Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-08-06
Written for the ThibodauN Minerva.
Wonders of Modern Science,-No. II.
RY Il Is

/ Wonders of Modern Science.--No. II.
BY J.J. s.
In attempting discover the origin of the science of chem
isry carried back to very remote date The prin
cpal object for which cultivated by the Egyptians and
Greeks that Of making gold and slverwhicll idea
fascinated the ancient world for than five hundred
years. From the hands of the ancents it passed the
enlightened Of modern Europe where the just objects
and powers of the science first dsceed Though the
bors and tolls Of many have preceded those of Layo
sien yet to that distinguished the science chemistry
owes immutabe debt. To him belongs the honor of
placing the world upon that path Of chemical which
has since been so successfully explored With phosopc
wisdom we find him reyoutonzng the science and placing
upon those sound principles which are yet its support
Frst-that study to resolve all compound bodies
simple Second-that study to effect e-combina
ton Of those simple bodies in the various propo
ons The chemical nomenclature introduced by Lavoissier
has produced sautary effect upon the science and may
regarded as the most fertile Of the chemical
discoveries made to the present day Since the days
this great man. the Of the has been onward
and upwardun it is essential in HE practical arts
which depend health, national prosperity and cvza
ton. y
We every upon to witness wonderful dis
coveries which are the result Of chemical Investigations
Visit the forge or the factory and there you find lending
seeming pOSslblilteS
practicable; visit the mine Or the farm, and you find it there
hand in hand with geology unfolding the mysteries the
earh and thus rendering them subservient to the will of
man. The most astonishing facts concerning the constitution
of matter and properties Of atoms were expounded by the
greatest Philosophers Isaac Newtonn his celebrated
theory concerning the constitution of the solar spectrum
From some OF his experiments has been shown that the
part Of second Of violet light pusates
III times 1t has also been shown that this violet
wave does not exceed in length the 10th of the
part Of an inch How infinitely small far beyond our
conceptions must be the spaces which separate these minute
atoms Probably the most astonishing instance Of the d
visibility Of natter by of chemical agents. pro-
duced by the celebrated Dr. Waasten In very powerful
telescope the relative places Of the the heavens
seen in the field of VISION marked by very fnenes of
wire placed before the glass; Now the glass being very
powerful would render the wires large unless
their real dimensions of nconeevabe degree of
mnueness. To obtain such wire following ingenious
process was adopted piece of very fine platinum wire is
extended along the axis of cylindrical mould into which
poured moulen silver Thus cylindrical bar of silver
obtained having fine patnn through its axis The
bar is then successfully wire-drawn, byNhch the
platinum within is also wiredrawn and same proper
ton with the silver It remains dsengage from the
platinum wire fine external coating of silver To effect
this the wire is immersed in nitric acid by which the silver
is dissolved leaving suspended the platinum in thread so
fine as to be invisible without the aid of the microscope and
whose diameter is not than the 1sOOh part an
inch quantity o this wire equal in bulk cubic inch
would extend more than 1856 miles!
By the aid Of chemical science Marsh has shown beau
fu process by which enabled detect the smallest
quantity Of arsenic introduced into the system process
is known from its connection with hydrogen and called
that Of arsenetted hydrogen. Into glass bent in the
shape OF magnet or letter u there poured the matter
supposed to contain arsenic also suphurc nitric acid
with the addition OF piece of zinc Hydrogen is
evolved which, combining with the arsenic produces the
GASEOUS arsennnet of hydrogen When this gas begins to
escape through jet previously prepared in end of the
porcelain If metallic arsenic be present, dark metallic
deposit produeed farsenous acid be present. deposition
of much lighter hue will be perceptible
CHANGED HER MIND.-In Ingham county
Michigan, it seems that one Mr.. C. had courted
one of the fair ones residing in Vevay, and all
arrangements were made for the consummation
of their happiness on Sunday the Goth ult.; but
very much to the surprise of Mr. C. on Satur-
day he received note from the fair one, by a
special messenger, that she had changed her
mind. But he, no doubt thinking it a ruse on
her part, repaired to her fathers house with the
means of consummating the bargain,
when to his utter astonishment what he suppos-
ed might be ruse, was stern reality, for she,
his intended, the evening before, was actually
married to Mr.. B. This was of course, a di-
lemma. But our bero, nothing daunted by this
defeat. and probably not intending to have her
get too much the start, forthwith courted up the