Grass Valley telegraph., 1857-01-24
rTischeviOus Discoveries.

n WGll huOWu IL CuSLUlSb Ill NGW vi Il Clby
lately took $1,000 in American gold coin and
put it through a crucible in his laboratory.
The next day he sent the bullion to the U
S. Assay Office and the day after received
his gold back again in the shape of a 'bar, ,"
marked $1,000!
This was simply an experiment to test the
power of a a1ew alloy which has been discOv-
cred for adulterating gold, and which defes
the detective process and assay tests of the
mint. The case cited above is but one of
many experiments which have been made
both in New York and Philadelphia, with
similar results The secret of the operation
was discovered in France last summer and
transmitted to New York. 1t is supposed to
be as yet in the hands of scientific men only,
and has not probably been used for unlawful
or improper purposes. Though such may be
the fact at present, the conclusion is irresis-
table that the knowledge must soon pass to
irresponsible hands, if it has not already,
and that operators in bullion will soon COM
mence an extensive depreciation of the roy al
metal. When alloys can be mixed with gold
which will pass unnoticed through the mint,
the public may well begin to feel alarmed for
the safety of the circulating medium
nothing can saveit but the discovery of some
yet unknown process of detecting the new
and mischievous alloy.
Close upon the heels of this alarming dis
covery, another equally psrplexing is an
nounced, by which all kinds Of paper money,
notes, bills of exchange, &C., can be so per-
fectly counterfeited as to defy any possibility
of detection by sight. 1t is done by the pho
tographic process.
AS an illustration, an eminent Partisan
photographic recently sent word to the pres
ident of the Bank of France, that on a GER
tain day, between the hours of two and three,
counterfeit note would be presented TO the
officers of the bank for redemption, and de-
sired him to take measures to detect it, if
possible. Accordingly all the erpertS of the
bank were upon the look out during the
time specified, and every note presented be-
tween those hours was most carefully exam
lned. After the hour had expired the artist
appeared at the bank aid enquired of the
president if he had detected his counterfeit.
That officer very promptly replied that he
had not, for the very good reason that it had
not come in at the same time triumphantly
pointing to desk where every note which
had been received during the time specified
was spread out to open view. The artist on
looking over the notes pointed out at once
the counterfeit, and cody drew from his
pocket the genuine one from which it had
been copied. The officers of the bank were
completely astonished, and promptly admit
ted the impossibility of detecting the counter
felt by sight or comparison. If we are not
mistaken, as we have not the authority at
hand for reference, the artist produced a
chemical preparation which he had discover
ed. the application Of which at once revealed
which was the counterfeit and which the gen
uine note
1t is difficult to fix limit, either for good
or evil, to which modern chemical research
es may not attain. Notwithstanding the won
derful advances which have been made in this
branch of stndy, within very few years, it is
perfectly safe to say that we are yet only on
the threshold of the hidden mysteries of this
subtle science