The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-08-13

His greatest discovery was that Of the
oxy-hydrogen blow-pipe, and he was led
to this discovery by series of inductiye
reasonings that are so remarkably origi-
nal that they cannot be read without inn
pressingus with his great genius In his
researches upon the blow-pipe he had
the sagacity to observe that sin order to
obtain the maximum effect Of heat the
body to be heated must be sustained in
an atmosphere of burninggases, of which
the heat should be equal to that of the
incandescent carbon on which the lower
surface of the body to be heated should
rest. 1t soon occurred that this end
might be obtained by clothing the upper
surface with volume of hydrogen and
oxygen. But before this could be accom-
plished it was necessary that means
should be devised to prevent the explo-
sion of the combined gases" These are
memorable words to have been written
in 1902. They show the author to have
been man of profound originality. The
discovery precedes the invention and
the discoverer is master to the inventor
Rarely, as in Hare's case, do we find the
two combined. Rumford's paper could
not have been known to Hare and the
step is so long that his genius cannot be
questioned. The same original reason
ing of Hare has led Siemens of our time
to the invention of his celebrated regen-
erative gas furnace. (Applause.) In all
of Hare's contributions to science the
lecturer said that he had always in view
the higher philosophy of chemical re-
search, A Just tribute to Hare'a position
in relation to voltaic chemistry by Fara-
day was alluded to andreceived with APP
plause. When the chair of chemical
science in connection with Yale was in
stituted chemical research was but little
known in this country Professor Sili-
man, the elder, made important original
contributions to science, but far more inn
portant was his wonderful power of inn
parting scientific knowledge, and he was
the first to awaken the popular mind to
the importance of chemistry by means
of his public lectures. Archibald Lang
staff, in 1911, distinguished himself by
the first mineral analysis of this country.
Professor James Freeman Dana, of Dart
mouth, who had been the assistant of
DIR. Gorham, is probably less known than
any other chemist Of equal merit.
While yet student at Cambridge he
received twice the Boylston prize for
original contributions to American sci
ence of no ordinary merit. He was an
accomplished eXperimenter and perspic-
uous lecturer. Anothername not known
as well as he deserves is that of DR.. w.
w. Mather, of Ohio, whose paper on the
new determination of the atomic weight
of aluminium was up to its, date the
most original and brilliant contribution
to American science William Charles
Wells, NJ, D., +. r. S., made experiments
and contributions regarding dew of SIM
gular Importance, and showed great inge-
nuity and self-sacrifcing persistence in
his work. The discovery Of the mode
of producing chloroform isrnot usually
known to belong to America, but such is
the case. 1t was the result of an expert
ment made by DR.. Samuel Gutherie, of
Saekett's Harbor, n. ", a man of acute
and original mind. He conceived the
| idea of distilling together alcohol and
chloride of lime, and his success was re-
markable. 1t is no abatement to his sa-
gaeity that Soubeian, of France, earlier
in the same year g8Sl1 independently
discovered the same method. 1t Is to
the suggestion Of Professor Silliman and
DIR. Eli Ives, in 1882, that its use was first
discovered in 1882, but to DIR. Guthefie
belongs the credit of the entire original
ity of this method of procuring the
"chloric ether" as it was then called.
DR. John Torrey, although one Of the
best read. chemists and chemical instruc-
tors in the United States, has left but
few records of his research. His name
is most intimately connected with the
| fora of this country, as also with the dis
Pcoyery and identity of that remarkable
substance poetic acid. Professor Sill
man called attention to the great scien.
tifcawakening in this country about the
year 1916 1t was the beginning of a
new era in the scientific life of America
generally, which is still in active prog.
4. ress. Many circumstances have conspir.
ed to bring about this increased activity
/ in all parts of scientific investigation. II
was in iS45 that the first series of the
Ameicdn journal Of Science was closed
and o new series commenced with more
frequent issues, offering to authors more
contact with their fellow workmen. II
L. the autumn ofthat year Agassiz came Il
, this country and commenced his won
! derful course of scientific labor which
has infused zeal for such studies in thu
: public mind, before entirely unknown
! Coming only as guest and for specia
5 mission, he found here a home whicl
; was opened with Joy to receive him anC
' adopt him as an American, and justl,
: earned the name of the Humboldt 0
e this country. About this time, too, il
s 1846, the Smithsonian Institution wa
s erected, and in l847 commenced its la
d bors under the guidance of Professo
4 Joseph Henry, opening wider and NOR
: brilliant paths Of scientific research 70
a the science workers of America. Il
= 1915, also, the United States Coast Sun
< vey passed under the comprehensive di
: rectiOn of Professor Alexander Dalla
q Bache, and was making its power felt i
y erecting, supervising, and directing nc
o only its own special methods, but eS
7 tending its example and encouragement
J. alike to chemists, physcisists and kindre
d scientists. What power it has bee
e for good, and what a school for specii
n training, is the general acknowledgment
l. of allla, a8. -l, 4J,H ,.u' 'rll
Is AT the conclusion of Professor Sill
n mans essay, reports were read from tn
. different committees, and very inte
4 esting autograph letter of DIR. Priestle
'. to DR.. Franklin, dated June "a, 1887, WI
n = read by Professor Pynchon, of Hartfor
z Conn, into whose possession the lett
j, came byinheritance. .ii vol,
i The Finance Committee reported
Z balance in their hands of $22 81. 9Th
4 was subsequently increased to consi,
II erable amount.)
ia Mr.. Waller moved that the balan,
q deposited by the Treasurer, Profess
y William H. Chandler, in the hands
4 =.