The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-05-04
- Al; india RabSor BOOK.
iFron. Parton,s "Famous Americana" :"

The copy before us, of Mr.. Goodyears WORK
upon "Gum-elas6c and its Varieties" presents at
least something unique in the art OF book making:
It is selE-illustrating; inasmuch as, treating OF
India rubber it is mada Of India rubber. An un-
observant reader, however, would seal cey suspect
the fact before reading the preface, Tor the India
rubber coyors resemble highly polished ebony, and
the leaves have the appearance OF ancient paper
worn. soft, thin and dIngy by ynumberiess peiusas.
The volume contains 620 pages; but it is not as
thick as copies Of the same work printed on paper,
though it is little heavier 1t is evident that the
substanceof which this book ls composed cannot
be India rubber in its natural state Those leaves,
thinner than paper, con be stretched only by
strong and resume their shape perfectly when
they arelet 60. There is no smell OF India rubber
about them. We first saw this book m o cold room
in January, but the leaves were then as flexible Us
z old paper; and when since we have handled IL IN
warm weather, they had grown no softer.
+ Some Of our readers may have heard Daniel
Webster relate the story OF the India rubber cloak
and hat which one Of his New York friends sent
him at Marshield in the infancy OF the manufac,
morning, when it instantly became as rigid as
sheet iron. Finding that it stood alone ne placed
the hat upon it, and left theartcles standing near
the front door. Several of his neighbors VINO
passed, seeing dark and portly figure there took
It for the lord of the mansion and gave it respect
full salutation. The Same articles were liable 10
an objection still more serious. In the sun, even
in cool weather, they became sticky, while on o
hot day they would melt entirely away 70 tne con-
sjstency OF molasses. Every one remembers the
thick and i'll l-shspen India rubber shoes OF twenty
Years ago, which had to be thawed out under the
stove before they could be put on, and which, II
left under the stove:too long, would dissolve into
gum that no household: art could ever harden
again. Some deoorons gentleman among us Gun
also remember that, in the nocturnal conibats OF
their college days, a finty rubber shoe, in cold
weather, was missile weapon Ola highly effective
character.
This curious. volume, therefore, cannot be made
of the unmanigaabls stuff which Daniel Webster
set up at his front door. SO much is evident at 8
glance But the book shows that it can be subject
ed; without injury, to tests more severe than SUM
mers sun and winters cold. 1t can he soaked Six
months in pail of water, and still be as good q
book as ever. 1t can be bOilod; it can bo baked IN
an oven hot enough to cook turkey; it can be
soaked in brine, lye, camphcno turpentlne or OIL;
it can be dipped in oil of ritro and still no harm
DONE To crown it's merits, no rat, mouse, worm
or moth has ever shown the slightest inclination
to make acuuaintanco with it. Tho office OF q re-
view is not usually provided with the means OF sub
ectine literature to such critical tests as ye ytro
boilers and hot ovens. But we have seen enough
elsewhere of TIE ordeals TO which India-rubber il
now subjected, to believe Mr. Goodyear's state.
ments. Remote postcrity will onjoy the fruit OF
his labors, unless some one tako particular pains
to destroy this book; for it seems that time itsen
produces no effect upon the India-rubber which
bears the familiar stamp, "Goodycars patent" In
the dampest corner OF the dampest cellar, no mold
gathers upon it; no decay penetrates it. In the
hottest garrett it never warps or cracks.