New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-11

of The metal conductors and hence the Sudden aud
marked change in The condition of the mineral.
In order more fully to test this theory the exDeri
mcrter threw quantity Of the molten Stag, fresh from
| the furnace mouth into watr. Every atom OF the
liquid hting good conductor of electricity rapidly
nbeoibe il il lowered the temperature of the mass
and the imme date sequonco was tina, the mineral
matter fell into coarse powder entirely deprived oil
its former cohesion or solidity.
From these trials DIR. Smith felt convinced that his
electrical theory correct, aud that IL was to the
rapid giving forth of it's cleo rcty by 81 iden cOOlng
in contact with conducting media that Stag owed It's
brittle charaoter-n other words Its want OF cOneslon
and lie tel deuoy TO pUlyerze lie reflected that tue
gre at muses. Of i.neous rocks uphcaved from the
center OF heat were in position for graiualiy cool
ing; their ri gantic extent would ensure that result
hence their extreme hardness and durability.
With the view of completely t. sting the accuracy
of his electrical theory Dr. Smith caused quantity
of Stag fresh from the smelling furnace to flow upon
nOn-conductDg substance where Il was allowed 70
cool much more gradually than was usually the case
10 bis great deli, hit he found that he had obtained
most complete yeri6cation of his opinion. The
product thus obtained had entirely lost its semi
veous and frs bic character, and assumed dense
solid, and rocky nature capable of resisting the hesv
lest blows and altogether assuming the peculiartios
OF the igLeous rocks
Having obtained this result, the expermenter pro.
eeeded to otoer trials. by continuing the molten
Stag when removed from the furnace OF a high tenn
peretme III oven, where 1t was afterward allowed
TO cool very gradually and then ran into mods OF
non-conducting substance, the material was found to
have become altogether de-vItTified and to have
taken beautifully vened and graduated character
Of extreme hardness, approaching to the sodity and
strength of the finest marble by varying the heat
applied by the admxture Of cooring matters and by
subsequent polish applied to the surface, the expert
menter has succeeded in producing perfect imitation
of corncian, agate, malachite, any other of the
more valuable mineral products.
Here then ace how an inquiry having for its OBJ
ject the calculation Of purely scientific theory he's
led the inquirer by imperceptlbe steps to most val.
liable discovery, by means OF which many million oil
tons Of hitherto refuse matter may be converted into
really useful and valuable materials for the builder,
the architect, and The decorator.
Already, in America, the Stag Of iron furnaces in
its character, is employed for paving purposes
with tie most complete succcss-whOe thOrou gh-
fares having been for several years laid down with
this material without any perceptibe wear of the
face. In the form of buding-brcks II is likewise in
considerable use and builders in SOME of the priDci
pal cities Of the United States testify TO tho perfect
adaptation Of such bricks, and to their great superb
ority and economy over the common clay-brick.
Ii is not easy to limit the application Of this valu-
able rubbish. Wherever durabi!yi- required, united
with PECULIARLY of form, there the prepared Stag will
be found perfectly adapted; for, inasmuch it
be cast into mods Of any shape, oil labor spent in
hewing and cutting marble or stone is avoided. Ii is
perfectly compact al impervOus and therefore I'D
mrably suited for the construction of aque ucts of
any size Ii remains Enacted on by chemicals of the
greatest strength consequently may be employed TOR
making gas-piping, ii will last out many Of the or
binary iron pipes.
Wien wrous hit in its higher character, run into
suitable nods, and polished more brilliantly than
merble porl hyry, ii will furnish pillars, facades
slabs, &C., for he ornamentatlon of mansions, halls
and public building at price and in style not hh
ero attained. We have specimens Of This beaut
fully polished material before u.s. and certainly we
can see in it that which is likely 10 bring sbout
complete revolution in house architecture. Who will
be content with porous bricks, pecishabe stucco-
work, or soft, erumblng stone, when such aiaman.
tine, con elan-like material is to be had that shall
H. of nto anif.
We can picture in minds eye new Besravia
a second Tybunin. rising up at the bidding of some
adventurous Cubitt or Peto built with sag-bricks
and faced with polished front OF surprising bril-
liancy in the most exquisite forms, and apparently
composed Of marble, agate, corelian, porphyry, and
malacliie. If a shade of dust or smoke settle on it.
the first shower of rain restores it to its original bril-
liancy. Time will have little if any effect it, and
as for repairs Identifying every third fourth year.
such care would never be needed All this expect
to before many shall have passed over us.
II 10 impossible to over estimate the advantages
likely to arise from this new branch OF industry, so
simple in its application yet So widely available IN
most European countries, not only with the refuse
products of iron works, but with those resulting from
the smelling ois copper, lead, ana znc ores Inc
rough slabs tiles for pavemens or roofing can be
sold with large profit at fourpeDce-halfpenny the
foot When highl, polished, at oig5eenpence. In its
finished ard ornamented forms, Tor architectural
purposes, this material possesses of course much
greater value dependent on its durablity ana beauty
Regarding ills important discovery from whatso-
ever point of view whether III reference to the vast
ouar iity of now useless refuse that may be made val
liable TO the many interests that will be benefited by
it-iron-mastes, copper smeers builders, architects
house-decoraIors, and water-companies we cannot
but look upon it as one of the moot promising results
of modern science in an age peculiarly fruitful IN mar
velous Inventions and rich in lis daily Penny Wisdom
We have in previous paper shown the marvellous
powers of electricity III the production OF hght, mere
we find the same subtle element busily employed IN
mskiIg mere rubbish beautiful and useful adjunct
10 the arts. How far the agency may be made
subservent to the improving Of our smeted metals
md other products of the furnace we dare not
venture to predict We will content ourselves with
directing the attention of founders assaycrs and all
workers in metal glass and porcelain to the subject