Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1850-01-18
EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERY.


We copy the following letter from the Wash
ington Union, which vouches for the scientific
intelligence and high integrity of the writer
Messrs. Editors; am authorized to announce
the discovery and practical test of the most i'm
portant scientific invention ever yet produced, or
brought to light since the world has been inhab-
tied by man.
The first and main feature, and foundation Of
this invention which at once opens a field fol
hundreds of other inventions, is the discovery by
Henry NJ. Paine, Esq, of a ready and almost ex
penseless mode of decomposng water and reduc'
ing it to the gaseous state. BY the simple ope
ration of a very small machine, without galvan-
c batteries, or the consumption of metals and ac-
ids, and only the application OF less than one
tlIree-hundredths (I-300) part OF one horse pow
or, Mr. Paine produces 200 cubic feet OF hydro
gen gas, and 100 cubic feet of oxygen gas pei
hour
This quantity Of these gasse (the actual cost
of which is less than one cenD will furnish as
much heat by combustion as 1000 feet of ordi-
nary coal gas, sufficient 10 supply light equal to
three hundred common lamps for ten hours =
n to warm an ordinary dwelling house twelve
ours, including the requisite heat for the kitch-
III; or to supply the requisite heatf for one horse
over of steam. This invention has been tested
~ six months operation applied to the Lighting
Of houses, and recently the applicability of these
gasses to the warming of houses has also been
tested with perfectly satisfactory results. a
steam engine furnace and parlor stove, both a
dapted to the burning of these gasscs, have been
inverted, and measures taken for securing pat
ents therefor.
Mr. Paine has one Of his machines, new and
elegant, now in full operation and publicly eX-
nOted, and may be expected to exhibit the same
in this city within twenty days The only actu.
al expense Of warming houses by this dpra'a a.
tus is that OF winding up weight dixie the Win
ding up OF a clock) once day; and the heat
produced may be as easily graduated and regua-
ted as the flame Of a common gas-burner No
smoke whatever is produced but very small
quantity of steam sufficient to supply the re-
qusite moisture to the atmosphere. In its APP
plcation to the production of steam power, it will
reduce the expense to the mare wear of the ma
chInery, and will Immediately produce an i'm
msnsc demand for steam engines, and induce the
establishment of thousands of manufacturing
mills, reduce the expense of travelling, and in
crease the demand for agricultural produce,
while it ruins the coal and gas business, and such
manufacturing establishments as depend on me-
nopoly and high prices.
This invention, moreover, removes complete
IL The only obstacles which have hitherto exist d
10 Irial nayigation-the difficulty of procuring
hydrogen gas, and carrying a supply Of fuel
and it may now be considered a matter of tolera-
bic certainty that men will be seen swiftly and
safely soaring in various directions before the
first Of May next. These facts being of inn
mense importance, should not longer be with
held; and therefore would avail myself of your
widely circulated journal to present them to the
public. Yours, respectfully,
r. PORTER.
Washington, Dec -, 1870.