Volume 11 (1865) (424 pages)

322 he Mining andl Srientific. Press, of the veins are crooked and meandering in their course, both-on the surface and us they descend. Most of them descead at an ungle sone with greater and others with less dip—so that if surveyed on thesurface to include cuch, lode and give the preseat proprietor his miue, he would, hy following it down, find it to cross the line of his bouadary and lose it after all his expenditures. In many places the miacse are found where tbe mountains aresn steep and their course so irregular that it would require the most expensive and difficult survey to defiae a tract to include onc mine without aaother even ou the surface. From tbose facts it will be scen how utterly impracticable it would he to lay the mineral lands off into tracts for the purpose of sale. Nor would the attempt to issue patents to tracis even if surveyed go as to include cach miaer’s interest separately, he attended with less difficulty. As at present beld under miters’ laws there have been numerous transfers or titles, cases of coutest have been adjudicated by the U. S. and miners, courts under miners laws thus in almost all of our mining districts a well established aad recognized system of common law has grown up, under which the equities have heen defincd and are well understood. Should the governmeat now issne patents to lands covering these mines, jostice to tbe owners would require an adjudication of title before such patent should issuc. And as the laws of tbe different districts vary in their provisions, a geaeral rule tor such adjudication could not be properly adopted. It may be observed tbat the same difficulties would attend the coufirmatinn of titles hy leasiag. The expenses of snch o preparation for sale, aad the difficultics attending it would he enmmons. Then to eell the mineral laads in legal suhdivision, would be liable to give 0 single proprietor a large nnmher of valuable mines, und thus lock them up from those who wonld otherwise discover and develop them. Nor is this all; the uasettlement of titles hy any modification of the present system would create at least temporary embarrassment, and seriously retard the progress of mining operations. LEASINO THE MINES. Any system of tenantry hy Inrgc classes of citizens is ohjectionable on general principles, in addition to the difficulties attendiag its inauguration. ‘the experience of the government of the old world iu couverting themselves into landlords, and miners ‘into tenants, hy which it has required hundreds of years to develop and discover so as to make productive many of their richest mines, ought to prove that the system is not adapted to American enterprise or Americau’progress. And the attempt and signal failure of our own goverament to do the eaine wader the law of 1807, fully proves its waut of adaptation to the disposition, hahits, modes of business and spirit of enterprise of the people. In the langnage of Senator Benton, used when speaking 0a the snbject of lensing mines, “ the spirit of tenantry is every“where tbe saale, it 1s a spirit adverse to im“provements, always bearing towards the “injury of the property iu possession, and “always holding back from the paymeut of “renta.” GUARANTY OF NEW DISCOVERIES. It is an important object to the government to enconrage the rapid discovery aud developments of new mines. The inducement proposed in the resolution isthe cheapest and most equitable that can be offered. ‘The extent of lode above the usual amount of one or two hnndred feet would be the stiinnlus to. enterprise, and but equitable to the discoverer. would thus secure the benelit of his lahor and scarch, instead of having them divided ord shnred by those who had borae no part of the expense. And it would promote the more rapid, permanent, ond successful development of miaes by justifying a large nutlay for working them. It would in other words put uew lile into the business of lode mining. It would hasten tbe time when the nlmost limitless monntatn wilds of our conntry would be tho~roughly explored, und their mineral treasnres brought to light. When rich and populons mining settlemcuts, with their industry, their trndv, their cities, aad permanent social institntious would spring up in places now desolate. It would soon fill up the chasm between the Atlontic and Pacific States, and by contiguity of settlement, increase their ideutity of interest. It wonld hasten the construction, und secure the inviatenance of the Pacific Railroad, and by means of hrnnches throw upon it a commerce and travel that would insuro its snucess beyond the anticipation of its most sanguine friends. Such are some of the influences of the liberal poliey asked for, on our uational interests aud geueral prosperity. . RATIFICATION OF THE MINERS’ TITLES. That this is the only feasible mode of giving the government title, without grent embarrassment, difficulty aud expense, appears Irom what bas already been said. ‘That itis the only mode of doiug exact and equal justice to the owners of cloims, who have acquired and new hold thein under well defiued and adjudieated laws oud regulations, must be equally plain, In the legislation of all the mining States and Territories in regard to mining rights apd equities, it has been found to be the wisest and best policy to recognize the miners’ laws. It ia the simplest, if not the only practicable and just mode by which any legislation can be applied in the case. Noer woul such o ratification interfere with the qnestion of taxution shouldit be deemed expedient to impose no special tax spon mining for the precions metals, for it is hclieved that more economical and less objectionable modes of collecting taxes, than by sale or Icase, ore easily devised. It would remove the stigma of heing culled trespasscrs, which has by some been applied to niners, and which as loyal citizeus, in the pursmut of a landable aad highly important branch of industry, they onght not to be considered. Tbey have been encouraged hy the Government throngh a series of years in their occupation of the minerallands. ‘This has been doae by estublishing inints for tbe receipt of the product of their labor, by the estnblishment of post roads, mail lines und post offices, for their accommodation, by the establishment of posta and garrisons of troops in their midst, and on the lines of their emigration and trovel for their protection,and by tne inauguration of temporary governments for thetn. and for the adjudication of their rights in the United States courts. : With the adoption of the policy indicated in the resolutions, nnd the establishment of a mining bureau, for collectiag and diffusing information upou the extent, location and character of our mines, ond the best mode of mining and saving precious metals, a new era of prosperity would open npon tbe mining interests, and the permanent and rapidly increasiag an. nual domestic product of gold and silver would . become the stroug right arm of support to the national finaaces, and the governmeat credit. Gammicrtions,Ix THs DEPARTMENT we invite the FREE nigcussion of all proper Spee eco rte noua Rnione being responsible for the ideas and tbearjes they advanee. c {Wrltten for the MinIng and Sclentifie Press.] ANSWER TO “ELECTRICAL QUERIES,” Mussrs. Enitors :—I regret that the author of “ Electrical Queries,” which appeared ju your isssue of the 28th ultinio, did not read my com. munication more attentively. Will he please read it again. He understood me to say that “ electricity is not an entity, but a condition.” I most distinctly suid that electricity is a property or quality of matter, and that it exists in two . conditions—namely, as free electricity, or as . latent {or fixed) electricity. I ulso said, and meant, too, that the density of matter is the mensure of its capacity for electricity. When we speak of the capacity of bodies for heat, reference is supposed to he had to the amount. of latent heat such bouies contain—the gases contaiuing the most, nad the more dense of the metals containing the least. Ip expressing my ideas of the laws which govera electrical action, Iendeavored to select sucb words as wonld tender it unnecessary for nuy person to go outside of my language for my meaning. I will endeavor to explain how an electrical current is lost when but one wire is used, and why it is necessary that the circuit should be completed with insulated wire in oceaa telegraphy. While so doing, I wish the fact to be borne in mind that the earth is a vast reserveir of free electricity, nnd also that tree electricity tends to equal diffusioa over bodies with which Tue CooLEra ATMOSPHEaE.—Two balloons were seat np, one of them over Alexandria, the other over n villuge in the isthmus where cholera hati not made its nppearance. From eaci of the halloona wags suspended a piece of lresh beef cut from the same ox. After the balloons had remained up for some hours they were . both pulled down, and the beef suspended over . Alexandria was completely tainted, while that . which hnd been suspended over the village was as sweet aud gvod ns ever.— Galignani. A similar expcriment was tried in Chicago a few years since, while the cholero was raging there, and with similar results. Tue Postao—E Money Orner System will soon be in operation in this State. Only large towns, or “ distriluting offices,” arc to be accommodated, bowever. It is a benefit we bave long needed from the government, and will prove a particular favor to the great inediocrity of our populntion. Following are the regulations : The charges for drafis or orders, payable at any distridating post vitiee inthe United States, are ag iollows: S$ Sums under SI, ten cents; over $ Oand under $20, fifteen cents; over S20 and not exee . nN ceding $3, twenty ceuls No orders for over $3 will be issued. Tlie orders are payable in U. S. Legal Tenders. or the bills ot the Nunonul Bunks, and are purehasable at par tor like (funds; in other words, yen pay 310, $20 or $3¥, and the recistry fee, in sreenbacks, and get an order: for a corresponding amouiutlo Uie same funds. as Tre Cauroania Coastino Trape.—From the annual report of the Harbor Master of this city, it appears that there are five hundred and twenty-seven vessels engaged in the coast and bay trade, classificd. as follows: thirty-one stcamers, seven ships, filty barks, twenty-six brigs, ond two-hondred and ninety-one schooners, and one hondred ond twenty-one sloops. Iysantry From Suoxinc.—The following incident is indicative of the deleterions effect upoa the hrain of the excessive use of tohueco insmoking: A man named Samuel Taylor, thirty-six yeors of age, residing in Finsbury, honged himself, and at the inquest his father, who gave evidence, attributed the act to his son’s partiality for smokiag, which he tbought bud affected his brain. It has heen reported to the General Lond Office, that extensive gold discoveries have becn made on the northern shores of the west end of Lake Superior, in the Northeastarn Land District of Minnesota, whicb are nttracting general attention. State, copper, plooibago ond silk, according to reports, are now to be included in the productions of New Englond. ‘he silk is said to be extremely plentiful, aud produced by a comit may he in contact. I will here deserihe an experiment which goes a long way towards establishing these propositions. Take a Icydea jar, insnlate it upon a stand, and bring it within a Short distance of the ball of a prime conductor, aud it will receive only n few sparks. Now, if we place acoaductor which is connected with the ground, near the outside coating of the jar, it will he lound that for eve-y spark that passes between the prime coaductor ' : and jar, oue passes hetween the outside coating and the ground ; and spark follows spark in tapid succession, until the jar is fully charged. ‘This experiment indicates to what an extent the outside coating was charged with free electricity. Before the jar was in:ulated upon the stand it must he adinitted that ov electrical equilihrium must have existed between its outside coating and the surruuading bodies with which it was in electrical coamunicatioa; it also follows, a8 a matter of course, thut an electrical equilibrium cxisted between the ontside coating of the jar and the whole earth. (I would here suggest that an apparatus might be deviscd, to measure the exact amount of free electricity diffised over nay given space.) ‘As all bodies in electrical cominnnication with the earth are so largely charged with Iree electricity in ordinary telugraphy, the current is effected by displacement. Aud os the current is effected by displacement, the time hetween the entrance of n spark at one end, and tbe departure of a spark from the other, would prohably not he appreciable in a cable of any desired length Suppose the cireuit to be completed across the Atlantic, with insulated wire, a lengthy messnge might be transmitted before its ordinary charge of free electricity would all be displaced or renewed. The whole earth is bothed with an ocenn of free electricity, and it isso good a conductor that its electrical tension cannot differ much in different parts; yet, it differs sufficiently to produce tlie terrestial currents. ‘There are orobably not five days in the [Our correspondeut, prohably, univteationally omitted the word “ year,” in his mannscript at tbis point.—En. Prass.] when an exoct electrical equilibrium exists between the two shores of the Atlontic ocean. . Now, suppose the western sbore to be more highly charged than the eastern, and in attempting to telegraph, we passa cnrrent of electricity aloag n single wire, on its arrival at the cnstern shore it would become diffused and go to assist in restoring the electrical equilibrinm, and thus its effect would be lost. ‘lhe difficulty does not end here; for if we have but-a single cable stretched across the Atlantic, nnd each end of it connected with the ground, it ie evident that a certain amount of terrestiol electricity, varying with tbe difference in the electricnl tension between the two shores, would mou caterpillar, which has been looked on as a pest. It feeds on the commonscrub oak. pass along the coble, because it is a better conductor than the earth. 4 Witb the first Atlantic cable, during fair weather, there were intérvals in which they were able to overcome these terestrial currents, and hold telegraphic communication. Bnt when stormy weuthcr set in, these cnrrente were.so strong that the operator lout all.control over the cahle. It was reported at the time that the telegraphic npparatus kept np a’continual clutter. It wos also said that the operator tried to regain control of the cable, by increasing the power ol the batteries; after which it was reported that all action had suddenly ceased. An attempt, at a snhseqeent perivd, to recover the cable, revealed the fact that it was destroyed! Jts destraction wna, probably, dne to°its heing overcharged, nnd consequently heated. If we confine the returning corrent within the limits of an insnlated wire, and thus seek to be independent of nll outside electrical dis: turbance, the difficulties an oncertainties I have endeavored to point out will he avoided. a perfectly constrneted cable might be made to encircle our globe,and its volume would aot provably amonnt to aa obstruction of the electrical current. 1 wish to correct two typographical errors which ocenrred in my last communicaticn, entitled “ Electiicity—Its Relation to Matter,” as they have a tendency to obscure my meaning. In the 7th postulate, for“ the electricity,” read “free electricity.’ Ia the first sentence in the first paragraph, follawiag tbe &th postulate, for “ perfectly electrical,” read “ permaaeatly electrical.” F. A. [Written for tho Mining ad Scientifie Press.}] LETTER FROM VIRGINIA OITY. , Messrs. Eprrors:—The charmingly pleas‘ant weather in this precocious mountain city, whose great altitude drives it, theoretically, several degrees of latitude northward, towards the Arctic regions—the delightful and balmy air of the evenings, now brilliantly illumined hy a full moon of almost polar splendor, wbose softened light is delicately tinged by u smoky haze that bathes the “ Sugar Loaf,” as it stands guard ia the canon, below the extensive quartz milling establishment of tho famous Gauld & Cumy Mining company, ond hovers over the desert. beyoad, ond olong the willowy baaks of the Carson, far away eastward, where the great bead of the river, near Fort Churebill, obstructs the yalley vision, made a most favorable impression oa iny mind, which involuutarily troveled Kustward to the Atlontic slope, to the home of my childhood ; and it only lacked the rustle of the falliag leaves of the expiring year to vividly recall to mind the “Iadian Summer” . of childhood, jocund with “ huskings,” “apple pariugs,” and otber autuninal amusements, peculiar to the happy “ days of auld lang syue.” The city of Virginia, situated as it is ahout holf way up the easteru slope of Mount Davidson, which has a directioa nearly north and south, aud whose summit is the highest peak ta a short range of mountains extending from Eagle Valley, near Carson on the south, to the Truckee Meadows ov the north, aad which separotes this wealthy mineral belt from Washoe und. Steamboat valleys, and the extensive and richly-timhered raages of the Sierra on the west, has ia its western and most lofty streets an exteasive ond charming panorama olways spread out beforo its ever-delizhted denizens. Tbe mountoiu ranges, as you face the home of the morning sun, stretch north, east, aud south, with their saow-capped peaks dwelling ia tbe regions of pereanial congelation, aud all the iatervening space flled up with rugged hills and monuntaias, of various sizes and forms inunmerable, with bluffs and gorges, aud penks, and minaret-like spires, aad olls,ond plains, and all fantastically grouped, aud presduting somewhat the appearance of an exteusive fleet of icebergs anchored in a polar sca, giving the prospect a wildaess sublimely grand, which must he seen to be appreciated. THE MINES. The streets of Virginia preseat very much more of business, bustle and commercial activity tban I had reason to expect, from the confident prophecies of the bears, and the receat extraordiuary tumble expcrieuced by the miaing stocks of the Comstock range. My etay here has beeu too brief (I sball leave for Anstin in the morning etage) to allow me to speak of the mines, of their value and extent, aa confidently as I might, had I ‘given them a thorough personal exploration. I went throngh the Crown Point and examined it more «

322 he Mining andl Srientific. Press, of the veins are crooked and meandering in their course, both-on the surface and us they descend. Most of them descead at an ungle sone with greater and others with less dip—so that if surveyed on thesurface to include cuch, lode and give the preseat proprietor his miue, he would, hy following it down, find it to cross the line of his bouadary and lose it after all his expenditures. In many places the miacse are found where tbe mountains aresn steep and their course so irregular that it would require the most expensive and difficult survey to defiae a tract to include onc mine without aaother even ou the surface. From tbose facts it will be scen how utterly impracticable it would he to lay the mineral lands off into tracts for the purpose of sale. Nor would the attempt to issue patents to tracis even if surveyed go as to include cach miaer’s interest separately, he attended with less difficulty. As at present beld under miters’ laws there have been numerous transfers or titles, cases of coutest have been adjudicated by the U. S. and miners, courts under miners laws thus in almost all of our mining districts a well established aad recognized system of common law has grown up, under which the equities have heen defincd and are well understood. Should the governmeat now issne patents to lands covering these mines, jostice to tbe owners would require an adjudication of title before such patent should issuc. And as the laws of tbe different districts vary in their provisions, a geaeral rule tor such adjudication could not be properly adopted. It may be observed tbat the same difficulties would attend the coufirmatinn of titles hy leasiag. The expenses of snch o preparation for sale, aad the difficultics attending it would he enmmons. Then to eell the mineral laads in legal suhdivision, would be liable to give 0 single proprietor a large nnmher of valuable mines, und thus lock them up from those who wonld otherwise discover and develop them. Nor is this all; the uasettlement of titles hy any modification of the present system would create at least temporary embarrassment, and seriously retard the progress of mining operations. LEASINO THE MINES. Any system of tenantry hy Inrgc classes of citizens is ohjectionable on general principles, in addition to the difficulties attendiag its inauguration. ‘the experience of the government of the old world iu couverting themselves into landlords, and miners ‘into tenants, hy which it has required hundreds of years to develop and discover so as to make productive many of their richest mines, ought to prove that the system is not adapted to American enterprise or Americau’progress. And the attempt and signal failure of our own goverament to do the eaine wader the law of 1807, fully proves its waut of adaptation to the disposition, hahits, modes of business and spirit of enterprise of the people. In the langnage of Senator Benton, used when speaking 0a the snbject of lensing mines, “ the spirit of tenantry is every“where tbe saale, it 1s a spirit adverse to im“provements, always bearing towards the “injury of the property iu possession, and “always holding back from the paymeut of “renta.” GUARANTY OF NEW DISCOVERIES. It is an important object to the government to enconrage the rapid discovery aud developments of new mines. The inducement proposed in the resolution isthe cheapest and most equitable that can be offered. ‘The extent of lode above the usual amount of one or two hnndred feet would be the stiinnlus to. enterprise, and but equitable to the discoverer. would thus secure the benelit of his lahor and scarch, instead of having them divided ord shnred by those who had borae no part of the expense. And it would promote the more rapid, permanent, ond successful development of miaes by justifying a large nutlay for working them. It would in other words put uew lile into the business of lode mining. It would hasten tbe time when the nlmost limitless monntatn wilds of our conntry would be tho~roughly explored, und their mineral treasnres brought to light. When rich and populons mining settlemcuts, with their industry, their trndv, their cities, aad permanent social institntious would spring up in places now desolate. It would soon fill up the chasm between the Atlontic and Pacific States, and by contiguity of settlement, increase their ideutity of interest. It wonld hasten the construction, und secure the inviatenance of the Pacific Railroad, and by means of hrnnches throw upon it a commerce and travel that would insuro its snucess beyond the anticipation of its most sanguine friends. Such are some of the influences of the liberal poliey asked for, on our uational interests aud geueral prosperity. . RATIFICATION OF THE MINERS’ TITLES. That this is the only feasible mode of giving the government title, without grent embarrassment, difficulty aud expense, appears Irom what bas already been said. ‘That itis the only mode of doiug exact and equal justice to the owners of cloims, who have acquired and new hold thein under well defiued and adjudieated laws oud regulations, must be equally plain, In the legislation of all the mining States and Territories in regard to mining rights apd equities, it has been found to be the wisest and best policy to recognize the miners’ laws. It ia the simplest, if not the only practicable and just mode by which any legislation can be applied in the case. Noer woul such o ratification interfere with the qnestion of taxution shouldit be deemed expedient to impose no special tax spon mining for the precions metals, for it is hclieved that more economical and less objectionable modes of collecting taxes, than by sale or Icase, ore easily devised. It would remove the stigma of heing culled trespasscrs, which has by some been applied to niners, and which as loyal citizeus, in the pursmut of a landable aad highly important branch of industry, they onght not to be considered. Tbey have been encouraged hy the Government throngh a series of years in their occupation of the minerallands. ‘This has been doae by estublishing inints for tbe receipt of the product of their labor, by the estnblishment of post roads, mail lines und post offices, for their accommodation, by the establishment of posta and garrisons of troops in their midst, and on the lines of their emigration and trovel for their protection,and by tne inauguration of temporary governments for thetn. and for the adjudication of their rights in the United States courts. : With the adoption of the policy indicated in the resolutions, nnd the establishment of a mining bureau, for collectiag and diffusing information upou the extent, location and character of our mines, ond the best mode of mining and saving precious metals, a new era of prosperity would open npon tbe mining interests, and the permanent and rapidly increasiag an. nual domestic product of gold and silver would . become the stroug right arm of support to the national finaaces, and the governmeat credit. Gammicrtions,Ix THs DEPARTMENT we invite the FREE nigcussion of all proper Spee eco rte noua Rnione being responsible for the ideas and tbearjes they advanee. c {Wrltten for the MinIng and Sclentifie Press.] ANSWER TO “ELECTRICAL QUERIES,” Mussrs. Enitors :—I regret that the author of “ Electrical Queries,” which appeared ju your isssue of the 28th ultinio, did not read my com. munication more attentively. Will he please read it again. He understood me to say that “ electricity is not an entity, but a condition.” I most distinctly suid that electricity is a property or quality of matter, and that it exists in two . conditions—namely, as free electricity, or as . latent {or fixed) electricity. I ulso said, and meant, too, that the density of matter is the mensure of its capacity for electricity. When we speak of the capacity of bodies for heat, reference is supposed to he had to the amount. of latent heat such bouies contain—the gases contaiuing the most, nad the more dense of the metals containing the least. Ip expressing my ideas of the laws which govera electrical action, Iendeavored to select sucb words as wonld tender it unnecessary for nuy person to go outside of my language for my meaning. I will endeavor to explain how an electrical current is lost when but one wire is used, and why it is necessary that the circuit should be completed with insulated wire in oceaa telegraphy. While so doing, I wish the fact to be borne in mind that the earth is a vast reserveir of free electricity, nnd also that tree electricity tends to equal diffusioa over bodies with which Tue CooLEra ATMOSPHEaE.—Two balloons were seat np, one of them over Alexandria, the other over n villuge in the isthmus where cholera hati not made its nppearance. From eaci of the halloona wags suspended a piece of lresh beef cut from the same ox. After the balloons had remained up for some hours they were . both pulled down, and the beef suspended over . Alexandria was completely tainted, while that . which hnd been suspended over the village was as sweet aud gvod ns ever.— Galignani. A similar expcriment was tried in Chicago a few years since, while the cholero was raging there, and with similar results. Tue Postao—E Money Orner System will soon be in operation in this State. Only

large towns, or “ distriluting offices,” arc to be accommodated, bowever. It is a benefit we bave long needed from the government, and will prove a particular favor to the great inediocrity of our populntion. Following are the regulations : The charges for drafis or orders, payable at any distridating post vitiee inthe United States, are ag iollows: S$ Sums under SI, ten cents; over $ Oand under $20, fifteen cents; over S20 and not exee . nN ceding $3, twenty ceuls No orders for over $3 will be issued. Tlie orders are payable in U. S. Legal Tenders. or the bills ot the Nunonul Bunks, and are purehasable at par tor like (funds; in other words, yen pay 310, $20 or $3¥, and the recistry fee, in sreenbacks, and get an order: for a corresponding amouiutlo Uie same funds. as Tre Cauroania Coastino Trape.—From the annual report of the Harbor Master of this city, it appears that there are five hundred and twenty-seven vessels engaged in the coast and bay trade, classificd. as follows: thirty-one stcamers, seven ships, filty barks, twenty-six brigs, ond two-hondred and ninety-one schooners, and one hondred ond twenty-one sloops. Iysantry From Suoxinc.—The following incident is indicative of the deleterions effect upoa the hrain of the excessive use of tohueco insmoking: A man named Samuel Taylor, thirty-six yeors of age, residing in Finsbury, honged himself, and at the inquest his father, who gave evidence, attributed the act to his son’s partiality for smokiag, which he tbought bud affected his brain. It has heen reported to the General Lond Office, that extensive gold discoveries have becn made on the northern shores of the west end of Lake Superior, in the Northeastarn Land District of Minnesota, whicb are nttracting general attention. State, copper, plooibago ond silk, according to reports, are now to be included in the productions of New Englond. ‘he silk is said to be extremely plentiful, aud produced by a comit may he in contact. I will here deserihe an experiment which goes a long way towards establishing these propositions. Take a Icydea jar, insnlate it upon a stand, and bring it within a Short distance of the ball of a prime conductor, aud it will receive only n few sparks. Now, if we place acoaductor which is connected with the ground, near the outside coating of the jar, it will he lound that for eve-y spark that passes between the prime coaductor ' : and jar, oue passes hetween the outside coating and the ground ; and spark follows spark in tapid succession, until the jar is fully charged. ‘This experiment indicates to what an extent the outside coating was charged with free electricity. Before the jar was in:ulated upon the stand it must he adinitted that ov electrical equilihrium must have existed between its outside coating and the surruuading bodies with which it was in electrical coamunicatioa; it also follows, a8 a matter of course, thut an electrical equilibrium cxisted between the ontside coating of the jar and the whole earth. (I would here suggest that an apparatus might be deviscd, to measure the exact amount of free electricity diffised over nay given space.) ‘As all bodies in electrical cominnnication with the earth are so largely charged with Iree electricity in ordinary telugraphy, the current is effected by displacement. Aud os the current is effected by displacement, the time hetween the entrance of n spark at one end, and tbe departure of a spark from the other, would prohably not he appreciable in a cable of any desired length Suppose the cireuit to be completed across the Atlantic, with insulated wire, a lengthy messnge might be transmitted before its ordinary charge of free electricity would all be displaced or renewed. The whole earth is bothed with an ocenn of free electricity, and it isso good a conductor that its electrical tension cannot differ much in different parts; yet, it differs sufficiently to produce tlie terrestial currents. ‘There are orobably not five days in the [Our correspondeut, prohably, univteationally omitted the word “ year,” in his mannscript at tbis point.—En. Prass.] when an exoct electrical equilibrium exists between the two shores of the Atlontic ocean. . Now, suppose the western sbore to be more highly charged than the eastern, and in attempting to telegraph, we passa cnrrent of electricity aloag n single wire, on its arrival at the cnstern shore it would become diffused and go to assist in restoring the electrical equilibrinm, and thus its effect would be lost. ‘lhe difficulty does not end here; for if we have but-a single cable stretched across the Atlantic, nnd each end of it connected with the ground, it ie evident that a certain amount of terrestiol electricity, varying with tbe difference in the electricnl tension between the two shores, would mou caterpillar, which has been looked on as a pest. It feeds on the commonscrub oak. pass along the coble, because it is a better conductor than the earth. 4 Witb the first Atlantic cable, during fair weather, there were intérvals in which they were able to overcome these terestrial currents, and hold telegraphic communication. Bnt when stormy weuthcr set in, these cnrrente were.so strong that the operator lout all.control over the cahle. It was reported at the time that the telegraphic npparatus kept np a’continual clutter. It wos also said that the operator tried to regain control of the cable, by increasing the power ol the batteries; after which it was reported that all action had suddenly ceased. An attempt, at a snhseqeent perivd, to recover the cable, revealed the fact that it was destroyed! Jts destraction wna, probably, dne to°its heing overcharged, nnd consequently heated. If we confine the returning corrent within the limits of an insnlated wire, and thus seek to be independent of nll outside electrical dis: turbance, the difficulties an oncertainties I have endeavored to point out will he avoided. a perfectly constrneted cable might be made to encircle our globe,and its volume would aot provably amonnt to aa obstruction of the electrical current. 1 wish to correct two typographical errors which ocenrred in my last communicaticn, entitled “ Electiicity—Its Relation to Matter,” as they have a tendency to obscure my meaning. In the 7th postulate, for“ the electricity,” read “free electricity.’ Ia the first sentence in the first paragraph, follawiag tbe &th postulate, for “ perfectly electrical,” read “ permaaeatly electrical.” F. A. [Written for tho Mining ad Scientifie Press.}] LETTER FROM VIRGINIA OITY. , Messrs. Eprrors:—The charmingly pleas‘ant weather in this precocious mountain city, whose great altitude drives it, theoretically, several degrees of latitude northward, towards the Arctic regions—the delightful and balmy air of the evenings, now brilliantly illumined hy a full moon of almost polar splendor, wbose softened light is delicately tinged by u smoky haze that bathes the “ Sugar Loaf,” as it stands guard ia the canon, below the extensive quartz milling establishment of tho famous Gauld & Cumy Mining company, ond hovers over the desert. beyoad, ond olong the willowy baaks of the Carson, far away eastward, where the great bead of the river, near Fort Churebill, obstructs the yalley vision, made a most favorable impression oa iny mind, which involuutarily troveled Kustward to the Atlontic slope, to the home of my childhood ; and it only lacked the rustle of the falliag leaves of the expiring year to vividly recall to mind the “Iadian Summer” . of childhood, jocund with “ huskings,” “apple pariugs,” and otber autuninal amusements, peculiar to the happy “ days of auld lang syue.” The city of Virginia, situated as it is ahout holf way up the easteru slope of Mount Davidson, which has a directioa nearly north and south, aud whose summit is the highest peak ta a short range of mountains extending from Eagle Valley, near Carson on the south, to the Truckee Meadows ov the north, aad which separotes this wealthy mineral belt from Washoe und. Steamboat valleys, and the extensive and richly-timhered raages of the Sierra on the west, has ia its western and most lofty streets an exteasive ond charming panorama olways spread out beforo its ever-delizhted denizens. Tbe mountoiu ranges, as you face the home of the morning sun, stretch north, east, aud south, with their saow-capped peaks dwelling ia tbe regions of pereanial congelation, aud all the iatervening space flled up with rugged hills and monuntaias, of various sizes and forms inunmerable, with bluffs and gorges, aud penks, and minaret-like spires, aad olls,ond plains, and all fantastically grouped, aud presduting somewhat the appearance of an exteusive fleet of icebergs anchored in a polar sca, giving the prospect a wildaess sublimely grand, which must he seen to be appreciated. THE MINES. The streets of Virginia preseat very much more of business, bustle and commercial activity tban I had reason to expect, from the confident prophecies of the bears, and the receat extraordiuary tumble expcrieuced by the miaing stocks of the Comstock range. My etay here has beeu too brief (I sball leave for Anstin in the morning etage) to allow me to speak of the mines, of their value and extent, aa confidently as I might, had I ‘given them a thorough personal exploration. I went throngh the Crown Point and examined it more «