true, have been prevented; and the French suggest that, to answer this purpose in future, the first five or six wagons should remain empty to be ready for smashing, and to save those loaded in the rear. This is but a rude mode of effecting the purpose, but it points out the public opinion as to the general buffing principle, and ought to teach a lesson to railway directors. Had these general buffers, however, preceded the engines, they would not in this case have been efficient, as the broken axletree of the leading engine would still have upset the train. But had the engine been provided with six wheels, or been so constructed as to rest on a foot or sledge made to sustain the carriage on the rail, when any wheel may fail, as has long ago been suggested, then the catastrophe would have been prevented. These sledge feet accompanying every wheel, and suspended an inch above the rail, until the wheel breaks, ought to be a sine quá non in all railway carriages; the cost would be trifling and the safety great. It has also been suggested that there is no necessity for the train to take the same risk as the official parties working the engines, on whose conduct the safety mainly depends, and from whose neglect most accidents occur. The engine will pull the train with equal effect when a cord of from 50 to 150 yards intervenes; and this might be lengthened or shortened at pleasure to suit curvatures on the line by coiling it round a drum. Suppose a train of carriages to be so constructed that each carriage is furnished with a drag on its wheel, which is always in action, excepting when the tension of the cord from the engine becomes sufficient to give motion to the train, and lift the drags; in this case, so long as the engine continues on its course, it pulls the train freely after it without any friction from the drags; but, the instant the engine becomes stopped or upset, the drags are all at work, and the train is brought to rest in a few yards without overtaking the engine or any risk of accident. Some minor arrangements will be necessary in this mode of drawing trains; but the general features of the case are obvious enough, and may readily be brought into use. It is not my object to go further into these matters at present than may be sufficient to point out how obviously common sense is at variance with railroad practice; and how essential it is that the former, pleading for life and limb, versus money and monopoly, should prevail. I do not blame the directors of railroad companies; they are placed in authority by parties subscribing their money with no other view but to make the most interest they can of it, and with their delegated authority, they could not appropriate any part of their funds to the mere charitable purpose of saving life. But this places them in a painful and false position as respects society at large, now that railroad conveyance has become the order of the day. Safety, it may be said, is ensured by its being one element in gaining passengers, but increasing monopoly of conveyance, leaves no choice, and whatever be the hazard, we must either rest stationary or take it; hence, the same profits arise to the companies whether they improve upon the means of safety or not. Many excellent plans for signals have been invented, and want little to perfect them into the means of almost ensuring safety, from collision with trains or other obstacles. One especially, first suggested by Mr. Curtis, which ensures either one mile in advance of each signal post being totally free from obstacles-or if not free, erects the signal for danger night and day in immediate view of the approaching train. These matters I have named, either can, or cannot be done; if they can, great safety will be the result; and I think the public has a right to know from first-rate engineering authority, clear from all interested parties, and by the test of experiment, under such authority, whether these or any better means can be applied to prevent the death's head and cross bones becoming the appropriate crest for railway carriages. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Brompton, May 13, 1842. TYLER'S SPRING LEAF-HOlder. (Registered pursuant to Act of Parliament.) Sir, The readers of your Magazine, as of many other periodicals, bave the choice of two evils, viz. either to wait till the end of the month for the numbers neatly stitched up into a Part, or to suffer an accumulation of loose leaves, liable to be soiled or lost, and inconvenient for reference. THE ALLEGED ADULTERATION OF ZINK. Both these states of things have been found so annoying as to lead to several attempts to remedy the evil, by the construction of leaf-holders of various kinds, one of which, at least, has been made the subject of a patent. Each of these contrivances has in use been found defective, some failing from one cause, some from another. A very simple leaf-holder has recently been introduced by Mr. Tyler of Sheffield, which obviates most, if not all the faults of its predecessors. The accompanying sketch will illustrate the 399 trouble attending the operation of inserting a number; but I suspect this objection only arises with individuals who are too idle in their habits even to collect their numbers together. "There are no gains without some small pains," is a trite proverb, and if people are too lazy to take any pains to keep their odd numbers in a compact and convenient form, they must be content to devote some of their gains to supply the deficiencies which are discovered in their volumes by the binder. Mr. Tyler's simple, effectual, and durable leaf-holder, is admirably adapted for its intended purpose, and I have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the convenience which I have experienced from the use of several of them of various sizes. Remaining, Sir, 29, Alfred Street, Islington, April 27th, 1842. nature of this contrivance, which consists of two curved steel springs enclosed in the leather part of two portfolios, or book covers; at the top and bottom of each spring is jointed a metal link-plate or clasp, by which the back may be adjusted to several thicknesses, as the quantity of its contents increases. The curved form of the springs causes the numbers, etc., placed between to be held very tightly, the greatest pressure beginning at the centre; and so perfect is the holding, that a single Bank note is held so tightly, as to make it impossible to withdraw it until the clasps are released. In using this holder, the numbers or leaves are to be laid evenly upon one of the covers: the other cover is then placed over them, and the right-hand clasp hooked: the other end of the spring is then to be pressed down, and the other clasp fastened. The back of the volume thus formed being struck flat on the table, will bring all the backs of the numbers Office of the London Zink Works, 28, Martin's Sir,-In the Mechanics' Magazine of the 7th instant, No. 978, there is a communication from Mr. Mallet on the subject of zink, which I, as one largely engaged in the trade, feel compelled to answer, by saying, that as far as concerns the sheet zink, rolled at the London Zink Mills, not one particle of lead or any other metal is, or ever has been, mixed with the spelter there used. The crude metal is remelted and freed from We adopt the spelling of our present correspondent, Mr. Ball, which is the correct one. "The common orthography zinc is erroneous," Webster's Johnson. The word is borrowed from the German, in which it is spelt zink. The change into zine is of French origin, and was owing, doubtless, to the natural dislike of our Gallic neighbours to the letter k, which, though used in kilogramme, kilometre, &c., is still only a sort of naturalized alien amongst them. So far as regards the noun substantive, the substitution of the c for k is of no consequence, and it is only when we begin to form other words from it, that the impropriety of departing from the original orthography is felt. Zinced, pronounced with the c soft, would be an intolerable offence against euphony, and therefore, we say zincked. The French get over the difficulty by having recourse to the barbarism zingué, which shows that they do not manage every thing better in France. Better to adhere to the original spelling all through, zink-to zink, zinked, zinkography, zinkographer, &c. ED. M. M.] oxide and other impurities at no inconsiderable expense and loss, but nothing is ever added. All the spelter received from the Continent contains lead or iron, and often both. On the average, however, I believe the proportion falls short of, rather than exceeds, one per cent. in all. Of the Belgian spelter I have had little experience, but I do not imagine it differs materially from the other kinds. Now that your above-mentioned correspondent should have met with any sheet zink containing from 20 to 33 per cent. of lead does seem to me most extraordinary! and as an adulteration of this sort is clearly a fraud, and must be mischievous, I hope Mr. Mallet will prosecute his inquiries, and withdraw his statement if further research lead him to a conviction that it is erroneous, or, in the contrary case, again warn the public against the vendors of such spurious merchandise. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, BUDDING'S GRASS-MOWING MACHINE In our 17th vol. p. 345,we gave an engraving and description of the Grassmowing Machine in use at the Zoological Gardens, invented and patented by Mr. Budding. It has, we find, been since much improved upon by a Mr. Shanks, of Arbroath, at the suggestion, and under the direction of W. F. Lindsay Carnegie, Esq., of Kimblethmont, one of the most zealous and intelligent patrons of all new inventions and improvements, of whom Scotland can boast. The chief defect in the original machine was, that it was applicable to the shearing of small spaces only; the great merit of the improved machine is, that it will cut with facility pleasure grounds of any dimensions. We extract the following account of it from a communication by Mr. Carnegie to our popular and useful contemporary, the "Gardener's Chronicle." "The accidental discovery that the patent had been taken for England only, led to my employing a very ingenious mechanic in my neighbourhood (Mr. Shanks, of Arbroath) to construct the implement I first used. His success was complete, and I have had the experience of a whole season to test it. My lawn (consisting of nearly 2 acres) was cut weekly, all last year, by one man, aided by a small pony, in a style not to be surpassed, if equalled, by the best scythesman. The breadth commanded was 27 in., and about eight hours were expended in going over the whole. Two men could draw the machine easily; but finding the horse's feet, when working, (as answers best in dry weather,) left no permanent mark on the grass, I preferred the latter: it is guided by leading-reins. During the season no repairs of any kind were required; and I do not think that even sharpening will be necessary until after several years' repetition of similar work. "This success suggested a further improvement with a view to economy, viz. the giving the machine weight enough to act as a roller, and, at the same time, increasing the cutting breadth. The new machine, which commands 42 inches, has been just tested, and its success surpasses my expectation. The lawn of 2 acres is now cut, the grass swept up, and the ground effectually rolled by my gardener, assisted by the pony, in 24 hours; and the execution, particularly where there is a good sward, leaves nothing to be desired. When the ground is much fogged, a surface is produced very similar to velvet. "Mr. Shanks has added a revolving brush, for the purpose of better delivering into the cutters the grasses, which are found occasionally reclining horizontally: it works well, and enables a higher sward to be removed at one operation; but these cases are, or ought to be, of unfrequent occurrence: this apparatus is easily detached. The economy effected may be easily estimated by any one; I shall not, therefore, go into the detail of its calculation: it is sim ply the whole expense in labour of scything, minus the difference in interest of capital invested in the machine, and in roller, scythes, rakes, &c. I paid 181. for the first machine; and I understand the cost of the new one (were there several to be made) would not much exceed 201.; but for this I must refer parties to Mr. Shanks himself, who, in the present extraordinarily depressed state of the machine-making business, will, I doubt not, be but too happy to attend to any orders he may be favoured with. Looking to the accuracy of the execution, the weight of material, &c., I consider the price as lower than it could be done for in times of even ordinary prosperity. I ought to mention, that application may also be made to Mr. Ferraber, of Stroud, Gloucestershire, the agent for Mr. Budding, and an extensive maker of machinery. He came down here last year, and made himself acquainted with the details of the machine, and has, I believe, arranged with Mr. Shanks as regards the English patent." Sir,-Some time since I forwarded to you (signed with the initials W. H.,) a communication descriptive of a new arrangement for electro-magnetic engines, which you were so kind as to insert in No. 947 of your valuable journal. I have again to trespass upon your favour in order to notice some improvements which I have since effected in that arrangement. The first is the substitution of the staple form of magnet for the straight bar. And the second consequent on the first, viz., breaking the circuit at the end of the stroke. These alterations I have made in order to introduce the third improvement, which is, I believe, original, and of some importance, inasmuch as it may be applied to any electro-magnetic apparatus in which it may be necessary for the magnet to attract from a distance. By means of it any length of stroke may be obtained, and the power be more nearly equalized throughout the stroke. The contrivance is shown in the accompanying diagrams, which represent the apparatus, which is introduced between the poles of the voltaic magnet and the crank. Fig. 1 shows it at its greatest extension at the beginning of the stroke. A A are the poles of the magnet connected by means of a keeper B of soft VOL. XXXVI. iron. The frame consists of soft iron bars, of which any number are so arranged, that the frame is capable of collapsing, as in fig. 2, at the end of the stroke. These bars may be placed at any distance from each other, but the closer, the more power is exerted. On commencing the stroke the battery circuit around the electro-magnet being completed, the first bar will be attracted, pulling with it the whole frame; when in contact with the keeper it becomes a magnet itself by induction, and attracts the second bar, which in like manner pulls with it the frame and the rest of the bars, which each in its turn is attracted till the stroke is finished, and the crank (the rod in connexion with which is shown at C,) has described half a revolution. The voltaic circuit is now broken by any convenient means in connexion with the engine, and the frame and bars are free to be drawn back to their original position, either by means of the momentum of the fly-wheel, or by means of the action of another reciprocating force exerting its power at the moment when the first ceases. The frame should be mounted on guides, but these are not shown in the figures to avoid confusion. Yours, &c., W. HISLOP, jun., St. John-street Road, May 14, 1842. DD MR. LOUDON'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA ARCHITECTURE AND FURNITURE-FIRST ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENT.* Mr. Loudon has set an example in the publication of this Supplement which we should be glad to see more generally followed by the authors of books of reference. Instead of making the progress of improvement since the appearance of the original edition of the principal work the pretext for a second, which should render the first wholly valueless in the hands of its possessors (considered in regard to its money worth), he has thrown all the additions and amendments which have accumulated on his hands, into a Supplement, with the paragraphs and pages so numbered as to be in exact continuation of those of the body of the work. People can thus obtain all that is new without having to pay (as they are too often obliged to do,) twice over for what is old. Great and extensive practical utility is the striking feature of this Supplement, as it is of the Encyclopædia, to which it is an appendage, and indeed of everything proceeding from Mr. Loudon's pen. The new matter it contains is arranged under the following heads:-1. Cottages for Labourers and Mechanics; 2. Cottage Villas, and Villas; 3. Farmeries; 4. Schools, Public Houses, Union Work.. houses, and Almshouses; 5. Construction, and Materials; 6. Fittings up, Finishing, and Furniture; and 7. Hints to Proprietors desirous of improving their Labourers' Cottages. The most valuable novelty in this supplementary collection, is a description with working plans of the house of Sir John Robinson, the learned and accomplished Secretary of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. It is universally allowed to be in every respect-propriety and convenience of arrangement, commodiousness, elegance, comfort - the most perfect private residence in Edinburgh, and has, we suspect, few rivals anywhere. "It presents," says Mr. Loudon, "the most perfect application of the system of heating with hot air that we have any where met with, except in the houses of the inventor, W. Strutt, Esq., and his friends First Additional Supplement to the Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture, bringing down Improvements in these Arts to 1842. Illustrated by nearly 300 Engravings of Designs, by thirty different contributors. By J. C. Loudon, F.L.S.; 8vo. pp. 175. Longman and Co. in the neighbourhood of Derby." It is lighted, too, with gas in every part, without the slightest injury to gaily painted walls and ceilings, or inconvenience of any sort whatever attending it. The joiner's work, painting and papering, furniture, ironmongery-every thing, in short, is described, and we believe with truth, as exhibiting each in its department, the perfection of modern art. Every person engaged in the building or fitting up of public dwellings ought, for the sake of this article alone, to purchase both Encyclopædia and Supplement forthwith (we say both, for though the Supplement only, contains the working plans, there are repeated references for parts of the details, to descriptions which had previously appeared in the Encyclopædia itself.) In treating of Schools and Union Workhouses, Mr. Loudon states a remarkable fact, which serves at once to account for the heaps of architectural rubbish under these titles with which the face of the country has of late years been disfigured. "The designs for schools published in the Minutes of the Committee of Education, being all by the same architect, and that architect also the author of the numerous designs for union workhouses, published in the Reports of the Poor Law Commissioners, there is a degree of sameness of style in both schools and workhouses, and of meanness in the elevations given for the schools, that, in point of taste, is quite intolerable. This is a subject which, in our opinion, deserves the notice of the legislature, or of public bodies; for why should not the exterior appearance of schools and workhouses be cared as much for by the nation as the dress of soldiers or sailors, or the architecture of other public buildings? That only one artist should have been employed by the Poor Law Commissioners to design the whole of their published plans, and that the same artist should also have been employed by the Committee of Educa tion to design the whole of the plans of schools published in their Report, amounting to twenty-three, when there are so many able architects in the country, we consider to be disgraceful to these bodies." p. 1241. A new General Index has been furnished by Mr. Loudon, which includes in it the body of the work as well as the Supplement, and will be found very convenient for reference. |