Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-26
A LECTURE ON WATER.
OBSERVATIONS MADE By Mr.. sImPKrS
BgroHE THE MECHANICS IEsrIrUTE.
Some OF the Physical and Chemical As
poets Of tie Fluid in Gen
aral.

pinia Mechanics Institute-George A.
Ainslie. Esq, president-was delivered
by William simpkin, A. s. NJ. E., super
intendent OF the Richmond Locomotive
and Machine-Wo and his theme was,
"Water in Some OF Its Physical and
Chemical Aspects. "
The lecturer said that he considered
the study Of chemistry indispensable to
an engineer who desired to take lead
ing position in his profession, and that
he did not know Of any business or pro-
fession that would not be better under
stood by the person having some know
ledge OF chemistry.
The lecture, as stated by MIR. Simpkin,
was purely elementary in its character.
He went on to say: 81 am going to
begin at the very A B G of this subject,
for do not think this will harm any of
us. as it is by occasionally reverting to
first principles that our way to the I'M
derstanding and the elucidation of the
more difficult problems that engage our
attention. All the facts that l shall try
and elucidate are well known, but we
must remember that only about 100
wears ago some of them were mysteries,
even 10 the wisest philosophers.
You will not, therefore, deem 1t
trifing on my part if | speak OF some
things which, no doubt, are perfectly
familiar TO most OF you. In fact, there
is still 10 much mystery about water
that TO thoughtful mind all we know OF
it will bear repeating again and again,
and each time il is repeated will be as
interesting as when we first heard 1t, and
besides this, in the short time we have
at our disposal this evening, l can only,
MS it were, "touch the hem OF this
beautiful garment OF nature-vater.
WHAT Is WATER
The lecturer then went on to state
that water, unlike other substances
which expand when heated and contract
when cool, possessed this remarkable
property. After reaching temperature
of 40o Fahrenheit, or thereabouts, in
stead of becoming less in bulk by the
application of further cold, it immedi-
ately begins to expand until, when it
reaches a temperature OF 800 Fahren-
heit and freezes, the frozen mass will
be found TO occupy more space than the
liquid from which it was formed.
Water in a state of purity can only be
obtained by distillation and so obtained
it is found to consist of two simple
gases-oxygen and hydrogen-and
these are combinedin the proportion, 10y
weight, of one part of hydrogen to
eight parts OF oxygen.
THE TWO GASES.
Is it not most remarkable that two
gases that we can neither feel nor see
should, when chemically combined, go to
form that beautiful liquid which we call
water? And another most remarkable
feature is that the elements of which
water is composed bear marked and
striking contrast in their properties
and effects to the effects and
properties displayed by the same
elements when in state of chemi-
cal combination. Instead of extingulsh-
ing fire as water does, oxygen is an ex-
traordinarv supporter Of combustion.
This is strikingly shown when burning
body is immersed in jar containing
oxygen gas-it will burn with increased
rapidity and with an intense and dazzling
brilliancy. Hydrogen gas IS one OF the
most combustible substances in nature,
and if, when hydrogen gas is being con
sumed, stream of oxygen gas is made
TO flow into its flame the most intense
heat ever yet attained can be produced
in fact, so extreme is the heat which is
developed by these means that no in
strument has yet been invented that
would measure its intensity.
EXPERIMENTS.
The lecturer then performed few
very interesting experiments with oxygen
and hydrogen gas to illustrate this part
OF the lecture, concluding rs follows:
have now reached the end OF my
task. The commonest objects under the
eve of patient investigation and re-
search assume such shapes Of beauty as
imagination never dreams Of. To under
stand the rounding of a soap bubble in
wolves the application of the deepest
principles of mathematics. To the stu
dents DTeStut NOulu % 10 ouio 49,
well-directed efforts almost invariably
meet their due reward.
THE KEYS.
Learning and knowledge are the keys
that unlock the treasury of wisdom.
They are the tools that the skilful jour
neyman, after his apprentice days are
over, applies to shape his work in the
business of life. ga little knowledge, y
it Is said, is dangerous thing, and this
is quite true of those who, having only q
very limited amount of knowledge or IN
formation, act as if they know it all.
None of us know too much, and none OF
us are too wise to learn. But even a
little knowledge of science in general is
very desirable thing. Finally, you may
not all excel as students, nor become
leaders of men. Do not let this dis
courage you've all have place to fill.
All of you can at least, by kindly word
and deed and determination to fulfil
Your part in life to the best of your abil-
ity, accomplish much and win for your
| -. +ha rao,1aot and esfeam of your