Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-17

AMERICAN PRoGREss.-The patent office of the
United States is the best registry Of American pro-
gress of any department of government. The mind
is the grand basis of all progress, and when active
its fruits will show it. Disc overes, inventions and
applications are its chronomatc points and the pa
tent office department is the great registry.
The Scientific American, published in New York,
and devoted to the Of Science and Inventions
as its name indicates, has just entered its 18th
year. 1t is most excellent weekly Journal full of
useful information. In commencing volume,
it speaks of the 10 years of its life and the pro.
gress in inventions, as follows:
The Scientific American is twelve years old, and
now begins its thirteenth year. This seems bu.
small period Of time but in its scientific achieve
ments it equals If it does not exceed the preceding
half century
Let us look back little, at not few of the
prominent steps in progress and discovery which
have been chroniced since cur journal entered into
existence.
The number of new inventions patented in the
country during the past twelve years is about TO-
800. The total number of patents issued duringthe
preceding seoenty .fce years was 14,500 This is
deeply interesting fact as it shows how ideas begct
ideas-hOw one invention is the parent of another.
1t substantiates the oftexpressed opinion that mind
has only just begun to exercise its control mat
ter and leads to the irresistible conclusion that far
more wonderful things yet to be revealed by the
workings of human ingenuity than any that have
hitherto been produced.
The Electric Telegraph, as practical invention,
was only year old when the Scientific American
started in life The first forty -four miles Of telegraph
had just been put in operation There are now in
operation and under construction throughout the
world about eighty thousand miles,
Twelve years ago, the people of different conti-
nehts were, in great measure, isolated from each
other. The painless waters cut them of, man
Kind then believed, from all communication, save by
the SLOW and dangerous process of navg gatiOn. But
now, on wings OF lightning, defiant Of wind wave,
messages Of peace and goodwill glide through the
world. 1t is not probable that submarine tele
graph cable could have been successfully construct
ed twelve years ago, for it is only since that the
wonderful gum, Gutta Percha, has been made
known and utilized As an electrical insulator, gut
"a Pereha stands almost next to glass.
Twelve years ago, the artists pencil slow and
distorted, was almost the only means known where
by natural objects were capable Of being reproduced
But drawing lessons have been taught to the Sun,
and now he gives us any picture we may desire, IN
an instant Nor is he particular as to the substance
upon which he paints the object metal, glass; can
vas, leather and wood all are alike available to him.
In chemistry, what wonders have been developed
within twelve years! Oil made from coal has be-
come common article Of commerce Tho fishes
that inhabit the great deep no lorger constitute the
chei sources OF our oeaginous products The touch.
Stone which actually converts base metals into gold
and silver, has not it is true, been discovered, but
new metal wonderful and prcious in its character,
mas been produced from common clay.
Inc shrcks OF patients, writhing under the sur
geons knife, are now no longer heard. Somniferous
choroiorm sooths the nerves, and brings deep
sleep upon its subjects And thus might pro.
coed to far greater length in the enumeration Of
he prominent discoveries of the past twelve years
but time and space forbid.