The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-25
1.-THE WORLD .%&!%%%%
ONE HUNDRED YEARS
AGO TODAY"Ss%+*.+
[Coryright, 1890. by r. Il. Hughes. Louis
ville.l

n nlIOSPlIoR0US matches were being intro.
duced in Paris. but not successfully be.
4 OF the danger incurred from their
great inhammability. Experiments at this
time also led to the use OF chemical agency
for the ordinary production of fire. An apparatus
was introduced consisting OF a small bottle con-
tanning asbestos, satured with strong sulplnric
acid, with splnts or matches coated with sui
phur and tipped with a mixture OF chlorate OF
potash and sugar. The matches so prepared
when brought in contact with the sulplmric acid
in the bottle, gnited, and thus by chemical
action fire was produced. However, flint and
steel with tnder box and snlphur'tpped splints
Of wood --'spunks' matches-werc the COM
| mon means OF obtaining fire for domestic and
other purposes. The sparks struck off by the
percussion OF flint and steel were made to fall
among the tinder, which consisted OF carbonzed
fragments OF cotton and linen. The entire mass
of tinder was set into glow developing sufficient
heat to ignite the sulphur with which the
matches were tipped and thereby the splints
themselves were set on fire.
One of the memorable duels OF Great Britain
took place during the year between Isaac Cory
and Henry Grafton. The latter had the year be.
| fore entered the Irish parliament to oppose the
| motion for union with England In the course
OF these debates Grafton was three times vir-
lently attacked by Cory, chancellor of eX-
! chequer, but at last retaliated with orcrwhclm
ing effect and the duel followed, Cory being
| wounded. Another famous duel in the United
| Kingdom that next year between Major I'm
| pey and Lieutenant Willis. The former was
killed.
The first part OF "MechaniQuc Ccleste,' which
| as a monument OF mathematical genius applied
| 10 the celestial revolutions ranks second only TO
| the "Principia' of Newton, appeared. The de-
| clarrd aim OF the author-Pierre Simon Laplace
| 81 years OF agc-was to offer complete solution
| Of the great mechanical problems presented by
| the solar system and to bring theory to coincide
| sc closely with observation that empirical equa
| tions should no longer find place in astronomi
| cal tables.
| At the age OF sixteen Giovanni Rapiista Amici
while studying mathematics at Bologna, acquired
| a taste for astronomy and began the improve
| ments OF instruments for the science with great
| ingenuity and success. lie invented the mcrome
| ter with which to obtain measurement of the
| diameter of the sun. Amci was well known
| too, for his microscopes. His rejecting micro
| scopes with ellpsodal specula were an improve
ment on all that preceded them
| Among those who died at the close Of the cen,
| fury they had done much toward making noted
in art science and literature, Were the following
| Alonzo Vurnez de Iiaro, Spanish archbishop
| George Stevens, English editor.
| Simon Thayer, American soldier
| Joseph Warton English poet and critic.
| John Hermann, physician and naturalist,
| Baron yon Wagenhein, German naturalist
| Charles Stuart, Irish soldier and statesman.
| Matthew Young, Irish bishop and physicist,
| John Rutedge, American statesman and jurist
Artemus Ward, American revolutionary general
Thomas Hartley, American soldier and states.
| man.
| Charles Louis rIIeritier dc Biutelle, French
botanist.
| john Ilazelwood, English naval officer in
| America.
! William Walter American Protestant Episcopal
| clergyman.
| Edward Rutledge signer of the Declaration OF
! Independence.