The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-18

visit lately made to Mr.. Paine, Of Worcester.
He says that he WA invited to Q full and free
examination of allthis apparatus, and v witnessed
for period Of fonf hours. series OF interesting
experiments in the decomposition of water, both
by his apparatus and by a series of Groves bat
teries.
DR.. Walter Charming of Boston, was present
during the investigation and will probably give
some account Of the results he arrived at As he
is person of the highest scientific attainments,
his opinions will 60 far towards deciding the
question as to what Paine has done.
Mr.. Nicholas says:
Mr. Paine was particularly anxious that we
should witness experiments upon the decompo-
sition Of water, the results ofwhich had led him
to adopt the extraordinary opinion that water is
a simple element. The experiments were made
with twelve pairs of Groves batteries with cleo
trodes of copper. and platinum. Without going
into details will simply say, that these expert
ments were by no means conclusive. The two
gases were evolved from clear, and slightly
calculated water, by the use Of Mr.. Paine's cleo
trodes, as was proved by the defamation which
followed from the application of the sperk. In
the use of the copper electrodes, with the bat
teries, it is highly probable, although there is
apparently no evolution Of gas at the oxygen
pole, that the oxygen unites with the copper,
forming an oxide with this metal, and is thus
disposed of, while the hydrogen is set free, and
escapes. Whatever the exact truth may be,
there can be no doubt but that Mr. Paine is
thoroughly impressed with the truth Of his
ss9soory, and Of his ability to maintain it by ex-
pertinent under favorable circumstances. From
much use, it was evident his apparatus was inn
perfect, and to this he was disposed to attribute
the unconclusivencss of the experiments.
al oaviuc bss hot orJt ~ Lo
paratus for the production Of his hydrogen light,
here is what might be called, in familiar phrase,
"a poser In this powerful decomposing mr.
rangement, what becomes of the oxygen -
That's the question. 1t is conclusively demon
strated that the two gases are not evolved from
the water by his electrodes, unless there is some
mysterious and unexplained action there, which
renders them perfectly inexplosve by the appli-
cation of flame. What is the nature of the gas
which he produces so copiousy from water e.
Is it hydrogen, analogous to that produced from
water by other methods Of decomposition 3
When lighted before passing the turpentine jar,
it does resemble the common hydrogen Jet, but
this, It seems to me, is insufficient proof that it
is constituted precisely like common hydrogen.
In repeated experiments in my laboratory,
have not yet been able TO produce that effect
upon the purest hydrogen, procured from uater
by zinc and acid, which Mr.. p. docs upon his by
passing it through turpenline.
although statements have been made by ex.
perimenters, that they have succeeded in impart-
ing illuminating properties to this gas when pro-
cured by common methods, vet nm very much
disposed to doubt whether they have obtained
anything like the perfection of illuminating
power which characterzes Mr.. Paine's light
observed, in my experiments, a very obvious in
crease OF luminosity at the apex of the Jet,
when passed through turpentine, affording a
very imperfect light, but nothing at all compare
bic with what have since seen in Mr. Paine's
jet of light.
"ln answer to the inquiry, he informed me
that ne used the turpiue of commerce, the same
as used by myself 1t seems to ME that there
is involved, in this question as to the nature of
NJ Pame's gas, very important inquiry, and
that it is matter which should receive early in
yestigation. Can any one-can Mr.. Paine him
Iself-assert positively its exact nature, when we
know that it is produced under very peculiar
circumstances, by apparatus new in its character,
and tremendously powerful in its effects a
"Any theorising prematurely and without ex-
pertinent in relation to the chemical notion Of
this arrangement of Mr.. Paine, is manifestly use
less and Improbable. The construction of his
heoes, constituted as they are, of tubular coil,
euo iueSiiol W NutCu ID ilitu WILL WulcT, IllS
electrodes passing down into the water, termi-
mating in solid platinum points, and these points
into cups of cooled platinum wire, are new and
ingenious arrangements, and introduce to the
scientific world a new subject of thought and
study, and time alone can show to What new
results these discoveries will lead.
"ln this discovery, MIR. Paino has evinoed I'M
common perseverance,, besides great mechanical
and scientific skill He is henceforth to be
reckoned among the greatest discoveries of our
times, and if he never lights dwelling with his
gas, or sets a wheel in motion by the power which
he is so confident he has discovered, he has al-
ready done enough to render his name immortal.
al have not in this communication described
his apparatus, for it cannot be done so as 10 be
Ineligible to the unscientific, and the scientific
have already had descriptions which brings the
matter home clear and distinct to their Minds
In relation 10 the practical results which are to
follow from this discovery, it is impossible to
state at the present time what they may be-
,"With his apparatus evidently in an imperfect
state, with the decomposing jar leaking badly.
he generated, as nearly as could be ascertained,
about twelve cubic inches of gas in four minutes,
enough to supply four burners, with moderate
motion of heices. He was confident that, in its
perfect state, it would supply twelve burners, and
There may be obstacles in the way of its employ
ment on a large scale, but there are none that
can be thought Of at the present time
"1he public must not expect the imme-
date introduction of the benefits of this dis
covery into their dwellings. 1t will necessarily
take time to construct an apparatus, and remove
all obstacles in the way of its general employ
ment, if there are any. That they will shortly
secure the incalcuable benefits and blessings
which it will confer, have no doubt"
terrible MISUNDERSTANDING LIVES LOST.
"A terrible accident, exceeded only by that of
the Hague street explosion, in its disastrous
effects upon life and property, occurred shortly
after one o'clock, yesterday afternoon in Twenty
first street, between the Fifth and Sixth avenues.
About forty workmen, consisting of brickIaycrs,
carpenters and laborcrs, were engaged in COM
pleting six new houses, belonging TO Thomas
Adds Emmett esq, and Mrs Pel, when the walls
of all the buildings fell In, with terrible crash,
buryng about thirty of the men beneath the
ruins. 0
Tho great noise gathered a large crowd of