The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-14

St Louis, Mo-, February 11.-(Special)
-snow-capped mountains and glistening
glaciers, with icy plain and rugged gulch
dotted with miners cabins and marked
by the trails of the seekers for hidden
gold, is a Klondike replica of a bit Of
nature from the regions Of the Attic cir
Gle.
Suddenly pass from these wintry was
ties to the temperate zone, and taking
subterranean trip, wander through icy
caves of wonderous beauty. where the
stalactites hang as fantastic cones from
vaulted roof, frozen waterfalls are
wrought into a profussion OF icicles as
they are tumbling into miniature lakes,
and the stalagmtes glare with the white
incrustAtions Of alkali.
These scenes, wonderfully constructed
from soda and crystals of salt, are fea-
lures of exhibits to be found in the Chem
ical section of the Liberal Arts Palace of
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Here
| Chemistry will be given over to the spec
tacular. 1t will be chemistry in q riot OF
fun and frolic.
The visitor will see these salt crystals
and soda. under the manipulation of the
artists hand, piled high into Jagged noun
tain peaks, snow-crested the same as
does Dame Nature the Rockies in her
widest mode. Powerful arc lights play
ing upon these mountains OF salt and
valleys of soda, will produce an 10y phan-
tasma-goria of color.
Weird Effects Reproduced.
Going beneath the grounds into the fee
caves the chemical artist will repro
duce all of Natures weird effects, and
by the use of electric lights these caverns
will be suddenly transformed into fairy
like palaces, apparently adorned with
frosted silver and made respondent with
the colors of the rainbow
Another attractive exhibit will be In the
form of an old German cottage of the
early centuries, and the interior will pre-
sent the complete working outfit of the
aged alchemist, with long flowing beard
and mysterious air, who workes diligently
at his forge and, with tubes and little
charcoal brazers. attempts to make gold
and prove his theory of the transmuta-
ton of metals by the use of the "philoso-
| piers stone"
After all, this ancient alchemist, who
is the laughing stock of modern scient-
lists, may have had germ of truth in
his theory Radium, the recently dis
covered metal seems to point that way.
Furthermore. II all that Is claimed for
radium be true. 1t has bowled over Dali
| tons atomic theory and set the scientists
to work on a new method of solving the
mystery Of change In our solar system.
The old alchemist's dreams--or some of
them-may yet come true.
These little spectacular bits in the Chem
istry section are for those who like to
mt mix wit
well as for the army of those who do not
come to eXpositions to study chemistry.
but are delighted by any scene of as
tonishing beauty.
Exhibit VIII Be Complete.
The most complete and elaborate chem
ical exhibit ever given at any exposition
lin fact one that will excel all others
is to be seen at the Worlds Fair of 1904.
In the collection of this exhibit much as
sistance has been given Col. John A.
Ockerson, chief of the department OF
Liberal Arts, by his assistance, S. w.
Bowes. a we'll known newspaper editor
of Toledo and Buffalo.
In this exhibit the ancient and the mod
ern are to be brought into strong con-
trast. Today chemistry Is fast broaden
/ ing in its scope Chemistry even has
! tendency to develop more and more along
the lines of engineering and there is a de-
mand for what might be termed the
''chemical engineer a mechanical en-
! gineer with special knowledge of chemical
science and technology. The manage
ment of the Louisiana Purchase Expo
stion recognizing this new important
fact. has set aside ample space in the
Liberal Arts Palace for the American
and foreign exhibits to Illustrate fully
the wonderful progress now being made