The solution of soluble glass is viscid, and when concentrated, becomes turbid or opalescent. The solution unites with water in all proportions. At a density of 1·28 it contains nearly twenty-eight per cent. of glass, and if the concentration be carried beyond that point, it becomes so viscid that it may be drawn out in threads like molten glass. When the solution is applied to other bodies it dries rapidly in the air, and forms a coat like varnish, and possesses the quality of not being affected by cold water, and it is applied as a durable coating to a vast variety of articles. None of the methods hitherto proposed for making cloth fire-proof appear so advantageous as the application of soluble glass, for it does not act upon the vegetable matter, and completely closes the spaces between the threads. It can also be applied to clothes; but one of its most useful properties is its application as a cement; and, for this purpose, it is superior to all those that have hitherto been employed for cementing broken glass, porcelain, &c., and may be used instead of glue or isinglass in applying colors. [Illustration] Something about Boiling Springs. In various parts of the world, we have “Springs,” possessing curious properties. Some spout up “mud,” some throw up a kind of “pitch,” others give forth waters strongly impregnated with “copper,” and some again, bubble with water full of “iron,” then we have “salt” springs, and even “quicksilver” springs—but the most remarkable, are the “boiling” springs, and of these, the most celebrated are those of Iceland. One of the most enrapturing scenes I ever witnessed, was that of these Boiling springs; which I first saw on the morning of the 30th of July, while on my visit to Iceland, in Captain Cox’s yacht. We walked for some time over a barren district, but at last were arrested by the roaring of Stockr, which threw up a great quantity of steam, and while we stood gazing and wondering what would come next—a crash took place as if the earth had burst, which was instantaneously succeeded by jets of water and steam, rising in a perpendicular column, to the height of sixty-feet. But Stockr had not been in action above twenty minutes, when the Great Geyser, apparently jealous of the reputation, and indignant at our bestowing so much of our time and applause on her rival, began to thunder tremendously, and emitted such quantities of water and steam, that we could not be satisfied with a distant view—but hastened to the mound with as much curiosity as if it had been the first eruption we had beheld. However, if she was more interesting in point of magnitude, she gave the less satisfaction in point of duration, having again become tranquil in the course of five minutes, whereas, her less grand, but more steady companion continued to play till within four minutes of six o’clock. [Illustration]