Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-01-03
, SOUTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1878
Practical Raincr:,Iogy Applied
Chemistry.

a'ractical F1incr:,IoGyaildA A pplicd
Chemistry.
No. 522, Hudson Street,
August 2Sth, 1877.
u. y. Norton, Esq IPuMaUa, s. c.:
DEAR Sir: Having noticed that YOU
have established a new college in your
midst take tho liberty of addressing YOU,
through Mr.. Huffman, gentleman whom
highly esteem, and who will hand you this
communication, to enquire if there is still a
vacancy, or it you should still desire to add
to your ''curriculum" Of studies such
branches as I teach, namely: "practical
Mineralogy" aud Applied Chemistry, which
studies, ! should think, taught in "moun-
tain REGION" would call out many patrons,
not only from tho young, but FROM the old.
l might here introduce myself. l am q
native South Carolinan; have undergone n
thorough course, aud am graduate OF one
of tho most celebrated mining academies in
Europe: having spent five years in Germany;
have taught in Anderson, S. c., (but not
being sufficiently rewarded for my services,
lcfD; am well acquainted with Professor
Lyon, ffom whom have o most hatterinc
letter Of recommendation.
My method Of instruction is purely a
practicable one, such as | was made to
undergo, and it is never fatiguing to the
student on account Of the variation of the
work. 1t is too interesting for him to Jorgct
,chot hc IS doi"g. The practical experiments
are perpetual pleasure to the student. But
[ must not make my letter too long, and
will conclude just here. Mr. X. can, no
doubt, give you some idea of the usefulness
of my branches of science. Hoping you
may duly consider my proposition &c., I
remain, sir, respectfully,
A. G. LAUGHLIN.
NEW YoRK CITY, August Goth, 1877.
Mr.. u. u. Nouon, Chairman .>tochhoh1ers
Of Adgcr CoN"yc WnMaha, s. g..
DEAR Sin: Being at leisure, I will now
explain to you more particularly about my
suggestions in reference to adding the
branch of "prnctcal Mincralogy" and
"Applicd Chemistry" to tho curriculum of
studies of the college TO Go this forcibly
| must adopt as my theme "Mncraloey,"
its teachings and its usefulness, which,
although tedious to read, think you will
tiud contains the idea Of the importance of
such study.
Practical mincralcgy is that science which
treats of minerals and their forms, characters
and combinations, and to become thorough
student, one should become familiar with
"Dana' aud "PIattucr;" he must study the
different forms of equalization and their
modification. lie must familiarize himself
with the names Of minerals and al their
forms. One must study obscrvingly their
relations one to another, so as he will be
able to determine BY classification each
mineral form. Having learned the book
portion, and having had practice sufficient
to enable him to work adyantugcously, he
must 60 out into the "opcn ,fcl,ls" end
'ovcr Mc mountuins' for among the
mountains we find the fountain Of mineral
ogy, and take his blow pipe with him, and
there prospect or select specimens crom
various localities. lie must work for him
self in the mountoins and .hcrc observe
nature in her true crrlr;; visit mines and
r"fS wh'rc mineral forms are exposed (make
holiday c&Hnr,ronS with their inSttnctnY:)
name .nL classify by the color, specific
cavity, hardness, streak, lustrc and fracture
(tcstiug such substance carefully with tho
blow pipe and by the use of rcagcnts); hc
must notice each change that takes place.
If convenient, he should also visit the
cabinets Of those whose collections represent
the mineral forms of different court tries;
compare and notice we'll tho variations
caused by association in certain geological
era. One must study the forms of minerals,
"crystalography," for crystals arc the only
true regular forms of minerals. Crystal
zation occurs by the action of either vapor,
water, fire or other liquid clement. as soon
as liquid clement begins to form solid
body, it is then undergoing crystalization
| give a simple illustration: salt with
water, with gentle heat applied presents an
Illustrative idea of II crystal. Crystaizntion
is SO perfect that each mineral can be deter.
mined by its form. Same causes alter tho
plane of Il crystal or change its face, but
not one angle differs from the same variety
found thousand years ago or 1000 miles
away. | might here review the six systems
of crystalization, but, not Wishing to tire
you out, will omit them, as they arc Of no
practical value to us just here.
What is it that we need then in our Gew
institutions of lcarnng2 See the condition
of our schools through the South, and can
add, in many instances, in the North (thc
New York City system is tNc only practical
md beneficial onc) We do not want uni
vcrsites embracing tho branches OF science