was placed at the door of the Crystal Palace in London, because it was too large to enter, a mineral rock, which for its size and quality commanded attention at the World's Fair. This was a pebble specimen of our Jersey mountain of zinc, for which the New Jersey Zinc Company gained the prize medal over France and Belgium. The learned committee also pronounced the oxide of zinc as a white paint in place of sa t lead to be one of the remarkable events in the recent history of chemical art. It has attained a distinction uncommon for an American production; for it embellishes not only the rooms of our democratic houses, but one of the apartments in Windsor Castle, where it may be distinguished from all other pigments by its glossy whiteness, peculiar to Jersey zinc paint. New Jersey, with her magnetic and Franklinite iron mines, and inexhaustible zinc deposits possesses the richest field of mineral wealth in America.

In 1640, the 59 neglected forges of Great Britain produced only 17,000 tons of iron; in 1852, her thousand protected furnaces and mills rolled out about 3,000,000 tons. Prior to 1776 she imported her iron from the colony of New Jersey to supply her home market. In this 78th year of independence she exports to the United States 500,000 tons of manufactured iron. Her mines constitute the most productive source of national wealth in the world. This element of power and opulence, so triumphantly developed in England, is also possessed by New Jersey. Hitherto we have not been able to improve it, and our mines have neither advanced the fortunes of their owners nor the prosperity of the State; but the time is now upon us when we can compete on more equal terms with English capital and cheap labor, and when our State becomes what Wales is to England.

COMPOSITION OF THE SHEATHING OF SHIPS.

M. Bobierre has paid considerable attention to this subject, and has arrived at the following conclusions as to the cause of the rapid destruction of some copper and bronze sheathing:

1. When unalloyed copper is employed, the presence of arsenic appears to hasten its destruction.

2. All bronzes which appear to have stood well, contained from 41 to 5 per cent of tin, that quantity being necessary to form an homogeneous alloy. When the per centage of tin is only 2.5 to 3.5, which is very frequently the case, no definite alloy is produced, and the mass is of unequal composition, and being unequally acted upon, is soon destroyed.

3. When impure copper is employed, the alloy is never homogeneous, and is unequally acted upon in consequence. We thus see that the so frequent destruction of the sheathing of copper bottomed vessels arises from the tendency to use inferior brittle copper, and, by diminishing the proportion of tin, to economize the difference between the price of tha、 metal and copper, at the same time that the cost of rolling is also less, in consequence of the greater softness of the poor alloy.

Bobierre thinks that the addition of a very small portion of zinc very much improves the bronze, by producing a more perfect and uniform distribution of the positive metals, and consequently a much more definite alloy.—Comptes Rendus.

TO MAKE OXIDE OF GOLD.

Figuier, who tested the several methods of preparing this oxide, now so extensively used in electro-gilding, has determined the best to be as follows: Dissolve 1 pt. gold in 4 pts. aqua regia, evaporate to dryness, redissolve in water, add a little aqua regia to take up the traces of metallic gold and of protochloride remaining undissolved. Evaporate again, redissolve in water, and mix with pure potassa perfectly free from chloride, until it gives an alkaline reaction with turmeric paper. Turbidity immediately ensues, when it is mixed with chloride of barium; aurate of baryta precipitates as a yellow powder. When the precipitate begins to assume a whitish appearance, the addition of chloride of barium must be discontinued, as all the gold oxide has gone down and the alkali commenced to act upon the baryta of the chloride. The aurate of baryta is then to be washed until the waste waters cease to be precipitated by sulphuric acid. The aurate is then heated to boiling, with dilute nitric acid, in order to eliminate the oxide of gold. By washing until the water no longer reddens litmus paper, the oxide becomes pure, and must be dried between the folds of bibulous paper by exposure to air.-Jour. de Pharm.

COTTON MANUFACTURES IN THE UNITED STATES.

The following statements and remarks touching the cotton manufactures of this country, are taken from the special report of Mr. GEORGE WALLIS, one of the Commissioners to the World's Fair in New York :

The New England establishments are conducted upon a similar principle to the largest cotton factories of Great Britain, and spinning and manufacturing are carried on as one concern. This, however, is not the characteristic of the mills in the above States, as they are, in many instances, employed in spinuing only, and in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Tennessee, yarns are produced chiefly for the purpose of domestic manuf cture by hand, which still obtains in many parts of the older States of the Union. Thus, while in Pennsylvania the capital invested amounts but to about one-seventh of that of Massachusetts, the quantity of cotton consumed is one fifth, the value of the raw material not quite one fourth, the number of operatives (male and female) onefourth, the value rather more than one-fourth, the number of pounds of yarn spun and sold as yarn, is above thirty times greater in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts. This, to a certain extent, gives a key to the differences in the modes of manufacture in the two States, and illustrates the distinction already alluded to. There can be no doubt, however, that dome-tic weaving is gradually giving way, and those manufacturers, especially in Pennsylvania, who formerly did a prosperous business as spinners only, now find that the Eastern States supply the piece goods at a rate so little above the cost of the yarn, that it is not worth the while of the farmer to continue this primitive custom of weaving his own cloth. Thus the domestic loom is fast following the spinning wheel of the early settlers, and those manufacturers who until recently have spun yarn only, are gradually introducing the power-loom as the only means of sustaining their position in the market. This was illustrated by a visit to the Eagle Cotton Mill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Formerly the proprietors spun yarn alone, and did a successful trade; but, by a return with which they favored me, I find that in six establishments under their direction, they have introduced already 540 looms to the 26,000 spindles, and were manufacturing sheeting at the rate of 6,000,000 yards per annum, together with twilled cotton bags, batting, and yarns, from 58. to 18s., and this, in order to make the latter pay by consuming the surplus yarns themselves. In the Penn Cotton Mill, Pittsburgh, the more modern system had become the rule of the establishment, and with 7,000 spindles and 207 looms, 2.730,000 yards of shirtings were produced annually, besides 240,000 lbs. weight of colored yarns for cotton warps and cotton rope.

At two establishments at Richmond, Virginia, the consumption of the yarn in the manufacture of piece goods was also the rule; and this being the extent of my journey Southward, it became a matter of interest to inquire as to the progress of the cotton manufacture in the cotton growing States. Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina were quoted as those in which the greater progress had been made, while Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama were the next. In Tennessee spinning would appear to be the rule, and manufacturing the exception. In Georgia and North Carolina equal attention is paid to both, while in Virginia, South Carolina and Alabama the manufacture of the piece goods is decidedly more extensively carried on than spinning only. Slave labor is said to be largely used, with free whites as overseers and instructors. In the two establishments above named, free white labor alone is employed. The males are heads of departments, machinists, dressers, &c., and the females are spinners and weavers. The latter are chiefly adults, though children from twelve to fifteen are employed. The average hours of work here are twelve, but vary a little with the season, very full time being the rule. At least such is the statement of the manager of the James River Company's Mill. This establishment, as also the Manchester Cotton Company's Mill, is at Manchester, Chesterfield County, Virginia, and situated opposite to Richmond, on the James River, from the falls on which the water-power used for driving the machinery is derived. The James River Mill produces a large weight of work for the extent of its machinery. The goods manufactured are coarse cottons, and average about 24 yards to the pound; shirtings, 28 inches wide (osnaburgs,) summer pantaloons for slaves, and bagging for export to the Brazils for sugarbags, running about three yards to the pound. Bagging of a lighter character, for grain, and 36-inch osnaburgs, two yards to the pound, are also produced. The Manchester Company manufacture sheetings, shirtings, and yarns, and employ about 325 operatives, the children being of the same average age as at the James River Mill The manager, Mr. Whitehead, is an Englishman, as is also the chief mechanic. The

former has just perfected a patent "speeder," of which the latter expressed a very high opinion. Its advantages are a greater speed, a more even roving, and a bobbing of any desirable size, which never becomes spongy in the winding.

The small development of the cotton manufacture in the States of Indiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas, or even Ohio and Kentucky, required no special inquiry. In Maryland, however, there were twenty-four establishments in 1850, chiefly engaged in the manufacture of piece goods, such as drillings, sheetings, ducks, osnaburgs, and bagging. The yarns produced for domestic purposes bear but a small proportion to those manufactured into cloth, and these are chiefly sold within the State for the home weaving of mixed fabrics of wool and cotton, forming coarse linseys. The wool is mostly spun by hand in the farm-houses, and the fabrics, when made, are intended entirely for domestic use. In Maryland, too, bleaching is carried on to a considerable

extent.

Having thus endeavored to illustrate the position of the cotton manufacture in the form in which it has developed itself in the South, and, so far as the circumstances would permit of an inquiry, in the Middle States, bordering on the West, the manufacturing system as manifested in the cotton trade of New England, demands consideration. If the illustrations given show the early progress and Josition of this manufacture in the United States, so far as daily-recurring improvements and ever-increasing wants have permitted it to remain in its original form, the manufacturing towns of Lowell, Manchester, and Lawrence, strikingly demonstrate the results of the energy and enterprise of the manufacturers of New Englan l.

At Lowell, Mass., the cotton manufacture has been developed in a form which has been a theme for many writers on the economy and social bearings of the factory system; and the plans so successfully put into operation here and carried on since 1822, have led to the erection of large establishments, with their attendant boarding houses, at Manchester, N. H., and more recently at Lawrence, Mass., whilst a commencement has been made at Holyoke, in the same State, by the Hadley Falls Company, which promises a result of a more extraordinary character than anything yet achieved in the United States. Each of these localities presents features peculiar to themselves, and besides the manufacture of cotton goods, other branches of production in textile fabrica are carried on.

The falls of the Pawtucket on the Merimack River and the Pawtucket Canal, which had previously been used only for the purposes of navigation, and connecting the river above and below the falls by means of locks, presented to the original projectors of Lowell a site for the solution of an important problem, not only in American industry, but to a great extent in that of Europe itself. This was the combination of great natural advantages with a large and well-directed capital, resulting in extensive and systematic operations for the realization of a legitimate profit, while the social position of the operative classes was sedulously cared for, and their moral and intellectual levation promoted and secured. The example has not been lost, even in Europe, and the possibilities of the manufacturing system of a country being carried on without deterioration, but on the contrary to the consolidation and promotion of the best interests of the laboring classes, having been so unmistakably proved, many improvements in the larger manufactories of England, not only of those engaged in the manufacture of cotton, but in other branches of industry, have resulted from the enlightened and profitable system commenced barely thirty years ago by the founders of Lowell, which is now a city containing nearly 35,000 inhabitants.

In that place there are eight manufacturing corporations exclusively employed in the manufacture of cotton goods, two of which print and dye their own fabrics, and one company (Lowell Manufacturing Company) which manufactures cotton osnaburgs in addition to its staple production of carpets. There are thirty-five mills, besides the print-works above named, belonging to these companies. They produce 2,139,000 yds. of piece goods per week, consisting chiefly of sheetings, shirtings, drillings, and printing cloths, varying from No. 13 to No. 40. The greater portion, however, are Nos. 13 and 14. The consumption of cotton is 125,000 lbs. per week, spun and manufactured upon 320,732 spindles, and 9,954 looms. The average per spindle is 14 yards per day, the medium produce of a loom being, in 148, 45 yards, and 30s, 35 yards per day.

The number of operatives employed in the cotton manufacture by the eight corporations exclusively engaged therein, is 6,920 females, and 2,388 males. This, however, does not exclude those employed by the Lowell Manufacturing Company in their cotton mills, as the returns only show the gross number of hands engaged in the cotton, carpet, and other departments of that establishment. The average wages of females,

clear of board, is $2, or about 9s. 6d. sterling per week, whilst the wages of males show an average of $4 80, or about £1 2s. sterling per week. The average hours of labor per day, exclusive of meals, is 12, the mills commencing at 5 A. M., and closing at 7 P. M.

Of the quality of the goods produced, it will be sufficient to say that they are generally excellent of their class, and uite equal, sometimes superior, to similar goods manufactured in Great Britain. Those of Lowell may be taken as fair examples of other cotton mills in the United States, possessing the same advantages as regards power, improved machinery, and intelligent operatives. In spinning, it will be seen that the numbers are low, the finer quality of cotton goods not being produced-the No. 403 "priaters" manufactured by the Merrimack Company being of the highest class. These, when printed, are of a firm and excellent quality. The Lowell Manufacturing Company produce a very cheap, well-looking fabric for cotton trowserings at 174c. or about 94d, sterling per yard. These are made up of dyed yarns in checks and and stripes, and are woven upon gingham looms.

MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES.

TEA AND COFFEE TRADE.

In three particulars, tea and coffee strikingly resemble each other. They are nearly all void of smell and taste in their natural state, and only acquire their peculiar flavor or aroma from a volatile oil produced in them during the processes of drying the leaf or roasting the berry. They all contain a peculiar, slightly bitter principle, very rich in nitrogen, which is called theine, and which has the property of lessening the natural wear and tear of the human body, and thus saving food to a certain extent. They all likewise hold in solution tannic acid, the action of which on the system is not completely understood. In addition to these three substances, a considerable portion of gluten is contained in both tea and coffee; but owing to the leaves in the one case not being drank, nor the grounds in the other, this is wasted. In tea, the volatile oil evap orates with age, so that the older the tea is, the less intoxicating. To this volatile oil is owing the paralysis which frequently attacks persons who have been, for several years, engaged in packing and unpacking teas. But on the contrary, the theine in coffee increases with the age of the berry. This substance, if taken in excess, accelerates the pulse, wakes the imagination, and predisposes to visions.

Coffee resembles tea in the effect which it produces, because it also contains theine, tannic acid, and volatile oil. In coffee, however, they are combined in different proportions, and hence the reason why many persons prefer it as a beverage. The best coffee grows on the driest soils. Yet the worst coffee, if kept ten or fourteen years, will acquire the flavor of the finest Mocha. The principal art in preparing coffee lies in roasting, for in this process it is that its peculiar aroma is produced. The heat should never be greater than is sufficient to impart to the berry a light-brown color -for if carried beyond this point a disagreeable secondary smell mingles with the

aroma.

By the common process of drinking coffee, that is, without the grounds, a good deal of nutritious matter is wasted. Many of the Oriental nations drink the grounds invariably. Not less than a hundred millions of the human race drink coffee, it is computed, as a daily beverage. In France, Germany, Sweden, Turkey, and a large portion of the United States, it is used by almost everybody, just as tea is in England, Holland, Russia, and China,

Tea and coffee become more indispensable as nations advance in intellectual activity. Whether this is a cause or effect, is not yet demonstrable, though the writer in Blackwood inclines to consider it the former. Perhaps the extraordinary popularity of these beverages, however, among the moderns, arises principally from the extension of Commerce, and the consequent cheapness of tea and coffee. Experience teaches people that tea and coffee, used moderately, prevent the waste of the tissues, afford positive happiness, and increase the nervous activity, enabling men, as the writer in question forcibly remarks, "to show more blood and spirit in the face of difficulties."

With some persons, indeed, these beverages do not agree. But to the great mass of mankind they are almost indispensable.

"COMMERCE IS KING."

This proverb, says Hiram Fuller, the clever editor of the New York Mirror, is too widely accredited as true. In this country, whose Commerce is, prospectively at least, greatest among the nations, INDUSTRY is king. Industry, indeed, is shared by Commerce, yet Commerce is not the basis of our wealth and power, but only a collateral. Industry is king on American soil and over the seas; the industry that digs from the earth the many ores and fabricates them for Commerce; which plants our fields with grains and fruits and reaps rich harvests for Commerce; which rears the humblest and the proudest homes, hamlets, viliages, and cities, as markets for Commerce; aud which, finally, builds the careering ships and the whirling cars by which Commerce moves and thrives.

The farmer, plodding along his furrow in some far away field, looks towards the sea in vision, and beholding the great ships, freighted with silks, and spices, and gold, and the seaport glittering with warehouses and palaces, indicative of every luxury, feels that Commerce must be an enchanter-must be king—and he treads more heavily and sadly in his furrow. But let the farmer consider before he yields the throne and scepter. Let him ask what would become of shining Commerce, if his plow, the miner's pick, the reaper's sickle, the artisan's hammer, and the weaver's shuttle were abandoned From the use of these simple weapons-the glorious armor of creative industry-the garniture of Commerce springs. Commerce is only an agent, over whose shoulders the trophies of Industry are laid, to be borne around the world for exchange. Strip her of the tribute of Industry from a thousand unvaunting handicrafts, and what a skeleton would remain. Commerce is glorious as an agent, but its splendor is borrowed from the hands that guide the plow, hold the sickle, wield the axe and spade, and strike home the hammer, shuttle, and plane.

Aye, let the farmer consider before he yields his throne and scepter, and let men of all honorable labor consider, for to them belongs the sovereignty of the earth. The sum of the world's wealth and power is measured by their brown hands and sinewy arms. They are the creators of Commerce, and their industry is king. Let no man be faint or sad whose labor is creative for good purposes, be it ever so humble in its outward show. The ocean were a parched and arid desert, but for the streams pouring ever into its bosom-myriads of them obscure and hidden-and Commerce were but a sailless sea, but for the industry of earth, which shapes its keels and freights them with the wealth of nations. Industry is regal, and in the language of the poet

"The noblest men I know on earth,

Are men whose hands are brown with toil,

Who, boasting no ancestral birth,

Hew down the woods and dig the soil,

And win thereby a prouder name

Than follows king's or warrior's fame."

OVERTRADING, AND GIVING LARGE CREDIT.

There are two things which may be properly called overtrading in a young beginner, and by both of which tradesmen are often overthrown:

1. Trading beyond their stock;

2. Giving too large credit.

A tradesman ought to consider and measure well the extent of his own strength; his stock of money and credit is properly his beginning, for credit is a stock as well as money. He that takes too much credit, is really in as much danger as he that gives too much credit; and the danger lies particularly in this-if the tradesman overbuys himself, that is, buys fister than he can sell, buying upon credit, the payment perhaps becomes due too soon for him; the goods not being sold, he must answer the bills upon the strength of his proper stock-that is, pay for them out of his own cash; if that should not hold out, he is obliged to put off his bills after they are due, or suffer the impertinence of being dunned by the creditor, and perhaps by servants and apprentices, and that with the usual indecencies of such kind of people. This impairs his credit, and if he comes to deal with the same merchant, or clothier, or other tradesman again, he is treated like one that is but an indifferent paymaster, and though they may give him credit as before, yet depending that if he bargains for six months he will take eight or nine in the payment, they consider it in the price, and use him accordingly; and this impairs his gain, so that loss of credit is indeed loss of money, and this weakens him both ways.