Water when exposed to a sufficient degree of heat, is gradually heated
till it arrives at the 212th degree of Fahrenheit’s thermometer, after
which it resolves itself into vapour, and becomes incapable of growing
hotter; supposing, however, that the gravity of the atmosphere remaining
the same; for upon high mountains it will boil, or assume the form of
vapour in a lower degree of heat; hence in a mean heat of the barometer,
the heat of boiling water has been always considered as a fixed and
invariable point, namely, equal to the 212th degree of the thermometer;
but Mr. Achard, willing to examine the truth of this position, or, in
other words, willing to observe whether the heat of boiling water was
subject to be altered by any other circumstance, besides the variable
pressure of the atmosphere, made many experiments, the summary of which
is, that the aperture of the vessel in which the water is boiled,
occasions a variation, amounting to nearly one degree; the heat being
greater when the aperture is narrower; and the substance of the vessel
is also the cause of considerable variation; for if the vessel be made
of glass, porcelain or other substance, which is a bad conductor of
heat, the boiling point of water will be a constant degree, but if the
vessel be of metal, all other circumstances being alike, then the heat
of boiling water will be fluctuating.
* * * * *
* * * *
_For the +New-York Weekly Magazine+._
* * *
_TO TYRUNCULUS._
Your _elevated and most distinguished_ reflections on the _grand_ topic
of segar smoaking, affords a charming field for speculation. It appears
in the eye of reason to be truly self-partial, and the allusion to
_bucks_ alone, leaves an undescribable scope for contemplation, such as
must here lay dormant for want of a _palatable_ penetration to its
merits or demerits.-----If, friend Tyrunculus, segar smoaking is found
such a disagreeable and obnoxious weapon in your presence, does that
sanction your divulging its bad effects to exist on the rest of mankind?
Has experience, the grand teacher of science, actuated you to a
confirmation of its being a _poisonous twist?_ Or is its source derived
from your physical knowledge and sound reasoning? If the former, it must
be admitted, that your _title_ is good for a public demonstration, if
the latter, it must be concluded that you are a professed physician and
a man of eminent learning, in which case your annunciation in respect to
its bad or good effects might have had some weight, and at the same time
would have been considered an act of great charity. There are people,
who by nature cannot withstand the powerful effect of smoak, and there
are others who, by reason of their faculties being much impaired, are
not able to bear it, which of these ought to be attributed to you, is
best known to yourself--I say, it is an amusement not altogether so
_fashionable_ as beneficial, because it tends to support the
constitution, and is a bar against receiving the ill consequences
arising from those disagreeable stenches, which reign almost in every
part of the city, and therefore, is of immense utility to smoakers at
large. “This, the learned doctors and physicians will prove.”---To
divert myself any longer on this _very interesting_ subject would only
be expending time, too precious for me at present to let glide away, as
such I have only to add, that in order to avoid being again _incommoded
and insulted_ by _segar smoak_, it will not be amiss if you take a piece
of good council from your _friend the subscriber_, that is, to refrain
from imposing on any society either public or private, as, probably, the
consequence may be attended with a piercing stroke of this woeful
dagger.
Yours, &c.