1868.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
375 
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Tlie “ IPJailosoplier’s Stone.” 
It was long supposed that gold could bo made by art. 
Some of the wisest men spent large fortunes and devoted 
their whole lives in trying to discover the process. They 
hoped to-acquire enormous riches by finding out the se- 
! crct. Their belief was that all metals arc made of nearly 
the same ingredients, that silver and gold contained the 
same elements as iron and lead, but freed from impuri- 
. ties. Those engaged in seeking the art of transmutation, 
as it was called, were named alchemists. The substance 
by which they hoped to effect the change from the base 
to the finer metals they described as the “ Philosopher’s 
Stone.” Many curious anecdotes are related concerning 
the alchemists. It is said that a certain king in India, 
who believed in alchemy, was marching with his army 
across a shallow stream, and that when all had passed, it 
was discovered that one of the fetters on an elephant’s 
foot wa3 changed to gold. It was immediately concluded 
that the “ philosopher’s stone ” must be somewhere in 
the stream, and coming in contact with the iron, it had 
made the wonderful change. The king, hearing of the 
occurrence, at once halted his army and had a large ditch 
dug above the place, to carry away the water, so that the 
bed of the stream could be searched. When it was laid 
bare, men were employed to pick up the stones found 
there and rub them upon a piece of iron. As fast as they 
proved worthless they were cast away into the water be¬ 
yond. They worked this way for days, and it is said they 
became so accustomed to giving a rub and a throw with 
each stone, that although one fellow came across the very 
stone they were seeking, which turned his iron into gold, 
yet away it went with a jerk, like the rest, from mere 
habit, and although they spent along time in searching 
for it, it could never be regained. If the author of this 
fable meant to teach that we should be careful not to 
throw away opportunities lightly, lest a golden one slip 
by unobserved, ho conveyed some truth by his narration. 
Several stories are told of strangers appearing in various 
places, and after successfully performing the experiment 
of changing lead into gold, leaving with the promise of 
coming back in a short time; but there is no account of 
the promise ever being kept. Here, again, the truth 
seeker will discover at least a golden maxim, not to trust 
to promises when present performance is possible. 
Many tricks were played off by impostors on those who 
believed in alchemy. Sometimes they used a melting pot 
with a false bottom ; at the real bottom they placed a 
quantity of gold or silver - , or some of their compounds. 
The melting pot being placed in a very hot fire, they put 
in a little lead, and stirring it as it melted, also broke 
away the false bottom. Then when the crucible was 
cooled, the finer metal which had been concealed would 
be found. Some persons still think that the time 
may come when the secret of gold making will be dis¬ 
covered, and that the alchemists were not far from right 
in believing that all metals are but variations of some one 
primary substance. Whether the theory be true or not, 
it is certain that the experiments and researches of al¬ 
chemists have not been entirely in vain. By their means 
many useful chemical mixtures were discovered, and 
much valuable scientific knowledge gained to the world. 
S*ioils> 'fi'jRievcs. 
Travelers in Russia state that one of the ornaments of 
their houses is a “ holy picture ” of the Madonna or 
some saint, which is found among all classes of the pop¬ 
ulation, even to the remotest part of the immense em¬ 
pire. Tiiese pictures are held in great reverence, and 
every person entering a room containing one is expected 
to remove his hat and cross himself devoutly. They are 
rightly considered quite a safeguard, for thieves hesitate 
to steal where such a picture is present. Some cunning 
rogues, however, have managed to make their depreda¬ 
tions and ease their consciences; several instances are 
recorded whore houses have been robbed, but the holy 
pictures were carefully co’tered by a cloth, so that the 
saint might not be shocked by, or interfere with, the in¬ 
iquity being done by the pious thieves in its presence. 
SSobiusoii. Crusoe’s Island. 
“ How I would like to live like Robinson Crusoe,” many 
. a boy has said after having read the interesting account 
of him written many years ago by Defoe. Some young 
readers have taken pains to look for his island, Juan 
Fernandez, on the map, and a few can tell something of 
the general character of the place at the present day. All, 
however, do not know these particulars ; one writes to 
enquire about them, and for the benefit of those who 
would like to be informed, we give the following brief 
account. The Island of Juan Fernandez is in the South 
Pacific Ocean, abont 400 miles west of the coast of Chili, 
to which country it belongs. It is 15 miles long and 0 
miles wide, the coast being irregular, so that it contains 
only about 05 square miles. It is a rugged, mountainous 
region, but contains many pleasant and fertile valleys. 
Its principal mountain is nearly 4000 feet high. It is oc¬ 
cupied by a colony of fishermen, numbering about 50 
persons, who hire it from the Chilian government. The 
climate is very healthful, and the soil fertile, producing 
abundant crops of grain and fruits, such ns apples, straw¬ 
berries, melons, figs, etc. Valuable woods, as sandal 
wood, the cork tree, etc., grow wild. Wild goats abound 
in the rocky districts, and fish arc plenty in the adjoining 
waters. The place is frequently visited by vessels to 
procure a supply of water, though we believe there is no 
regular line of communication. In 1704 Alexander Sel¬ 
kirk, a Scotchman, who was sailing master of an English 
privateer, was set ashore there at his own request, and 
remained in solitude, “ monarch of all he surveyed,” for 
five years. He was provided with plenty of clothing, 
arms, ammunition, etc., so that ho did not suffer from 
want. His adventures are supposed to have been the 
foundation for the story of Robinson Crusoe, but there 
are good reasons for believing that Defoe received his 
idea of the book from the published account of a Spani¬ 
ard wrecked on an island in the Caribbean Sea, near the 
mouth of the Orinoco river, where ho lived alone for 
many years, being finally taken off by a passing vessel. 
Air Honest Miner. 
A Cornish miner living at Camborne, was unable at 
one time to pay his rent, and his little stock of furniture 
was seized to be sold to satisfy the demand. He applied 
to a lady, well known in the district for her charitable 
deeds, for a loan of three guineas. “I know nothing of 
you; you may be a drunkard or an impostor,” were the 
disheartening words that mctliis application. “ Madam,” 
replied the miner with energy, “I am neither, and if you 
will lend mo the money I will return it in four months.” 
The money was lent, the time for payment came i*ound, 
and the miner Who by great exertion had managed to get 
the money together, set oft’ on foot to pay his debt. On 
his way he had either to cross a small river, or lengthen 
his journey three miles to pass over a bridge. He chose 
the former, but miscalculating the depth of the water, lost 
his footing and was drowned. When the body was re¬ 
covered, his wife said he had three guineas with him for 
the lady who had lent that sum. nis pockets were 
searched, and no money found, but some one noticed that 
his right hand was firmly clinched. It was opened, and 
there were three guineas which ho had firmly held. 
The Monlc Outwitted. 
It is related that a monk living in Peru, by his gambling 
practices, got into great difficulties in money matters. 
The native Indians in his vicinity were much attached to 
him, as he was of a kind and generous disposition, and 
they frequently sent him presents. One day, when he 
had lost largely in gambling, an Indian promised to assist 
him, and the next evening brought him a large box full 
of silver ore. The present was several times repeated, 
and the monk very naturally was anxious to discover 
where the precious metal was procured. He pressed the 
Indian so closely that at last he consented to conduct him 
to the mine. Accordingly one night several Indians 
came to his house, blindfolded him, and each by turns 
carried him for some distance into the mountains. At 
length the bandage was removed and he found himself in 
an opening in the rocks, surrounded by bright masses of 
silver, and was permitted to take as much as he could 
carry. While the Indians were conducting him home 
again blindfolded, he unfastened his rosary, and dropped 
the beads at intervals along the path, hoping by their aid 
to find his way to the mine again alone. In the course of 
an hour or two his Indian friend knocked at his door, 
and giving him a handful of beads said, “ you dropped 
your rosary on the way, father, and I have picked it up 
for you.” This was the last visit lie was allowed to make, 
the Indians jealously keeping the secret from strangers. 
’fi'Sie S>Ii9»l>lig - isRg - Cleric. 
One rainy day when little was being done by the clerks 
at Stewart’s up town store, an elderly man stopped in and 
asked to see some sheeting. The young man behind the 
counter of that department, who had but recently been 
employed there, laid down a piece for inspection. “ Let 
me look at another,” said the gentleman. The clerk 
leisurely replaced the first piece and handed down anoth¬ 
er. This did not suit, and more was asked for, and as 
the clerk was about replacing the goods already shown, 
the customer requested that it be left, that ho might com¬ 
pare it with other pieces. After several more pieces had 
been looked at, one seemed to suit his wishes, but to 
make sure of its quality he took hold of one end and car¬ 
ried it nearer the light. “Hold on, old man, none of 
that,” cried the clerk, sharply; you can buy goods here 
at the counter, if you want them.” Ho did not like the 
trouble of folding up the goods again. “ I guess you’d 
better step down to the cashier’s desk and get what is 
owing you,” quietly remarked the supposed customer, 
who was Mr. Stewart himself. “ You are too careful of 
yourself to do business for me.” There was nothing left 
for the indolent and disobliging clerk to do but settle his 
accounts and leave. The lesson was severe, and one 
which will probably be lasting in his own case and also 
in that of his fellow clerks who saw the transaction. 
Ai-ItSRjnueticKl Cwrioslay. 
Ask a friend to write three numbers, consisting of the 
same number of figures, no matter how many, one under 
the other; tell him you will add two numbers to them, 
and that you will inform him how much the amount will 
be when added, as soon as he will write his first number. 
For example your friend writes S72G3; you immediately 
announce that the sum of the five numbers will be 287200, 
no matter what he may put down for liis secondand third 
numbers. Suppose him to write for the second and third 
lines 43521 and 03198; you will write under them 50478 
and 30S01, and on adding will find the amount previously 
given to be correct. Of course you must know what to 
take for the fourth and fifth numbers. These may always 
be found at once, by subtracting the figures of the second 
and third lines from the number nine, and setting down 
the remainder. The answer you can find from the first 
line of figures only, in this way ; place the figure 2 before 
the first line, and subtract it from the last figure of the 
line. By placing the numbers given above in the form of 
a sum in addition, the whole working maybe readily 
seen. Practice well so that you may go through the oper¬ 
ation without hesitation before exhibiting, and those un¬ 
acquainted with the secret will be surprised at the result. 
AltSj-RVOl'S to B*R-oMt - SBRM SRSl«! IPoBZZlcS. 
The following are answers to the puzzles, etc., in the 
September number, page 337. No. 321. Puzzle Picture .— 
It brings to mind the “wail of the tide” (tied) . No. 
333. Puzzle Picture. —The man can get down safely on his 
goose, where there is plenty of it_No. 323. Illustrated 
Rebus. —Bee knot over urn nest over loud oar over shoe r 
in ewer t-aulc; or Be not over earnest, over loud or over 
sure in your talk_No. 324. Metagram. —Power, Bower, 
Tower, Sower, Rower, Mower, Cower, Dower. . .No. 325. 
Word Puzzle. — The word is “Insatiate” (In-sat-i-ate). 
The following have sent in correct answers to puzzles, 
etc. Isaac T. McLeain, Apollos Dyer, A. G. Smith, Fan¬ 
nie Barrett, Leah A. Mechling, Maliala Yartman, T. T. 
Taylor, “Kansas Boy,” Annie Clark, Albert II. Palmer, 
J. Milton Snyder, (as usual), Janes A. Johnson, Sylvester 
P. Hull, C. A. McCartny, Samuel M. Edwards, Horace 
Elliott, Mina M. Walker, Lillie L. Mills, Sarah Dowlaud. 
Sew B.*H5Z!el©g t© ?»© Answered. 
No. 32G. Metagram. — A word of four letters often fol¬ 
lows horses over the farm ; change the first letter it will 
act 1st, liIre the wind ; 2d, like fire ; 3d, like water ; 4th, 
like a poor horse. 
No. 327. Law Question .—A decision to it is wanted. 
No. 328. Illustrated Rebus .—For the idle to remember. 
No. 329. Enigma .—A certain article has one arm, never 
travels, goes on one foot, is intended especially for dry 
places, but is most frequently used in the water. It is a 
favorite with dancers, but not with intemperate persons. 
There is said to be only a slight difference between a 
rye face and a bourbon face; both are quickly read. 
