Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-27
DAWN OF A COMING DAY.

to HedeC6 the Heov0nS-The Motor OF the
Universe - Philosophical Observations
and Refections- Prepared
to Order. .- ..
rwRrrrEN FOE THE DIspAroH.J
Considerable interest is manifested at
the present time, outside as we'll as inside of
metailuryfcal circles, on the comparatively
new metal, aluminium. This late arrival in
the metallic family fs something OF an anom-
ally, as IL does not present itself In the form
Of ores, being q rather unsuspected factor in
common clays, whhe its extraction presents
very refractory and decidedly unique feat
ures.
The idea is gaining . popular hold that, If
once produced cheap enough, It will largely
displace steel and iron. It will do something
of this, but not nearly to the extent antici-
pated. 1t may enter entirely new fields. It
will invade the domain of the metals used
in the lines OF mechanical orna-
mentation, but for general structural
purposes, iron, and its notifications,
will hold their great basic positions. A fact
not to be lost sight OF is that there are revo-
lutions yet to come in the extraction of the
old king of metals from its ores, aud revela-
tions in its adaptations and notifications
with other metals. The great chemical en-
pire is as yet nearly uninvaded, and only
thin partitions stand to divide the grosser
and cruder present from the higher and
finer future.
Tho Possible Uses OF Aluminium.
1t is early yet to define the minor
folds and the more minute possibilities of
this light white metal, but enough data can
be secured from which may be deduced an
intelligent forecast. It ought to be most adj
mirably adapted to roofing, as its lightness
and untarnishability would respond to very
imperative requirements and body sufficient
could be maintained to withstand the
pelting OF the heaviest hail. 1t may
provo to be well adapted for ropes.
cables and wires, ana it may prove Of great
be eallowable-taking the place Of galvanizing
with other metals It may be and probably
Will be used as an exterior covering for
yer-like CLEAN Of a city with its roofs re-
fectfng the skies and the scintillant sheen
Of sunbeams glancing from its walls.
But it would not seem that this metal is to
become especially cheap, when we consider
that It must, in q manner, be entirely made.
II It does not anywhere exist visibly, If it
must be extracted from clay, which at best
contains only small percentage Of the ma
tertals 1t VIII bo safe to conclude that the
world will not soon be startled with its
cheapness. But too little is yet known of
its chemical relationship to Its metallic con-
geners; how, If at all, it will amalgamate
with them, or whether it will form an adhe-
sive coating for them, these being problems
that are not yet demonstrated. There is a
furnace pig iron and the refined steel bar
from which watch spring or the keen Da-
mascus blade is fashioned, and Just where
along the line, aluminium. as we now know
1t, stands is problem still awaiting solution.
Intangible, Indescribable Electricity.
But telectricity, that atmysterious. intangible
something, offspring of disturbed molecular
equilibrium, is now contributing marvellous
chapters to scientific conquest and surpris-
ing man himself at its gentle docility in har-
ness. No longer known only as the light
nX-fngered painter of binding glare on
the sky and the author of deafenjng peals
that inspire fear and terror, 1t presents itself
across continents and under seas, girdling
the earth ere time can put on his boots, We
hicle Of the voice, even the gruf pitch of
command. the gentle tone of affection, the
soft COO Of the baDe-it is wonderful! But
it does more than this. 1t takes the cruder
forms OF mechanical force, transforms
them, transmutes them to its own invisible
leagues over hill ana vale, to their destina-
tion and there delivers them over to the
thousands Of forms of mechanical propul-
sion, and when the force is spent, what was
II, why was it and where has it gone?
No eye has seen it, save as in 1itful flashes
in the dark, when 1t demurs at defective
conductivity: and yet this mystery Is the
potential thing in all organic lite, the mes
senger of the brain, the heeting thing that
carries information along the net work OF
nerves, the life Of all vegetable forms, yea,
all mle 1h Of any forms tie Rropeliins force Of
that we have laid our hands on the flaming
name Of the fiery steed, whose life and
strength are the light and motor of the uni
verse.
Power In Molecular Deransement.
AS with matter, so with force-and
verify force Is but the correlation Of matter
.noshing is lost. It requires force to build
up, SO in tho process Of disintegratiou force
is liberated. We may call this molecular
is the soul Of matter tenn
porarily out Of a job and ready for employ
ment-and its equivalent is electrical action
and every move and every motion under the
sun, every process of building up or pulling
down, eternally has had and eternally Will
have this electrical concomitant, vigilant,
sleepless and inevitable as gravity.
In tho process Of transformation some
thing cannot go to nothing, forms may van
ish, solidity may yield to vacancy, and
this be quick as the changes
the lapse of ages. it matters not-the inex-
orable and eternal law holds good.
1t is interesting to consider electricity in
Its relation to- cerebral action, in its relation
to the character of the higher and the lower
brain, the cerebrum and the cerebellum, to
the operation of the force that moves the
heart, that impels respiration whether we
waking, to the brain phenomena involved In
all ratiocination, for herein is electrical ac-
tion in its highest and most delicate mani
here II is, as life, as mind, as con.
3ciousness itself. We have not far to go for
many profound fact If We can but lay
egotistic self aside and seek with single
purpose to learn the truth, the whole truth
ind nothing but the truth.
wonderful electric machine Is every liv-
nx thing. The tree is dead and what is ab-
sent? Its mechanism still stands intact, the
smile, the zephyrs WOO, the
oreezes daily, but bud and leaf and blossom
:ome no mOre-why not?
The man is dead and what is gone7 In vain
nay the living kiss and caress, response
no vhoa, d f iesef ana psi,v
II SO, did it exist as such prior to its incor-
,oration with physical, bodily structure?
II not, why not7
physical and chemical conditions? A pro- |
,ess of disintegratfon, which we recognize |
Is combustion, throws off heat and light but |
when the operation is consummated, when
The fire Is "out," do the properties of heat |
ind light, as such, survive7
"A Sort of Jobbins in Conclusions.
These problems all admit of an easy So
ution; they present no mysteries; to solve |
hem requires no brain-splitting mental ac- |
ion when properly approached in the true |
Ipirit of true inquiry. But, as the world |
8 still unmechanical, as i5 is still un-
as It is still Illogical. as |
t dislfkes, yea as it ignores patient study |
Ind painsraking research, it selects conclu-
lions from venders who hold them in stock, |
who sell to the customer with adaptable /
Ind adjustable attachment to hug his freak
IF fancy and warranted to ut. This IS why |
70 many ideas will rip and ravel, lose color, |
ret baggy at the knees, will not wash, fill |
The lining with waste, mere shoddy, cheap |
felt, not genuine article woven in the loom
If ioGic warn and wOOf of SynthesiS and /