YOUNG'S SMOKELESS DOMESTIC GRATES. MESSES. YOUNG & Co., of Queen-street, London, have introduced a simple improvement in the form of domestic grates, which gets rid in a very simple and effectual manner of the nuisance of smoke proceeding from such grates. It consists of a simple and ingenious method of feeding domestic fires with fuel from below, which completely answers the desired end, and is no less applicable to the drawing-room stove than to the kitchen range. The whole invention lies in fitting below and in front of the grate a double-screw partly covered by a case, as shown in the parlour stove, fig. 1, in which part of the case is removed to expose the screw; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of another stove fitted with a similar screw; fig. 3 is a detached view of a ratchet wheel which is fitted on the end of the screw, with a pawl Focket to receive a rod, poker, or other instrument by which the ratchet and screw may be turned; fig. 4 is a detached view of the double screw; and fig. 5 is a view of a portion of a kitchen range fitted with the arrangement, the principal part of the case being here also removed. It will be readily understood that when coal is placed in the case at either end, and the screw is turned by means of the ratchet wheel, the coal I will be carried by the screw from each side towards the middle of the fire, and forced in beneath the hot fuel in the grate, through which the whole of the gases generated from the fresh supply must necessarily pass. We have seen the plan in operation, and believe it is exceedingly well fitted to get rid of all further trouble with the smoke of household fires. FIG. 7. twine is effected by machinery similar to that ordinarily employed for similar purposes, except that two revolving shuttles or binders are employed instead of one, and that they revolve in opposite directions at the same time. The last part of the invention consists in arranging suitable paying-out machinery for this kind of cable. From the nature of the cable, I while being paid out, there will be comparatively no strain upon it as due to its own gravity, because it will weigh so very little under water; but it should be payed out very slack, that it may accommodate itself to currents, or to irregularities in the bottom of the ocean; to effect this, it will be simply necessary to have a paying-out machine of the most simple description-just a few grooved pulleys, over which the cable will pass, and which will have to be driven by a steam engine, but so arranged that its speed can at all times be regulated in proportion to the speed of the vessel through the water. ARKELL AND MELHADO'S APPARATUS FOR SUBMERGING TELEGRAPH CABLES. MR. P. ARKELL, of North Woolwich, and Mr. A. Melhado, of Bayswater, have patented an apparatus for preventing cables being injured by torsion during the paying-out. In order to neutralise this effect, they propose to attach to the cable at given distances apart, and while it is being submerged, floats of such a construction that, when they enter the water, they will offer considerable cords; d is an inner layer of twine bound round the longi-resistance to the tensile strain of the cable, and at tudinal cords in one direction; and e is a second layer the same time serve to buoy it up, and relieve the bound round in the opposite direction. Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sections, similar to Fig. 1, but representing the paying-out machinery from a portion of the direct core as enclosing three and seven telegraphic wires respec- strain of the cable. tively, instead of one only. The second part of the invention consists in DE BERGUE'S SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH making suitable machinery for covering the gutta CABLES. percha core with the straight cords or wires, and for paying over the cable with the double layer of MR. CHARLES DE BERGUE, of Strangeways Iron-twine at the same time. works, Manchester, has just completed a patent for improvements in submarine telegraph cables, and in machinery for manufacturing and payingout such cables. The first part of his invention consists in making a cable so that its specific gravity shall only slightly exceed that of water, and so that it shall have no tendency to form snarls or kinks. To effect this he takes the gutta percha core enclosing the copper wires, and envelopes it with small cords, placed in parallel to the gutta percha core, and paid round with two layers of twine in opposite directions. The straight cords are to give the cable strength lengthways, and may be made of metallic wire, or of fibrous materials. A few fine metal wires may be inserted in combination with the small cords. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the method of laying the longitudinal cords upon the core. It consists simply in the cords evenly upon and around the core as both are reproviding suitable guiding tubes or apparatus for directing ceived from the reels from which they are separately delivered whilst the cable is being formed. Two guides are in Fig. 6, from which it will be seen that a separate channel shown in the sketch, one, m, being in plan, and drawn larger is provided for each of the longitudinal cords, and also a central guide, n, for the core, the latter being supported by a bridge piece n' across the piece m. The cords and core, after passing through the guides m, n, also pass through the second guide s, which presents an orifice corresponding in size with the actual external dimensions of the cable previously to binding, and presenting a series of notches or grooves corresponding with the number and size of the cords employed. Fig. 7 is a plan of the guides, to a scale corresponding with Fig. 6. in Fig. 5, which does not, however, show the reels (from A vertical arrangement of the machine is preferred, as which the cords and core are delivered). The binding with (Continued from p. 121) THE WORKING AND MANAGEMENT. block of wood, a, a, rounded and tapered off at its ends, | ON A QUICK-WORKING POWER ENGINE. cess for the reception of the cable. This plate is screwed flinged to this bracket is a hand-lever e, furnished with a semicircular recess corresponding to that of the plate b. The inner faces of these recesses are grooved or ribbed, to ensure a firm grip of the cable that is to be held between them. A spring catch ƒ is driven into the block a in such a position that when the hand-lever e is pressed down, so as to grip the cable (it being guided in its course by the horns e), this spring catch will hold the lever fast, and the teeth or ribs of the gripping surface pressing into the gutta-percha or other soft covering of the cable, will take a firm hold of the cable. The preparation for working would be by fixing of The working could be regulated by a stopper with a press screwed against it, and by the sliding valves being inserted more or less, or not at all, to impede the current, or leave it quite free. The action would be stopped by thrusting in these valves; the mechanism by which this was done being so adjusted as to shut them exactly together. The re-action would spend itself partly in the air vessel; and it could not move the pistons. Then the stoppage should be so timed as for a crank worked by the beam of the double pump to be in a position as to give, in the removal of the action, the desired direction forward or backwards to the wheel attached to the other body attached to the engine. A crank, supposed to be a bore, In applying their invention, they provide a would be either up or down at the end of the benumber of these floats, using more floats per mile ginning of a stroke. Then, if it were up, and the in deep seas than in shallow waters. Two men working were to be forward, it ought to be take up a float and hold it (with the lever hand But there is the difficulty that, if the valve a little forward out of the perpendicular, that the thrown back) immediately under the passing at the junction of the pipes were opened together rod from the beam might pull it down forwards. cable. When the signal is given that a certain with the one at the division of the single pipe, the or if it were down, it ought to be a little back for length of cable has been run out, one of the work-air would pass back to the reservoir, and through the rod to push it up from behind. It could be in men will strike down the lever handle, and by thus it and the perpendicular tapering pipe, as in a these positions in working forwards only after a putting a grip upon the cable, will firmly secure syphon, up to the vacuum, and against the dis-stroke was begun. The time might be hit exactly the float thereto. At the same time, the float charge from above. Therefore the valve at the enough, if the action were first checked by unbeing let go, it will enter the water with the junction should be opened a small fraction of a loading the empty stopper, and inserting the two cable, and be submerged with it, but being of a second after the other, by mechanism acting on slides slowly. To reverse the action the stoppage buoyant character, it will serve for a time to keep both with one motion. The withdrawing of the should be before the stroke was quite completed. the cable suspended in the water, and thus relieve valve at the junction, when the water should have The crank, then, if up would be a little backward, the paying-out apparatus (as before observed) of fallen through the space in the vacuum, would set and if down a little forward from the perpendicular, considerable strain. When a series of floats have the piston free; and the pressure from the dis- and in the former case the rod would pull it down been thus submerged with the cable, their ten-charge through the tapering pipe on the full and backwards, and in the latter lift it in that direcdency will be to assume a horizontal position in close reservoir, would give a sudden and very the water, and being firmly secured to the cable, strong impulse to the movement. they will effectually resist and neutralise the tendency of the unrolled coil of cable to turn in the water and twist the fibres of the wire of which it is composed. THE ENGINEERS OF THE ROYAL NAVY. GENTLEMEN-In perusing your valuable periodical of the 25th inst., under the heading "The Civil Service" occurs the following passage:-"It is our purpose to maintain-at all hazards, and without reserve-the indefeasible rights of the practical, useful, and efficient men of the Civil Service, and also of the Naval and Military Services." Emboldened by these remarks, and knowing also that your valuable Journal is keenly scanned by those high in authority, I would wish to call attention to the liberal style of remuneration awarded to the staff who play so prominent a part in the well-being of our steam navy. By reference, then, to the "Navy Estimates" we find that the "Chief Engineer and Inspector of Steam Machinery of Her Majesty's navy "-him upon whose judgment and integrity depends much of the efficiency and well-being of our millions expended in steam machinery, and who is de facto comptroller of the steam machinery of the British Navy-receives £150 per annum less than that accorded to a chief clerk! Imagine now that some of this costly machinery, in many cases verging in value on £50,000, is received and fitted to some one of our splended frigates. Its future efficiency and preservation is entrusted to an officer-a naval engineer-holding a commission, but remunerated with a scale of pay not even on a footing with an Admiralty messenger. This officer again is aided in his duties when the ship is called for active service by a First Class Assistant Engineer, receiving a pay some few pounds less than that of a hall porter. And the staff is completed by other Assistant Engineers, with rates of pay but slightly in excess of those lucky domestics who keep their "weary watch" in the tempestuous neighbourhood of Whitehall. How widely different are those things managed in the service of foreign powers, to say nothing of that management long since found imperative to the due efficiency and economy of our large steam companies. I trust that you will direct some of your attention to this point, in that which seems to you a labour of love, viz., the improvement and increased efficiency of our Royal Steam Navy," and am your's, &c., NAvalis. When the engine was filled with water the two sliding valves would have been closed; and on their being opened the hollow left at the summit of the pipe would be filled up from the air vessel. To prevent the vacant chamber being refilled out of the current passing through it, all the water should be exhausted of its air. Then if it were distilled there could be no generation of animal or vegetable line, or deposition of earthy matter; and it might be prevented from absorb ing any air from the vessel, by a film of oil on the liquid contents. tion. The outward working might be by one end of the beam, or by both ends; and the two ends might do different kinds of work or the same kind. One engine might serve for two paddle-wheels, if that were preferred to having two engines. It might be competent to such duty with the larger wheels, as being able greatly to surpass steam engines in the intensity of force, because the parts liable to bursting might be of any massiveness, whereas a boiler must be rather thin not to impede the penetration of heat too long, while for amount of price distinguished from degree, it might be of the largest dimensions that could be desired. Magnitude is objectionable in the common hy draulic press, because it retards the operation, unless equally greater power is used to inject in a larger volume; but this engine would work itself, and slowness would be out of the question. The only apparent difficulty is, that if great cylinders be too large to play nimbly enough. But there had one bottom valve and a side one, these might might be as many openings in the bottoms and at the sides, and as many pipes as was convenient, with arrangements to enable the sliding valves to all shut exactly together, and to be opened, some a moment later than the others. At the point of time when the sliding valve at the division of the pipe was being withdrawn, the self-acting coupled valves in the bottoms of the cylinders would be held a little open, and the side valves would be dropped by their own weight and that of the water over them in the pipes. The nearly instantaneous withdrawing of the valve at the junction of the pipes would set the pistons free to yield to the first pressure of the discharge on the reservoir; gravity in the water would assist the lower more than it resisted the depression of the higher one. The springs would play in opposite directions to promote the action, and the intensity of the injection would be multiplied in amount against the forced piston, AN UNREWARDED INVENTOR. without being countervailed by re-action accord-SOME while since a Mr. Phillips took out a patent ing to the law of the paradox against the forcing for an ingenious arrangement to give to a swimmer one. The reservoir and the cylinder open to it at additional powers of buoyancy and rapidity of bottom would be together like a vessel close as motion. The apparatus, or rather that portion of well as full, owing to the influx shutting up the it intended to fit around the ancles, erpanded and side valve at the entrance into the pipe; while the collapsed somewhat after the fashion of an um corresponding side valve in the cylinder at bottom brella, as the wearer struck out or drew in his would be dropped, and give passage to the dis- legs. We had altogether lost sight of this inven charge from the pump through a pipe divided tion when accident informed us of the patentee's and opening at one place, and open to an air vessel. decease, together with some facts which may not The self-acting side valves, and those in the be altogether uninteresting to our readers. This bottoms being respectively closed and opened with patent is now in the hands of Miss Phillips, of 44 the changes of the strokes, the interior of the Clipston Street, a maiden lady of great age, and engine would be always divided into two parts the sister of the inventor. Miss Phillips, upon both full, but only one quite close, as is required the subject of the patent, writes to a corresponfor the operation of the law of the paradox. Thus dent who is interesting himself in its sale: “I the principle of the plan would be made good. have now outlived all my relatives and old friends; The forcing piston, indeed, would be resisted I am now the only living person that can even resolely by general friction in the liquid and the late an authentie anecdote of Mr. Hogarth the solids, since gravity in their ascent would be great painter, having been the companion of my balanced by the same in their descent. The dif- cousin Mrs. Lewis, who supported Mr. Hogarth ference, then, between the internal resistance and in his last moments. All my early days, to my 22nd the internal force would afford a power very far year, were passed in Mr. Hogarth's house at Chisbeyond what was borrowed for self-working, and wick, up to his death and burial in the vault. disposable for any duty. After that, his effects and myself came to my uncle, Mr. Hart, who had the honour of serving His Majesty George the Fourth for 48 years as Chief Clerk in the Duke of Cornwall's Office, then in Somerset House, and Second Clerk in His Majesty's Kitchen, and died in the King's service in the year 1823. My brother was writing a biography of Mr. Hogarth's works, and anecdotes of our family, and I think he had nearly brought his notes up to the restoration of the tomb at Chi wick, having repaired that monument at his own cost in 1825, and again in 1832, but after that period it wanted re-leading and he had not the means of doing it, and my brother gave the tomb to Mr. Hogarth of Aberdeen, who restored it three years ago, and whose property it now is. My brother's last moments were intensely increased by the pain of leaving me wholly destitute. My only hope is in the sale of the patent." We give the poor old lady's simple narrative as it is written, and trust her forlorn condition will reach the eye of some of the many who are ever ready to help the deserving. INDIAN ITEMS. MR. PURSER, chief engineer of the Allahabad and Cawnpore section of the East Indian Railway, has resigned his appointment, and Mr. Campbell, formerly an assistant on the Caledonian Railway, has succeeded Mr. Gower as locomotive superintendent.- Mr. R. B. Thomas, agent for the Punjab Railway Company, arrived by the last mail. Mr. Thomas is to be stationed at Kurrachee as transit agent for the despatch, on arrival, of all stores and material intended for the railway. His office will be no sinecure, as from 25,000 to 30,000 tons of stores are on their way out.An electric time ball is now dropped daily at the Colaba observatory, to enable the shipping in the harbour to adjust their chronometers.- Mr. H. P. Owen has been appointed deputy-superintendent in the Electric Telegraph Department, at Bombay; Mr. J. T. Blisset, deputy-superintendent at Madras; and Mr. W. W. Mayes, deputy-superintendent of the east coast line.The half-yearly report of the Madras Railway Company states several facts of interest. On the south-west line between Goriattum and Beypoor, the progress of the works is, with one exception, Fatisfactory, and the line will be finished as fast as the permanent way materials can be transported to it. The further opening for traffic to Vaniembady is, however, likely to be delayed in consequence of difficulties experienced with a bridge over the Palar river. On the completion of this bridge the line will be opened to Salem, upwards of 200 miles from Madras. On the western half of the line satisfactory progress is stated to have been made, and this division is expected to be completed from Beypoor to Paulghaut, 70 or 80 miles, by the end of the year. The local government has been instructed by the home authorities to proceed with projected improvements of the port of Beypoor, and of the water cummunication between the railway and the town and harbour of Cochin. This is to be effected by a short canal from a point where the railway touches the Ponany river, and the navigation which extends by Cochin southward and parallel with the coast nearly to Cape Comorin. The Bangalore line which leaves the main south-west division near Vainembady, is being surveyed; it will be about 80 miles in length. Surveys are also to be made for a branch to the Neilgherry hills. The survey of the north-west line has been extended to its proposed junction with the railway from Bombay in the Raichor Dooab, formed by the rivers Krishna and Tungboodra. The length of this line from Arconum, where it leaves the trunk line at 42 miles from Madras, will be about 330 miles. Between Areonum and Cuddapa, the works are being vigorously on. The company has now 96 miles in working between Madras and Goriattum, and the receipts for the six months ending December 31, 1858, were £21,720.—— It is stated that a Dutch company intend running steamers between Java and Bornco, Singapore and China.—A corps of civil engineers is to be formed for permanent Service in India.- -The estimated cost of the first section of the Great Southern of India Railway, from Negapatam to Trinchinopoly, has been fixed at £500,000.-The Oriental Inland Steam Company have concluded contracts for two new steamers and two new trains of barges, consisting in all of 12 vessels of large size. These will, at an early period, be added to the other vessels of the company already in India. The engines will be high pressure, intended to work to 800-horse power.-Mr. Russell, the Times correspondent, says, it will be good policy to have vessels of lighter draught, armed with howitzers and a few Enfields, on our large Indian rivers for some time to come. THE ARMSTRONG GUN.-We find that in the Armstrong Gun, as now made, the large screw at the breech is formed hollow, and the charge is passed into the gun through it. With this arrangement the moveable breech-pięce is only required to close the breech, and receive the force of the explosion. Both the slot and the breechpiece are therefore smaller than they would require to be were the gun loaded through the slot. NOTICES. The Speech of Sir John Pakington on the Navy Estimates, and the Report of Mr. Baddeley on London Fires, which we have published annually for many years past, occupy so much of our space this week that we are compelled to defer our paper on "Naval Architecture" until next week. The MECHANICS' MAGAZINE will be sent free by post to all subscribers of £1 1s. 8d., annually, payable in advance. Post Office Orders to be made payable to R. A. Brooman, at the Post Office, Fleet Street, London, E.C. THE demand for Mr. E. J. REED's paper The VICE-CHANCELLOR said that the delay which had taken place was such as to disentitle the plaintiff to the interlocutory injunction. It did not appear that this was a case contemplated by the Act of last session, which provided for the summoning a jury before this Court when in any suit a question of fact was raised. Now, the action in this patent case was not an action to try a question of fact raised in a suit, but an action to determine the legal right, and to such an action the suit was merely auxiliary. The trial would therefore take place at law, under the ordinary order, directing the motion to stand over, plaintiff undertaking to try an action at law. CURRENT EVENTS "ON THE MODIFICATIONS WHICH THE SHIPS OF THE ROYAL IN THE CENTRES OF THE IRON, COAL, MACHINE, has been so great that the Journal of the Society of Arts, the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE, and all other Scientific Journals in which it appeared in December last, are now out of print. The demand still continuing, it has been deemed desirable to reprint it in a separate form. An 8vo. edition of it, in large type, and on fine paper, has, therefore, been prepared, and may now be had at the Office of this Magazine, price 18. TO ADVERTISERS. All Advertisements occupying less than half-a-column are charged at the rate of 5d. per line for any number of insertions less than 13; for 13 insertions, 4d. per line; and for 52 insertions, 3d. per line. Each line consists of 10 words, the first line counting as two. Wood-cuts are charged at the same rate as type for the space occupied. Special Arrangements for larger or Serial Advertisements. To ensure insertion, Advertisements must reach the Office by 5 o'clock on Thursday evening each week. None can be received after that time for the ensuing number. A friendly correspondent sends us the following suggestions: GENTLEMEN,-As a subscriber to your admirable Magazine, permit me to congratulate you upon and thank you for the improved state in which it now appears. Not the least instructive part of it is that contained in the notes from the different parts of England concerning the iron, &c., trades. Without wishing to appear a meddler, I think that they might be greatly improved by printing the subject of each paragraph in larger type than the context, something after the arrangement you have adopted with reference to the list of patents, this is the only appearance of improvement I or perhaps any body else could suggest, though your more experienced judgment may not think it necessary to adopt it. Spontaneous Generation.-There is one question occurs to me with reference to this interesting subject of which no one, I think, has offered a solution. If there be no such thing as spontaneous generation (not creation; the neglect of this distinction has, in my opinion, been the cause of much vituperation that might well have been spared), whence comes the moss or vegetable well known to opticians as growing upon the object glasses of telescopes. No one will, I think, be so bold as to say that glass always did exist, yet, as soon as it was invented a parasite scized hold of it, one that is unknown anywhere else. Take ink, again, every one knows the mould that grows on ink, this mould is quite distinct from any other species of its class, and is found only on ink: many other instances might be brought forward. The doctrine of spontaneous generation is assuredly the ground of much misconception; no sooner are the words spoken, than certain men conceive an idea of self-creation of matter, and brand the supporters of the theory of spontaneous generation with the absurd epithet of atheist, whereas, by this latter phrase, nothing more is meant than that the laws of nature are in operation to work out the will of Providence impressed on matter at its creation. Let any one of these ultra-theists (they leave Christianity with its brotherly love far behind them) place a drop of the solution of any salt crystallizing at ordinary temperature in the focus of a microscope, and watch the generation of the crystals and their growth; if, after in this manner assisting at the birth of a new thing, he does not thenceforth hide his diminished head, and what is more to the purpose, rule his tongue, he is not a mortal fallible man and a brother of gentlemen. VICE CHANCELLOR'S COURT.-March 2. This was a motion for an injunction to restrain the defendant from infringing the plaintiff's right in respect of a whisk and churn, which had been exhibited at various agricultural meetings in the course of last year, and of which Mr. Kent, the patentee of the rotary knife cleaning machines, was the sole licensee. It was urged that this was a case in which the question would be better tried by a jury summoned before this Court than in the ordinary way at law. Mr. Rolt and Mr. Fooks supported the motion; and Mr. Amphlett and Mr. E. E. Kay were for the defendant. AND SHIPPING TRADES. Shocking Railway Accident at Leamington: Commencement of the Inquest-Sir William Armstrong and his Workpeople: Address to Him-Sunderland Dock and River Wear Amalgamation-Aston Hall and Birmingham-Royal Agricultural Show at Warwick-Increase of Machinery at Blackburn-Oriental Inland Steam Company: Increase of Vessels-Movement of Colliers for a Short Hours' Bill: The Petition-Opposition to the Boot-Sewing Machine at Stafford and Northampton. A DISASTROUS railway accident occurred on Saturday on the Rugby branch of the London and North-Western Railway near to Leamington, by which two drivers and a stoker were killed and three passengers slightly injured. The train which leaves Rugby for Birmingham at 10.5. in the morning, had reached an embankment near Badford, a short distance from Leamington, when the driver and fireman became aware of something amiss with the leading spring link of the engine; they put on the brake, and did all they could do to stop the train. but were unable to effect their purpose. Very soon the engine left the rail, and rolled down the embankment. At the inquest on Monday William Clayton, a servant of the company, who was also on the engine at the time of the accident, deposed:-"We were going at the ordinary spoed, say thirty-five miles an hour. 150 yards before the engin was off the line the adjusting link of the left-hand spring broke, which would cause the engine to ride on the axlebox; and before she went off she jumped badly. We saw the spring broken; it hung over the framing, the break was put on, and she left the rails after going about 150 yards." Mr. M'Connell, the engineer of the line, said that the engine was one of Sharp's and in good repair. The reason of the engine going off the line seemed to be beyond the comprehension of the witnesses, who had known spring links to break, but not for an engine to leave the rail in consequence; it would be more likely to keep it on the line. The part of the road where the accident took place is level; there is a curve, the radius of which is threequarters of a mile, on the spot. The inquest was adjourned till to-day (Friday) for further scientific evidence.---A most gratifying reception was given to Sir William Armstrong, when, on Monday afternoon, for the first time since he received his knighthood, he visited the Elswick works at Newcastle. His men all assembled and congratulated him in an enthusiastic but respectful manner. Sir William arrived in his carriage, accompanied by Lady Armstrong, and on entering the gates to the yard in which the workmen were assembled, was received with loud and enthusiastic cheering. In addition also to gentlemen of local distinction, there was a considerable muster of ladies present. The extensive works were gaily decorated with flags, &c. Cannon boomed from various parts, until from a temporary platform, an address from the managers and workmen was read and presented to their distinguished employer. Among other terms of felicitation, the men thus addressed Sir William :-"We who have occasionally been permitted to witness your indomitable perseverance in pursuing your experiments under most perplexing circumstances with the most extraordinary zeal and energy, and have observed how frequently your disappointments or failures have been made the key to the successful attainment of your purpose, have become involuntarily interested in your most triumphant success, and do most sincerely rejoice that to some extent the value of your invention and services are recognized by the government of our country." Sir William, in his reply, intimated that the skilled artizans of the locality would, he hoped, be benefitted by his success, and ordered an entertainment for the men, which is yet to come off.At the half-yearly meeting of the Sunderland Dock Company, on Monday, Mr. G. Hudson, M.P., the Chairman of the Directors, explained the present position of the undertaking, and the terms upon which it was proposed to transfer it to the hands of the River Wear Commission. There was no dividend proposed to the original proprietors, the dividend on the preference shares requiring all the profits; but, though some discussion took place, the feeling was hopeful, the report was unanimously adopted. A series of ward meetings are being held in Birmingham to promote a movement for raising by the 1st of June the sum of £10,000, in order to secure Aston Hall and park to the people of the town.-It is announced that the sum of £4,200 has already been collected in furtherance of the ensuing annual meeting at Warwick of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. It has been resolved to have no pavilion dinner on the occasion.-At Blackburn Messrs. Richard Thompson and Sons are erecting a new spinning mill, to contain 38,000 spindles, with preparations. The situation is close to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Throstle Nest Mill, which has been standing for nearly two years, the machinery being sold, was last week purchased by Messrs. Robert and John Railton, ironfounders, and will be got to work as speedily as possible. This was the only mill in the town standing through the late depression in trade. The Oriental Inland Steam Company have concluded contracts for two new steamers and two new trains of barges, consisting in all of twelve vessels of large size. These vessels will at an early period be added to the other vessels of the Company already in India, for navigating the great rivers of that country. The engines of the new vessels, which will be high-pressure engines, are intended to work to 800 horses' power.Acting in unison with the Yorkshire colliers, the colliers of South Staffordshire are making vigorous preliminary efforts to secure numerous signatures to their nine hours' petition.-All the Stafford operatives in the boot trade, who form part of unions, have struck work, in consequence of their masters issuing machine-bound tops. Nearly 500 men have left the town "on tramp" in one day. As many as have left remain; and as they are unconnected with the union, they are expected to help the masters to introduce the machinery. NOTES FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICTS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Chelmsford Water Supply-Testimonialising a Locomotive Superintendent-Screw Steamers for the Greenland Seal Fishery-Vernatt's Drain-Baths at Lincoln-Ancaster Stone --- Singular Memorial Tower-A Challenge on Draining- The Dams in the Nene and the Wisbech Authorities-The New Telegraph through Newmarket. In recent "Notes" allusion has been made to steps taken at Chelmsford with reference to the improvement of the water supply of that place. The committee of the Local Board of Health to whom the subject was referred have considered the report presented by Mr. Chancellor, their surveyor; and the result of their deliberations is, the expression of an opinion that the supply of the town is at present inadequate, and that it would be desirable, if possible, to procure an additional quantity of water from springs below the property of the Board in Hall-street. Mr. Kitson, locomotive superintendent of the Cambridge division of the Eastern Counties Railway, is about to leave England for Belgium. On Monday evening, Mr. Kitson was testimonialised by the men employed in his department. Two screw steamers have left Hull for the Greenland seal fishery, viz., the Labuan, of 1,000 tons, and the Corkscrew, of 400 tons. A large concourse of personsupwards of 10,000-witnessed the departure of the steamers. -Vernatt's drain in the Spalding district is about to be widened and deepened from end to end.Steps are being taken to promote public baths at Lincoln. Mr. Denison, M.P., in announcing the completion of St. James's church at Doncaster, observes in a letter to the Great Northern board:-"It is probable that the pleasing effect of the Ancaster stone in this church, together with its great facility of working and its durability (testified by many of the old Lincolnshire churches), will bring it into use in districts from which it had been excluded until the opening of the Sleaford line lately brought the Ancaster quarries into connection with the Great Northern Railways."-The Rev. E. Bull, rector of Pentlow, is erecting as a memorial to his father and predecessor, the Rev. J. Bull, an octagonal tower in the Tudor style. The site is an elevated spot in the rectory grounds, and the material employed is red brick with white dressings. The diameter at the base is 16 feet, and the structure will taper to the height of 60 ft., where it will be contracted to a diameter of 10 feet. It will then rise perpendicularly 30 feet higher, making a total elevation of 90 feet. The tower will be lighted on the sides by lancet windows, and will be surmounted by a machicolated cornice and embattled parapet; and a spiral staircase will ascend in the interior to the summit, from which the visitor will doubtless be ready to exclaim "Straight my eye hath caught fresh pleasures When the fandskip round it measures." -The Huntingdonshire farmers have thrown down the gauntlet and challenge the United Kingdom to enter into a competition for pipe-tile draining 4 feet deep.-The Nene Valley Commissioners have been foiled in their application to the Court of Chancery for an injunction to restrain the Wisbech town council from further interference with the dams in the river Nene, Vice-Chancellor Wood remarking that they had failed to show the necessity for the former, and observing that they did not give an undertaking for the completion of the original works. The commissioners, in consequence of this decision, have suspended the restoration of the dam at Gwyhirn.-The wires of the new telegraph system from the metropolis to the continent viâ the eastern coast are to be carried by the company (British and Irish Magnetic) in pipes under the main street at Newmarket for some considerable distance upon the London and Bury turnpikes. Some of the posts have been removed from the east entrance of the town as far as the exercising heath extends, in consequence, it is stated, "of the noise from the wires, &c., being objected to by owners and trainers of race-horses." NOTES FROM THE SOUTH WEST. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Cambridge Vairersity Non-Gremial Examinations: Meetings at Bristol.-Welsh and North of England Steam Coals.-Postal Communication between Ireland and Bristol.-Plymouth Grert Western Docks.-Salisbury and Yeovil Railway.-Portsmouth and the Admiralty.— New line of Steamers from Southampton to the United States. The Water Supply of Southampton.-Schooner for the Natal Trade. The West India Steamer Thames."-The Packet Service Estimates.-Bristol and South Wales Union Railway.-Speed of the "Ellora." THERE has been a very brilliant gathering at Bristol with reference to the non-gremial examinations of the University of Cambridge. A public meeting, presided over by Earl Ducie, was followed by a dinner, and the host of speeches delivered expressed cordial approval of the movement made by the university authorities to adapt their tem to the requirements of the age. An interesting age occurs in the half-yearly report of the Taff Vale ilway Company. It appears that the directors have been Glasgow customs revenue was £469 in 1800, £19,434 in 1810, £11,428 in 1820, £72,053 in 1830, £472,563 in 1840, £645,669 in 1850, and 803,356 in 1858.-The increase of Scottish railway traffic was £1,313, as compared with the corresponding period of 1858.- -The proprietors of the St. Rollox Ironworks have caused a telegraphic wire to be laid between their Glasgow establishment and the works at Motherwell. This is the first adoption of the private telegraph system in Glasgow.The Glasgow police committee have made arrangements for laying 1,800 additional me plugs in various parts of the city.The pig iron market was slightly lower towards the end of last week, but on Monday it was rather firmer, mixed ores being quoted 51s. 6d. to 51s. 9d.; No. 1 g. m. b., 50s. 6d. to 50s. 9d.; No. 3, 50s. 3d. to 50s. 6d.; Gartsherrie No. 1, 54s. 9d. to 55s.; American Brands No. 1, 52s. to 52s. 6d. Last week's shipments were 3,249 tons foreign, and 4,990 tons coastwise, making a total of 8,239 tons against 11,472 tons in the cor responding week of last year. Coals have continued in limited request both for shipping and home use.- -A Railway prior to its being inspected by the government, with a view to the opening for traffic. The run between Alford and Kintore occupied about 50 or 60 minutes.-A dispute has arisen between the Stirling and Dunfermline and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Companies, with reference to certain waste lands on the Stirling and Dunfermline line and along the branch to Tillicoutry. The extent in dispute is about 20 acres, and the Dunfermline Company maintain that in giving up their line to the Edinburgh and Glasgow Company they did not also give up to them the land in question. The difference has been referred to arbitration.The Lords of the Admiralty have assented to the works proposed to be carried out under the provisions of the Kirkwall Harbour Bill, on condition that plans, sections, and working drawings are approved by them before the commencement of operations. This is the usual stock condition. appealed to by the Aberdare Steam Coal Association for | pecuniary assistance to enable them to conduct a series of experiments by competent and authorised Government officers, for ascertaining the comparative values of Welsh and North of England steam coals, and that a subscription of £250 has been made by the railway company. The results of the experiments are not yet officially announced, but it is stated that they confirm the report made to Parlia ment on the subject some time since by Sir Henry de la Beche and Dr. Lyon Playfair.-Postal communication is about to be accelerated between Bristol and Ireland.At the half-yearly meeting of the Bristol and Exeter Railway Company, the chairman referring to the Great Western Docks at Plymouth, said that property had been for many years in a state of almost hopeless depression, but he was happy to say there was now a great change. The floating dock had been completed, and the shipping interest was likely to avail itself of the accommodation to a greater extent than was anticipated.Mr. Brunel, C.E., in reporting to the proprietors of the Plymouth Great Western Docks says the works undertaken last year for the protee-party of gentlemen have passed over the Alford Valley tion of the outer forestead of the old Millbay pier, and the temporary means adopted for securing the masonry of the sea-wall have hitherto proved effectual to preserve the works from injury during storms. Some more permanent remedy will, however, Mr. Brunel adds, be required to make the works completely secure. The pontoon or floating pier continues in a satisfactory condition. During the last half-year considerable progress has been made in the construction of works consisting of a sea wall-and pitched slope on both sides of the entrance gates, for protecting the sea-face of the inner or floating basin. The entrance gates continue to work well, and being now protected by At storm gates have suffered no injury from heavy seas. the graving dock a large pumping engine for emptying the dock has been put to work, and has been for some time in use; but the dock has been so much occupied during the winter that it has been difficult to determine with certainty what steps may be required to remove some impediments in the action of the pumps, which appear to interfere with the smoothness of the engine's working. At the entrance to the outer basin, between the dam heads, it will be desirable to proceed with the construction of the dolphin or extension of the east dam head. Increase of business has rendered necessary the erection of several new warehouses.The portion of the Salisbury and Yeovil Railway between Salisbury and Gillingham is expected to be opened for traffic in the course of a month, and working arrangements are being negociated with the London and South Western. The completion of the line to Yeovil, so as to enable it to be opened simultaneoufly with the London and South-Western extension to Exe-The ter, is to be pressed forward as fast as possible.Admiralty authorities have made an adverse report on the Portsmouth New Dock and Railway Bill.-Another line of first-class screw steamers is about to be established between Southampton and the United States, the American Government having given a mail contract to the vessels of the North German Lloyds, running between Bremen and New York and calling at Southampton either way for French and English mails and passengers.-The special works committee of the Southampton Town Council are making inquiries with the view of checking the waste of water continually occurring through the neglect of owners and tenants not having their water taps and fittings kept in good repair. A brig of 175 tons, 104 feet in length, and 20 feet beam, has been launched by Mr. G. Lungley at Northam for the Natal trade.-Mr. West, late chief officer of the West India Mail Company's steamer Thames, has been appointed commander. The Thames is to be employed on one of the inter-colonial lines.The total esti-propellers for propelling the same. mate for the Post Office packet service for 1859 is £991,596 against £988,488 in 1858.Considerable progress is being made with the works of the Bristol and South Wales Union Railway.The Ellora, a recent addition to the tion Company, made her trial trip in Stoke's Bay on Saturday, previous to her departure for Marseilles, where she is to relieve the Eurine, ordered home for repairs. The average speed attained was 11-229 miles an hour, the maximum with the tide being 13.235 and the minimum splendid fleet of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Naviga against the tide 9-118. The Ellora has been fitted with Lamb and Summer's boilers. NOTES FROM SCOTLAND. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Steamers for Copenhagen: Other Shipbuilding-State of Trade in Clackmannanshire and Fifeshire-The Growth of Glasgow Scottish Railway Traffic-Private Telegraphs-Additional Fire Plugs for Glasgow-The Pig Iron and Coal Trades-Alford Valley Railway-Railway Dispute-Kirkwall Harbour Bill. MESSES. CAIRD and Co., Greenock, have just launched a screw steamer of 300 tons, for a Copenhagen firm. She has been named the Freia, and will be propelled by a pair of full-powered direct acting engines, her speed being anticipated at 11 knots an hour. Messrs. Caird and Co. will also launch in about a week a paddle steamer for the same owner, to be named the Aalborg, and to be fitted with engines of 60-horse power. Messrs. Denny, Brothers, Dumbarton, have received an order for an iron tug intended for the navigation of the Indian rivers. Messrs. J. Reid and Co., Port Glasgow, have contracted for building two large steamers, including ten barges, for the Oriental Steam Company.It is stated that the woollen manufacturers of Clackmannanshire have not enjoyed so prosperous a season as the present for many years. Trade in Fifeshire, on the other hand, is reported to be languid. "Mill spinners," says a local journal, “are adopting measures for lessening the production of yarns, and many mills are now open only four days a week. In linens, very few transactions have been conducted."From some interesting tables prepared by Mr. Andrew Scott, late of Her Majesty's Customs, it appears that the Patents for Inventions. PROVISIONAL PROTECTIONS. Dated October 19, 1858. 2328. E. Walker, of London-st. An improved filter. A communication. Dated December 27, 1858. 2960. J. Davies, of Liverpool, Provision Merchant. An improved portable self gas generating lamp. A communica tion from J. L. Butler, of Brooklin. Dated January 14, 1859. 123. M. A. F. Mennons, of Paris. A new or improved time-measurer. A communication from P. Perelli-Ercolini. Dated January 19, 1859. 158. J. Thornton, of Cleckheaton, Machine Maker. Improvements in carding engines. Dated January 20, 1859. 175. T. Greenwood and J. Batley, of Leeds, Machine Makers. An improvement in the process of gassing textile fabrics. A communication from H. Van den Berghe, of Courtrai, Belgium. Dated February 4, 1859. 314. M. Smith, of Heywood, Machine Maker. Certain improvements in looms for weaving. 328. J. Honeyman, of Glasgow, Miller. Improvements in the construction of ships, vessels, and boats, and in 330. W. Clark, of Chancery-lane. Improvements in the means or apparatus for preserving grain, flour, eggs, and other vegetable and animal substances. A communication from L. J. Chateau, of Paris. 355. J. Aspinall, of Great Tower-st., Civil Engineer. An improvement in the refining of sugar. 357. A. Clark, of Gate-st., Lincoln's-inn, Engineer. Improvements in revolving shutters and blinds, and in apparatus connected therewith. 359. T. S. Cressey, of Homerton. Improvements in machinery used in the manufacture of casks. Dated February 9, 1859. 361. E. Wilkins, of Camberwell-road, Gentleman. Improvements in flower vases. 362. J. S. Joseph, of Rhostyllan, near Wrexham. Improvements in coke ovens, and in cooling and extinguishing coke. 363. W. Archer, of Belton, Jacquard Machine Maker. Certain improvements in Jacquard machines. 364. II. Jefferies, of Birmingham, Button Maker. An improvement in castors. |