Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-12-31
THIB0DAUX LOUISIANA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 81 1858.
CONVERSION OF CHARCOAL INTO DIAMONDS

CONVERSION OF CHARCOAL INTO DIAMONDS
IN. Despretz, French savan, has commu.
nicated to the Academy of Sciences, an ac-
count OF some experiments on the nature OF
the diamond He has obtained amorphous
graphite from the melting of the diamond,
although he has not been able to restore this
product to its original form. He shows that
in order to obtain crystallized charcoal,
neither fusion nor sudden volatiization must
be employed; not fusion, for like The dia-
mond, pure charcoal melted gives only
amorphous graphite and not sudden vola-
tilization, for in that case, nothing is obtain
ed but black powder without any crysta-
line appearance.
1t is known that many crystalHzed bodies
are obtained by means of the powerful fire
Of the galvanic pile; and perhaps, under
the same conditions, charcoal might be
changed into diamond. But there is diff
Guilty to be overcome at the outset, namely,
the want of crucibles less fnsible than char
coal Pending the removal Of this difficulty,
| M. Despretz has experimental in another
direction, attempting the gradual volatiliza-
| tion of charcoal, by means of the galvanic
battery. He has thus obtained: not indeed
| the diamond, but crystallized carbon in black
octaedrons, in colorless and transparent oc-
taedrons, and in colorless and transparent
lamina, possessing the hardness OF diamond
dust and disappearing under combus-
| ton without perceptible residuum.
These specimens of crystallized carbon
have been examined by M. Gaudin, in
reference to their action on precious stones
and especially on rubies. After numerous
fine diamond dust used with oil, for polishing
p.,hs hu% q hn
same results were experienced by employ
Despretz. After working with them for a
smooth and brilliant surface, just as was the
case with the use of the diamond dust. lis,
accordingly, regarded as fixed fac, by M.
Gaudin, that genuine diamonds can thus be
produced, although at present only in mi-
croscopic state.
STATE Room RAILROAD CAR.-Messrs.
Eaton & Gilbert, Of Troy, N. Y, have built
beautiful Car for the Hudson River Rail-
road, which is divided into state rooms of
eight feet square. The car is forty-ive feet
long and nine and a half wide; each room is
calculated for family or a party, and is
furnished with one sofa. four chairs, look
ing glass, and small centre-table. The
panels are painted in landscape, the cell
ing hung with silk, and the floor richly
carpeted. The rooms are entered by side
passage and each is we'll lighted and venti-
lated. There is wash-room in the front
part Of the car. Altogether, it is designed
to meet the wants for which separate state
rooms are provided on our steamboats, 1t is
the first experiment of the kind, we believe,
upon any railroad in our country, and ifsuc-
cessful, more cars Of the same kind will be
provided for this line, and other railroads
will also adopt them. We are doubtful
about the experiment paying yet, but it will
do so before many years pass away A
family or party will not pay an extravagant
price for separate room, when the journey
is only for few hours, but they will do so,
if they have to travel for a number Of hours
at once-Ameriean A7tizan.