his
claim, it is that he has established as a new principle of science that
electricity possesses the qualities of weight, compressibility and
gravitation; that he has proved water to be in reality a simple
elemental substance, which he can decompose or transform into either
hydrogen or oxygen gas according to its electrical condition, and
according as positive or negative electricity is applied to it; and that
he has invented the means whereby from water he can produce at will
either of these gases without any other than mechanical agency and with
no expense save that of the machine, which will cost at the outset $400
or $500, and last for an indefinite period. If this is true, it is
unquestionably the greatest discovery of modern times, and will produce
a change in affairs of all sorts so profound and extensive as to surpass
and bewilder the mind which seeks to imagine it. When with a pail of
water you can without expense light and heat your house; when coal mines
are useless, and steamships draw their fuel from the waves they
traverse; then the comforts and luxuries of life, and the means of
traveling will be diminished in price so as to come within the ability
of every man; a great deal of the most toilsome and disagreeable work
now performed will become unnecessary; and a vast step will be made
toward a more just and equal distribution of social advantages. Mr.
Paine is now engaged at the Astor House in preparations to light that
immense hotel with his hydro-electric gas, and the result of his
experiment is looked for with profound interest. We confess little faith
in his success.

* * * * *

The story of an American inventor named REMINGTON--who a year or two
since addressed to the late Mr. Senator Lewis, of Alabama, a history of
his adventures, which was published in the _Merchant's Magazine_--must
be well-remembered, for its intrinsic interest, and on account of the
denials and refutations of portions of it by certain persons in London
to whom allusion was made in Mr. Remington's letter. The invention, the
Remington Bridge, seems now to be exciting no little attention both in
England and in this country. The principle which gives to it its great
strength, is the peculiar construction of its longitudinal supporters,
investing them with all the tenacity that wood has when it is sought to
be drawn apart. Thus it is capable of sustaining as great weight as
would be required to _pull