328 MEMORIAL OF JOSEPH HENRY. 



Hydromctric Experiment. — A novel project for the rectification 

 of spirits by the simple process of static separation of the alcohol 

 and water by the stress of their specific gravities when exposed in 

 long columns, produced in L85-J a considerable sensation. It was 

 alleged in various publications by those interested in tin new enter- 

 prise, that the coercitive compression exerted by the water in a 

 lone; hydrostatic column greatly accelerated the displacement and 

 separation induced by gravitation, and that only a few hours were 

 necessary to complete the process, it' the depth of tin' liquid were 

 sufficiently great. 



A patent was obtained: affidavits and samples fully attested the 

 wonderful efficiency ( I' the process; and only the co-operation of 

 confiding capitalists was required, to realize fabulous profits, and 

 effect a manufacturing and commercial revolution. 



Simply in the interests of truth, Henry undertook the careful 



investigation of this surprising pretension. < >i f the towers of 



the Smithsonian Building supplied a convenient well for the experi- 

 ment, easily accessible throughout its height. "A series of stout 

 iron tubes of about an inch and a half internal diameter funned 

 tin 1 column; the total length of which was one hundred and six 

 feet. Four stop-cocks were provided ; one at the bottom, one about 

 four feet from the top, and the other two to the intermediate space 

 equally divided or nearly so." Very careful hydrometer and ther- 

 mometer registers were made at increasing; intervals of time, the 

 last being that (if nearly half a year: a portion of the reserved 

 liquor being simultaneously tested. The result stated, is: "There 

 is not the slightest indication of any difference of density between 

 the original liquor and that from the top or bottom of the column, 

 after the lapse of hours, days, weeks, or months. The fluid at the 

 bottom of till' tube it must be remembered was for live months 

 exposed to the pressure of a column of fluid at least one hundred 

 feet high." f 



• \n incidental remark in Gmelin's "Handbook of Chemistry" seemed to give 



M.i -ol.il' of plausibility in the scheme. "Brandy kept in casks is said t n- 



tain a greater proportion "t spirit in tin' upper, ami of water in the lowi r part." 



Gmelin's lbn,<i> /., Translated by Henry Watts, London, 1841, part i. sect, 4,— 



vol. i. p. 11-. 



t Proceed. Am. Assoc. Provldei Aim. 1855, pp. 1 1'-', 143. 



