The Miner and Workman's Advocate. — 1864-01-09 (London, England)

KNOWN TO THE ANCIENT MEXICANS. —lt is reported upon good authority that a distinguished German chemist has just made an important discovery in connexion with the alloy now generally designated thallium. It appears that among the most ancient records of the ancient Mexicans an account is given of the mode of preparing the alloy used for producing the brilliant green fire which was freely burnt during the sacrificial ceremonies in honour of Vitzliputzli, one of their principal deities, and that in the attempt to prepare a similar alloy, from the details given, a discovery opening up an entirely new field of chemical science has been made. By the peculiar treatment of certain proportions of silver, lead, and selenium, a black powder was produced, so much resembling that designated thallium by Mr. Crookes that the experimenter was induced to test it. The weight of alloy was precisely equal to that of the metals used; yet the whole of the reactions of thallium were obtained, and salts, bases, and acids of the alloy were produced, precisely as if the alloy-had been a perfect metal. Even in the spectroscope the well-known green line was produced. The fact of selenium entering so largely- into the alloy is considered to account for Mr. Crookes supposing the socalled thallium to belong to the sulphur group until Mr. Lamy showed him the alloy an its metallic state, and proved it to be nearer silver and lead. Whether the whole of the powders hitherto considered to be pure metals in the pulverulent state are simple alloys has yet to be ascertained. It will be an interesting subject for research whether chemistry or electricity gives an alloy these peculiar qualities. It is anticipated that some tons of thallium will be ready for sale in England at less than the price of silver in the course of a few weeks.— ing Journal  The Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived in Londor on Saturday afternoon from Hawarden Castle. The Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson arrived in town on Saturday from the seat of Viscount Palmerston, Broad;. lands, Hants.  The new quarters for married soldiers at the Canterbury Barracks, which have been erected at a cost of nearly £lO,OOO, including extras, are now completed, and they only await the formal inspection of the authorities to render them ready for occupation. baron nothsChild has for a series of years put at tne lispbsal of the Paris authorities 30,000 kilograms of bread r,n New Year's-day. Emile Pereira has just furnished a batch of lovers to the same extent for the Paris poor.  An inquest was held on Thursday on the body of Captain Mahoney, who committed suicide in Cecil-street, Strand, on Monday last. The evidence showed that the deceased had been drinking heavily for some time past. A verdict of "Temporary insanity" was returied.  The Council of King's College, London, have elected the Rev. James Craigie Robertson, AL A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, and one of the canons residentiary of Canterbury Cathedral, to the Professorship of Ecclesiasti• cal History in that institution, rendered vacant by the death of Dr. 111`Caul.  On Saturday, Mr. Stansfield, M.P., assisted by Mr. Walker, was engaged, as on previous days, in his official investigations at Chatham dockyard, his inquiries during the whole of the time he has been occupied at Chatham having extended to all the departments connected with that establishment. It was expected that Mr. Stansfield's investigations at Chatham would have included the Steam Reserve branch of the navy, but it would seem that the inquiries connected with that department of the service will be left entirely to the Steam Reserve Committee recently appointed by the Admiralty, who have already commenced their investigations.  The correspondence between Louis Napoleon and the Duke of Auglistenburg is published., It commences about the beginning of December, when the Duke first appeared as a claimant to the throne of Schleswig-Holstein. He appeals to the "nationality" sympathies of Louis Napoleon, and brings in also the argument of independence. The Emperor's reply is courteous and friendly, though he regrets the complication which has arisen, but he does not forget to tall the Duke that the great powers are bound by the Treaty of London. He also takes occasion to repeat his regret that England declined to take part in the Congress w,hich he proposed, and significantly adds that if Denmark were oppressed by "powerful neighbours, public opinion in France would turn in her favour."  On Saturday evening, their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the Countess of Macclesfield and Lieutenant-General Knollys, arrivad at the Windsor station of the Great Western Railway. Their royal highnesses, on arriving at Gosport from Osborne, on the expiration of their visit to the Queen, left by the 2.30 p.m. train for Windsor, where it arrived at 5.30 p.m., a quarter of an hour behind the appointed time A large crowd of spectators assembled on the platform, Including a number of ladies, many of whom had been waiting upwards of an hour in the biting cold in order te catch a sight of the royal pair. As soon as the train paused their royal Highnesses alighted. The Prince and Princess as they passed through the throng of spectators, bowed very pleasantly in acknowledgment of their salutations, and having entered the royal carriages, were at once driven to Frogmore House, where they arrived about 20 minutes to 6 p.m. Their Royal Highnesses both looked remarkably well. The Pnn..e and Princess will reside at Frogmore during the month, and afterwards proceed to Marlborough House, where they will remain some time.  The Westmoreland scholarship in the Royal Academy oI Ausic has been gained by Miss Edith Wynne. A valuable portrait of the celebrated John Bannister, painted by Gainsborough, has been presented to the Royal Dramatic College.  Mr. G. Brackenbury, Her Majesty's Consul at Madrid, has been appointed Consul at Charente. The Consulship at Madrid will not be filled up. Mr. Ricketts has been appointed Consul at Sarawak. The Queen has conferred the appointment of Court Newsman—vacant by the resignation of Mr. Doane— upon Mr. Thomas Beard, long and honourably known in zonnection with the London press. Loan