Imitation of Marble and Plaster Figures. 339 



tube, and thev had a simple point of contact in the middle*. 

 On exposing the two liquids thus arranged to the action of 

 the Galvanic current, and on plunging the negative pole both 

 into the one and the other, it was always covered with revived 

 metal in whatever solution it was plunged. 



If we knew any other substance besides oxygen which 

 may be acted upon by the positive pole, we might repeat 

 this experiment relatively to the latter. An analogous re- 

 sult would then evidently prove that the decomposition of 

 water by Galvanic electricity takes place in relation to two 

 different molecules ; an opinion generally admitted, and con- 

 formable to the theory which I have now submitted to the 

 examination of the learned. 



The admirable simplicity of the law to which this phe- 

 nomenon is submitted, coincides, to our astonishment, with 

 the laws of the universe. Nature can neither create nor de- 

 stroy ; since the number of bodies is never augmented nor 

 diminished, but all without exception are subject to a mu- 

 tual exchange of their elements * and when we consider the 



O 



wonderful effects of electricity, which acts often in secret, 

 although spread over the universe, we cannot refrain from 

 pronouncing it to be one of the most powerful agents of 

 the grand operations of Nature. 



LTI. On the Imitation of Marble and Plaster Figures by a 

 new Composition tnude of old Paper reduced to Paste f. 



John Nicholas Gakdeuk, an artist of Paris, has invented 

 the method of imitating the most beautiful sculptures by 

 means of old paper reduced to paste ; it is also ascertained 

 that this new species of ornament adds, to a wonderful light- 

 ness and solidity, the requisite truth in the expression of the 

 figures. 



M. Gardeur is the first who attempted, with success, this 

 new bianch of industry; and almost all the theatres and 



• We rimy easily perform this operation if we make use of two dilutions 

 of different colours; for instance acetate of lead and nitrate of copper, 

 f From BttkhtH PAys. /■:<</'<. h.c Uomb.r 1K05. 



Z 9 public 



