New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-22
DOWN TO DATE.
AN ADDRESS BY FRANK w. HAWLEY
ON THE WONDERS OF THE
SUBTLE AGENT.

Frank W. Hawley. Of Pittsford Farms. VINO was
first TO apply electricity to the propulsion OF canal
boats and became prominent in connection with
the Introduction OF electric power through the
state upon canal land from the great hydraulic
tunnel at Niagara Falls. in an address upon the
subject Of Electricity Down TO Date. spoke IN
part as follows:
I'm the light Of modern science may well be-
leve that imagination is but prophecy me
dreams and visions of old being translated into
practical realities. Former centuries unused on
the humiliation Of time and space. and pequeathcu
us poetic conceptions OF airy sp-tes ana e'heiea'
messengers-of winged Mercury and fleet ARIEL
To-day we have the telegraph. Fabled Stentor
could speak as with the combined voices OF hiE
men, but the telephone will carry for hundreds OF
miles the accents OF a child such radiance az
that with which ancient bards ciothed 'he III"
mortals OF their dreams now flashes AT night aiohs
our city thoroughfares and illumines our ou'io
ings and public halls When asked to account
for these miracles and wonders. We need speak
but one mysterious word-electrlcity.
This subtle and mystic force we can neither de-
fine analyze Its unseen currents epp anu
flow like the magic tides of an enchah'ed sea
Across the boundless ether fields Of space Its rad-
ant energy is throbbng. 1t pcnetrates TO me
mountains rocky heart and rolls in mimic waves
through the abysmal depths of ocean. 1t Is AKIN
to magnetism. and also TO that mysterious iorce
which has astonished science by the variety ana
importance of its phenomena in the fields OF hypno-
10 the knowledge of the ultimate basis OF matter
and force and perhaps. in seeking 10 understand
IL fully we are knocking al the portals OF that
temple wherein is hidden the mystery OF lie IL
self 1t has been the riddle OF ages. Long cen
turtles ago the priests OF Egypt knew OF the at
tractiye mower OF amber when excited by friction,
and wondered al its meaning Piny and Aristotle
marvelled at the mysterious power of the torpedo
FISH, But ages passed and no clew was found for
entering the labyrinth wherein such priceless
secrets hidden.
Electricity is cmphatically science OF expert
ments II has been built up by the labors Of
many not by the genius OF one. About 300 years
ago DR. Gilbert made list OF substances posses
sing attractive power and gave the science ITS
name Long after Gray discovered the distinction
between conductors and non-conductors. FRANKLIN
proved the identity OF electricity and lightning.
But a century since the experiments OF Galvani
brought the subject prominently before the scen-
tifc world and gave the impetus to research which
has never sackened. Volta invented his battery.
Davy discovered the voltaic arc. Oersted de-
monstrated the relation of magnetism and cleo
| trcity. Ampare announced the fundamental
principals Of electro-dynamics. while Farsday. the
| master mind OF all produced electricity from
| magnetism and developed the grand principles
upon which its great Industrial applications now
| rest
This long period o. observation and experiment
| has shown us that have discovered a transcen-
summon and control It. II has shown itself ca
pable OF infinite adaptation TO our wants. bre.
review OF It's present uses will confirm us In the
reasonable expectation OF untold advantages TO be
| derived. For ages the needle has been the guide
! OF the mariner and explorer. The telegraph. speak
ing the language OF every nation. linking In magic
bonds ocean-seyered continents. and Joining the
marts OF commerce to the uttermost isles or the
sea has long been the indispensable handmade OF
commerce and journalism. The telephone has be-
| come a necessity for the speedy delivery OF mes
, sages and the prompt transaction or business.
Electricity is rapidly supplanting gas for illumi
! mating purposes. being cheaper. better and more
convenient and there is scientific promise that the
/ abors OF Hertz. Tesla and others may and perhaps
soon WILL result in the production OF the cold cleo
| trio light fraction OF the cost OF gas.
| Our cities enjoying rapid transit since horse
| power has been superseded by the motor Under
the impulse OF this force shafts are now turning,
| athes running, pumps working saws and planers
| operating and cranes swinging. Ii reaches out
countless giant arms perform the labors OF mill.
! mine factory and shop Its services In this broad
field but recently commenced will rapidly extend.
1t can tighten the drudgery OF field and shop and
| minister TO mans convenience and pleasure. or,
welded by the arm OF authority. become his swift
| avenger II can lightly do his bidding sne as
with Joves thunderbots the convicted felon In the
death chair.
Electric locomotives are entering into use. and
the steam engine will be discarded az an
antquated and clumsy cOntrivance. The transmits
sion OF power has become an established fact The
energy derived from falling water can be Mashed
with the rapdity OF light to distant points Rome,
the Eternal city is in this way supplied from the
Falls OF Tivoli. Sacramento is preparing to u.--ze
WATERPROOF twenty miles distant In the same
way The business interests OF New-York State
will receive a tremendous impetus by having
the gigantic force OF peerless Niagara placed at
it's disposal. The highland lakes OF New-Jersey will
he
OF the Greater New York. and from the falls OF
the Potomac electric energy will be sped to Wash
ington and Baltimore. The storage battery, now
being rapidly perfected. will greatly widen the
sphere OF electrical adaptation and utility. The
discovery Of some new element or a new alloy pos
sessing unusual electrical properties may. day
open the way for host OF practical applications.
The age OF steam IL drawing to a close The
world stands trembling and expectant the
threshold OF the electric Every cascade. every
coal m ne. every lumber district will become
centre and mandatory OF power from which
cables Will radlate, bearing to all sections Of the
by storage batteries will come into general use. and
5ad we en sha f ye be ape to hold
with person in any part Of the globe, and not
can now be received on board moving trains: it is
but step further TO hold communication with ships
far out al sea. Small cars contained In mail tubes
will be at high rate of speed. rendering the
postal service extremely expeditions and enabline
wet from the press Electrical stoves. shaped in
ornamental panels or forms Of art VIII adorn the
heat our dwellings Coal will longer he re-
CURED. and with IT will depart the annoyances OF
dust. smoke and SCOT. The housewife Will rejoice
in electric laundry appliances and in cooking
ranges furnishing any degree Of heat and requiring
little care. The drama and opera will find In this
subtle fluid a magnificent ally. Scenic effects car
be displayed worthy Of the sublimest creations OF
human genius. ne magnificent panorama OF ma
ture. dawn and sunse golden moons and stari
ewes the changing splendor OF the seasons. snowy
crags and stormy seas. all be depicted with
more than artistic fidelity. Historic spots can DO
accurately reproduced and the classic gems OF
dramatic art be exhibited in setting such they
deserve. Electric displays and transparences viii
be an important feature OF the political parades OF
the future. and by such means our descendants car
| commemorate Independence Day with pomp and
grandeur far surprising our finest pyrotechnic ex
hlbitlons
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