Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-01-15
New York Correspondence of the Times.

LIHdUSted!- Inc .1RSlCef--O1lOHcT CTenCb
observation-disclosures Napoleon, ,Nel0 York,
.Nelrs Boys, EoSS'dh, &c. &c.
New YoRK, Dec. "a, 1851.
Mn. ED1roR:-Just now everybody in
New York is preparing for Christmas. The
great feature Of that dsy, here, is the bcstow-
al of Christmas gifts. Already the Win
dows of the Jewolry and fancy stores are
ablaze with glttoring trinkets suitable for
souvenirs and gazes of love. The confec-
tionaries and cGkcries are dcckcd for the
sacrifices; the booksellers have marshalled
whole regiments Of damascencd animals on
their counters and shelves; the platc-gl lass
lady-traps, in Broadway, are baited with a
profusion of rich and radiant fabrics; toy
dom has opened its batteries of temptation
upon boydom; the theatres are ready with
their ''unrivalled attractions" the country
is coming to town, and the town is going to
the country;-in a word, everybody is get
ting ready for the good time coming. But
must turn to inventions, discoveries and
revolutions.
observe, by articles in various ncwspa-
pers, that some good people are becoming
alarmed at the prospect of the speedy con
sumption of all the wood in the world
What" say these honest fellows, "shall
we then do for fuel, and furniture, and
building materials?"
must confess, that when | first saw an
article on this subject, in one of our City
papers, was greatly startled, and agreed
with the writer, ''that unless Providence
opened up some way Of escape, the time
would come; when the inhabitants of the
earth would be, TO say the least, sorcly per-
picked to find materials out of which to
build houses, construct ships, and make
furniture, fences, and all other things, now
made either wholly, or in part, of wood. -
After thorough investigation of the sub
jcct, however. all my fears vanished; and l
am now prepared to snap my fingers at
wood, and wooden-headed people, who are
foolish enough to put their trust in anything
that grows in the forest
Wooden ware, wooden utensils, wooden
houses, wooden ships, are all humbugs.-
they will soon go out of use. Iron is the
thing. This age will be hereafter known
as the IRoN AGE. Everything will be made
Of iron, in a few years more. We now have
| ,,1o nf :.
=, not speck Of wood; snd in our magnificent
bay may be seen iron vessels of various di-
mansions. One great drawback; hitherto, TO
the introduction of iron manufactures has
arisen from the fact that only cast-iron arti-
clcs have been made; and they are express
i've, clumsy, and liable to break. 1t is only
since the discovery that wrought-iron fab
rics can be more readily worked, more highly
ornamcnted, more elegantly designed, fur
nished at one-halfthe expense, and warran-
ted to endure NE times the violence of cast
iron; that this branch of manufactures has
assumed position and dignity commensu-
rate with its importance. To the genius Of
Mr.. ohm B. Wckersham, Of this city, is
the world indebted for this great discovery;
f "a discovery which, in my opinion, will yet
place the name of Wickersham alongside OF
those Of Franklin, Watt, Arltwright, Da-
guerre, Steers, Morse, and Of the other il
, lustrious men, whose genius and practical
f skill have contributed so much 10 the world,
| advancement.
+ Wrought iron can now be woven in any
desirable shape, and adapted to an infinite
variety Of purposes. Window-guards, anc
gratings, for steamships, stores, dwelling
and all manner Of public and private build
; ings; iron bedsteads; wire railing, for enclos
ing public and private grounds, cemeteries
= Sc; farm fence at 81, a rod; and, in short
almost everything that is necessary in build
ing and furnishing 4 house, or in fencing
and stocking farm with implements, is nov
, made OF this enduring material. Thes
wrought-iron fabrics combine lightness
chcapness, and elegance, with the utmoa
strength and durability; and I think the
must, eventually supcrsede all others
Their chcapness and durability are stron
points in their favor. For examples: far
mcr, in Illinois, having five hundred acre
= of prairie land to enclose, can send to Ney
York and have this imperishable wrought
iron farm fence delivered on his premises
for a much less sum than it would cost him
labor included, for rails to fence an equa
t amount Of land. And he could enclose
hundred acres with the iron fence; while Ii
would be putting rail fence around tw
acre lot
Another point, of the utmost Importance
4 is the safety Of this kind Of manufacture.
,t.l,nrp,.o. I,,p,o,, lifo L.,