHEs-Does the reader suppose that the
manufacture of L.ucifsr Matches is a subject too
little importance for the columns of grave poti-
cal journal? Perhaps so; yet after pcrusing the
following, copied from the Detroit Tribune, he will
learn that the production of these little insig
nifcant though useful things exhibits beautiful
achievement of science, aHording employment and
good recompense to many persons, and supplying
the human family with article of convenience
of which they would be very unwilling to be de-
prived
"A few years ago, the process TO obtain fire was
rude as the effort of the Indian 10 procure
flame by the friction OF chips. The finder box was
the companion of house keepers Chemistry dis
covered that the undertook might be abolished.
The first chemical light producer was sold for five
phials, at dollar. BY and by, they were sold for
a shilling The fire revolver was slowly approach
ing, and had their day. At length, a bold adven-
turer chemistry in matches-that matches In
themselves, the vehicles ofre without aid Of spark
and finder, might be made on the factory system
that all classes could produce them. When chem
isry that phosphorus, having an afinityfor oxy-
gen at the lowest temperature, woSd ignite upon
slight friction-and ignited would ignite sui
phur, which required a much higher temperature
TO become iniammable, thus making the phospho-
rus do the work of the old finder with far greater
certainty; or when chemistry found that chlorate
Of potash, by slight friction, might be exploded
as TO produce combustion, and might be used safely
in the same combinations blessing was bestowed
upon society that can scarcely be measured by
those who have had no former knowledge OF the
miseries and privstions Of the finder box time.
The penny box of Lucifers, Congrcvcs, or by
whatever name called, Is real triumph ofscicrc~,
and an advance in civilization.
'sThe lapd of wooden nutmegs not slow 10
turn an honest penny. Connecticut, in reality,
became the seat of Lucifsr. large factory was
seen going up, and the smoke Of steam-e ngine
noticed wheeling long before daylight. Nor
way deals cut into splnts by machinery. These
little pieces, beautifully accurate in their minute
squarcness and in their precise length Of three 10
four inches, made up into bundles, each Of
which contain eighteen hundred. Without being
separated, each end of the bundle is first dipped
into sulphur. When dry, the splints adhering TO
each other by means Of the sulphur must be parted
Ivy what is called dusting. They have now TO be
plunged into preparation OF phosphorus or chic
rate Of potash, according TO the quality Of the
match. The phosphorus produces the pale, noise
less FIRE, the chorate Of potash the sharp, cracking
illumination. After this application Of the more in
hammabe substance, the matches separated,
and dried in racks. The series Of movements are
performed with rapidity almost uncxampled; for
in this way, two hundred thousand matches arc
cut, and two thousand boxes filled in day, by
one boy nj the wages of three halfpence per gross
of boxes. Each dozen boxes Is then papered up,
and they arc ready for the retailer. The number
Of boxes daily filed at this factory is from fifty to
sixty gross.
matches II FoUEPENcE-of the second quality,
THREErEscE.
s'Therc are now I.ucifer match factories in almost
every city; and told by a Connecticut
yender in New York last fall, that the match trade
Of the United States f,co millions Of dollars
year.
ssThs excessive chcapness IL produced by the cS
tension Of the demand, enforcing the division of
labor, and the most exact saving Of material The
scientific discovery the foundation OF the
cheapness. But, connected with this general prn-
cpIe Of chcapness, there ono or two remarkable
points which deserve attention.
"Itis a law of this manufacture that the demand
Is greater in the summer than in the winter. Tho
increased summer demand for Lucifcr matches
shows that the great consumption IL among the
masscs-the laboring population. those who make
mp the vast majority Of The contributors TO ducs oi
customs and excise. In the houses OF The wealthy
there is always fire in the houses Of the poor, fire
in summer is needless cxpcnse Then comes NC
Luciier match 10 supply the want--to light the
candle TO look into the dark cupboard-to light the
afternoon fire 10 boil the kettle II Is now unneccs-
sary 10 run 70 the neghbor for light or, as des-
perate resource, TO work at the finder box. The
locifer matches sometimes fsil but they cost lit
lie, and - they are freely used, even by the
poorest.
"And this involves another great principle. The
demand for the Lucier match is always continuous,
for il is pcrishable article. The demand never
ceases Every match burnt demands new tch
a. supply it's place. This continuity Of demand
rcnd.srs the supply always equal 70 the demand.
!. The os,liar nature of the commodity prevents
anv accunn, ation Of stock it's combustibc chsrac-
ter,rcouirinc the simple agency Of friction 70 ig.
mite itrenders Il dangerous for large quantities OF
the article 10 be kept in one place. Therefore, no
one makes for store but all for immediate sale.
The average price, therefore, must always yield a
proft: these essential qualities limit the profit The
manufacturers cannot be rich without secret pro
cess or monopoly The contest IL TO obtain the
largest profit by economical management The
amount Of skill required ir the lsborcrs, and ihe
facility of habit, which makes hngers act win thc
nrecision ~ achines limit the number OF laborers,
and prevent their impoverishmcnt. Every condi.
ton ~ this cheapncss IL natural and beneficial
,.a,,,l, ~ The Laws that govern production.