To the Editor of the "Nonrn-Caisa Darcy News."
Sm,—In my letter of the 22nd ult, to you on this subject, I stated that the importance of Edison's new battery had been underrated in discussion concerning the propulsion of public vehicles. The in vention of an effective motor of light weight has been the day-dream and despair of electricians since the automobile came into vogue. Edison claims now to have solved the problem by the perfection of his new iron nickel-steel and water cell. Unlike other cells, there is no organic mat ter to deteriorate, or acid to corrode water is the medium used for enabling the oxygen to traverse between the iron and nickel oxides. These are in the form of briquette 3in. x fin.s cased in perforated steel frames after being hydraulically pressed, this being the chief novelty in the coll. 'Thus oxygen burns the iron, and yields electricity instead of heat.' On charging the battery, the oxide of iron is reduced to metallic iron, and the oxide of nickel, absorbing the froe oxygen, is raised to a higher oxide. When the battery is discharged the oxygen so absorbed by the nickel goes through the liquid (potash and water) to the metallic iron, and oxidises it back to the original state. ' Edison and his disciples affirm that this new cell can be charged and discharged over 300 times without showing defects. Very carly in his researches he decided to fix the size of the cell at Ufin. x Shin, x Qin. to standardiso it for packing in 1 boxes, so this will be the publ motor purposes.
The weight of the now cell, 50 Ibs. per horse power against 115 lbs. now used, is a vast stride towards solving the problem of safe motive power in horseless carriages and light dray wagons, and if Edison has not erred in optimism, the new discovery will relegate the Leclanche and Edison-Lelande cells into obsoleteness, also other cells claiming to have a less electro-motive force than 1.87 per battery of similar weight.
A curious coincidence arose during Edison's search for a suitable iron ore to make briquettes, which resemble a tea bis-One of his foremen (he keeps over 150 men in his great factory at Llewellyn, New Jersey) happened to visit Rome while excavations were proceeding in the concrete of the Colosseum, and noticed an iron bolt, evidently part of an anchor, imbedded in the Italian cement. It looked as clean as if placed there only a day, instead of nearly 2,000 years, and this being brought in a practical way before the 'Wizard,' set him pondering as to what had prevented acid corrosion im this ex: ample. This diverted his mind to the channel of cement and its components, of which the world will soon hear more in the way of an improved compound.
To further increase the power of the new cell has been Edison's incessant aim, and his recent find' in a river valley in Norway of an ample supply of iron-tock, containing over 30% of iron, one-third magnetic and two-thirds specular hematite, will tend to make his improved battery a commercial success.
Tam, ete., 5th May.
Ist May Hong Ch'i (Mancha), Superintenent of the Jeho Hunting grounds, who came to to Peking the other day, is commanded to remain at the Capital to await the pleasure of their Majesties.
2nd May. (1) Lien Yung (Manchu) is appointed up-intendent of the Jeho Hantwk, vice Hong Eh', retained in (2) We have received a memorial from Ching Sing, Tartar General of Foochow, stating that although his sick leave has expired he still remains ill as before and therefore asks to be allowed to resign his pest. Ching Sing's prayer is granted.
3) The post. of prefect of Canton anfu) being a most important one, the ¥i+-+yand Governor of Kuangtung are commanded to select the best' man fitted for said post amongst all the of the province, and his vacated post is to be given to the prefect Sung Hsii (Manchu).
3rd May. dience granted to-day, about a dozen mem.
(1) Appointing, after an Imperial an.
bers of the secretariats of the Six Boards to be expectant secretaries of the Grand Council.
(2) Ch'ung Shan is appointed Tartar General +f Foochow (Fukien), vice Ching Sing, resigned; Sinz Chia is oppo Tartar General of Kiangnine (Nanking) and Tsung Tai is appointed Tartar General of Suiyuanch'eng, Shansi, Insurrection in Southwest Chihli, (1) We have received the following report of an insurrection in Chihli from Yuan Shih-kai, Viceroy of same:—A desperado of Kuangtsunghsien, Chilli province, named Ching Ting-pin, some time ayo gathered a number of followers under him, influencing them" by means of magic tricks and incantations, He and his men were soon afterwards disperse! by memorialist's troops. The said desperado, however, fled to the district of Chiilu, in the same province, where he again gathered together a number of followers. He then captured a party of officials and newly-recruited soldiers, numbering in all over fifty men, whom he massacred on the spot. Foi-lowing upon this the desperadoes attacked and captured the two cities of Kuangtung and Weihsien of this province of Chihli, destroying all the churches in the vicinity and plundering and slaying a number of converts. On the 26th Apsil last Ching Ting-pin and his men met a French R. C. nest, named Lo Tse-p'u (?), while the rer was travelling on the hi: hroad, and killed him. The said Viceroy on learning ofall this immediately telegraphed orders for the dispatch of additional forces to suppress the insurrection and capture the murderers of the said priest. Orders were also sent to find the body of the murdered priest for decent burial. We hereby command Yuan Shih-kai to ose ni time in suppressing the insurrection and capturing the head insurgent, Chins Ting-pin, so that he may be made to suffer the extreme limits of the law for his crimes. The said Viceroy must root out the whole pest. We regret very much that the! French priest Lo Tse-p'u should have been so unfortunate as to meet these! desperadoes and we hereby command that proper steps shall be taken to bury the unfortunate priest.
The utmost efforts, must be done to e the best of protection to the churches and converts the province and the memorialist is ty send to us a list "f the officials of thin local where these nutri: y be pani vigilance. of Hai Ying-kwei, Viceroy of the Min. Che provinces, is commanded to act as tar-General of Foochow, ad interim.
(3) Commandins that' the Imperial val be transmitted to two prote: ned Chen Wei-yen ud hsien on the recommendation of Governor Teng Hua-hsi of that province (4) There wily be an examination held in the Yiho Thron ud May of otiicers t" be sen: as special examiners to the provinces to preside over the competitions for the Chiijén, or MIA. literary degree this y th May.
Lin Chun (Manchu) is appointed Twoi of the Kueisui Intendancy of Shansi province; En Min (Manchu) is appointed Taotai of the Hslipei Intendancy of Chibl province.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.