FILLMORE, MILL.uto, an American statesman, ex-president of the United States, was b. on 7th Jan., 1800, at Summer Hill, in the state of New York. Born of English parents, in rather straitened circumstances, all the education lie received was the very imperfect instruction furnished by the village school. At the age of 15, be was sent to the county of Livingston, there to learn the drapery trade, and soon afterwards was bound apprentice to a wool-carder in his native village. During the four years he labored at this occupation, he used every means at his disposal to cultivate his mind, devoting his evenings to reading and study. In his 19th year, he made the acquaint ance of a lawyer named Wood, who discovering in the young man talents worthy of a loftier sphere, took an interest in him, and offered him a situation in his office, at the same time supplying him with funds for the prosecution of his studies for the legal profession. The attention bestowed upon him by his benefactor was not thrown away. He entered with ardor upon the course thus marked out for him, and in order that he might not be too great a burden upon his friend, devoted a part of his time to conduct ing a school. He removed to Buffalo in 1821 in order to complete his studies, and in 1823 was admitted a member of the bar. A brilliant career was thus opened up for him, and lie delayed not to pursue it. He gradually acquired both means and reputa tion. In 1829, he began his political career, being in that year chosen as a representa tive of the county of Eric in the legislature of New York, where lie entered the ranks of the Whig party, at that time in opposition. Here his probity and modesty soon gained him universal esteem. He was mainly instrumental in procuring the abolition of imprisonment for debt in the state of New York. In 1832, F. was elected a member of congress, and such were the statesmanlike qualities displayed by him, that he was several times re-elected; but in 1844, he resumed his profession of advocate. In 1847, however, lie again returned to public life, being elected by a large majority to the post of comptroller of New York; and in the following year he was made vice-president of the United States. The unexpected death of gen. Taylor in July, 1850, leaving the
office of president vacant, F. was raised to that high office, which he held till 1853. His presidency was marked by the passing of some very salutary measures, notwithstanding that his party were in the. minority. lie prOmoted as far as he could the progress of exploration and discovery, at home and abroad. In 1855, F. visited Europe, and on his return in 1856, he was again nominated for the presidency, hut was not returned. F. took no active part in the civil war; though nominally he sided with the union. After the expiry of his term of office, he retired to Buffalo, where he died in 1874.
When solid matter is suspended in a liquid in which it is insoluble, it may be separated by various means. Under the article FINING, various methods of causing such suspended matter to collect together and sink to the bottom or float on the surface, and thereby clearing. the liquid, are described. The process of filtration consists in passing the liquid through some porous substance, the interstices of which are too small to admit of the passage of the solid particles, the principle of the action being the same as that of a sieve; but as the particles of fluids are immeasurably small, the pores must be extremely minute.
One of the simplest forms of filter is that commonly used in chemical laboratories for separating precipitates, etc. A square or circular piece of blotting-paper is folded in four, t:E-i corner where the four folds meet is placed downwards in a funnel, and one side is partly opened, so that the paper forms a lining to the funnel. The liquid passes through the pores of the paper, and the solid matter rests upon it. The chief advantages of this filter are its simplicity, and the ease with which the solid matter may be removed and examined.