Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-16
NEW MECHANICAL FORCES.

OF new inventions there will be no end and it is
very likely that they will turn up where they have
been least anticipated. 1t is certain that some OF
the experiments which have engaged the attention
of mankind for ages have yet had no practical re-
suit. Not to speak of such inherent absurdities
as perpetual motion and the transmutation OF
metals there seems yet to have been no progress
toward the practical navigation Of the air, either
by appliances to the human form or by vehicles
capable Of being guided. 1t is not clear that com
mon roads can ever be travelled by steam; and
indeed, it is question whether the limits OF the
latter rs a mechanical force and motor have not
been reached and may not give way to something
more powerful and available. Already there are
some indications OF new era opening in this re-
spect. which may give as mighty an impulse to
the world of industry as was impaired by the diS-
coverics of Watt and the other great manipulators
Of steam.
Among these indications is the recent discovery
of William CIookes, an eminent English scientist,
by which Light benccforth takes its place among
the mechanical forces. AT recent meeting of
the Royal Society he furnished the extraordinary
spectacle of rays Of light, from which all heat had
been extracted, whirling suspended bar with
velocity proporioned to the intensity Of the light.
The same principle was exhibited in variety Of
ways, both with daylight and candleght, as well
as with the stronger lights generated by electricity
and magnesium. The force used in these cases
was easily measured, but what lis practical capa-
bilities are remains of course, to be determined.
Spectators, however, like Professor Huxley and
other leading members of the Royal Society, are
said to have expressed the opinion that 'the DEM
onstration of great and amazing discovery stood
perfect" although none claimed the ability 10 ex-
plain it on any known theory.
Another discovery on this si0e of the water ap-
pears 10 be even more promising in its results,
whether as mysterious in its principle or not
John w. Kelley of Philadelphia claims to have
discovered vapor produced from water and ar
without the intervention Of chemicals, galvanism,
electricity or heat, which gives force equal TO
pressure of &c, 900 to 1000 pounds to the square
inch. The principal difficulty in its management
is said to be the construction of apparatus to Sc
sufficiently small force for practical use
He claims to have succeeded, though, and to have
made generator-three feet high, two feet long
and foot deep-a receiver of wrought iron-with
a capacity of 20 gallons-and feed pipe which
conveys the vapor to an ordinary steam engine, IN
which it can be used without any material altera-
tions. All this appears to border on the marve-
lous-if not to make decided foray therein-but
perhaps it is not more strange than the first sppli
cations of steam power. In those cases, however,
the agent had always been before the world, and
even in such humble guise the vapor issuing
from the teakettle's nose had given some symp-
toms of its power; but Of Mr.. Keeiy's vapor we
know nothing. 1t is said that number of skill
fll mechanics, who have examined his machine as
far as he will allow, believe it will accomplish
what he claims, and capitalists in several of our
cities, including Worcester, have agreed to pur
chase the invention, if its practicabty is estab-
lished. Time will certify as to that.-Boston
Journal.