substances, in a liquid state, in conjunction||while the latter have to pay three per.ce or reached the bottom of the latter, a portion of with water, ignition, combustion, and decompo- more per mile, which alone, as I have shown the machine, called the clotch, from age and sition, in the manner before described." above, is equal to the whole cost of the wear, gave way, and this causing the blower steam coach's propelling power-the fuel! out of order, the machine in a short time had BRISTOL AND LONDON RAILWAY.-A Com- Lord Althorp positively assured us, in the to be stopped, but not the slightest injury was mittee of Deputies, appointed by the public bo- House of Commons, in July, 1832, that he done to the carriage or engines; and in the dies of Bristol, to consider of the expediency of the proposed Railway between that city and the exempted steam carriages on common roads course of the afternoon the carriage was remetropolis, have made so favorable a report from all tax, for the sake of encouragement moved to the yard of Messrs. Palmer & Co., upon it that at a public meeting of the inhabi- not that he was very sanguine as to their where the injury was repaired, and it was the tants, held on the 30th of July last, it was re-being speedily brought to answer.' As it intention of Mr. Hancock to drive through solved to establish a Company forthwith, to is, we pay turnpikes equal to a four-horse the town on Friday.-[Bell's Messenger of carry the project into effect. The Railway will carriage, although we have no horses' feet September 15.] be from 115 to 120 miles in length, and is esti- to pound up the road, and our broad vertical mated to cost £2,805,320. It will go right to through Bath, after quitting which it will pass cylindrical wheels do more good than harm. near Chippenham, Wootten Basset, Swindon, London Spectator of Sept. 14.] Wantage, Abingdon, Pangbourn, and Reading, and terminate either at Paddington or some part of the southern bank of the Thames, as may be hereafter determined. The engineers employed in the preliminary surveys are Mr. Brunel and Mr. Townsend. A STEAM CARRIAGE TRIP TO BRIGHTON. APPLICATION OF STEAM.-An advertiser in the Louisville Advertiser, signed A. B. C., thus announces his pretensions: "After a most persevering study in chemistry for 25 On Wednesday morning, shortly after five years, and mechanical philosophy, I have aro'clock, Mr. Walter Hancock, the patentee rived at the conclusion, that Captain Savaof the Paddington Steam Omnibus, started ry Fitch, Oliver Evans, Watts and Bolton, from his factory at Stratford, in Essex, with Ericsson, Braithwaite, Stevenson, of Manhis steam-carriage "Infant," for Brighton. chester, Robert L. Stevens, of New-York, TRAVELLING BY STEAM ON COMMON On arriving at London-bridge, he (Mr. Han- and all the other engineers of science, theoROADS.-On Saturday morning, September cock) was joined by six gentlemen, his friends, ry, and practice, with Perkins, of London, 7th, a steam carriage, constructed by Colonel who took their seats in the carriage, and at and Dupin, have been entirely on the wrong Macerone and Mr. Squire, started from the six o'clock, the word “ ready" being given, scent or pursuit for power. Therefore, 1 wharf, No. 19, at Paddington, with a view the carriage, which was guided by Mr. Han-deem it essential to say, I have found the of running to Windsor and back. The car- cock himself, proceeded at a most rapid rate, fulcrum of Archimedes brought by Thales riage contained, including Col. Macerone, and reached Brighton without the slightest acto me- -I shall move a common steamboat at Mr. Squire, who guided it, and two working cident or obstruction. It was at first the in-a velocity of 15 miles per hour, on rivers— engineers, one to look after the fire behind, tention of Mr. Hancock to have returned I will move a 60 gun battery of 42 pounders, and one riding on the box before, eleven from Brighton on the same day; but owing in 12 feet water, at 12 miles per hour, for napersons, and might weigh about three tons to the want of proper arrangements on the tional defence, without the possibility of the and a half. The place of starting is about road, and being obliged to take up water at enemy injuring the vessel or machine—I will one mile from Hyde Park Corner, making whatever place it could be found, considera- cross the Atlantic in ten days in a Power the distance to Windsor twenty-four miles. ble time was lost. This circumstance, to-Packet, without stopping for fuel—I will asThe carriage reached the new Ian at Wind-gether with a wish on the part of the friends cend the river Mississippi at an average sor in two hours and fifty-six minutes. In- of the projector to stop a night at Brighton, speed of 134 miles per hour; and if only a cluding stoppages it went at the rate of induced Mr. Hancock to alter his intentions, passage boat, I will navigate the Ohio and nearly eight miles an hour; excluding the and he, with his friends, after one or two Mississippi, without freight, at 18 miles per stoppages, it travelled at the rate of twelve stages, determined on remaining at Brighton hour. I will contract to complete and permiles an hour. The time was carefully on that night. On Thursday, at twelve fect the improvement in any small boat, or marked between the mile-stones; and it o'clock, the carriage was propelled at a gen-large size boat, in two or three months. I was found that the speed was at the rate tle pace from the yard, where it had been am prepared to give satisfactory security and of ten, twelve, thirteen, eleven, and at one for the night, to the tank near the New sufficient guarantees to perform whatever time at fourteen miles per hour. On its Church, where it took in a necessary supply contract I make immediately, without defalreturn, the axle broke, and its progress was of water there. Several scientific gentle- cation. Reference to the Editor of the stopped; but this is an accident which can men then took their seats in the carriage, and Advertiser. be easily guarded against in future. The the steam being laid on the vehicle, set off at [We presume the respectable editor of the carriage with which this trip was made, con- a most rapid rate towards the Pavilion, and, Advertiser is satisfied that these assertions sisted of an open chariot placed before a having passed several of the leading streets, are correct, or he would not allow his name steam boiler. The merit of the invention reached the West Cliff in a few minutes, and to be used. We must confess that we are consists, we understand, in the boiler. The passed along it in the most gallant style, the somewhat incredulous about them, and should engine is of the high pressure kind, and has houses on each of the street and the streets be much gratified to be able to lay before generally been worked at the pressure of through which it passed being lined with our readers something more substantial than one hundred and fifty pounds to the square crowds of spectators. After passing along the mere assertions of an anonymous adver, inch; but on the trip to Windsor the pres- Bedford and Russell squares, and just as it had"tiser.-ED. MECH. MAG.] sure was not equal to that. The whole of the machinery, except the boiler and fire. place, which are behind the chariot, is placed horizontally beneath the carriage, and between a strong frame of wood-work. The size of the whole is not greater than that of an omnibus, and the carriage is capable of being made ornamental. Colonel Macerone, in a letter to the Morning Chronicle, says: "I do not know what it may cost to work Steamboats with Paddles in the Stern. By principle, with tubes running through the other steam carriages, but it is essential that J. F. B. [From the London Mechanics' length of it. It is a high pressure one, and you should be informed that, in our journey Magazine.] of precisely the same construction as those to Windsor and back, (forty-eight miles,) we SIR,-There is a small boat now fitting of the railway locomotives. B B, two ten did not consume so much as five sacks of up in this port which is intended for the use boxes cylinders, working by means of cranks. coke; which, at two shillings a sack, makes of our Belgian neighbors; and as it is en-C C, the paddle-wheel, placed in the stern of ten shillings, the expense of propelling a tirely different in construction from any the vessel. carriage which is capable of carrying many have yet seen, be kind enough to insert the more passengers, besides luggage, than a following description of it in your useful Magazine. four-horse stage-coach." He also adds, in allusion to the comparative cost of running steam or horse carriages: "The former are exempt from all tax, The vessel is made of iron, except the upper works above water mark; is 76 feet long, 14 feet 10 inches broad, and draws about 2 feet 4 inches water. She is steered by two rudders, D D, on each side of the A is the boiler, on Messrs. Stephensons' cavity for the reception of the paddle-wheel; J. F. B. Your obedient servant, and the steering wheel is at E, in the centre of the vessel, before the engine house. In a late trial she went 7 miles in 33 mi There are those to whom this subject is more! The following notice of the retirement of familiar to them the stockholders and the JOHN 1. MUMFORD, Esq. from the editorial chair public generally look with confidence for a cor- of the New York Standard, should have ap. rect decision. Let Massachusetts have her nutes, tide in favor. The steam was not up due weight in this question. Let her interests peared in the Journal of last week. It was at its full height, nor were the paddle-boards deep enough. be fairly considered, especially when natural however, inadvertently omitted. As an editor, [From the National Gazette.] [From the Boston Daily Advertiser of 22d ult.] steamboats. wind and waves. JOHN 1. MUMFORD. The connexion of the subscriber with the New-York Standard, which has subsisted for more than three years, is dissolved, and he reDirectors of the P. &. B. Railroad to pause and hull, of which the timbers for a sufficient distance ty, he has endeavored to bear himself faithfully The boilers are to be situated either outside of the turns to private life. Amid the conflicts of parreflect before they decide on locating the south-are to be carri d up as in a double decker, or other and fearlessly in advocacy of the principles of ern termination of this important public work, wise they are to be situated as near as possible to the party with which he enlisted, and which within the boundaries of Massachusetts. Con- the outside, in a niche or chamber made for the pur- has signally triumphed over all opposition. curring with the writer of that article, in re- pose. If a niche be deemed preferable, between the He preferred courtesy to rudeness, towards garding the question as one of vital interest, boilers and the interior of the steamer it is proposed even the most reckless of personal and politi and involving, in a very considerable degree, to have a strong partition made water tight. In either cal opponents; and though at one time comthe eventual success and prosperity of the work, case, towards the water, and fore and aft, there should pelled to violence of invective and severity of and, moreover, feeling a deep solicitude in its be a frame and weather boarding, having no more speedy and satisfactory completion, I propose strength than necessary as a defence against the rain, rebuke, he had no relish for such course, and to offer a few thoughts, which have occurred This framing should be arched, or rejoiced when the guns of the enemy were sito me in an attentive study of the subject, as the outside may tend to fasten it, while to a pressure folds of the Standard. So long a connexion convex outwards with hinges, so that a pressure from lenced, and he was able to repose under the connected, not only with its independent inter- from within it may offer a resistance comparatively with a paper of the character of the Standard, ests, but also its relations with the Stonington slight. Doors for closing the passages between the naturally leaves with him a desire for its pros. road, and the New-York and Providence niche and the deck might be similarly contrived, perity and continued usefulness; and, on the so as to shut like valves in case of an explosion. dissolution of that connexion, he desires to exThe writer of the article in the Journal has, It is presumed that in all cases of explosion, the pro-press his gratitude to the personal friends who it appears to me, rather hastily entered his pro-jectile power will be most exerted in those directions assisted in its establishment, and to the great test against locating the southern terminus in in which there is least resistance. It is only on this body of the Republican party, the friends of the Massachusetts, and without recollecting that principle that it can be safe to fire a gun-the bullet National and State administrations, who nobly there are always two sides to every story. yields, while the breech-pin is undisturbed. Before The people of Massachusetts have, as well as the bulwark between the boiler and the interior of sustained him even in the most gloomy periods their brethren in Rhode Island, an interest in the boat would give way, the external defences of of his existence. New-York, 18th Oct. 1833. this question, which it may be well worth while the space occupied by the boiler, and even the boiler to examine; and as a stockholder and nat.ve itself, would go overboard. Neither the steam, the of that state, I do not feel willing to see their scalding water, nor the fragments, could reach the CURIOUS FACTS AND EXPERIMENTS.—The interest prejudiced in favor of their neighbors passengers. "Philosophical Transactions" contain a very on the other side of Narraganset; and again, It is conceived that the effect of the deck in pro- curious paper on hybernation, from the pen the southern termination of the road within the tecting those who were in the lower cabins on board of Dr. Marshall Hall. From the fact that territories of Massachusetts, does not, by any late catastrophe, sufficiently demonstrates the seof the steamboat New England, at the period of the the peculiar cou.dition of certain mammalia means, offer the local obstacles which the eurity which may be afforded by a stout bulwark. in the winter season, in other words, the writer in the Journal seems to apprehend. I presume that the advantage of having the advisable to specify the means which would be re- so striking an analogy to ordinary sleep, as In making this brief exposition, it is not deemed state of hybernation of these animals, bears entire road within the jurisdiction of one state, commended for the purpose of forming and securing to justify the expectation of some interesting and thereby placing it beyond the control of the competent bulwark. No doubt is entertained of results being deduced from considering the legislative acts of any other state, avoiding the their efficiency. many inconveniences inseparable fro:n a want two in connection, the learned doctor has of harmony in the operations of two distinct) paid very minute attention to the state of the legislatures, will be acceded to at once. Having IMPROVED RAILWAY.-We have been fa-hedgehog, dormouse, and bat, during sleep, in view, then, that the accommodation of the vored with a sight of the model of a new and he has come to a conclusion respecting road will be greatly facilitated by locating its mode of railway conveyance, which, if it which does not appear to be consistent line within the boundaries of this state, and also, the fact, that the objections urged by the brought into use, will present extraordinary with the testimony of former observers. He writer in the Journal, of "increased distance advantages to the public. It is on the prin-states that the animal, in ordinary sleep, exand ferry transportation" are not of a serrious ciple of the Saxton locomotive pulley, and periences a striking diminution of the power character, the question only remains, what according to the calculations of the project. of respiration: that the acts of breathing be. point on the Massachusetts side of the bay is or, who is an engineer of some celebrity, come less; and that its temperature de. best adapted to accommodate the public gene- the average rate of travelling will be nearly creases many degrees below the average of rally, the city of Providence and the New-York thirty miles an hour on a light railway laid what it is in the active state of the animal. travel and transportation, via Stonington | upon the ordinary road, without requiring Its capability of enduring the abstraction of In answering this question, it appears to me the least expenditure for levelling, so that the the atmospheric air is increased to a corres. there can be but one question. Kettle's Point|| a offers, in an easy water approach for the Newcost per mile, instead of being £200,000, as ponding extent. Such is the character of York steamboats, and natural advantages for it is on the railways now in use, will be only the natural sleep of hybernating animals, and constructing the road itself, a strong induce £5000. According to the proposed plan, a it is distinguished from hybernation only in ment; which in addition to its near proxi-horse, walking at the rate of 2 miles an hour the degree in which the symptoms of the ormity to Field's Point, on the opposite shore, over a distance of only one hundred yards,dinary sleep are developed. In this case, where the terminus of the Stonington road may will be able to draw a light carriage, contain- that is, in true hybernation, the function of be very advantageously located, renders it far ing four persons, a distance of more than respiration is nearly altogether suspended; superior to any spot within the possible sphere of location. To the people of Massachusetts 1,600 yards in the same period of time as at least the phenomena which result from such a location is desirable, and may well that occupied by the animal in performing experiments on animals during hybernation awaken their attention to the subject-the ma- its own distance. The carriage, on arrivare all confirmatory of such a conclusion. terials for building, both of wood and stone, ing at the end of a mile, will be carried by The doctor has shown, likewise, that the air are abundant--wharves, and every other facility mechanism from the truck on which it is which surrounded the animal whilst in the for commercial pursuits, can be easily con- placed to another truck in waiting to receive hybernating state yielded, at most, but very structed the water access is easy; and with it, and the same will be done from mile to slight signs of any absorption being expethese advantages, why may not the enterprising mile to the end of the journey, each succeed-rienced by it. He placed a bat in a contri citizens of our state locate at Kettle's Point a town, which, at no very distant day, shall rivaling carriage being drawn in a manner si-vance so constructed as to be capable of inProvidence, and give to Massachusetts a sumilar to the first, until the whole train shall dicating the minutest amount of the absorp perior influence on the waters of Narraganset have passed over the railway.-[London pa- tion of gas. In the interval of 60 hours, Bay, by which its shores are bounded? per.] after a most carefully conducted experiment, he found that three-quarters of a cubic inch; cloth, and leave it until early in the morning.heart in the other. The object is learnedly of gas had been absorbed. The amount of At seven o'clock, A. M., the beat of both treated by Dr. Hall, and is well worthy the the diminution in the quantity of gas required sides of the heart still continued. They still attention of scientific men. by the hybernating animal may be estimated continued to move at 10 A. M., each auricle by stating that the average consumption ne-and each ventricle contracting quite discessary to him in the active state would be tinctly. CURIOUS CLOCK.-The most curious thing in the cathedral of Lubeck is a clock of sin Over the face of SEA-WEED BANKS.-The Sargassum vul an equal quantity of gas in about half the "At half past 11 A. M., all were equally gular construction, and very high antiquity. above number of minutes. In the process motionless; yet all equally contracted on be. It is calculated to answer astronomical purfor determining the absorption of hybernating ing stimulated by the point of a pen-knife. poses, representing the places of the sun animals, the nicest precautions are demand. At noon the ventricles were alike unmoved, and moon in the ecliptic, the moon's age, ed. Whilst the air to be respired is secured on being irritated as before; but both auri-a perpetual almanac, and many other conThe clock, as an inscription against any addition, it is likewise necessa-cles contracted. Both auricles and ventri. trivances. ry to ascertain constantly the comparative cles were shortly afterwards irritable." A sets forth, was placed in the church upon temperature of the animal and of the atmo- few weeks after this experiment, the spinal Candlemas-day in 1405. sphere. The author recommends that the marrow of another hedgehog, in a state of it appears an image of our Saviour, and on experimentor should obtain a mahogany box, activity, was simply divided at the occiput; either side of the image are folding doors, so constructed as to fly upon every day when At this hour, a set with a glass lid, divided horizontally at its the result was, that the beat of the left venmiddle part by a fold of strong ribbon, and tricle of the heart ceased almost immediate the clock strikes twelve. of figures representing the twelve apostles of such dimensions as just to contain the ani-ly; that of the left auricle in less than a mal. The bat is then to be placed upon the quarter of an hour; the right ventricle did come out from the door on the left hand of ribbon, and enclosed by fixing the lid in its not cease to beat before two hours from the the image, and pass by in review before it, place. A thermometer with a cylindrical time of death, whilst the right auricle ceased each figure making its obeisance by bowing bulb is then to be passed through an orifice long before, though not so soon as the left as it passes that of our Saviour, and afterwards entering the doors on the right hand. made in the box, on a level with the ribbon, auricle. The conclusions, then, which we When the procession terminates, the doors under the epigastrium of the animal, and left are entitled to draw from these facts, are, in this situation. The thermometer should that the irritability of the heart is strikingly close.-[Clarke's Travels in Scandinavia.] be so placed as to be seen without disturbing increased in prolonged lethargy; and that in the inmate, whilst its indications can be com- this state of the animal system the action of pared with those of another thermometer the heart continues without any dependence gare, the tropic grape of sailors, and the Fucus natans of the older writers, is worthy athung up in the room to express the variations the functions of the brain or spinal marin the temperature of the atmospheric air. row. The general opinion hitherto has been, tention, not only from its wandering habits, The doctor adds, that the layer of silk and that during hybernation the sensibility of the quitting as it does the submarine soil to which it probably in its early stage is attached, but the portion of air underneath are sufficient animal is greatly impaired. The contrary to protect the animal from the immediate in- is maintained by Dr. Hall, on the evidence also for the astonishing profusion in which it so frequently is found. It only grows within fluence of the temperature of the table, or of his own senses, for the slightest touch ap- forty degrees of latitude on either side of whatever may be the support of the box. plied to one of the spines of the hedgehog, the equator, but currents often cast it on our The phenomena of hybernation prove beyond during hybernation, is sufficient to rouse it, coast. It is a remarkable circumstance in all doubt the power of the animals who under-and induce it to draw a deep respiration. the history of this plant, that it is chiefly logo it to sustain with impunity the privation The same respiration holds good with recaled in its position, even when detached, of the atmospheric air. But the most extra-spect to the power of the animal to use its ordinary feature in this general fact is, that muscles. This remains perfectly unimpair-forming two great banks, one of which is the exercise of this power is limited exclu-ed, and when there is insensibility or stiff. usually crossed by vessels homeward bound from Monte Video, or the Cape of Good sively to the term of hybernation for Dr. ness, then the animal is in a state of torpor, Hope; and so constant are they in their Again, though reM. Hall placed a dormant bat in water, in but not of hybernation. which it remained immersed for eleven mi-spiration is nearly suspended, the circulation places, that they assist the Spanish pilots to nutes, and came out uninjured; whilst a still goes on; but, as it is of venous charac- rectify their longitude. It is probable that hedgehog, in the active condition of its exister, and as it wants the usual impulse, Dr. these banks were known to the Phoenicians, in three minutes, the ordinary time in which mal life which is lower than that of the rep-Sea;" and to the present day, by the Spantence, was put in the same element, and died Hall assigns it to a place in the scale of ani- who in thirty days' sail with an easterly wind, came into what they called the "Weedy drowning kills mammalia. In a paper pre- tiles. The phenomena which are thus pre-ards and Portuguese, the chief tract is vious to the present one, the same author sented come before us in a series of facts, men'ed. had shown that in those cases in which the which it would be difficult for us to believe, named Mar de Zargasso. It was the enteramount of respiration is small, the degree of if they were not put beyond all dispute by ing of such fields of fucus as these that first discoverers of America; for sailing irritability is high, and that, consequently, undoubted evidence. Anatomy and patholo struck so much terror into the minds of the during the state of hybernation, the irritabi-gy alone can explain the strange process, lity of the animal is very sensibly aug- by describing the increased irritability of tardily through extensive meadows for days together, the sailors of Columbus superstithe left side of the heart. A very important signed by heaven to stay their adventurous Now, if this reasoning were correct, it distinction is drawn by Dr. Hall, between tiously believed that the hindrance was decourse: hence they wildly urged their comwould necessarily follow, that, if the head of true hybernation and torpor. Torpor may an animal were suddenly removed, and the be produced by cold in any animal, and is heat of the heart observed afterwards, that attended by a benumbed state of the senti-mander to proceed no further, declaring that heat would be found to continue longer if the ent nerves, and a stiffened condition of the through the banks thus woven by nature, it would be presumptuous impiety to force a But hyexperiment were tried in the hybernating muscles; it is the product of cold. state, than when it was done in the active bernation is limited to a certain number of way.-[Burnett's Outlines of Botany.] The vintage in France this year is one of the best condition of the animal. This result would animals; in it sensibility and power of moundoubtedly show that irritability did increase tion remain unimpaired; its phenomena are that has been known for several years past. The when the respiration was diminished. The produced through the medium of sleep. The quality of the wines is almost equal to that of the fact was placed beyond all doubt by Dr. M. nature of hybernation is determined, in a celebrated year of the comet, whilst the quantity is "On great measure, by the fact, that all hyber-much larger, and even beyond that of what is called an average year. It is expected that there will be a Hall, in the following experiment: March 9th, soon after midnight, I took a nating animals avoid exposure to intense fall of about 20 per cent. in the prices of the finer dehedgehog, which had been in a state of unin-cold; but choose a retreat, make nests or scription of wines. In Champagne already the wines terrupted lethargy during 150 hours, and di-burrows, congregate sometimes in clusters. which were sold at 50 francs per dozen are now offervided the spinal marrow just below the occi- The instinct by which the animals are led to ed for thirty, and the commoner sorts of Champagne as 72s. per dozen, are offered at 27 francs, delivered put; I then removed the brain, and destroy- make use of precautions is in connection wine, which are frequently sold in England as high ed the whole spinal marrow as gently as with the law which requires that the change at Calais. This is something under 2s. per bottle; possible. The action of the heart continued from the condition of hybernations to that of and, adding the duty and all other expenses, Chamvigorous during four hours, when seeing no activity shall be slow and gradual, in as much pagne wine, equal to three fourths of what is drunk dozen. The Rhenish wines will be also very good prospect of a termination to the experiment, as the state of the blood in one condition is in London, may be had for less than two guineas per I resolved to envelope the animal in a wet compatible with the peculiar power of the and abundant this year. Apparatus for Setting in Motion, Stopping,||ing the starting box into the position of the Fig. 3 is a side, and fig. 4 an end elevation, SIR,-To be able to set on, stop, or re-gear. verse the motion in coal pit, steamboat, and locomotive engines, without shifting the hand from one lever to another, enables the person in attendance to effect his purposes in less time and with more certainty. Fig. 1 is an elevation, and fig. 2 a ground plan, of a very simple apparatus for effecting the above ends, applied to a common low pressure steam engine. f 4. a JAMES WHITELOW. 1 of the surrounding atmosphere. Therefore, were water raised into vapor, by the heat of 300 degrees, it must be immediately condensed by the sudden change of temperature, and descend before it had risen to the height of one hundred yards, much less rise into the highest regions of the atmosphere, and remain there. for a length of time, and then form clouds, and so produce rain, as witness the steam arising from the boiler of a steam engine, or the refrigeratory of a common alembic. Objection Fourth.-Experience has proved that we have the most rain in nights, and in winter, when, of course, it must be the coldest, as then the sun has the least influence. Objection Fifth.-There is no vapor arises from the water when the sun has the most influence; for place a looking-glass over a river, when the sun shines with his meridian force, and it will not so much as dim it; but when the sun is gone down, the vapor rises so as to be visible. Objection Sixth.-If the old theory be true, there would always be the most rain in the tropics, where the sun is vertical, which is not the fact.-[Field Naturalists' Magazine.] Babbage on the Economy of Manufactures. ON THE EFFECT OF TAXES AND OF LEGAL RE- cle, the ingenuity of those who make, and of 305. The effects of regulations of excise upon our home manufactures are often productive of inconvenience, and check in some measure the The same parts are marked by the same letters in both the plan and elevation. A is the cylinder; B, the nozzles; C, the wiper shaft; D, the wiper; a a, levers for working side rods, b, running along side the nozzles to the cross head, or top of valve rod. The starting bar, c, works on a centre, d, in the of this apparatus, where the starting bar wiper shaft, and is produced beyond it until works in a vertical direction, and is so sim. it meets the rod e, on which the pulley, f, is ple as to uced no description. The same at liberty to revolve or work lengthwise, to letters point out the same parts in figures allow the bell crank lever, g h i, always to and 2. Your obedient servant, rest in its groove. The lever, ghi, turns on a pin or stock fixed in the side of the cistern; the end, g, of this lever is a circle OBJECTIONS TO THE RECEIVED THEORY OF drawn from the centre of the wiper shaft, so RAIN.It is the received opinion that rain is that the lever will not move when the valve caused by the heat of the sun's rays raising is wrought by hand; the pulley, i, turns on the water in a state of vapor, into the higher natural progress of improvement. It is frethe other end, and lifts or lowers into gear regions of the atmosphere, and being there quently necessary, for the purposes of revenue, the eccentric rod, by a simple motion of the condensed by the cold, descends again, and to oblige manufacturers to take out a license, starting bar sidewise. The eccentric, b, is thus forms rain. and to compel them to work according to cerat liberty to make half a revolution on the Objection First.-That water requires a tain rules, and to make stated quantities at each cranking shaft, m, but is prevented from heat equal to sixty degrees of Fah. thermo- operation. When these quantities are large, turning more, by catches, no, fixed on the meter, to raise it into vapor, according to the as they usually are, they deter manufacturers shaft which works against the mug, p, cast commonly received opinion, when experience from making experiments upon new materials: on the eccentric, so that, in whichever way proves that we have the most rain when it they likewise prevent them from discovering, by trial, improved methods of conducting their the engine turns, one or other of the catch. stands below temperate, which is 55 deg.: for processes. Difficulties of this nature have oces on the crank shaft will work the eccentricnstanc, the snow in frost, and the rain after.curred in experimenting upon glass for optical so as to open and shut the valves at the pro. Objection Second. That when we have the purposes; and in this case, permission has been per time for the engines working in that di- greatest heat, with the largest loss of water, obtained by fit persons to make the experi rection. When the starting bar is in the po-we have the least rain, as witness every dry sition shown in the above sketch, the engine summer. keeper can work the valve so as to start the Objection Third.-When vapor is condensed engine in any direction, or stop it at any part into water, which it must be if exposed to an of the stroke he pleases. After the engine atmosphere colder than itself, it must imme is started in the direction wanted, the motion diately descend, as witness the dews; it being is continued in that direction by simply push.heavier in its specific gravity than the bulk ments, without the interference of the excise. It ought, however, to be remembered, that such permission, if frequently granted, might be abused; and that the greatest protection against such an abuse will be found in bringing the force of public opinion to bear upon scientific shillings per cwt. for the coarser papers. Twenty-eight shillings per cwt. for the finer, twenty-one men; and thus enabling the proper authorities,||circumstance is well calculated to promote a The bobbin-net machine occupies little space, although themselves but moderately conversant reasonable circumspection in such inquiries. and is, from that circumstance, well adapted for with science, to judge of the propriety of the "Do you happen to know any thing of an op.a domestic manufacture. It had also hitherto permission, by the public character of the ap- position from calico printers to the repeal of the yielded a very large profit: it was therefore not plicant. tax on printed calicoes! surprizing that, on the removal of the monopo306. From the evidence given, in 1808, be. "I have certainly heard of such an opposi-ly arising from this patent, a multitude of perfore the Committee of the House of Commons, tion, and I am not surprized at it. There are a sons became desirous of embarking in the on Distillation from Sugar and Molasses, it very few individuals who are, in fact, interested trade. The machines which already existed appeared that, by a different mode of working in the non-repeal of the tax. There are two were principally in the hands of the manufacfrom that prescribed by the Excise, the spirits classes of calico printers: one, who print their turers; but a kind of mania for obtaining them from a given weight of corn, which then pro- own cloth, send their goods into the market. seized on persons of all descriptions, who could duced eighteen gallons, might easily have been and sell them on their own account; they fre- raise a small capital; and, under its influence, increased to twenty gallons. Nothing more quently advance the duty to government, and butchers, bakers, small farmers, publicans, genwas required than to make what is called the pay it in cash before their goods are sold, but tlemen's servants, and, in some cases, even wash weaker: the consequence of which is that generally before the goods are paid for, being clergymen, became anxious to possess bobbinfermentation goes on to a greater extent. It most commonly sold on a credit of six months;uet machines. was stated, however, that such a deviation they are of course interested on that account, Some few machines were rented; but in would render the collection of the duty liable to as well as on others that have been stated, in most of these cases the workman purchased the great difficulties; and that it would not benefit the repeal of the tax. The other class of calico machine he employed, by instalments of from the distiller much, since his price was enhanced printers print the cloth of other people: they £3 to £6 weekly, for a six-quarter machine; to the customer by any increase of expense in print for hire, and on re-delivery of the cloth, and many individuals, unacquainted with the the fabrication. Here then was an instance in when printed, they receive the amount of the mode of using the machines so purchased, paid which a quantity, amounting to one-ninth of duty, which they are not called upon to pay to others of more experience for instructing them the total produce, was actually lost to the coun-government sooner, on an average, than nine in their use-£50 or £60 being sometimes givtry. A similar effect arises in the coal trade, weeks from the stamping of the goods. Where en for this instruction. The success of the first from the effect of a duty, for, according to the the business is carried on upon a large scale, speculators induced others to follow the examevidence before the House of Commons, it ap-the arrears of duty due to government often ple; and the machine-makers were almost overpears that a considerable quantity of the very amount to eight, or even ten thousand pounds, whelmed with orders for lacc-frames. Such best coal is actually wasted. The amount of and furnish a capital with which these gentle-was the desire to procure them, that many perwaste is very various in different mines, but in men carry on their business; it is not, there-sons deposited a large part, or the whole of the some cases it amounts to one-third. fore, to be wondered at that they should be op-price, in the hands of the frame-makers, in or307. The effects of duties upon the import of posed to the prayer of our petition." der to insure their having the earliest supply. foreign manufactures are equally curious. A 310. The policy of giving bounties, and of This, as might naturally be expected, raised the singular instance occurred in the article bar enforcing restrictions against foreign articles, price of wages amongst the workmen employed iron, which was liable to a duty of 140 per cent. which can be produced more cheaply in other in machine-making: and the effect was felt at ad valorem, on introduction into the United countries, is of a very questionable nature: and, a considerable distance from Nottingham, which States, whilst that upon hardware was 25 per except for the purpose of introducing a new was the centre of this mania. Smiths not used cent. In consequence of this tax, large quanti-manufacture in a country where there is not to fiat filing, coming from distant parts, earned ties of malleable iron rails for railroads were im- much commercial or manufacturing spirit, is from 30 to 42s. per week; finishing smiths, acported into America under the denomination of scarcely to be defended. All incidental modes customed to the work, gained from 3 to £4 per hardware; and the difference of 115 per cent. of taxing one class of the community, the con-week; the forging smith, if accustomed to his in duty more than counter-balanced the expense sumers, to an unknown extent, for the sake of work, gained from 5 to £6 per week, and some of fashioning the iron into rails prior to its im- supporting another class, the manufacturers, few earned £10 per week. In making what portation. who would otherwise abandon that mode of em-are technically called insides, those who were 308. Duties, drawbacks, and bounties, when ploying their capital, are highly objectionable. best paid were generally clock and watch maconsiderable in amount, are all diable to objec. One part of the price of any article which is sokers, from all the districts round, who received tions of a very serious nature, from the frauds produced consists of the expenditure, together from 3 to £4 per week. The setters-up perto which they give rise. It has been stated be-ith the ordinary profits of capital: the other sons, who put the parts of the machine together, fore Committees of the House of Commons, part of its price may be looked upon as charity, charged £20 for their assistance; and a sixthat calicoes, made up in the form and with the given to induce the manufacturer to continue quarter machine could be put together in a fortappearance of linen, have frequently been ex-an unprofitable use of his capital, in order to night or three weeks. ported for the purpose of obtaining the bounty. give employment to his workmen. Now, in Good workmen, being thus induced to desert The calico made up in this way sells at 1s. 4. many instances, if the actual amount of the lat-less profitable branches of their business, in orper yard, whereas linen of equal fineness is ter part of the price were known, the extent of der to supply this extraordinary demand, the worth from 2s. 8d. to 2s. 10d. per yard. It ap- the payment made by consumers, on account masters, in other trades, soon found their men peared from the evidence that one house in six of restrictions only, would astonish even those months sold five hundred such pieces. who advocate them; and it would be evident to both parties, that the employment of capital in that particular trade ought to be abandoned. leaving them, without being aware of the immediate reason: some of the more intelligent, In all cases heavy duties, or prohibitions, are however, ascertained the cause, and went from ineffective, as well as injurious: for unless the Birmingham to Nottingham, in order to ex?articles excluded are of very large dimensions, 311. The restriction of articles produced in a mine into the circumstances which had withthere constantly arises a price at which they manufactory to certain sizes is attended with drawn almost all the journeymen clock-makers will be clandestinely imported by the smuggler. an economical effect. This arises chiefly from from their own workshops. It was soon appaThe extent, therefore, to which smuggling can the smaller number of different tools required rent that the men who had been making clocks be carried should always be considered in the in making them, as well as from less frequent at Birmingham, at the rate of 25s. a week, could imposition of new duties, or in the alteration of change in the adjustment of those tools. A si-earn £2 by working at lace-frame making at old ones. Unfortunately, it has been pushed so milar economy prevails in the navy, by having Nottingham. far, and is so systematically conducted, that the ships divided into a certain number of classes, On examining the nature of this profitable price per cent. at which most contraband arti-each of which comprises vessels of the same work, the clock-makers perceived that one part cles can be procured from France is well dimensions: the rigging made for one vessel of the bobbin-net machines, that which held the known. From the evidence of Mr. Galloway, will fit any other of its class. bobbins, could be easily made in their own it appears that from 30 to 40 per cent. was the 312. The effects of the removal of a mono-workshops. They therefore contracted with rate of insurance on exporting prohibited ma-poly are often very important, and they were the machine-makers, who had already more chinery from England, and that the larger the perhaps never more remarkable than in the work ordered than they could execute, to supquantify the less was the per centage demanded. bobbin-net trade, in the years 1824 and 1825. ply the bobbin-carriers, at a price which ena309. In examining into the effect produced, These effects were, however, considerably en- bled them, on their return home, to give such or to be apprehended, from any particular mode hanced by the general rage for speculations increased wages as should retain their own of taxation, it is necessary to inquire a little which was so prevalent during that singular workmen, as well as yield themselves a good into the interests of the parties who approve of period. One of the patents of Mr. Heathcote profit. Thus an additional facility was afforded the plan in question, as well as those who object for a bobbin-net machine had expired, whilst for the construction of these bobbin-net mato it. Instances have occurred where the per- another, for an improvement in a particular part chines. The conclusion was not difficult to be sons paying a tax into the hands of government of such machines, called a turn-again, had yet foreseen: the immense supply of bobbin-net have themselves objected to any reduction. a few years to run. Many licenses had been thus poured into the market speedily reduced This happened in the case of one class of calico granted to use the former patent, which were its price. This reduction in price rendered the printers, whose interest was injured by a re-charged at the rate of about five pounds per an. machines by which the net was made less valmoval of the tax on the printing. They re- num for each quarter of a yard in width, so that uable: some few of the earlier producers for a ceived from the manufacturers payment for the what is termed a six-quarter frame, (which short time carried on a profitable trade, but duty about two months before they were called makes bobbin-net a yard and a half wide,) paid multitudes were disappointed, and many ruined. on to repay it to government: the consequence thirty pounds a year. The second patent was The low price at which the fabric sold, together was that a considerable capital always remained ultimately abandoned in August, 1823, infringe with its lightness and beauty, combined to exin their hands. The evidence which states thisments of it having taken place. tend the sale; and ultimately, new improve |