The morning call., 1892-03-05

only FIVE minutes left them after an explo-
sion they have fair prospect of getting
away safely with their booty. When en-
ployed to blow up building dynamite
always fails unless proper engineering
methods have been followed by boring shot
holes aud apportioning the quantity of the
explosive to the work to be done. A heavy
charge Of dynamite exploded outside build
ing will usually only produce rent or hole
OF moderate dimensions at the spot and a
great quantity of glass will be smashed by
the concession of the air, but that is all.
The reason is plain. Dynamite, although it
mas three times the force of gunpowder, is
exceedingly rapid in its action. Compared
with dynamite gunpowder is positively slow
IN combustion. because the latter is only a
mechanical mixture Of cOmbustible ele-
ments. whereas nitro glycerine. the active
compound of dynamite, is a chemical CON-
pound with its elements contained within
the molecule The fractional instantaneity
OF the explosion of dynamite is well Illus
trated by the downward direction of its
force. The atmosphere, about fifteen pounds
to the square inch, has not time to get out of
the Way. and its resistance is almost the
same as II 1t were solid. A very beautiful
test OF the completeness Of the combustion
is afforded by exploding q charge of dvna-
mite Enclosed within water cartridge.
Neither lame nor spark can pass through
the envelope OF water, and so absolutely is
this effected that the explosion may take
place within barrel of gunpowder without
lgnitlDg IL, the only result being that the
gunpoNder is scattered about like so much
dust.
Americans who go TO Italy for pictures
will henceforth offer in vain fabulous sums
Tor old masters of repute. The Italia an
Parliament has placed an embargo upon
the sale by private persons OF any old works
OF art to foreigners. and offenders contra
yening the law are to be punished with i'm
prisonment Sales may be made perhaps
with the consent Of the Government, but
not Otherwise. On the whole it is better
these grand works of the supreme age in art
should remain In the country that produced
them. Every gallery iE Europe is adorned
with treasures carried away from Italy, and
II Is time TO call halt and keep fast hold of
the remnant Had they their own way
many liluStrious families would soon dis
pose OF their family pictures to solicitous
wealthy visitors from abroad. Many of the
nobienen OF Italy are III a sadly impover-
ished condition, living in palaces and keep
ing up retnues OF servants, but yet barely
able TO keep up appearances or to make
enus meet. what more natural than
that they should obiise tile rich foreigner
with pictorial masterpieces. and again
mount 10 afiiuence Oh the proceeds. One
prince OF the Colonna family has recently
II is said, disposed of dozen works of high
fame, including Raphael. Titan. and
CaravaZZio. lie was offered $500, 900 for
eight pictures by the Government, but he
refused and asked $500, 600 for the Raphael
alone. Now the Government mourns the
surreptitious departure of these pictures,
aud as a precautiOn against such acts
IN future the law has been made more
stringent y Raphael in the possession of
another prince was recently struggled out
OF the country and sold to RothSchild in
Paris Wealthy Americans need net con-
Germ themselves greatly about this step on
the part OF Italy. They are too late in be-
ginning a thoroughly representative collec-
ton OF old masters. aud they must content
themselves with copies. Besides they may
ind consolation worthily in the encourage
ment OF modern art, which has some fea-
lures of greatness and fresh naturalless
not contemplated or studied in tile sixteenth
century. If artists cannot return TO the
majesty of the past theIe is vet left them
creative grandeur in other directions for
which modern taste has appreciation.