3280 J. Stenson, Duston, Northamptonshire. Improve-
ments in the manufacture and re-melting of iron and steel.
3282 W. R. Lake, Southampton-buildings, Chancery- PATENTS ON WHICH THE STAMP DUTY OF £50
lane, consulting engineer. An improved scrubbing ma-
chine. (A communication.)

3213 W. Selby, Nottingham, draftsman. Improvements in the manufacture of lace made in twist lace machines. 3215 J. Darling, Stanes, Lanarkshire. An improved Dated December 14, 1866. peaholder, and means of supplying ink to pens. 3284 L. Lindley and F. Taylor, sewing machine manu3317 G. Haseltine, Southampton-buildings, Chancery-facturers, Melbourne-street, Mansfield-road, Nottingham. lans, civil engineer. Improvements in looms and shuttles Improvements in sewing and embroidering machites. for weaving. (A communication.) 3286 T. Andrew, Commercial-street, engineer. Improvements in the construction of pulleys and lifting gear for raising and lowering weights.

3231 R. Smith and J. Ramage, Stirling. Improvements
in the manufacture of yarns used for weaving textile
fabrics, and in the machinery or apparatus employed there- PATENTS APPLIED FOR WITH COMPLETE SPECI-

3240 W. H. Biggleston, Canterbury, engineer, Improve-engines, and also in the regulator for controlling the speed Great Seal Patent Office, 26, Southampton-buildings

THE

MECHANICS' MAGAZINE.

LONDON: FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1867.

coiled cable. Orders were given, and the (generally called a Bavarian) in connection "Great Eastern" was stopped, and the cable with a battery of small power. Valentia wishhanging harmlessly over her stern, when only ing to call, cuts out her galvanometer, about 150 fathoms had been payed out. The switches in her sending apparatus, depressentanglement was taken out, and the ship ing one, say the positive key, charges the arrived at her destination without any further cable inductively from the condenser with disaster. The amount of cable payed out electricity of an opposite nature, causing a dewas 1,896 knots, and 1,858 for the black flection in the Newfoundland galvanometer, cable. The strain shown on the dyna- whilst the other key would cause the oppoTELEGRAPHIC PROGRESS IN 1866. mometer was from 12 cwt. to 14 cwt., site deflection. So signals are produced and read |LANCING retrospectively upon the work In the 1866 cable the speed of paying ment. the angle of the cable being 9 per cent. off similarly to an ordinary single needle instruThe condenser at the one end answers G U accomplished during the past year, out was slightly less, whilst the percent-perfectly for sending at both ends. The arone is surprised at the amount done, age of slack was more. In connection rangements for both cables are similar, and and the gradual but firm advance of science. with the Atlantic cable two most important the speed generally obtained about seven to In that science which is still spoken of as in improvements have been introduced-the ten words per minute, whilst in eonversation its infancy, the same sure and rapid progress value of one being incalculable with regard to the speed has been known to reach eighteen is going on; the laws of electricity are more its connection with the paying out of sub-words per minute. What a different picture perfectly understood, and applied more than marine cables. We allude to Mr. Willoughby to that produced by the old Atlantic, giving heretofore to the advancement of practical Smith's system of testing, and to Mr. Varley's speed of two words per minute! We have telegraphy. In looking back upon the pro- plan of working long submarine cables. Mr. mentioned the above plan of working the Atgress of electric telegraphy during the past Smith's plan of testing has already been fully lantic cable as carried out since its submer year, the foreground is prominently occupied described in our columns, so that we will now sion, as one or two accounts have appeared in by the Atlantic Telegraph. The story simply refer to it generally, especially as some the papers which are by no means correct. of the cable has been repeatedly told, but improvements in the method of speaking were Since the above was written it has come to there are one or two points to which we would carried out that were not explained at the time. our knowledge that owing to some difficulties. call the attention of our readers. The recovery It has been hitherto the custom to test cables in connection with patent rights, the Angloof the 1865 cable has been justly called one of during submersion from the ship and the shore American Telegraph Company have abanthe greatest engineering works of the present by alternately insulating the ends of the cable. doned this plan, and now work the two century, and will carry the name of Sir S. Mr. Smith does away with this entirely by cables in one long metallic circuit. The Canning down to posterity as one of the men keeping the shore end always to earth and es- insulation of the 1865 cable had improved, of the scientific age. Knowing the many tablishing a simultaneous test at both ends. owing to the decreased temperature and the difficulties attached to the work, we cannot The cable before going to earth passes through a great pressure, nearly 200 per cent., we believe, but again accord the highest praise to him very large resistance, so that a permanent cur- in greater proportion than observed in any whose indomitable pluck led to such success. rent passing through the cable from the ship will other cable. After the unsuccessful expedition of 1865, the only produce a small deflection on galvanoquestion of raising the lost cable was often meters placed in circuit on board and on shore. discussed, and it was only amongst those It will at once be seen that a fault appearthoroughly acquainted with the subject, and ing or anything causing increased leakage will those who had accompanied the previous immediately alter the deflection in the galexpedition, that success was considered cer- vanometers, and both ends will at once become tain. There was no question whatever but aware of the distarbed state of the cable. It that the cable had been several times hooked was intended to enable the ship to speak to the and lifted off the bottom-there was, conse-shore simply to alter the tension of the battery, quently, every reason that the same could be but for the shore to speak to the ship the condene again. Events proved that the engineers templated arrangement was to introduce at the were right, and after a period of many days' shore end, between the resistance and the grappling with uncertain success, with bad cable, a key with a smaller resistance to earth, and indifferent weather, and at one time with so that a depression of the key would alter the so much discouragement that the question of deflection and cause signals. It was, however, abandoning the work on account of the lateness not adopted in consequence of being unable of the season was mooted, final success to tell, in the first place, whether the increased crowned their efforts. The cable was success-deflection was due to a fault or to a signal, and fully raised, proved to be in perfect working causing needless alarm. A plan of Mr. Varley's order, the cable on board was spliced to it was adopted, of which Sir William Thomson and payed out to Heart's Content, in New- observed, "A peculiarly ingenious application foundland, with but one slight mishap, and of the condenser was added by Mr. Varley, electric communication between England and which allowed telegraphic word-signalling to America was thus made doubly sure. When be carried on through the cable during its laythe cable was first brought to the surface on ing with a degree of ease and rapidity which the grapnel, it was calculated by Professor far exceeded our expectations, and not only Thomson that 4 miles were in suspension proved very useful for the work but very each way-the base of the curves, or the pleasing to those engaged in it." Instead of distance between the points where the cable a resistance to earth was inserted a condenser came off the bottom, being 8 miles, the strain in connection with a two-fingered key, giving on each side of the grapnel 44 tons, and the positive and negative currents; the depression angle where the cable hung 87 deg. The of these keys would alter the tension of the cable recovered was found to be in most per- cable and give plus or minus deflections on fect condition, not being in any way dete- the galvanometer, so signals could easily be riorated by its twelve months' rest at the bottom read off, care being taken that the first signal of the Atlantic. Before dismissing this sub- should give a minus deflection. It is difficult ject, we would observe that if the stores and to speak of the value of Mr. Smith's system machinery provided for the "Great Eastern" in of testing, and we cannot give too much praise the 1865 had been as good and as perfect as to it; however, we cannot do better than speak they were in the 1866 expedition, there was of it as Mr. Varley has done, "that it is the no earthly reason why the cable should not greatest safeguard that had ever been devised have been completed one year sooner. We in cable-laying, and the greatest credit was can only imagine that success was deemed so due to Mr. Willoughby Smith for that exceedcertain that these most necessary precautions ingly simple and most effective invention." were not attended to as they ought to have been.

The method of working the Atlantic cable, by which so great a speed has been obtained, The laying of the cable during the past is perfectly new; it is exceedingly simple and year the white cable (being protected by beautiful and most effective. The normal conslightly galvanised wires covered with plain dition of the cable would be as follows:-At hemp, as distinguished from the 1865 or black Newfoundland, through switch to a Thomcable, covered with iron wires surrounded son's reflecting galvanometer to earth; at with tarred hemp)-was attended with the Valentia, to a condenser of about eighty miles' greatest success, the only accident that did inductive capacity, the opposite plates of occur showing in a remarkable degree the per- which are connected through a switch to galfection of the arrangements on board. A foul vanometer to earth. In the above state either fake occurred, i.e., the outgoing portion catch-end is ready for receiving-the sending appaing up a number of the turns or fakes of the ratus at each end consists of a double key

Amongst other cables we may mention that the Persian Gulf has been broken and repaired, and the Malta and Alexandria broken and repaired several times. These cables are laid in shallow water and constantly liable to the risk of being broken, but the wise policy of keeping a ship and repairing staff ready at one of the stations enables repairs to be speedily accomplished, and the line to be reopened with but little delay. A cable has been made for Reuter's Telegram Company, and laid between Lowestoft and Hanover (Nordeney). This cable, being large and excessively heavy, was laid in two sections. Within a week of its completion it was broken close to Lowestoft ; it was found cut close to the shore. It evidently had been caught by the anchor of a coasting vessel, lifted to the surface, and cut through with a hatchet. The operation of clearing cable from the anchor and slipping it is so simple and easy, that we can only imagine that it is from mischievous purposes alone that such wicked attempts should be made, and yet, many such have taken place within our own knowledge. A length of 500 miles of cable has been sent out by Mr. Henley for the Western Union of America Company. The vessel carrying this cable is now at in the Mauritius, having met with bad weather. Messrs. Newall and Company have just completed covering a length of Mr. Hooper's core at their works at Gateshead, to be shortly laid between Denmark and Sweden, as the first link in the North Atlantic route.

The speed of working submarine cables has attracted agreat deal of notice, and more attention is now given to the ratio of the insulator and con- s ductor than formerly, and also to the induc tive capacity of the insulator; condensers are now being made representing the standard of the inductive capacity of certain cables, and we expect soon that electricians will have their standards of inductive capacity in as great use as those of conductivity. The use of the B A unit has now become very general, and the adoption of one general standard of resistance has much simplified testing.

With regard to the various lines of the kingdom, steady improvement is going on as to insulation, and circuits are worked over greater lengths than formerly, a result in a measure due to the improved instruments in troduced. The great snowstorm of last January was so disastrous in its effects as to interrupt the communication between London and the provinces for many days. Wires were pulled down, poles broken and blown down for

*

miles such damage done as to cost many arrangement of a signal light indicator, so that has been furnished, and in a most satisfactory thousands in repairs. Steps have been taken to signalmen may know when their signals are manner too, by a public trial at the Crystal re-construct, the liues so that such an accident out of sight, whether the lamp is alight or not. Palace. Besides this we have made some inshould not again have such serious results. Mr. Brittan has introduced a novel arrange-dependent experiments, which, although neAmongst insulating materials for sub-ment of a self-winding bell, moved by clock- cessarily on a limited scale, enable us to speak marine cables we have Mr. Macintosh's work, which is simple, and we believe very with certainty as to its thorough inexplosiveinsulator of india-rubber and para-effective. Mr. Preece, on the South-Western, ness, except under strong pressure. It is true, ffin, results of which we have none has carried out a plan of self-locking the beyond experiment. Mr. Hooper still con- switch arrangement of his block system, so tinues to make his compound, and the results that when a signalman has given the danger are really very great. Some lengths have signal to the next station, he cannot clear the been tried, and in insulating power are truly line until the train has passed his box and wonderful. Mr. Hooper has manufactured a released the locking arrangement. There are core for the India Government, for Ceylon, of many other points of telegraphic science and about 150 miles in length, and several minor engineering, in which progress is slowly and lengths for river service. The centre wire of surely going on, which it is impossible to refer the Portpatrick cable of the Electric and Inter- to here; but as we glance back upon the national Telegraph Company is also his wire, position of telegraphy now whilst we write the insulation being remarkably high. and at the beginning of the last year, we cannot be unmindful that in the progress made we have great cause for congratulation.

THE

when placed loosely in an open vessel or in a tube, it burns, and an immense amount of heat is evolved, but until it is made up into the form of a cartridge or confined in an airtight chamber, it is perfectly inexplosive. Hence its value as a powerful agent of destruction which can be manufactured and stored without the slightest apprehension of danger from explosion, besides which it possesses the additional recommendation of being somewhat cheaper than the ordinary powder. We have already observed that the composition of this The means of obtaining communication powder, as far as materials are concerned, is between passengers and guards in trains in similar to that of ordinary powder; the promotion has been continuously before the public. portions, however, are different. In our EngMethods of carrying out this desideratum lish war powder we use 75 parts of nitre, 10 electrically have been tried in the Royal train of sulphur, and 15 of charcoal, and for our NEUMEYER'S GUNPOWDER. of the North-Western, according to a plan of sporting powder we employ 77 parts of nitre Mr. Martin; on the South-Eastern, with HE dangerous character of gunpowder to 9 of sulphur and 14 of charcoal. Neusuccess, by Mr. Walker; and on the South- and the liability to serious accident meyer's powder contains 75 parts of nitre, Western, Midland, and Great Northern, on the which ever attends its presence have led to 6.25 parts of sulphur, and 18.75 parts of charplan of Mr. Preece. This plan appears to numerous inventions and propositions for re- coal. To prepare the charcoal, pieces of birchanswer all that is required, and has met with moving from it all cause of fear. By some of wood are ignited and placed in a receiver, the greatest success. It has, we believe, been these it is proposed that the gunpowder shall which is hermetically closed. The charcoal running on the South-Western for nearly two be rendered explosive and non-explosive at thus obtained is then soaked in soda-lye, and years, and trains fitted on Mr. Preece's plan will, whilst by others gunpowder is to be super-dried upon canvas strainers. It is then reduced have run a distance of upwards of 400,000 miles. seded by substances which only become expio- to a powder, and is incorporated in a moist The question was lately under discussion sive upon admixture. In fact, a great variety state with the other ingredients in the proporat the Institution of Civil Engineers, and we of plans have been propounded from time to tions already given. The product is then conbelieve the committee of managers of the Rail-time, and have established their claims to verted into powder of any degree of fineness way Clearing House have the question under superiority over the ordinary gunpowder in a in the ordinary way. The inventor makes no notice, being bound to come to some decision greater or less degree. It is not our present secret of the composition of his powder; in the matter. purpose to repeat the history of each of these in fact, he need not, as he has protected it by The Government have had the subject of special inventions, nor even to enumerate them; patents in England and abroad. telegraphs before them, and it is not at they have all been discussed in our columns as all improbable that before long the va- they have appeared upon the arena of science. rious telegraphs will be under the control We will merely point out that, although a few of the Post-master General. Should the Gov- of the various propositions certainly present ernment take the telegraph into their hands, features of great ingenuity and compass their the public may look forward to cheaper service. object in affording perfect safety, yet they fall Some interesting experiments have been short when submitted to the unerring test of made by Mr. Jerningham on electric ma- practical working. Independently of many chines made of various woods; and amongst considerations such as bulk and transport, who other electrical matters we would refer to the would like to see our soldiers or our sailors researches of M. Moren upon the electric saddled with numerous sets of sifting apparatus conductivity of gases under feeble pressures, wherewith to sift their powder before using it? and also to his experiments upon the black Or who would like to know that our engagenon-luminous band near the negative electrode, ment depended on the correct_admixture of when an electric discharge is passed through a two or more ingredients, mixed, too, perhaps rarefied gas. An invention of Mr. Wilde, of under excitement? No, if our old friend, Manchester, of an improved form of magneto- gunpowder, is to be superseded at all, it must induction machine, has been of material advan-be by a substance which possesses all its useful tage in producing cheaply electricity for the attributes at the required moment, and yet is purposes of the electric light, and we find that harmless, or at least comparatively so, when the light so obtained has been advantageously the development of its destructive energy is used for photographic purposes. Some val- inexpedient. These conditions, of course, uable investigations have been made by Dr. should be imparted to it during manufacture Saalgow, of Vienna, upon the heat of the and not form the subject of subsequent indeelectric spark. M. Becquerel has contributed pendent operations, to be performed before valuable matter in his memoir on thermo-elec-storage or use. The material which appears to tricity, in which he gives an interesting table us more closely and perfectly to fulfil these conof the powers of various substances. Amongst ditions than any other we have yet examined, is the literary contributions we have noticed a unquestionably the gunpowder invented by new and carefully written work by M. Blavier on electric telegraphy, "Ferguson's Electricity," and "Noad's Text Book of Electricity." The Cantor lectures of Mr. Fleeming Jenkin, as published in the "Journal of the Society of Arts," are the most valuable papers on submarine telegraphy that have appeared for a long time. A most exhaustive paper on the Atlantic Telegraph, by the same gentleman, appears in the last number of the North British Review. An interesting Blue Book is the result of the labours of a committee on "East India Communications," in which a great deal of information relative to tele-powder and of numerous experiments which graphic matters may be obtained.

Herr G. A. Neumeyer, which has recently at-
tracted considerable attention. This powder is
composed of precisely the same materials as
ordinary gunpowder-saltpetre, carbon, and
sulphur, without any other ingredient. It,
however, possesses the superior advantages of
not exploding so long as the air has access to
it, of acting with greater force in an airtight
enclosure, of leaving less residuum there than
the ordinary powder, and of producing less and
more evanescent smoke.

In the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE for November
2, 1866, we gave the particulars of this

had been tried with it. The details were taken In connection with telegraphing on rail- from the Berg-undhutten-munnische Zeitung, ways, we may notice the introduction, by the and bear ample testimony to the harmless chaGreat Northern Railway, of the "block" system racter of the powder. In concluding our between London and Hitchin, and the in- notice we observed that we should like to tended adoption of the "block by the have some evidence of its practical value as an Midland. On the latter line Mr. Warwick explosive, which, from the statement then has tried with great success a new electrical quoted, we could only infer. That evidence

It is needless for us to travel over old and well-worn ground in noticing seriatim the numerous experiments which have been instituted in this and in other countries for the purpose of establishing our position with regard to the efficacy of Neumeyer's powder. Details of the experiments made at Altenburg, to which we have already referred, were given by us more than two months since; the public journals of both Germany and France have also recorded trials of the powder in those countries, whilst, still more recently, the Crystal Palace experiments, which took place on the 15th of December last, have been the subject of report and comment in our own press. So far, then, our duty of keeping the public informed upon the most recent scientific improvements of the day has been fulfilled. But it behoves us, while doing this, to see that science is not misrepresented in other quarters, and that the merits and demerits of inventions are fairly placed before the public. We are aware that the world is overrun with quacks and pretenders of all kinds, who are constantly trading upon the good nature and simplicity of other people. These we would always do our best to show up or to put down. On the other hand, we are not less ready to take up the pen on behalf of a meritorious invention when we see it, either accidentally or designedly, misrepresented. In the present instance this has been the case with the subject of this article, Neumeyer's inexplosive gunpowder, which, in the eyes of the Pall Mall Gazette, is "a very weak, inferior description of gunpowder, which violates almost every principle theoretical and practical, upon which the bes samples of the substance are manufactured.' Our respected contemporary occasionally has articles of a highly practical character upon scientific subjects, and which are entitled to be considered as authorities. But, in the present instance, the writer has evidently closed his eyes to what has been going on around him, and has condemned Neumeyer's powder as being something little less than a juggle or an imposture. And this, too, after the general press has given to the world the fact of its success at a public and an official trial, whilst the leading scientific journals of the day have fairly and impartially discussed its merits.

exhibit the inexplosiveness of the powder, further said that the statement that the powder
we think the success of the trial cannot be gives less residuum than ordinary good gun-
questioned. Moreover, we understand powder is not supported by facts. Our expe
the experiments were made at the sugges- rience of the material goes to substantiate
tion of the secretary of the Crystal Palace. the statement thus impugned, and we state
A card of invitation to the experiments as a fact that the powder tried by us for pro-
was sent to a number of military and Jectile purposes does leave less deposit than
scientific gentlemen, and possibly General Sir ordinary powder. Besides this, however,
John Burgoyne was invited among others. we have the result of experiments tried at the
But we happen to know that Sir John was not Imperial Powder Mills at Bouchet, and which
present, and therefore our contemporary has singularly corroborate our statement in this
fallen into a great error in stating that the respect. At Bouchet, the gun weighed before
gallant general has expressed an opinion upon the shooting 4 kilogrammes 430 grammes.
the subject. With regard to the submission After five shots with Neumeyer's powder,
of the invention to Government, it undoubt- the weight was found to be 4 kilogrammes
edly has been submitted, but this was done 431 grammes, thus showing a residuum of
long before the public exhibition; samples are 0.001 grammes. The same arm, upon being
still in the hands of the authorities for analysis cleaned, was found to weigh exactly the same
and trial, and the trials, we believe, are to come as at first, viz., 4 kilogrammes 430 grammes.
off shortly.
After five shots with French powder, the
weight was found to be 4 kilogrammes
433 grammes, showing a residuum of
0.003 grammes, or 2 grammes more than
that of Neumeyer's powder. These figures,
which we take from the official report of the
trial, are, or at any rate ought to be, con-
vincing proofs upon this point.

From the simple fact that we were not present
at the Crystal Palace trials, we did not at the
time notice them, but now that the invention
has been denied all claim to value or merit,
we conceive it to be our duty, on behalf of
scientific progress, to point out the misappre-
hension to say the least of it-under which
the writer of the article referred to labours.
Science is and ever will be progressive. She
is, in fact, the embodiment of progress, and
cannot stand still. This fact alone should make
us pause and reflect well ere we deliver an
opinion to-day which to-morrow may stultify
us. For a man to say that a given condition
of things cannot be altered or improved upon,
because the means of alteration and improve-
ment are not clear to his mind, is an evidence
of either mental or moral obliquity, neither of
which is very creditable to the possessor,
And to argue down or ignore facts which the
whole world besides acknowledges and admits We now come to the composition of
is indicative of nothing less than wilful per- Neumeyer's gunpowder, which we have al-
verseness. But as to argue does not always ready given. The different appearance it
mean to reason, we will take the statements of presents to what ordinary gunpowder does is
the Pall Mall Gazette consecutively in their severely commented upon. But it is not to
order, and by placing the facts of the case in appearances that we must trust, but to the
juxtaposition, we believe we shall be able to results and issues, and therefore we can only
show that the conclusions at which our con- here remark upon the folly of cavilling at
temporary arrives are absurd as well as errone- appearances, while the results are the only
ous. The writer of the article first remarks things to be regarded. What though the
upon the inutility of a substance which offers grains do not present the same look and colour
advantages in one respect and fails in another. as those of common powder? They at any
To this we would reply that we believe Neumey-rate fulfil all the requirements of the latter,
er's gunpowder to have the properties not and a few more, and this is the point upon
possessed by any other explosive agent, and to which its value rests. With regard to the
possess besides all the qualities of ordinary results of combustion, it is maintained that
gunpowder. The deliberate ignoring of the absolute non-explosiveness is not attained, and
"finer and more delicate conditions upon that its action is much less powerful than that of
which the very existence of gunpowder de- gunpowder. The most complete answer to
pends, is next adverted to. Well, and if these points appears to us to be afforded by
these conditions even were ignored, provided the experiments at the Crystal Palace. We
the same certainty of action, combined with take it that if 35lb. of Neumeyer's powder,
the same or greater-strength existed, as it one half blasting and the other half gun-
does in this powder, in addition to other in-powder, can be fired in a small building 5ft.
herent and peculiar good qualities, what can it
matter? If we are never to depart from the
old beaten track, we shall stand still for ever.
We then come to what is termed "the course
of proceeding" usually adopted in cases
similar to the present. This is said to be, first,
a pamphlet or a newspaper paragraph, and
then a public exhibition, at which an officer of
distinction is generally invited, besides which
the invention is submitted to Government.
This programme is said to have been strictly
observed in the case of Neumeyer's gunpow-
der, with regard to which "a pamphlet has ap-
peared, a public exhibition has taken place
and the officer of distinction-Sir John
Burgoyne-has been invited to express an
opinion, and has expressed it," and the inven-
tion has been submitted to Government.

square without removing a brick or a slate, though an immense body of flame issued through the openings of the roof, it is sufficient evidence of the non-explosive character of the powder. The more, when the results are compared with those of 3lb. of Hall's ordinary powder, which, when fired in the same building, destroyed the roof, and otherwise damaged the building. It is also stated that it requires a higher temperature to ignite the new than the old powder, and this is said to be a great objection. We do not agree with this conclusion, although we admit the correctness of the premises. Neumeyer's powder does require a higher temperature to inflame it than ordinary powder, but this we consider to be a positive advantage, for besides being non-explosive, it renders it much less Now there is some truth in all this, but more liable to accidental ignition. We do not preerror. Before ever an original line appeared tend that the new powder will not burn in in the English papers-so far as we are aware the open air, but that it will not explode with -the scientific press, ever on the alert to seize the terrific energy which ever accompanies novelties, gave translations of articles which the ignition of gunpowder. On the other appeared in continental papers; and we hand, when confined, as in a cartridge for believe the Journal of the Society of Arts was the guns or for blasting, Neumeyer's powder has first, whilst we were the next, to reproduce the actually been proved to be stronger-weight article to which we have already more than for weight-than ordinary powder. Of this once referred. Some weeks afterwards we there is ample evidence in the reports of the received a circular setting forth the merits of blasting operations in Wales, where it was the invention, and subsequently the Crystal found that a smaller charge of the new Palace trials were made. In the interim, how-powder was sufficient to do the work of a ever, and before we received the circulars, larger charge of that in general use. Again, some important experiments were made at the to prove the force of this powder, experiments Markfield granite quarries, near Leicester, were made in Germany and France with the and at some slate quarries in North Wales. Prussian needle gun and the French infantry These experiments were carried out on a guns, with the following results, as measured practical scale and were thoroughly successful. by the balistic pendulum :-4.96 grammes Some of these trials took place in October, (76 grains) of inexplosive powder gave a veloand no newspaper reports appeared until the city of 463-7 metres (1,520ft.) per second; but 8th of December, when the Markfield experi- 5.16 grammes (79 grains) of ordinary powder ments were published by a Leicester paper. only indicated a velocity of 458.9 metres The exhibition at the Crystal Palace was more (1,504ft.) per second. At other experiments or less a crude and imperfect one, if we are to in Paris, with a different description of weapon take into account the general application of 7 grammes (107 grains) inexplosive powder gunpowder. The place was against a display gave a velocity of 445 metres (1,460ft.) per of its powers as regards mining operations, second; whilst 7 grammes (107 grains) ordiAnd so inay perhaps be open to cavil. But, nary powder only indicated a velocity inasmuch as the main object was only to of 414 metres (1,358ft.) per second. It is

The whole pith and marrow of the remainder of the article in question may be summed up in one observation there indulged in, viz., that "as a propelling power Neumeyer's powder is simply worthless." This is a very bold assertion, and has been made in utter ignorance-either wilful or accidental-of the nature of the powder, and of the results of the trials which were made with it and published nearly a fortnight before the article we are discussing appeared. If the writer could not depend upon the reports of the trials as witnessed by others, he should, at any rate, have tried the powder himself before so utterly condemning it as worthless. As he had circulars from the inventor, he must have been aware that he could have obtained samples of the powder from Mr. E. H. Newby, of 394, King William-street, City, who is the London agent for the powder. This would have been the fairest way of dealing with the question; a trial might have afforded the writer positive evidence, whereas he only advances negative evidence of its worthlessness. We are still quite open to conviction, and if the Pall Mall Gazette will institute a series of experiments, and show Neumeyer's gunpowder to be the piece of humbug their article describes it to be, we shall be among the first to denounce the imposture. As the case stands, however, and until the contrary be proved, we hold that there is ample evidence to show that Neumeyer's inexplosive gunpowder is the most promising material we have yet seen for superseding ordinary powder. While it embodies the necessary attributes of good gunpowder when applied to its various uses, it also includes additional good qualities, which render it safer and otherwise preferable to that in common use.

CENTRAL-FIRE CARTRIDGES.

manufacturers and others has recently been argued before Vice-Chancellor Sir W. P. Wood, and as it involves a point of interest to patentees, and upon which we believe no legal decision had previously been given, we place the matter prominently before our readers. The cause was that of "Daw v. Eley," and was a motion on behalf of the plaintiff that the defendants, Messrs. Eley, Brothers, car. tridge makers, of Gray's Inn-lane, might be committed for a breach of the injunction awarded by the decree pronounced by the Court on the 27th of January, 1866. purport of the decree was to restrain the defendants from manufacturing or selling any cartridges for breech-loading fire-arms similar to, or only colourably differing from, the cartridges manufactured according to the patent of François Eugene Schneider, now vested by assignment in the plaintiff, Mr. Daw, the

The

gunmaker, of Threadneedle-street, or from patent did not at once put a stop to the being done to the screw that may be needed. otherwise infringing Schneider's patent. In English patent and all proceedings for the This involves the use of a rudderpost for the addition to the question of alleged infringe- purpose of enforcing it. ment by the defendants since the date of the the case upon the question of infringement screw by means of a bracket, as shown in the The arguments in purpose of supporting the after end of the decree, the case raises a point of considerable were of too technical a character to admit of accompanying engraving, and also for effectimportance under the Patent Law Amendment any intelligible condensation within Act of 1852, which provides (sec. 25) that limits of an article. the ing the necessary arrangements for controlwhere a patent has been taken out in this mention that it was stated in evidence that These requirements render the general adopWe may, however, ling the after end in its ascent and descent. country for a patented foreign invention "all a modification of the Pottet anvil is being tion of the balanced rudder difficult, as it is rights and privileges under such letters patent used by Colonel Boxer, in the conversion of found necessary in connection with it to disshall (notwithstanding any term in such letters Enfield into breech-loading rifles, and that the pense with the rudderpost, for the reason that, patent limited) cease and be void immediately plaintiff, Mr. Daw, who alleges that the anvils if it were used, and the balanced rudder upon the expiration or other determination of spoken of by Colonel Boxer as Pottet anvils placed abaft the post, it would not be so the term during which the patent or like are modifications of Schneider's anvil, has com- effective. In order, therefore, to allow the privilege obtained in such foreign country plained to the Secretary of the War Depart-rudderpost to be retained, as it is essential in shall continue in force." Thus, if a patent be ment of the use at Woolwich of these anvils, connection with a lifting screw, and at the taken out in England for an invention which as being an infringement of his patent. The same time to permit the use of a balanced has previously been patented in France or any arguments lasted several days, and were con- rudder, it is proposed to bend the rudderpost other foreign country, directly the term of the cluded on Monday last, when the Vice-Chan- at the foot of the bracket, so that the centre foreign patent expires, or is otherwise deter- cellor gave judgment. He said that he was of of the lower part of the post may be in the mined, the English patent becomes void. The opinion that the injunction against the de- same straight line with the centre of pintle, as subject of the patent then becomes public pro- fendants ceased the moment that the French A B. The lower part of the rudder may then perty, just as much as though the term of the court of justice declared that the French be made to encircle the post, and its fore part patent had naturally expired, or had been patent had become void by reason of non-extended as shown. This extension need not determined by a lapse in payment on the part payment of the fees. That being so, the con- be limited to the proportion adopted in ordiof the patentee. It may be interesting to note sideration of whether or not there had been an nary balanced rudders, as the deficiency occahere the circumstances which led up to infringement might seem to be unnecessary, sioned by the loss of this extension on the the present case, and which, in fact, but his Honour felt himself called upon to add upper part will allow the lower part to be embody the history of the central-fire that, viewing Messrs. Eley's last invention by brought farther forward. This portion of the cartridge. Up to within the last few years the light of the discussions that had taken rudder can be easily connected to the part on the the pin cartridge has been the one chiefly place on the French patent, he did not think aft side of the post in such a manner as to used for breech-loaders. About the year that Messrs. Eley's invention was 1853 M. Bellford made some improvements in colourable imitation of that of Mr. Daw, but when the rudder may require to be una mere permit of its being readily detached from it cartridges, and Mr. Lancaster, of Bond-street, that there was a substantial difference between shipped. Naval architects are not agreed as purchased the invention. In some slight them. The distinction between Pottet's in- to what portion of the rudder is most effecrespects this cartridge resembled the Schneider vention, as improved by Messrs. Eley, and tive, but there can be no doubt that in seacartridge, but it proved unsuccessful in prac- that of Schneider and Daw, did not consist going ships the lower part is most generally tice and was dropped. In 1855 a central-fire merely in the cuts and grooves in the anvil, brought into action; therefore, the balance cartridge was invented by M. Pottet, a French- but comprised also the filling-up, as far as principle would be applied where it is most man, but was not patented in this country. possible, of the cavity of the chamber. His needed. In twin screw vessels the use of the This cartridge was discharged by a percussion Honour, therefore, thought there had been no balanced rudder, it is stated, would be atcap introduced into a recess formed at the rear infringement, and refused the motion, with tended with increased results, and, as there are end of the cartridge, so that the percussion costs. powder came in contact with an anvil placed additional reasons why those vessels should be in a metal chamber with a bell-mouthed furnished with lifting apparatus, the foregoing remarks are in their case still more applicable. aperture, which was closed by the percussion BALANCED RUDDERS AND LIFTING cap. When the cap was struck down upon the anvil the detonating powder exploded, the flame rushed down the side of the anvil, and passed through an orifice at the upper end of the chamber, so as to ignite the gunpowder contained in the body of the cartridge. Mr. Lancaster purchased this invention, but did not patent it in this country, and the thinness of the anvil appears to have rendered it liable, in any but Pottet's own guns, to be displaced, and thus to miss fire.

In the following year Mr. Lancaster employed Messrs. Eley to manufacture some cartridges for him upon a modification of Pottet's principle, as far as the anvil was concerned. This part was accordingly made first square, and then triangular in shape, and with plane sides, so as to be less subject to displacement from its position in the inner chamber, while ample space was still left for the passage of the flame down the sides. Mr. Lancaster tried some of the cartridges made with this triangular-shaped anvil, in 1858, but they were found defective, and their use does not appear to have been continued. We now come to the history of the present case which is briefly as follows:-M. Schneider obtained a patent for his invention, which was in some respects

SCREWS.

Government in 1858, and also took out a patent TH and more recently the trials of the

NOTES ON RECENT SCIENTIFIC DIS-
COVERIES AND THEIR PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS.

The Purification of Graphite-Paraffin Lubri-
cating Oils-Manufacture of Lime-Test for
Neutral Fats-New Glazing for Pottery.

AN easy and cheap way of purifying com

mon graphite, or black lead, is often desired by the pencil maker and others. Such a process is furnished by Dr. A. Winkler. He adds to finely powdered impure graphite an equal weight, or if the amount of impurity is very great twice its weight, of a mixture of equal parts of sulphur and dried soda. This mixture is heated in a crucible to a dull red heat, until the blue sulphur flame which comes from under the cover of the crucible changes to a yellow flame. The crucible is then removed from the fire, and, after cooling, the mass within is boiled in water and washed by decantation. The residue is then treated with dilute hydrochloric acid, which dissolves all the iron with the evolution of sulphuretted hydrogen. The graphite is thus brought into a state of very fine division, and requires a long time to deposit, but the washing can be accelerated by the use of a solution of sal-ammoniac. The graphite will now only contain very finely divided silica, which will be of no consequence to the pencil maker or the machinist, but for the chemist, who requires pure graphite, this silica may be removed by boiling with a little caustic soda. The product may then be washed, dried, and gently ignited. Graphite so prepared will leave no trace of ash after combustion.

similar to that of Pottet, from the French HE experiments of Captain Key, R.N., in England in September, 1861, which patent "Bellerophon," will probably tend in a great had been assigned by him to the plaintiff. In measure to effect a more general adoption of February, 1866, a judgment was pronounced the balanced rudder. Many of our war by the French tribunal declaring that Schneider steamers when at full speed can only have was legally deprived of all rights and advan- their rudders held over to about 16 deg., and tages to which he might have been entitled to do this great power must be applied, under his patent of 1858. This judgment, whereas the balanced rudder may be held with which is stated to have been obtained against ease at angles up to about 40 deg. ; this, comSchneider by default, and was based upon his bined with other qualifications, particularly neglect to pay the yearly duties to the Gov-recommends its adoption in the navy. Here, The use of the heavier paraffin oils as lubri ernment enforced against patentees, was however, a difficulty occurs, as it is found cators is very general, but Dr. Vohl, in Dinaffirmed by the French tribunal of appeal in advisable, especially in some cases, to provide gler's Polytechnic Journal, points out an objecJune last One of the main questions upon these vessels with screws capable of being tion to them which may be worthy of attention. the present application was whether, having raised into the body of the ship, in order that It is the fact that some of them contain sulregard to the above stated provision in the Act the vessel's progress may not be retarded phurous acid, and other sulphur compounds, of 1852, this judicial annulment of the French when under sail, and also to permit anything which may be injurious to brass bearings and