New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-19
FROM PHILADELPHIA.

THE NEW WATER CASTLE LESSON TAUGHT At
THE POLLs-GREE,Ey DOUGLAS, BUCHANAN
AND Observation-Disclosures.
From Our Own Correspondent.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. Ia, 1859.
The new water gas, which has just been intro
duced at Wilmington, is now exciting great atten-
ton here, our citizens being largely interested in
its pecuniaiy success. AS almost every consumer
of gas bere and else where has taken up the notion
that be is the victim Of o continual cheat in the
figures OF his quarterly or monthly bills. some par
tculsIs of the new discovery will be interesting,
seeing thsVit promises to make great reduction
in the price. This invention is patented by Dr.
Sanders of Cincnr att. He has sold the right for
eight States 70 a company Of our citizens for $780,
600 and one-h half Of all the stock of any gas com
panies II may be organized in consequence. An.
other club has purchased the New-England States,
and third b as taken the Southern States, in all
which companies some Of our weathest men have
dipped deeply Another club is being formed for
this State; but it was by the Southern company
that the recent trial was made at wilmington For
more than a year past this company has been en-
deayoring to get some prominent gas men TO ex-
anime and test the value of the discovery, and,
though they undertook to do go, yet they de-
| layed and did nothing of what was expected
| Of them. The company discovered at last
that these men were interested IN the
! coal mines which supplied certain heavy con-
Germs with gas coal, and that it was more to their
interest that the water gas should fail than succeed
| The members then took the matter into their own
| hsnds and hsying no chance shown them here,
went down to Wilmington, and there, too. with
the utmost difficulty obtained permission 70 the
works and pipes OF the gas company even TO Illus
| tTate the invention. But they finally succeeded,
| - IL. IT, ont
| with quite large party To witness the display.
| There were many persons with US who are largely
! interested in gas matters. | found the bench OF
retors in full operation, il had been for several
| DAYS and that the making Of the old gus had been
suspended, so as TO give the new one fslr chsuce
by Itself The result Of the illumination surprised
aud paufed every one. The light was clear
steady, and brilliant, and without any unpleasant
smell Many pronounce it perfect success while
others who have for the fist time heard OF It with
| in fortnight are increduOus. But the fact is,
the owners of the patent have made no public flour
ISL Of " hat wonders they could perform, but have
| been quietly testing, proving and Improving the
discovery, until, now when they believe It pertec
| they make the general public, for the frs. time,
acquainted with il by lighting large city al once
| / understand the new gas is generated by causing
water in the form of steam to pass over red.h0t
charcoal, the resulting gases, hydrogen, caro0nic
oxyd, ard light caIbureted hydrogen, being
chemically combined with heavy caIoureted NJ
drogeu, 10y the decomposition of rosin CO. lvspor
simultaneously with and in the presence of the de-
composition of the steam. 1t is the previous mix
/ ture ard simultateous decomposition OF water,
yspor, and hydro carbon vapor, IL the presence OF
! red hot carbon, that constitutes the discovery AID
patent of Mr.. Sanders. He has quietly devoted
years of patient trial and research T. perfect hs
/ intention without prematureiy aple1hng to the
public or the press When brought here, il Was
| privately exhibited with equal uuostentation.
Parties deeply interested in coat mines aud gas com
panies, saw, heard. and professed 10 admire the
water-ess. While they did not condemn II, they
shook their heads but did not openly approve The
| truth was, and il is believed they saw from the
frat, that If this gas once came fairy before the
public, no more gas coal would be wanted from
their mines. AS all were licked together al com
bned, not 10 cry down, but simply not 10 approve
This state Of things is mentioned by tie OF
/ the patent to account for the sgddenness with
which the water. gas burst On the public attention.
do not vouch for the recital, but give il as It's
given 90 NE. Doubtless there two sides 10 this
as TO every other question.
The owners Of the patent contend that ibe water
css is a complete success. The press Of this city,
Which had repGrters and editors at Wilmington 10
witness the exhibition, with one voice pronounced
il the sane. o. far as mere illumination is con
cerned and without touching the question Of cost.
Coal gas in New-York is 50 % per 1000 feet;
here II is - 20; and at many places 1t is charged
at 81 and even So. Now, the Company declares
that il can supply this gas at eos! OF 80 IN 30
cents II offered TO tho tty CT wilmington 70