Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-12-09
WOODSTOCK, VT., WEDNESDAY, DEC 8, 1874.

be accomplished, you would only greet
my assertions with jeers and ridicule
I shall therefore show you what can
do first, and talk afterward. You see
in my hands this coil of wire, blue
like tempered steel. The cannon
weighs nearly three tons. I wrap the
wire around it. If you listen care
fully you will hear burning sound,
similar to that made by an electrical
machine. But that has nothing to do
with the matter. The ends of the wire
are Joined. This cannon now weighs
no more than a soap-bubble. You
see move it about through the air
with my hand, with two fingers, with
one. Here is strong oaken chair.
I place the cannon upon it, and when
I 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. Mr.. Blonger stood apart in tri-
umph. The young exhibitor alone
remained unmovod. "How is it
done ?" cried they all. GLOW did you
make this wonderful discovery ?" They
now looked upon him with the awe
one feels in the presence ofa superior
being.
He raised his hand and requested
silence "The action of this simple
wire," said he, sis not confined to me-
tallic substances. Its effect on all OBJ
tiects is the same. 1put it round this
wooden bench, as you see, and the
bench weighs nothing; around this
chair, and the result is the same
Here is this large IRON shaft, and these
wheels. You perceive that it affects
all alike. Perhaps you think it has
no power over living substances. You
are mistaken. will agree to put this
little wire round my waist, and step
from the dome ofSt. Paul's. I will
show you.
A ladder extended from the floor of
the lofty ceiling Of the hall. The
stranger climbed to its very summit,
adjusted his belt, and sprung boldly
off. He slowly unclasped the ends
of the wire, so that they scarcely came
into contact, and descended gradually
and safely to the ground, to the inf
mite relief of the spectators, who stood
and gazed horror-struck at the terrible
scene.
"Thus you see, gentlemen" said he,
again ascending the stage, "what pow
ers lie hidden in nature, until they are
accidentally stumbled upon. You all
think that there is some power con-
tanned in this wire l must tell you
that the wire has but little to do with
it. And yet, I will agree to 60 down
to any of your seaports, and put this
wire or one like it around any Of your
seventy-four gun ships we read of,
and lift it into adry-dock, with a line no
stronger than pack-thread, if the wind
is not blowing at the time. This wire,
at which you all gaze so curiously,
has no power in itself. 1t is only the
means of communicating a power !;
still, no man shall examine it, except
under certain conditions and this
brings me to the point T intended to
make by calling gentlemen ofyour
high standard and intelligence here
tonight I wish to sell my knowl-
edge to the English government"
"And why to the government ?"
cried the Right Honorable B. L
and the Honorable Mr.. s. in :;
breath.
"Because no private individu Id is
rich enough to buy it. once thought
to dispose of it to my own govern
ment, that of the United States, but |
shall not enter into the reason why |
abandoned that idea and came here
Besides, it becomes public property
after ten years. I would not agree to
sell the right under any condition for
longer time. The benefits OF the
discovery are universal, and in justice
belong to mankind, and mankind shall
have them"
Says q member of the cabinet -
'Your idea of selling such discovery
to the government of Great Britain
seems chimerical, and, may add, it
savors of selfshness to keep your
knowledge from the world. But may
I be permitted to ask how much you
demand for your knowledge 2"