The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-18
From the Boston Transcript.
GtlInrd nxntnse Paine.

Gillard against Paine.
We mentioned, few days since, the fact stated
by Paris correspondent of the New York Journal
Of Commerce, in regard to the examination by a
number of American gentlemen in the French me-
tropolis, of new mode Of procuring hydrogen
gas. invented by Monsieur Gillard. The mention
drew forth letter from Mr.. Paine, who writes va,
under date of Worcester, January 10 as follows:
'tDEAR STA: | used 'thin flagree hoop of pla-
tina in combination with the name OF free hydro
gen, means of illumination, two years ago, as
hundreds can testify; il being used openly without
any secrecy ! did not consider the Of II as
any thing new, having seen IL used in the self
acting hydrogen lamp sixteen ycnrs ago So that
you will perceive that the French water gas does
not affect MIR. Paine much IA the New York
journal Of C,,nmsrce could wish | should not have
noticed the article at all had il not been for the in
vidious remark in that paper, that the French in
vention' is very simple, md easier 10 than MIR.
Pane's."
In the Philadelphia Lsdgsr of Yesterday find
letter, dated Poris, December -, 1850 from Mr.
w. III. Fry, who describes more particularly the
Invention of NJ. Giard, and the exhibition recently
made by hun. The party present, besides the wri-
ter, weraMr. Sanford, American Secretary OF Lee
CATION; Mr.. Sykes, Mr.. X. Philips, and MIR. Alfred
Moss, OF Philadelphia; Mr.. Carey, of Cincinnati !;
Mr.. HASKELL of New York, and others. Among all
there was but ono sentiment of surprise and admi-
ration at the result; and II was believed by them
that the great question, whether gas, manufactured
from water, be used for purposes of light and
heat, was satisfactorily solved by Mr.. Giard. MIR,
Fry writes
In the envlrOn5 OF fafls Ii a ulnnuIlCtOry. En-
tering the premises were first shown room of
the OF ordinary drawing room, in which
were suspended several burners. The only differ
ence in the arrangement from the ordinary gas
burner was, that round each lamp lame was placed
platinum wick, about inch and half in
length and about an inch or 80 in diameter. The
iiame itself blue and dullish, but by the in
sertion of the platinum net work. (Which is round
and open at the top) the platinum became splen-
didly luminous; and all the burners together cast
such light that the tints Of blue and green on pa
per, which are confounded ordinarily at night,
could be distinguished, and the delicate shade of
light straw color adequately Disseminated. Whe-
Their the platinum s prepared in any special way
was not said; but the network is exceedingly
light, and, of course inexpensive.
Upon shelf stove about eighteen inches
high and five across, to which was attached a gas
pipe. This stove could be carried about, and the
small leather pipe connected with the main pipe
attached 10 il. The stove requires chimney, for
the gas being free from smoke color. it burn
in any room. In chimney place there were
number Of jets Of the gas, which gave out strong
heat, capable of being regulated by simply turning
them off, required. In adjoining
gas heater, where flame was pcrceptible,
the heat being conducted from beneath. In the
kitchen was the gas metre; and there in kitchen,
range placed the different utensils
over gas flames, whose intensity could be regu-
lated by turning of or the gas in the required
quantities. The gas-pipe Of leather was then APP
piled to the hollow handle of gridiron, each bar
of which perforated at equal distances with
holes OF the size OF pins point. BY turn OF the
hand the gridiron presented ma ical appearance;
1t famed up with blue lights, ana over them were
placed some mutton chops, which were exped-
tiOusly cooked.
While this was going on water was being heated
by the gas, and the company was treated to some
hot punch. In justice TO the gridiron, 1t must be
mentioned, that il can be turned on lie side, and
thus presenting perpendicular front, can be used
for roasting. cook by this means could place
vertical grldiron q handsome centre table, and
with tim kitchen before it, with goose turkey
mir fbrr sin herIx "a
novel or working at crues; for the ordinary stoop
ing, pcrspirng, fuss and litter are done away
with.
In word the most disa greoable household de-
tails, which require despised drudges tOperiorm,
obviated by this means. Of course there is no
getting in of coal or wood no dust or dirt created
thereby; no SMELL no poisonous exhalation. All
you have to do Ia 10 have pipe from the gas man
ufactory in your cellar, with gas conductors as AT
present, and your fuel, and oil, and candles, arc
laid for year in and year out
The parlor and kitchen experiments being over,
adjourned some hundred feet TO the gas
factory. Here it shown how it could be man
utactured on grand scale by company:
brick furnace of about twelve feet square contained
the reort, &c, &c &c. An ordinary gas cstab
lishment, with conductor, will answer Tor the
maj ufacture Of this agent. The inventor
told me the expense OF heating. a drawing room
was about a sous, one cent, day. In regard to
light, the expense was, he said, as six to twenty
six in favor Of the cheapness OF the water gas over
the gas in
AS heating agent It's powers were iully testeu
A room heated by the gas in very short time.
The heat was OF the most agreeable kind; the com
binaton with oxygen producing water, and pre-
venting that dryness which always accompanies
our furnaces. In this point OF view it presents i'm
mense advantages on the score of health and eco
Monty The ordinary dry heat OF anthracite is OBJ
waited. BY putting china plate over the flame
could detect moisture, and the accretlon was pal
pable.
As 10 the means OF the preparation of the gas:
A number of methods have been suggested by
chemistry, most OF them from the decoupositiop OF
water but all OF them have been heretofore regard
ed rather class experiments, more interesting
10 theory than capable of n practical application.
Mr.. GilIard, by simple and cheap method, makes
pure hydrogen. Steam is passed into an air-hght
iron retort, exactly like those in gas establish
mcnts; the bottom Of the retort covered with n
layer of charcoal to the depth of an inch or so; the
retort is heated TO bright red, and carbonate acid
and hydrogen produced. The chemical action
ia simple; the oxygen of the water combining with
the charcoal, forming carbonic acid, and passing
with the hydrogen into chamber containing lime
Here the carbonic acid combines with the lime,
forming carbonate of lime, and the pure hydrogen
being liberated passes off The advantages OF this
manufacture over that of coal or oil gas, in point
OF method and expense, are too apparent to be
dwelt upon
have given you this account, believing it would
be interesting, and trust ineligible, to those
of your readers who are not acquainted with chem
istry. The apparatus Is SO simple that il may be
found, with the exception OF the platinum wick, in
any laboratory, and the method WILL hope, be put
to the test by of your scientific friends, SO to
satisfy themselves and convince the public that it
lie what the inventor claims it to be.
Patents have been obtained for all countries
of Europe, and for the United States, and in Man
chester it is said the work has been successfully
commenced. In the course of month Philadel-
phia gentleman, now in this city, will return home
with the requisite authority from the patenee to in
troduce the manufacture of hydrogen for light, etc.
into the United States.
We find card in the -itGs of this morning from
Mr. Paine, in which he agrees to test the challenge
anonymously accepted in that paper, on condition
that il is definitely accepted by responsible
party"
FUGITivE SLAvEs.--We agree with those
temporaries who think the enactment of further
laws for the protection OF freemen by Legisla
ture unnecessary. The action OF the Fugitive law,
in the stricest application of il, does not leave the
rights and inmunities of any person, white or
black, in jeopardy. Every one claimed as a fugi-
tive has ample and provision for resisting
such claim until it is approved in the appointed