Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-04-11

The SAND-BI.AsT This new mechanical
agency, which has lately attracted good deal
of attention among scienti6c mechanics, has
been introduced into the marble and granite
cutting establishment ofJames G. BatterSon,
Esq. The idea Of using sand to cut stone with
was first suggested by its known effect upon
winduw- glass in houses standing In exposed sit
nations ON the borders of windy sea beaches.
The constant blowing of the sand agiust the
windows would. in the course Of years, abrade
the glass to very perceptbe degree, cutting
its smooth surface as by shower OF diamond.
dust This fact lead to experiments on sand
blast by steam power. The result is surprls-
ing. The machinery is simple. \ movable
carriage and an automatic arrangement OF ad-
Unstable ratchets moved by pulley and belt
sives the required motion to the blast or the
surface which is to be cut A large box over
head lets down the sea-sani-thoroughly dried
through flexible tube into position from
which it is driven by steam power through a
little tube or pipe, IN stream OF one eighth OF
an inch diameter, upon surface OF marble or
granite. 1t cuts even granite like the ch,sel
"i'a skilled workman The outlines, form, and
proportion of the desired figure are obtained
hv very slow movement Of the carriage by
the ratchet, according to the adjustment.
The sand thus driven cuts away the hardest
granite-so fast, it is said, as to afford an I'M
rortant advantage over the hand labor OF any
workman The forms we saw WcI( sundry
lines and figures 10 scroll-work, LETT III alto re-
levo-the granite being cut away around them
An yermiculated work, and other ornamental
work on granite buildings, can be done much
quicker aud cheaper, 1t is expected, by the
sand blast than it is now done By hand. Only
a pint Of sard an hour is used -Hrttom (f)
Times.
DR.. JACKSON, OF PHILADELPHIA The
death Of this gentleman is announced. In tor
lurr times most of the youthful sawbones OF
Virginia and the South were wont to seek the
rudiments of their profession in Philadelphia.
Chapman Physic and Jackson We're their beau
ideals of the great men, aud they never wear,
led in eXtong their various vlrtues--personal
aud professionable. Of the last OF these the
Press thus speaks :-Richmond wing.
Samuel Jackson, emeritus professor OF the
institutes of medicine in the University Of
PENNSYLVANIA, died yesterday morning at his
residence in this city, aged 50 years. lie was
born in Philadelphia on the 22d March, l1S1l,
and, after studying and rising to a high posi-
tlun 10 the profession of physic, was elected to
the professorship of the Institutes OF medicine
in the University of Pennsylvania IN 1879,
holding the position until 1863, when his aad-
vanced age compelled him to retire from active
duty, and assume an emeritus position 10 the
faculty. As lecturer Professor Jackson
achieved very high reputation, his style pc
Ing clear, his language terse, and ms Enow'eose
of the subject whereof he spoke profound: As
an author, too he occupied high position,
his greatest work being "Prlnciples OF Mcdl
cine 6r.t published in 1892, and republshed
in many subsequent editions. Besides tbs
textbook, he has also contributed to medical
literature a number Of monograph pamphlets,
and in 1856 wrote very able introduction to
DIR. Morris translation Of Lehman 5 "Cheml-
cal Physiology BY his professional com
peers and by his large circle of friends, the
death of Professor jackson will be sincerely y
mourned. and even among those who personal
" knew him not it will cause deep regret, tor
his life was one that did honor to his country
and to his century.
AN IRON FAMINE FEARED-With every
furnace in blast, and importations large, the
United States is threatened with an iron famine.
Since January |, American pig No. ] has ad-
vanced from $3Ga37 to $5Oa52 per ton, rails
from $40 to SS5, and bar iron from $50 5Oa
s.. .52 to Sl03alO5 In imported iron the rise
is proportionate, English rails having advanced
since the beginning of the year from S5S to
S1OaS73 gold, old rails from $50 to S52a53,
and scrap iron from $42a43 to $62a65. The
reason is, an enormous increase IN consump-
ton; and production has not kept pace with It,
because the necessity Tor new iron was not 1et
until surplus stocks were exhausted. Last year
the consumption in the United States was
about >, 500, 600 tons, of which we produced
about 100000 tons and imported the rest
Of the consumption last year, one-half was
used in railroads We have now 10000 miles
RI
peair will require, in addition to old rails re-
rolled, three tons to the mile, or say lS0,ooo
tons. Last year we built about 1000 miles OF
new road. FIVE build as much this year. we
shall REQUIRE of new rails about clghty-elght
tons to the mile, or 6l6O 900 tons. 10 this may
be added for bolts, spikes joints, switches, and
the like, say ten tons to the mile, or 10000
tons. The capacity OF the furnaces now 10
operation is 100000 tons, to which may be
added $50, 900 tons as the probable product OF
new furnaces now building.-N !. ErpreSs
WELDING CoppER.-In recent issue of our
paper we alluded to the discovery of something
new in the working of particular metal by
worthy and skillful mechanic. of our city. Ii
is with pride that We can announce to the sclen
tihc world that the Welding of copper, which
has occupied the skill and science OF the world
for centuries without success, has been dls-
covered by Mr. George Davis. While people
may be incredulous to the fact, yet neverthe9
less, it is certainly So Specimense OF the work
have been put to the severest test 6y the mrs
mechanics of this community. and they un
hesitatingly declare the truth of the discovery
--Noyoh Jo"1mal.
PRESIDENT GRANT has perpetrated "A l'ttl'
oke." A large delegation, who had been be
ore the Committee of Ways and Means; ; : la:
week called to pay their respects to the presl
lent before leaving Washington. Having gone
through the usual hand shaking, somewha VIVA
ywkward pause ensued, when the gentleman i1.
rho had introduced them said, MIR. President
OF one Of the these men want an once.
All, was the reply: Il congratulate them
he most fortunate man is he who does no
mt ON office and the next most fortunate NJ