The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-10

PAINEs GAs-WHY IT is NOT MADE PUBLIC
brother of Mr.. Paine writes az follows to the
Boston Transcript
every thing that has been stated with refer
ence to the discovery in it's favor, (the hydroelec-
trio lght,) as far my knowledge extends, has
been correct with the exception of its safety The
water is decomposed resolved into its gaseous
state in abundance, and at cost of the interest of
the machine only; but it cannot be safely done, as
the testimony of nine explosions, in many
months, will amply prove The great difficulty is
found in governing the electric currents in their
accommodations and discharge in the or at the cleo
trodes, the continuous varying electrical state of
the atmosphere battling all mechanical skill that
has yet been brought, to bear on the discovery.
with a certain electrical state of atmosphere,
the apparatus has been known to work for weeks
without any difficulty; but Immediately that q
change OF excess would occur, repulson would
take place at the electrodes, and they would melt
like 30 much wax.
"Last spring my brother was certain that he had
overcome the difficulty, and he commenced light
| ing and warming the house. For few weeks all
| worked well; but one clear, cold morning, the
family was reused by report like a six-pounder,
and in a moment after he appeared, drenched from
head to foot. The accompanying jar had exploded.
He then ceased to evolve the gases for purpose of
heating the house, and worked the apparatus by
ing purposes 1t at this stage Of affairs that
the scientific committee made their reports and
you will perceive that had sufficient cause to be
backward in experimenting, beside the orders OF
"For eighteen months past he has been inces-
sanity employed in remedying this only obstacle;
and although he is sanguine that he has now
complished it, fear disappointment; nor do
hope to witness his success till such time mis-
taken though just press, has ceased to harass
mind sensitive to ridiculc.'
The KNocKINas.--The Christian Register, in a
very sensible article relating to the spiritual
knockings,' which seem TO be exciting quite SEN
sation in the community at the present time, and
which, by the bye, are not onehalf 30 remarkable
as many feats which performed by Signor Bits,
introduces the following illustrative anccdote:
I'VE are tempted to draw from our college re-
miniscenccs which we deem very worthy
parallel to these audacious fooleries. Our cocvais
at Cambridge cannot have forgotten man Of
livery stable notoriety. His customers were often
SO obvous to the extent Of their rides, that he
contracted with innholders of the surrounding
country TO scoro their names such of his vehicles
as visited their respective taverns. He had also
horse who had been trained lift bis fore foot
often slight signal from his masters finger was
repeated. stupid freshman once returned, as he
said, from n ride to Watcrtown, but bearing with
him the sign manual Of an innholdcr in Concord.
The youth persisted unblushingly in his lie Says
many miles he has been driven The signal was
given and repeated. The horse lifted his foot four
teen times in succession. The astounded freshman
paid his full stable fee and retired firmly convinced
Of the preternatural endowments OF the horse"
The ST. LAwRENcE.---Thc United States frgatc
st Lawrence, with the United States contributions
to the Worlds Fair, was to leave New York for
Southampton England on Saturday. The follow