The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-06-02

and not from fear, then he could not have
become the immortal hero be is regarded
in history
Wood and Gunpowder Incom-
bustible.
The day of fire. anuliiiatols does not
seem to have entirely gone by A French
artillery officer has made singular dis
covery, by which all danger from explo-
sion Of powder magazine may be pre-.
vented. His method is to mix the powder
with common coal dust. Its efficacy has
been demonstrated on large scale, by
filling magazine with the mixture, and
then setting it on fire but no explosion
took place, and, after burning a consider
Able time, the fire was extnguished by ap-
plying water. The gunpowder burned
like other cembusttle matters, such as
pitch or tar, from which it is presumed
the dust must have been that of bitumin.
Gus coal. When the powder is required for
use, nothing more is needed than to sepa-
rate it from tho dust by means of sleves,
when it resumes its original explosive
property. The theory Of. this curious dis
covery is very simple-the dust prevents
the several grains of powder coming in
contact with each other hence, as one ex
plodes, the dust prevents the explosion
from reaching another grain. But fire.
annihilating discovery, which is much
more likely to become generally useful,
has also been made in France by NJ. Car
psron, who has proved its value by numer-
Gus experiments made in the presence of
the Emperor. The process renders wood,
tissues of all sorts, dresses, decorations,
&c, absolutely incombustible. Ladies'
dresses OF the most gauzelke materials
were set fire to, and would not burn. An
efflcer's tent, containing bed with mus
lin curtains, resisted successfully the ap-
plication Of numerous flaming torches.
A cottage, half of which was secured
by NJ. Carperen's preparation, and the
other half fille1 with straw, was set on
fire on the unprotected side. The flame,
quickly spread and ragged with fury, and
consumed half OF the building; but the
fire died away when it reached the pre.
pared part, and left it sound and altogeth.
er uninjuried, A theater was then pre.
pared, with all its scenery, robes, and dec
orations, and repeated attempts were made
to destroy it by fire, but in vain-it would
not burn. Such a discovery introduced
into our cities and applied to the dresses
Of the ignorant Irish and German girls
who are so frequently burned alive by
using camphene, would be great blessing.
Another French contrivance, not exactly
OF the same order, is noticed in recent
publications. Its object is to economize
fuel, an article which is enormously dear
in Paris and all other French towns. II
consists of mere pipe of thick sheet-iron,
into which logs of wood are thrown, and
beneath which the fire is lighted. This
contrivance produces so much heat that
apartment is Thoroughly warmed during the
day, and at night the logs, completely
charred, but not consumed, are withdrawn
as charcoal, and will sell for double their
original cost as wood The inventor of
this chimney is M. Renaud, and the French
journals anticipate great things from it.
But it would seem to be only modi6ca-
tion of the well-known American air-tight
stove, which was highly recommended ty
an old woman about the time it was first
offered for sale, who declared that in the
morning she put three cents worth of wood
into it, which kept her room warm all day
and night, and the next morning she had
sixpence worth Of charcoal to SELL