The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-04-07
CURRENT TOPICS.
ARTIFICIAL DIAMONDS,

In paper read before meeting of the Royal
Society. Mr.. j. B. Hannay, the eminent Scotch
chemist, described the discovery which led
finally to the artificial production of diamonds
After showing how he was led to test whether
solids were soluble In gases, he went on TO de-
scribe the experiments he had made with the
aid of pressure apparatus devised on pur-
pose. With the assistance OF this apparat us he
was able to chow ctystal OF potassie iodde
dissolving In alcohol gas-by which Is meant q
fluid at any temperature above It's critical
point He described experiments with va.
rious solids and gaseous solvents expert.
ments In which such non volatile solids
as 10 dide of potassium, chloride of cobalt
and bromide of potassium we're dissolved
In gaseous alcohol and again orYstaliged
from It. Some of the phenomena were very
beautiful. When. for example. the pressure
was suddenly taken off the gaseous solution of
iodide of potassium a crystalline deposit I'M
medistey occurred. resembling n snow shower
In miniature. Some solids gave eolored gase-
GUS solutions Osballous chloride. for In
stance. gave the gas q deep blue color. Mr..
Hanney concluded his paper by saying that he
considered that In these experiments there ia
further proof of the perfect continuity of the
liquid and gaseous states. and also n complete
proof Of the solubility of solids In gases. It is
well known to mineralogists that many nat
ural crystals contain small cavities filled with a
LIQUID. This LIQUID requires very great pres.
sure to retain It and II Is. In fact q gas under
ordinary circumstances. SO great is the pres
sure exerted by this iuuihed gas that such
crystals frequently burst and not very
long ago the bursting of a diamond
was reported These facts find probable
explanation In Mr.. Hannay's experiments. and
1t s most probable that many natural crystals
have been deposited from gaseous solutions,
and some Of the gas has been entangled In
them. This. on cooling, has been condensed to
LIQUID. and as the outside pressure has been
removed since its formation. the crystal Ia left
In such state Of strain that slight cause Ia
sufficient to burst 1t. 1t evident. there fore.
that II some solvent could be found to dissolve
carbon when placed under conditions of great
pressure and temperature the problem of The
artificial production of diamonds could be
solved. Mr.. Hannay described how he searched
for long time In vain for such a solvent.
Hydrocarbon was first tried. then the dissocia-
ton Of hydrocarbon by means If a metal was
attempted. and, at last. successfully by sub
hitting a hydrocarbon in the presence OF a
nitrogen substance to immense pressure
and heat. On opening the iron tubes. In which
tho eApeIlmeutS Weie poIioImeu, mluute cTys-
tails OF diamonds. or In other words, crystalized
carbon were found to ha> e been deposited.
HOUSEHOLD PROBLEM.
The New Workers continue to agitate the
question Of servant. galism." and In their des-
peration readily fall In with any plan that
promises relief from the ceaseless conflict with
Ignorant, incompetent, dishonest and domi-
neering domes les. Oae of the latest efforts to
regulate the relation between ena ploEere and
employees In the household. to impose dome. tic
service. restore the homo comforts aud bless
those who serve therein Is in the establishment
of Protective Union AMI Dtrecto ~"
training school" to fit ssrvants for their work.
aud home called "Martba'5 Rest" where those
who are disqualified by age or sickness can
find rest sympathy and considerable care. The |
means devised are intended to supersede the '