The herald., 1897-08-22

peared to be none beyond the faec1na-
ton of the pursuit as possible discov-
cry by experiment of verification oi
the main result anticipated.
| Yet there is at least one practical re-
suit pointed to as likely to present itself
not impossibly in the near future. AS
the most recent research undoubtedly
points to one and the same stuff the
'Urstoff" of the German physicists, at
bottom, as the base of all matter, ard
proves that by association Herewith OF
different values and different forms OF
energy, other forms of matter are pro-
duced and conserved, and that these are
always marked by distinctly appreciat-
| ed characteristics, such as liquidity,
viscosity, rigidity, density, color, hard
ness, taste and many others If, then,
we should be able to artificially produce
as associated with one form of matter
these characteristics which we find nor
mally existing in another form of matter.
we ought to artificially convert matter
from one normal state to another normal
state by application of energy in some
form other than that of chemical en- er-
gy, for example, by static pressure or
percussion If we could artificially IN
crease by pressure the normal density of
silver to the normal density of golds it
is reasonable from the laws of light to
expect that we should by our procedure
convert the absence of color in the silver
into the presence of the yellow color of
the more dense metal, that we should
iri fact by this precise increment and
equivalent of density, have changed our
silver into gold. To conclude that such
would not be the case is without war
rant; such transformation in the pres
ent state of our knowledge can neither
be affirmed ror denied.
The utmost which can be said at pres
ent is that ply research Indicates
the probability of transmutation being
brought about without chemical change
IN the manner indicated. The expert
ment to make the necessary tests to
prove this question would involve the
provision of apparatus of very costly
order, beyond the reach of but few pri-
vate individuals. 1t is not impossible
that yet synthetic chemistry may so far
advance itself as to put off from all other
association or combinatio the pure,
fundamental basic stuff, out of which all
that is has come or that the pure stuff,
shall be an inherent eXtrusiven esS put
off as distinct from itself all else associ-
ated with or environibg it. Who can
tell? The law of continuity certainly
initiates against this last suggestion.
Certainly Bonningault's and Dewar's
experiments point to this that the trans
mutation of energy in the form of heat
into that Of increased atomic pressure
producing increased density of matter
xr-,t ;e< ~ = ifyt
to be looked for, as that to which the So
lar system 10. if slowly, yet surely con-
verging. just as the transformation Of
the solar energy advances, and as those
experiments show, gradually reducing
all matter to common quality or like
ness when darkness as we now
understand it will prevail; where
life as we now understand it cannot
be; when the Infinite non-matter which
envrons the finite expression matter
shall both coexist, but each shall have
been reduced to it's final state-pure
etheriality. Pure mind. or pure intel,i-
gence, even pure energy-call it what
you will-the one matter, the put-off
separated or excreted. product the other.
Whilst this is probable for our system.
it is not probable, ray, If the law of
rhythm and evolution be true, such can
not be even possible for the universe, the
infinite enoasement of our infinite solar
planetary system.
But without lingering upon the fas-
Gina atiors of the ultimate outcome of this
speculation there Is another possible
result one amongst many, lying close
to us in point of time, should the direct
4r, {otf Of frr iy1.to a h ar
matter without chemical change be
brought about. Should this be accom-
plished for the purpose and on the grand
scale essential to its gen and prac-
teal utility, would not its influence upon
humanity, its objects in life, its occupa
tions, be farreachiug and severe? The
discovery for converting a pure metal
from one of a lower to one of higher
density, such, for example, as lead, to
silver, or silver to gold or platinum,
would at once change the intrinsic worth
of the latter, the monetary standard
value would be at once lowered, and as
an article of manufacture it would be
worth only the cost of the raw material
plus the cost of labor, plus operating
expenses of machinery, plus the interest
upon the capital expended in the ma
chinery for Transforming it, plus rea
sorable manufacturing profit. AS a
standard material for exchange its
value would either disappear or that of
gold would depreciate to that Of lead;
merchandise, the necessities of life,
would be obtained by some modified sys-
tenn of barter. The change indeed would
be so far-reachng, should the transmu-
tation of matter, even some only of the
metals, be brought about, that it is
| neither possible nor safe even to attempt
| to predict the consequences to mankind d,
| the alterations in all relationships in af-
| fairs generally that must inevitably en-
| sue. ST. JOHN DAY.
! August 2Sth, 1896.
| Note added August 9th. 1897:
! 1t has just been suggested to me by
my friend, Mr.. Melville Lincoln Wilkip-
sen, that the periodic law of Mepdeljef
proves by reason of their valencies tha t
! the probability of practically realizing
, the Transformation of both copper and
| silver into gold must necessarily result.
shall revert to this IN later paper on
the valencies of the metals and the halo
| gems. ST. l.. D.
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