Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-05-19

they had been instruments of great yslue to
me. So hesitated. - =. :
-. Have you not confidence in me p said NJ
"' Yes, yes answered; Il have great con.
fdence, but ) ''' 'o''
. But--ym are afraid; confess il, ) said the
Doster. smiling. Well to tranquilize you. /
win Try the temperature of the liquid before
you put your hands in it =,
molten metali' ..,'.-.' r - =, -
About thousand. degrees .F fuJH
80 Thousand degrees. That must be a
jolly experiment. will do it,
At the day appointed by Dr. Boutigny. we
went to La Villette, to Mr.. Davidson's s foun-
dery, where he had obtained permission to
make his experiment. so, ~. 49,.
"Upon entering this vast establishment. /
experienced deep emotion. The Internal noise
produced by the immense blowers; the flames
escaping from the furnaces; the sparkling lava,
carried by powerful machines, and surginp in
immense troughs the workmen, thin and
sinewy, blackened by the smoke and the char
coal men and things all presented solemn
appearance. --- = "a =
The foreman came TO us and showed us the
furnace where we were to make our trial
. w lille they were preparing to let ont the
jet, we stood few moments in silence near the
furnace Then began this not very consolatory
conversation
90 L could not prevail upon myself to repeat
this experiment, said NJ. Boutigny except for
you. do not like to do it. / confess that
although L am sure of the result, still expert
ence an emotion which 1 cannot repress.'
''' Ii that be the case, / answered let US 90
back. believe you
"'NO, no; mean to show YOU this singular
Phenomenon. Come, he added, let us see your
hands
And he took them in his s'..-. i......ft
"' The dIi' said he; they are rather dry
for our work.
"sYou think so?' ..-
"'Certainly.' -. ..--.. t...
"' Is it dangerous, them
1T may be-
I'm that case let us go, said 1, turning to.
wards the door
That would be pity he answered. stop
wipe them we'll, and your skin will preserve as
much moisture as may be necessary . -.
"fOr the success OF this experiment, all that
Is necessary to be observed is to have the hands
slightly moist. L regret that cannot explain
the principle upon which the hands are protec-
ted but that would require several chapters
1t Is enough to say that metal in fusion is held
at distance from the skin by a force of repul.
SION which opposes to it an insurlnountable
barrier
q had scarcely wiped my hands when the
furnace was opened and a jet burst forth as
Ial re as man arm. Sparks few on all sides
as in piece of fireworks .- -.
" wait few moments, said NJ Boutiguy.
till the metal clears itself it would not be Dru-
dent to make our experiment now
rive minutes later the metal ceased tO-bub-
bic and give OF sparks. 1t became so limpid
and SO brilliant that it burned out eyes at sew
eral PAGES distance
Suddenly my companion approaches the
furnace, and, without any ceremony, washes
his hands in the liquid current as If it were
tepid water.
j indulged in no bravado. I confess that,
at this moment, my heart beat as if it would
hurst through my BOSOM, and yet, when M.
Bouhgny had finished his fantastic ablution, |
advanced with a determination which reuuired
strong force of will. initiated his motions:
i dabbled in the burning lava. and i'm the ioy
which this marvellous operation inspired, took
handful of the molten mass and flung it into
the air; it fell in fiery rain.
The impression which received from
touching this molten iron can only be compared
to that which 1 would have received i'm touch
ing velvet made Of liquid silk. 1t is a very del
icate and agreeable feeling