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tol Railway Company have announced that they will sweep over hill and dale at the rate of forty miles an hour. And it is stated by some of our engineers, that this is but a mitigated speed; that twice the velocity might be easily obtained; and that in fact, there is no limit but the weakness of the materials to the rapidity communicable to the engine. It is to be presumed also, that in a period when railways are stretching over every county of England, and the minds of all scientific men are fixed almost wholly on the powers of steam, discoveries will be made in rendering those powers more applicable; that not merely greater velocity, but less expense, will be among the results; and, as the consequence, that the steam-carriage will be brought within the means of private life. This would, indeed, open a vast access of pleasure, profit, and power to mankind; almost extinguish distance; give the humbler classes of society a means of movement in every direction, of health, indulgence, or business; relieve man of the chief part of those toils which now, instead of invigorating, wear down the frame; save the enormous expense, waste, and trouble of cattle for labour; assist largely in cultivating the soil; and, by making every corner of our fine country accesible to all at will, would, in a few years, turn England into a garden, and, if the minds of men were capable of being softened by the bounties of heaven, that garden into a paradise.

REPORT OF MR. RAUB'S STEAM-GAUGE. (From the Journal of the Franklin Institute.) The Committee on Science and the Arts, constituted by the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the promotion of the Mechanic Arts, to whom was referred for examination Mr. Raub's Steam-gauge Report:

That Mr. Raub's steam-gauge consists of a safety-valve or piston, differing in no essential feature from ordinary safety-valves, except that there is connected with it, by means of a lever, a weight, suspended in the water of the boiler, in such manner that when the water gets below a certain point, at which the weight is placed, the increased power of the weight, arising from its losing the support of the water, assists in opening the safety-valve.

The practical effect is this:-If the safetyvalve is so graduated that steam will be blown off at a certain pressure, say seventyfive pounds to the inch, when the boiler is properly filled with water, it will escape at a lower pressure, say fifty or sixty pounds to the inch, according to the dimensions of the

weight, when the water is too low. In this way it is proposed to avoid the explosions, or other evil effects which might arise from a portion of the boiler becoming bare of water and heated to a higher degree.

The principle of which the weight acts, is like that of the floats which have been heretofore used, to show the height of water in the boiler, except that the weight in Mr. Raub's machine is connected with the ordinary safety-valve, and the steam is blown off in large quantities when the water is too low, instead of a simple alarm being sounded.

The question for the consideration of the Committee is whether this combination is advantageous. It is a matter of doubt, whether the blowing off of a quantity of steam when the water is deficient in the boiler, is not pernicious, as tending still more to exhaust the water; and whether the old application of the float to regulate the supply of water is not better. Waving these questions, however, it appears evident to the Committee that if a weight or float is to be used to cause the escape of steam, when the water is too low, it is better to have it attached to a separate valve, instead of being connected with the ordinary safety-valve; because on the latter plan it will not operate when the steam is at a low density or pressure, although the water be deficient; and because when it does operate, the engineer cannot know whether its action is in consequence of the water being too low, or the steam too high. Hence the advantages usually anticipated from the use of floats, cannot be realised from this machine.

Whether floats or weights can safely be relied on for showing the low state of the water in the boiler, and for obviating its effects, is a question of experience which it is unnecessary here to discuss, inasmuch as Mr. Raub does not claim to have originated them, but to have made an improvement in their application: and for the reasons above stated, the Committee are not satisfied that his steam-gauge, in its present form, will be found practically advantageous.

By order of the Committee,
WILLIAM HAMILTON, Actuary.

May 12, 1836.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

Sinking Bottles in the Ocean.-During my former voyage to South Africa, we sank wine bottles fifty fathoms into the sea, after they had been secured from the admission of water in the best manner we could devise, by covering the corks with resin, which led some to imagine that part of the fluid had entered by the pores of the glass; and some persons even supposed the water might there

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means of two leads, the one weighing 22lbs, and the other 281bs. To pull up this great length of rope and weight of lead, required the exertion of ten men for a quarter of an hour. On the two globular bottles being brought on deck, they were found empty but a wine bottle sent down at the same. time, corked and plastered over with resin, came up fall of water, with the cork inverted, This we could not mis ake, as the head was covered with red wax, previous to the application of the resin, and upon its reaching the deck it was indeed still corked, but the waxed end was undermost in the neck of the bottle. Another wine bottle had the pitch remaining entire on its mouth; but the inside was nearly full of water, in which also the cork was swimming. Two other bottles were full of water, bat the corks and resin of these were in the same state as when let down. The water in the inside was not fresher than before its entrance.-Campbell's Second Journey in South Africa.

Interesting to Blacksmiths.--Permit me to describe a machine which I have just seen, and which, for utility and simplicity, is truly admirable. The article I allude to is a substitute for a smith's bellows, and is far more powerful than the kind in common use. It is constructed in the way af fanners, and stands immediately behind the forge. The box of the implement is only eighteen inches diameter, and the fans which fill the box are only five inches broad, and are fastened upon a horizontal shaft of -inch iron. On the end of the shaft is a pulley two inches diameter, and right above which is a larger pulley twenty inches diameter, with a crank in the centre, which the man at the fire drives with one hand, while he guides the iron in the fire with the other. Around the large pulley and down to the small one is a leathern belt, by which this machine is driven, and with such ease that a child may drive it. The blast is so constant and so efficient, that the contriver prefers it for heavy work to the best bellows, which cost him 6, while he has the blast-bellows for about 30s, and he adds, that, for a few more shillings, he could have it driven by wind. Although bellows on the same plan have been used and driven by steam and by water at our large iron-works, yet the merit of constructing one to work with the hand, belongs to Mr. William Bowle, blacksmith, Lower Bridge-street, Stirling. What adds much to the value of this contrivance is, its being easily purchased, that it requires little room, and is in many respects supérior to the kind in common use. I hope, therefore, the sons of Vulcan will duly appreciate the contrivance.-Correspondent of the Stirling Journal,

Mr. John Louden M'Adam, the celebrated roadmaker, died on the 26th November, in his eightyfirst year. The Dumfries Courier gives the following particulars of Mr. M'Adam, his family, and fortune: Mr. M'Adam has left a widow and two or more sons by his first marriage, upon one of whom was conferred the title of Knighthood, which the father declined on account of his age and growing infirmities. In manner and address no man could be more agreeable; in place of being a mere road-maker, he was a man of science generally, conversed most intelligently on almost every subject, kept pace with the advancing know ledge of the age, and composed with all the accuracy of a professed littérateur. From Government be received, in two different instalments, ten thousand pounds a very slender reward, indeed, con

sidering the vast utility of the improvement he originated. He was not rich; but he has left bebind him what is better than money-a name which is as familiar as a household word."

Mr. Mackintosh's Essay at Perpetual Motion.Sir, The result of Mr. Mackintosh's essay at perpetual motion might be attributed to the avoidable friction caused by the manner in which the iron ball is placed in the wheel. Curions to try the experiment, 1 proceeded, and, with the view of diminishing the friction, I placed two wheels on the axis of the ball, but the result was precisely that described by Mr. Mackintosh. I next applied the ratchet as suggested, but with no better effect; the ball rolled towards the magnet, but did not give the required motion to the wheel. It is not unlikely, then, that the present ingenions attempt will not be realised. I remain, Sir, ROBERT MUNRO, Nov. 3, 1336.

Sir, In No. 689 of the Mechanics' Magazine your ingenious correspondent, Colonel Maceroni, makes mention of some cosmolithes or meteoric stones found in Kent would he be kind enough to state i they resemble in composition those preserved in collections of minerals, and which have been seen to fall in different parts of the world, containing nickel, cobalt, &c.? Being something of a mine ralogist and chemist, I should like to procure a specimen if it can be purchased. CONSTANT READER.

Marine Insurance.-The system of marine insurance, though affording the means of protecting individuals from excessive loss, has nevertheless tendency, by transferring the pecuniary responsi bility for such losses from the owners of ships to the underwriters who insure them, to induce less care in the construction of ships, less efficiency in their equipment, and less security for their adequate management at sea; inasmuch as the risk of such loss to the shipowners can be covered by a fixed premium of insurance, which being charged ou the freight, and then re-charged on the goods con veyed, fixes the real responsibility and real loss ultimately on the public; as all the parties actually engaged in the transaction can secure themselves from any participation in such loss by the aid of marine insurance. Report of Commons Com mittee on Shipwrecks.

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At the present time, when exertions are making to extend the cotton plantations of the British Colonies, whatever presents facilities to the after processes, must be acceptable to the planter. Since the opening of the East India trade, it has been shown that the British cottonmanufacturer might be supplied from that quarter alone, and with an article of a superior description to that which is at present imported from Georgia or the Carolinas. We hope, therefore, that the following description of a new method of drying cotton, patented in America, and which we extract from the Franklin Journal for September last, will be useful and interesting to our Colonial readers.

"I have invented (says the patentee in his specification,) an apparatus for drying of cotton after it has been picked from the plant, and of a great variety of vegetable and other substances which require exposure to the sun and air; and by which apparatus they may be immediately protected from the effects of rain and storms.

"The following is a description thereof:I erect a staging, consisting of parallel rails, which are to support platforms, troughs, or cars, upon which the cotton or other articles dried are to be spread. These cars or plat

for the sake of description, we will sup

may be of any convenient dimensions,

but pose them to be made 5 feet wide and 8 feet long, and the wheels or rollers upon which they run to be 6 inches high. In the accompanying drawing, one of these rails is marked with the letter C, and rises 6 inches, or the height of the platform above the rail upon which it reclines at its left end. P, B, K, L, are platforms, troughs, or cars, which rest and run upon the rails, having wheels or rollers upon their undersides for that purpose. The rails upon which the platforms rest, rise one above the other in the form of steps, as seen in the drawing; the platform marked K is represented as having passed from the right hand on to the next platform, having been pushed forward by the man H, and now stands upon a platform on the next rail, against which it catches, and both pass together under the shed in the centre, the pair, marked P, being shown as already there. Those at the left hand of the shed are to be slid in, in the same way, when necessary, and pass above the others. a latch, or catch, by which the two platforms are held together, or released, at pleasure, B are moveable steps, for conveniently reaching, charging, and discharging the platforms.

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Although two only of such platforms are represented as extending on each side of the shed, the number to be used is limited only by the convenience with which they may be managed; and this is the case also with their dimensions. The mode of managing them also, will admit of being varied, whilst the principle upon which they operate will remain unchanged. Thus, for example, the shed may be made to cover the highest platform, and be itself pushed on, so as to gather all the cars, or platforms, under it, in its progress; the platforms may be in a single row, or there may be two or more rows in width, two being shown in the drawing. The platform may be run under the shed by hand, or by means of a winch with a windlass and ropes, or otherwise.

"Having thus fully exemplified the general construction and use of my said apparatus, I wish it to be distinctly understood that I do not intend, by the examples given, to limit myself thereto, but to vary the same in any way I may think proper, whilst the proposed end is attained by analagous means. What I claim as my invention, is the construction of a railway, in successive steps, and having upon them cars, or platforms, upon which articles to be dried may be exposed to the sun and air, and which may, in a few seconds, be deposited upon each other under a shed, to protect them from the weather when necessary, in the manner, or upon the principle, herein set forth."

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Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that there shall be established and attached to the Department of State, an office to be nominated the Patent Office; the chief officer of which shall be called the Commissioner of Patents, to be appointed by the president, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, whose duty it shall be, under the direction of the Secretary of State, to superintend, execute, and perform, all such acts and things touching and respecting the granting and

issuing of patents for new and useful discoveries, inventions, and improvements, as are herein provided for, or shall hereafter be, by law, directed to be done and performed, and shall have the charge and custody of all the books, records, papers, models, machines, and all other things belonging to said office. And said Commissioner shall receive the same compensation as is allowed by law to the Commissioner of the Indian Department, and shall be entitled to send and receive letters and packages by mail, relating to the business of the office, free of postage.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That there shall be, in said office, an inferior officer, to be appointed by the said principal officer, with the approval of the Secretary of State, to receive an annual salary of seventeen hundred dollars, and to be called the Chief Clerk of the Patent-office; who, in all cases during the necessary absence of the Commissioner, or when said principal office shall become vacant, shall have the charge and custody of the seal, and of the records, books, papers, machines, models, and all other things belonging to the said office, and shall perform the duties of Commissioner during such vacancy. And the said Commissioner may also, with like approval, appoint an examining clerk, at

annual salary of fifteen hundred dollars; two other clerks at twelve hundred dollars each, one of whom shall be a competent draughtsman; one other clerk at one thousand [250] dollars; a machinist at twelve hundred and fifty dollars; and a messenger at seven hundred [500] dollars. And suid Commissioner, clerks, and every other person appointed and employed in said office, shall be disqualified and interdicted from acquiring or taking, except by inheritance, during the period for which they shall hold their appointments, respectively, any right or interest, directly or indirectly, in any patent for an invention or discovery, which has been, or may hereafter be, granted.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said principal officer, and every other person to be appointed in the said office, shall, before he enters upon the duties of his office or appointment, make oath or affirmation, truly and faithfully to execute the trust committed to him. And the said Commissioner and the chief clerk shall also, before entering upon their duties, severally give bonds with sureties to the Treasurer of the United States, the former in the sum of ten thousand dollars, and the latter, in the sum of five thousand dol lars, with condition to render a true and faithful account to him or his successor in office, quarterly, of all monies which shall be by them respectively received for duties ou patents, and for copies of records and drawings, and all other monies received by virtue of said office.

[Sections 4 and 5 not altered].

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That any person or persons having discovered or invented any new and useful art, machine manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement on any art, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, not known or used by others before his or their discovery or invention thereof, and not, at the time of his application for a patent, in public use or on sale, with his consent or allowance, as the inventor or discoverer, and shall desire to obtain an exclusive property therein, may make application in writing to the Commissioner of Patents, expressing such desire, and the Commissioner, on due proceedings had, may grant a patent therefor. But before any inventor shall rẻceive a patent for any such new invention or discovery, he shall deliver a written description of his invention or discovery, and of the manner and process of making, constructing, using, and compounding the same, in such full, clear, and exact terms, avoiding unnecessary prolixity, as to enable any person skilled in the art of science to which it appertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make, construct, compound, and use the same; and in case of any machine, he shall fully explain the principle and the several modes in which he has contemplated the application of that principle or character by which it may be distinguished from other inventions; and shall particularly specify and point out the part, improvement, or combination, which he claims as his own invention or discovery. He shall, furthermore, accompany the whole with a drawing or drawings, and written references, where the nature of the case admits of drawings, or with specimens of ingredients, and of the composi tion of matter, sufficient in quantity for the purpose of experiment, where the invention or discovery is of a composition of matter; which descriptions and drawings, signed by the inventor and attested by two witnesses, shall be filed in the Patent-office; and he shall, moreover, furnish a model of his invention [machine], in all cases which admit of a representa ion by medel, of a convenient size to exhibit advantageously its several parts. The applicant shall also make oath or affirmation that he does verily believe that he is the original and first inventor or discoverer of the art, machine, composition, or improvement, for which he solicits a patent, and that he does not know or believe that the same was ever before known or used; and also of what country he is a citizen; which oath or affirmation may be made before any person authorised by law to administer oaths.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That, on the filing of any such application, de

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