Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-11-19

the whole number not to exceed twelve
hat he wished them to meet him in
order to investigate in concert won
derful discovery in science. the nature
of which would then be communicated.
The young stranger agreed to repeat
his experiments on the occasion of the
meeting, and explain the process by
means of which they were accomplish
ed for the present he declined to make
any further revelations.
On the night of the 23d of Novem-
Der, 1866, there assembled in st.
Georges hall, in Lonaon, three mem
bers of the English cabinet, four gen
tlemen well known in the scientific
world, two prominent Frenchmen, and
two Italians-eleven in all, exclusive
of Mr.. Blonger. At the earnest solc-
itation of that gentleman, these persons
had come to meet they knew not whom,
and see they knew not what. On the
platform, at the end of the hail. lay
small cannon, heavy piece of iron
shaftlng, and several large iron wheels.
What these articles were for they could
not imagine. At half'past eight clock
the young man arrived, and was intro
duced by Mr. Blonger to his friends, as
a young American who did not care to
have his name announced. The stran.
ger was dressed in rough suit, the
worse for wear, and wore a SLOUGH
black hat. His hair was brown and
straight, his eyes were large and bright
gray in color, and his face was as des-
titute of beard as a woman's He was
above the medium height and very
slender, and his age was apparently
about twenty four years, though he
might have been older He was ev.
identity but little used to the society of
distinguished persons and at first APP
peared somewhat embarrassed at his
position, but there was an expression
of tirmness about his mouth that showed
strong will and habit of having his
own way. When he spoke, it was
with the air of man who knew the
ground upon which he stood, and his
manners were those of one who felt
that he was the inferior of no man.
The ijanitor having been dismissed
and the door locked, Mr. Blonger pro
ceeded to explain to those present why
he had called them together. His
young American friend, he said, had
convinced him that he was in the pos
session of p prodigious secret, of the
magnitude of which they could judge
when it was presented to them.
The whole affair at this point came
ne ar being broken off in disgust, by an
unexpected requirement, which the un
known stranger exacted. He declined
to proceed unless all present entered
! into an agreement not TO communicate
What they might witness to any living
person for period of ten y airs, with
out gaining his consent. The Right
| Honorable c. was on his mettle at
once He washed his hands of the
whole matter and desired to retire i'm
mediately. The others were equally
indignant, and expressions not con
sidered elegant in high society were
heard. 1t required all Mr. Blongcr's
sagacity to quell the storm. But the
young man was immoyable, and at last.
at the earnest solicitation of Mr. Blong
er, the guarantee was given. The
stranger then took the stage, and the
auditors took the seats immediately in
front of it. .....
Gentlemen" he began, ''fron what
have noticed of yonr incredulity this
evening. | am satifed that if / should
inform you that the attraction of gravl-
tation could be so suspended that OBJ
jects upon the earth's surface would
have absolutely no weight, and, further,
that was in possession of the simple
means whereby this end could be &C
compllshed, you would only greet my
assertions with jeers aud ridcule. |
shall therefore show You what can do
first, aud talk afterwards You see in
my hand this coil Of wire, blue like
temper ed steel This cannon weighs
nearly three tons. wrap the wire
around it. Ii you listen carefully you
will hear burning sound, similar to
that made by an electrical machine.
But thtt has nothing to do with the
matter The ends of the wire are
| Joined. This cannon now weighs no
more than soap-bubble. You see
move it about through the air with my
hand, with two fingers, with one. Here
is strong oaktn chair. ] place the
cannon upon it. and when l withdraw
| the wire mark the result. The chair
goes crashing to pieces on the floor,
under the weight of three tons of iron.
This conclusive proof Of the grand
est discovery ever yet made by man
brought every person present to his
feet The young exhibitor alone re
manned unmoved. elbow is it done T.
cried they all. "How did you make this
wonderful discovery" They now look
ed upon him with the awe one feels