The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-02-18
Science and Art.


Encke's comet Was seen, both at the Cam.
bridge and the Washington observaiories,
some days since. 1t is one of the most celc,
braled Of the comets whose periodic revolu-
tons have been computed,
PAGES ELEcTno-MAGNETfc ENGrSr.-
1t will be recolleclcd that Congress gave
$4,000 10 assist Prof. Page in perfecrng
his aspiration of Electricity to Locomoiion;
and it appears from the following testimony
of Prof James J. Mapes. consulting Enei,
neer." that steam may yet have 10 give up
to lightning, in the matter of steamboats, and
railroads. He says:
After combating against the friends of
Electro-Magneiisn for many years, do not
willingly give up my preconceived notions
on This subject, aud it is only after due in
vcs'igaiion that am constrained TO say that
DIR. Page has fully succeeded in dcmonslra-
ling the pfacticahihiy Of his invention.
Admitting the success of DE-. Pages en-.
gihe 70 be attained, its advantages are nu-
merous aud invaluable.
The cost will be less than a steam engine
Of the same power.
The weight will be but cne-quarter il
boilers and contents be taken into account.
The expenses of frcnen aud engineers
are dispensed with.
Buildings and stocks of goods and vessels.
may be more cheaply insured Than when
steam engines are used as there could be no
risk FRI m explosion or fire.
The expenses Of DR.. Pages engine are
only active while the machine is positively
in action, whereas, an ordinary steam engine
continues its expenses whenever the fire is
burning,
DIR. Pages engine, if used ten times du,
ring The day, of six minutes each time. would
have but one hours expenses for the day
whereas, a steam engine, under similar cir,
cumslanccs, would be subject 10 nearly OF
quite the full expenses Tor fuel for twenty.
four hours, or equal to the expenses Of con.
| linrous work.
CrAs TREE on TUE IstnMus.-The
Panama Star aics that mau named Jane.
Linn. while hunting on the Gorgona Road
grew tired and la, down TO sleep under
tree. On waking lie found his limbs ant
body swelling. aud death soon cn.re ]. I'll,
Star SAYS that tree grows on the l.thmu,
unier which cattle avoid eating or iunina
ting.
A Rent COMEr.-A correspondent Of the
Boston Traveller states It Us Il fact, that Di e.
las Comet was rent in twain in November
1915. There is no doubt Of the fact Tho
Two pieces were seen both in Europe an,
America. One was larger and brightc, than
the other, side by side they retired into lh,
distant regions of space, in the same PAL
the unbroken comet would have pursued.
If tallow candle be placed in gun and
he shot at door, it will 90 through without
sustaining any injury and If muskct bal
be fired in water it will rebound and be fiat
tened asii fred against any hard substance
A muskct ball may be fired through pane
of glass; and if the glass be suspended by d
TREAD. it will make no difference, and the
thread not even vibaate. Cork, il sunk 2C
feet in the ocean, will not rise on account %
the pressure Of the water. In The Arc,i,
regions, when the Thermometer is below re
10, persons can converse more than mil,
distant. Mr.. Jameson asserts that he hcaf,
every word of d sermon AT the distance tive
miles on still day, with perfect distinct,
ness.