HORIZONTAL NON-CONDENSING ENGINES. Y MESSRS. W. AND J. GALLOWAY. to counterfeit gun-metal with cheap and worthless compounds. As engineers and plumbers' work is principally done on contract, and as the great mass of consumers are but indifferent judges, either of the work or metal, the lowest priced goods have generally ruled the market. These causes are sufficient of themselves to have given us a very poor article; but this tap has had other, and, if possible, more vital drawbacks; in fact, we know of no mechanical device which has been used so long and so universally that is open to so many and so which form its joint to the filing action of steam, which, sooner or later, will impair any metallic steam joint thus exposed. Having but one joint, a single particle of grit or sediment caught by the joint in closing makes a leak, a few hours' exposure thus to the filing action of the steam makes that leak permanent. Its joint being conical, formed by its seat the outer and its disc the inner portion, must expand unequally; hence, will often leak from that cause alone. Its seat, being placed horizontally in the shell, is always exposed to the danger of being wrenched or jammed in putting it into the pipe, either of which will cause a leak. These simple facts abundantly explain why manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic have been so constantly subjected to expense and perplexity by defective taps or valves. In our impression for March 13 last, we described and illustrated a substitute for this imperfect device, being a valve, or tap, applicable alike to steam, water, and gas, in which every objection found in the globe valve or wheel valve has been fully provided against. This is the Peet valve, of which a great number are now in use in Europe, but hitherto have only been manufactured in America. This valve is the invention of Mr. S. J. Peet, of Boston, Mass., who is now in England, and, as the general agent of the Peet Valve Company of Boston, manufactured these valves in large quantities, at Leeds, both in gun-metal and cast iron with gun-metal wearing parts, of all the sizes, from small steam taps to the largest water gates. This valve or tap gives as straight and as unobstructed a passage as the pipe itself; it closes that passage with a pair of sliding disc plates, which are suspended and hang loosely on a collar, on the stem, the end of which is a conical wedge, which, when screwed down between the discs, forces them rigidly against their seats, forming two perfectly tight joints, with perfectly flat surfaces; hence, they are not affected by expansion, as the conical joint must be. When the valve is opened, these discs are drawn up into the cavity or neck, leaving the passage entirely free. Having two valves in one shell not only gives it twice the durability of the globe valve or wheel tap, but is a double guarantee against the grit and sediment constantly floating in the current of steam. In addition to these advantages, the Peet Valve Company have brought their castings to a high degree of perfection. They allow none but the very best of gun-metal to be used in their taps. These valves, in all their parts, are made by special machinery. Every part is made interchangeable, and can be always duplicated at a trifling cost. We may add that the manufacture of these valves has been largely entered upon by Messrs. Joseph Whitley and Co., of the Railway Brass Works, Leeds. SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS. (Concluded from page 367.) AVING thus touched upon some of the leading H principles in the construction of mod works, viewed in relation to their adaptation for the production of light, and not simply the generation of gas, the author now proposes to offer a few remarks on the construction of gas works in new and less advanced countries than England, such, for instance, as the continent of South America, the field in which this branch of engineering practice has been most recently introduced. As it is a continent for a great part difficult of access, it may be presumed to afford a very fit illustration of the difficulties which attend the practice of the gas engineer in remote countries. The principal gas establishments on the east or Atlantic coast of South America are those of Para, Ciara, Pernambuco, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Monte Video, and Buenos Ayres. There are also works in course of erection at several of the chief cities and towns on the banks of the Rivers La Plata and Parana; but the recent war with Paraguay has caused a temporary suspension of these works. On the Pacific, or west coast, there are works at Guayaquil, Callao, Lima, Tacna, Copiapo, Valparaiso, and Santiago de Chile. The works on the east or Atlantic coast, with the exception of those at Rio de Janeiro, are constructed on the English model, to use ordinary English gas coal, with a small admixture of Wigan or Scotch Cannel. In Rio de Janeiro, the works were originally intended for a modification of White's hydrocarbon process, using American resin as the source of illuminating power; but the works, after undergoing several modifications, are now virtually adapted for coal. On the Pacific coast, with the exception of Guayaquil, all the works are of English construction; but all of them use a considerable quantity of native Chile coal in the production of the gas, mixed with English or Aus tralian coking coal, and more or less of Wigan or Scotch Cannel. The principal coal basin of Chile is situated between 36deg. and 41deg. of south latitude; it contains several varieties of coal, but that best adapted for gas is obtained from Lota, Coronel, and Pachoco. It yields, at fair working heats, about 8,000 English cubic feet to the ton, of an average illuminating power of 14:30 standard candles. The coke is light and friable, but as the natives employ charcoal for all culinary and heating purposes, the coke meets with a ready sale, being a good substitute for the charcoal. The proportions of tar and ammoniacal liquor are somewhat different from those resulting from the use of English coal, the quantity of tar being much less, but of ammonia much in excess, averaging 1901b. to 2001b. to the ton. The per centage of sulphur is high, and found principally in the form of sulphate of lime, with some curious nodules of pyrites. The first gas works erected on this coast were those of Lima and Valparaiso; these were of purely English type, and not the best adapted for the climate or peculiar nature of those countries. The retorts are set in beds of five and seven to a furnaco. in an important degree the The condenser, scrubbers, and purifiers at Val- FIC.5. retorts are 14in. by 14in., D shape, and 8ft. long inside; the furnace is 2ft. 3in. long, and 7in. wide at the bars, and 5ft. 6in. long, and 1ft. 4in. wide in the body. The heat is conveyed to the retorts by a row of apertures, or nostrils, on each side of the arch of the furnace; from these it rises between the centre and outside retorts, and, after circulating round the two upper retorts, escapes to the chimney by flues under the two outside lower retorts. The average duration of the clay retorts is about two years, and of iron retorts thirteen to fourteen months. The mean yield per mouthpiece is 3,200 cubic feet each twenty-four hours; the absence of sufficient draught is a serious drawback to the efficient working of the furnaces, but this has been obviated recently by converting the horizontal main flue into a series of short chimneys. This plan is now in successful operation at the magnificent new station of the New York and Manhattan Gas Company. There, each double setting of ten retorts, set back to back, is furnished with a small separate chimney, the products of combustion being carried through the roof of the retort-house by an iron tube. The author, in constructing the new works for the city of Mexico, has adopted this plan, and has found that, even with wood fuel, clay retorts can be maintained at a good carbonizing heat, adopting, it should be noted, the necessary precaution of increasing the width of the body of the furnace. In designing gas works for new countries, it is a great error to be guided solely by home practice, especially in reference to retorts and furnaces. The number of retorts in a setting should never exceed five, and, even in the largest works, settings of threes should always be provided. The demand for gas in some of these countries is not at all uniform; especially in the case of public lighting; special festivals, and the exercise of police and municipal authority, frequently interfere to affect The site of the works being close to the sea rendered the construction of a brick tank impracticable; the tank and gas-holder are therefore of iron. The gas-holder is 80ft. diameter, and 24ft. deep, in a single lift. The roof is flat and without trussing. The outside, or guide framing, consists of eight cast-iron tripods with wrought T-iron braces and girders. The gas-holder gives a working pressure of 32-10in.; it was designed at the period when nontrussed gas-holders were considered the ne plus ultra of economical construction; but we must not always estimate the value of a machine or apparatus by its prime cost, and it is very questionable if it is prudent to sacrifice safety and efficiency for economy. The gas-holder at Valparaiso has been a constant source of anxiety, from the upper ring or flange getting out of shape. If a gust of wind caught the holder when it was full, the strain on the outer row of roof sheets often caused the rivets to strip, and produce leakage. But the greatest drawback to the use of untrussed gas-holders abroad is the risk of bad workmanship in riveting up the top flange, and rows of boiler plate; this is a difficulty often experienced at home, but the risk is tenfold greater abroad. Before concluding his remarks on the gas-holder, the author would refer to what may appear a very simple matter, but really one of very great importance in hot dry climates, namely, the means of keeping the gas-holder cool versal stipulation on the part of the gas companies during the hottest part of the day. It is the unithat the public lamps shall not be lighted when the moon is visible, and the practice is to reduce the stock of gas in the gas-holder at such times as low as possible, consistently with safety, relying on the retorts to meet any sudden extra demand. During the summer or dry season, the evaporation caused by the heat of the sun's rays is so great that an immense quantity of aqueous vapour is formed in the gas-holder, which is carried forward by the gas into trouble. Painting the roof of the gas-holder white, the mains and fittings, causing great annoyance and and several other expedients, have been tried to get over this difficulty, but the only one attended with any success has been sprinkling the roof with water by means of a rose jet. Notwithstanding all that could be done, a very considerable amount of water is from time to time deposited in the mains and tion to avoid inconvenience to the consumer. fittings, and it requires constant and careful atten The distribution of the gas is controlled by governors at the works, and by regulating valves in the streets; these valves are necessary in consequence of the sudden elevation of the mains used for lighting a portion of the city built on a plateau, at the height of several hundred feet above the main streets that surround the bay. An error frequently committed in this country is to suppose that the quality and illuminating power of the gas are matters of no moment in countries such as are now referred to; it is impossible to make a greater mistake, and for these reasons: - those who would burn light at all, or at least those who would burn gas lights, are exclusively those of the class who have been in the habit of using either sperm oil, camphine, or wax or spermaceti candles; any new source of illumination must be at least equal or superior in brilliancy to each of these, and not more costly. Again, the rooms are generally very ofty, especially in the best class of houses, and to ight such apartments well, requires that the gas should be of superior quality; it should not, therefore, be surprising that the average illuminating power of the gas in Valparaiso is twenty standard candles, the minimum being nineteen candles. The failure, at a certain juncture, to maintain this quality, by the company whose works have been described, caused so much dissatisfaction as to lead ultimately to the establishment of a competing company for the exclusive supply of private consumers. Their works are placed in the centre of their consumption, which averages 80,000 cubie feet per night, and their average annual loss of gas unaccounted for is scarcely 6 per cent. It may not be out of place to mention here the cause of the reduction of the illuminating power of the gas on the occasion alluded to. The company had been in the habit of keeping a large stock of Boghead Cannel, but became unwilling to continue this system, and arranged to receive periodical supplies of a few hundred tons, as ships could be found to take it as dead-weight cargo. Trusting to the arrival of one or more such shipments, the stock became cxhausted, and, by a strange fatality, two ships conveying Cannel met with accidents, so that no Cannel arrived for several months. To improve the quality of the gas, a large quantity of American resin was bought, and used in conjunetion with common coal. The gas produced from this mixture, when used in the vicinity of the works, appeared of tolerably good quality, but the consumers in the district most remote from the works soon had grave cause for complaints-first, for want of light, arising from the depreciated state of the gas; and, secondly, for a still greater source of annoyance from their fittings becoming stopped up by a viscid tarry deposit, that collected at every angle, bend, or tap. The irritation caused by this unlooked-for difficulty, as already stated, laid the foundation of the new company. As a set off to these misfortunes, several very useful practical lessons were learned in respect to the deportment of gases generated from different substances in the same retorts, and subjected to the same process of purification. In the course of the experiments made when the coal supply failed, the following materials were used:-resin, dregs of whale oil, several varieties of vegetable oil, asphalte, refuse of sugar-cane, wine-lees, and creosote or dead oil. In using the resin, oils, and asphalte, the best results for enriching the gas were obtained by mixing the gases after the coal gas had been passed through the purifier, and allowing the mixed gas to pass through a dry scrubber before entering the gas-holder. In experimenting with the dead oil or creasote, a very ingenious modification of White's hydrocarbon FIC.6. apparatus was designed by a gentlemen connected with the Valparaiso Railway. The agent employed was superheated steam, the object sought to be attained the decomposition of the tarry vapours. The retorts were of iron, cast with a double bottom, so as to leave a space of about 1in. to 2in. between the bottom on which the coal and the creosote was placed and that exposed to the fire. In this space an iron steam pipe was placed in. diameter screwed into the bottom of the monthpiece, and extending nearly to the back of the retort. A similar pipe was connected with the boiler of the steam-engine, but was placed in the upper part of the main flue, so as to be exposed to the waste heat from the retort furnaces; by this means the steam became highly heated before entering the retort. The steam on issuing from the open end of the pipe at the back of the retort acquired additional heat by rassi over the surfaces of the bottom of the retort. On reaching the front it came in contact with the vapours and gases generated from the mixture of coal and creosote, which were carried away by a pipe at the back of the retort. A very large quantity of gas was produced by this process, with an average of illuminating power of 13 to 14 candles. The object of all the experiments was to find a substitute for Boghead or other Cannel coal to produce gas of at least 20 candles quality; as none of the results met this requirement, the several processes were soon all abandoned. Legal Intelligence. native products under contribution to subserve be ignited under water in the same way as my land COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. WESTMINSTER, November 6. EDMUNDS v. GREENWOOD. In the management of gas works in remote countries, it frequently occurs that the engineer is called upon to purchase or use coal of a character and quality of which he is entirely ignorant; it is, therefore, highly important he should be able to make one or more commercial experiments, before IN this case, Mr. Soymour, Q.C., moved for a rule committing himself to the use of the strange coal. All calling on the defendant to show cause why the coal, except some of the varieties of Scotch Cannel, plaintiff should not be permitted to administer cerundergo a marked deterioration in their gas-making tain interrogatories to him. This motion was by qualities when exposed to a long voyage, and espe- at chambers. The plaintiff, Mr. Leonard Edmunds, way of appeal from a decision of Mr. Baron Martin, cially in passing through the tropics. Another source of trouble and annoyance, particularly on the West occupied an important office in reference to the coast of South America, is the gross frauds prac-granting of patents, and was also reading clerk to The declaration set out the first, Delft, October 8. THE CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS' SOCIETY. Society, for the favourable notice which you gave SIR,-I have to thank you, on the part of this of it in your last week's paper; but there is one slight mistake introduced, which you will allow me to correct. There is no such thing in existence, in the practice of this Society, as an "intercommunication" between the youthful members and the secretary for the purpose of gaining information on "knotty points" from the meeting, and in which the applicant's name is concealed. The younger members are quite as prominent in openly advancing their views and asking questions, if they wish to do so, as their older companions.-I am, Sir, yours, &c., THE PRESIDENT. [We can only say that we were informed of what we wrote upon the above point by a member of council of the Civil and Mechanical Engineers' Society, who advanced it as a great feature of the Society.—ED. M. M.] RELIEF OF LONDON STREET TRAFFIC In concluding these remarks on foreign gas works, especially for warm or tropical climates, the author would suggest the desirability of the greatest simplicity in the design and construction of the requisite buildings, and the absonce of all Edmunds and Mr. Woodcroft. One of the ques vast metropolis. I really believe that there are It is difficult tised in the used of false certificates as to the names the House of Lords. The defendant was the solicitor to the Treasury. The action was for libel, and descriptions of coals offered for sale. All foreign gas works should be fitted up with an exbased on three reports made jointly by the defendperimental arrangement of retort, purifier, meter, ant with the late Mr. Hindmarch while sitting as &c., and the retort should, if possible, form one of a commissioner under powers given to them by the ordinary sets charged by the stokers in their letters of request and authorization from the Comusual course of work. It frequently happens, how-missioners of Patents, appointing them to make ever, that the results obtained by special manipula- certain inquiries into details referred to in their tion are far from realized by ordinary commercial appointment. practice, and in no branch, probably, of what may second, and final reports, and also a letter purportbe called chemical manufacture, has this experience ing to be written by Mr. Greenwood, commenting been more frequently manifested that in gas mak- upon statements made by Mr. Edmunds, of which ing. The greatest descrepancies between labora-he complained. There were strong passages in tory experiments, and practical working are of the these reports casting imputations on the plaintiff of most common occurrence, and the most disasterous wilful misappropriation of the public revenues, of loss, as well as painful disappointment, have often which set out the letter of appointment of these embezzlement and fraud. He had an affidavit resulted from the attempt to carry into practice SIR,-Although banished many years from London processes founded upon chamber investigations. gentlemen. They were to make a general and streets, I often dwell in imagination on the happy Patent Office, and into the manner in which the In common with thousands of my expatriated particular inquiry into the management of the and anxious hours I have spent in traversing them. duties were performed, to suggest improvements, countrymen, I long to re-visit the well-remembered and to inquire into certain charges against Mr. scenes, and I devour with interest every account of the changes that are constantly occurring in your tions that would necessarily arise at the trial would hundreds of old Londoners in Sydney and Melbourne complication in the machinery and apparatus. The buildings, if not used as storerooms for value as to the scope of the authority given to the who are better posted up as to the changes that have alle goods, should be merely roofed sheds, sup-defendant. It would be contended by the plaintiff taken place there during the last few years than that it extended only to certain details as to the many of the residents themselves. ported on iron or even wooden pillars. All enclosing walls should, as far as practicable, be efficient discharge of the duties of the office, and it for you, perhaps, to understand this, but if you knew avoided. Care should be taken to provide ample would be a question how far the defendant and his how widely the illustrated newspapers of London covering for coals, but with sufficient ventilation. colleague had departed from this authority in in- are circulated, and how many readers there are in An abundant supply of water is essential, with quiring into the payments of money by Mr. Ed- the mechanics' institutes here of such publications "Builder" and the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE, The reports made had as the appliances for raising streams or jets to a consider-munds to his bankers. But my present able altitude. In all cases hydraulic valves, self-been lithographed by direction of Mr. Hind-you would credit the assertion. acting seals, or lutes, and especially in the lutes march, with the concurrence of the defendant, object is to suggest to you a remedy, for what I to purifiers, the depth of the sealing fluid should who took an active part in the framing of the gather from my reading, is a vast and growing evil in London. I allude to the overcrowding of the be greatly increased. The tanks of gas-holders, reports. The reports were dated July 20, 1864, streets, and the difficulty that is experienced thereif required to be made of iron, are better of wrought January 31, 1865, and July 6, 1865. The writ in from both by foot passengers and carriages. I am iron than of cast, particularly in countries exposed the action was issued December 7, 1866. He had aware that it will appear absurd that a person placed to earthquakes. If the engineer is not well assured an affidavit that a large number of the lithographs at the other end of the world should undertake to of the nature of the ground, either by personal had been printed. The contents had afterwards eure an evil that has taxed the ingenuity of the most active-minded and experienced engineers in England, inspection, or very reliable information, he should been published in the newspapers. shrink from designing a brick or stone tank for but still allow me a small space in your columns to such countries. In laying street mains especial explain my scheme. It can do no harm; it may elicit other ideas that have more value, or it may percare should he taken to ensure a more than average depth below the surface, and a sufficient, but not chance raise a laugh amongst those who have not yet learned that every great discovery has been first too great, inclination or fall. laughed at. My recollection of London nearly twenty It is also a wise precaution to make the capacity of syphons or tar years ago is that of an endless stream of foot paswells greater than those usually employed in this sengers, pushing along, with more or less energy and discomfort, through the Poultry, Cheapside, Fleetcountry. strect, and the Strand, and across its noble bridges. I have watched all you have done by underground railways, by pneumatic despatch tubes, by intersectpri-ing and suburban railways, and by the steamboats, to diminish this crowding and confusion, but yet The Chief Justice said there was no suggestion in the affidavits that they had been sent to the newspapers. Mr. Justice Byles wished to know the nature of the questions which Mr. Baron Martin had dis allowed. Mr. Seymour said there was no foundation for the supposition that the matters inquired about were privileged. In to The learned counsel then referred to Mr. Petheram's book on interrogatories, and to various cases, in support of his proposition that he was entitled to administer these interrogatories, although, if answered in the affirmative, they might lay the defendant open to a criminal information. In carrying on the operations of a gas establishment in countries similar to those just described, The Chief Justice.-You must be prepared to the engineer will find his duties and responsibilities show that my brother Martin was wrong. infinitely more arduous and onerous than those Mr. Justice Byles.-The reports are either he would be called upon to discharge in the situa-vileged, or if beyond are indictable offences. tion of a manager and engineer at home; it is, either case, how can you call on the defendant therefore, of the utmost importance to him that answer interrogatories respecting them? his works and apparatus should be as simple as possible, consistently with due efficiency. Above all, let him employ to the utmost extent to which they are available, the labour and the materials of the country. In doing this he may have to pluck up deeply-rooted prejudices, probably to place in abeyance well grounded opinions, the soundness of which he may have thoroughly proved, under time to consider the cases referred to before deother but widely different circumstances: this he ciding. should be ready to do with cheerful alacrity and unreserve. Assuredly he is most certain in a foreign country to achieve success in engineering and manufacturing enterprises who acquires the most thorough knowledge of, and influence over, THE IGNITION OF MINES, TORPEDOES, &c. the inhabitants of the country, and masters most TO THE EDITOR OF THE "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." completely an acquaintance with the character and capabilities of its productions; who can enlist the hearty co-operation of the people, and lay the The Chief Justice said the Court would take Correspondence. SIR,-I forgot to mention in my last letter, which you so willingly inserted in the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE, that ordinary single or coupled torpedoes might I hear that the main arteries of communication are as thronged as ever, and you are nearly at your wit's end. I, in Australia, have, I think, an original idea, that will enable your teeming thousands to traverse your main streets with ease and comfort, that will dispense at once with hundreds of cabs and omnibuses, and carry from end to end of your vast city thousands of passengers per hour, without noise or confusion. Shortly, my scheme is this:-Along the main streets, say, from the Mansion House to Charing Cross and to the end of Oxford-street, to lay down on each side of the street, at each side of the curb, a moving platform of (say) 16in. in width. This platform should consist of square plates of iron (say) 16in. square, attached underneath to an endless chain, and separated from each other by about 2in. These independent plates should run on small rollers underneath the level of the pavement, and should return underneath on the same principle as the buckets of a dredging machine. This series of platforms should be set in motion by stationary steam engines, stationed at various places on the route, and be kept in constant progressive motion at a speed of (say) four miles an hour all through the day. This moving chain of platform should be preserved from the encroachment of wheeled vehicles in the street by an elevated metal kerb, and should also be divided from the footpath in the same manner It might, perhaps, occupy the position of the present gutter, or, if that should be difficult, for the disturbance that it would occasion to the drainage of the eity, it might be subtracted from the outer edge of the present footpaths, so that the edge of the foot pavement nearest the street should be in constant Weetings for the deck. MON.-Society of Engineers.-Discussion on the paper on "Modern Gas Works at Home and Abroad," read on the 2nd inst., by Mr. Henry Gore, at 7.80 p.m. TUES.-The Institution of Civil Engineers.-Mr. David Marr Henderson, Assoc. Inst. C.E., on "Lighthouse Apparatus and Lanterns," at 8 p.m. steady slow motion to the cast and on the other side On this noiseless moving Nabal, of the street to the west. We lately stated that the Small Arms Committee's ultimate selection would lie between the Henry and the Martini rifles. We now learn that the Henry barrel and the Martini breech-loading arrangement will probably be chosen. On the breaking up of the Ordnance Select Committee, it is understood that General Lefroy will at once become Director of Ordnance and Commandant of Woolwich Arsenal. Colonel Shaw will probably succeed Colonel Campbell at the Royal Gun Factories at the end of next year, and Colonel Milward as Assistant-Director of Nabal, Military, and Gunnery Items. Probably, Major Hay and Captain Dyer will do the with one naval and two artillery officers. work hitherto performed by the Ordnance Select Committee. A TELEGRAM from Hong-Kong announces the total loss of Her Majesty's ship "Rattler," on the coast of Japan. Fortunately, all the officers and crew were saved. THE Conference sitting at St. Petersburgh, respecting the employment of explosive missiles in war, have decided that no explosive projectile weighing less than 400 grammes shall be used. THE ships belonging to the Channel squadron, platform all who desired it might step and be carried along without the slightest exertion of their own. They might step off at any moment on to the footpath, call at any shop on their route, and resume their place on the endless chain twenty times in their journey from one end of the street to the other. There should be no charge made. Those who desired to walk could walk on the pavement, as at present, which would be relieved of the thousands who could ride. They would see the line of passengers gliding by them like boys on a slide "keeping the pot a-under the command of Rear-Admirals Warden, C.B., boiling." Those who chose might still patronize and Ryder, are completing their refit, filling up with the cabs and omnibuses, which could draw up to the three months' stores and provisions, and preparing elevated curb and allow their passengers to step over generally for sailing again on a cruise, which may the moving platform. I have considered all the probably extend, in the first instance, as far as the difficulties of crossing the streets. In the narrower Tagus. and less frequented streets the platforms would dip THE barque "Kate Darton," of St. John's, New and go under the causeway, and the passengers on Brunswick, from Liverpool, with coals for Bombay, was burnt at sea on September 28, in long. 32 50 S., lat. 4 20 E. Captain Slocomb, the second mate, and ten men, reached St. Helena in the long boat on October 10. They were 13 days in the boat, having The chief officer, in that time run 1,500 miles. third mate, and four men, who were in the pinnace, were parted with at sea. the chain would have to walk across and resume THE Imperial schooner "Levrette" has just left Toulon for the Red Sea. She is to pass through the Suez Canal, and her trip is to be considered in some sort as the official opening of that route. She is to head a procession of yachts and pleasure boats, to the number, it is said, of a thousand. The luxury of the decorations-a large number are already collected at Port Said-and the richness of the fittings, will make it a veritable Royal fleet, and, to add to the splendour of the scene, the Viceroy is expected to be present. their places as it reappeared on the other side. But at the wider and more dangerous crossings the platform should pass over them by a flying bridge sufficiently high to allow of the traffic beneath, and yet only wide enough to allow the passage of one person, say, 3ft. wide. Over this bridge the chain would still keep moving, carrying along with it its living freight. Thus, a man starting from the Mansion House, and stepping on the chain, and standing still, would, in twenty minutes, find himself at Charing Cross, without having exerted himself more than would be required to step across the few narrow streets in his path. I see and I admit a vast number of difficulties in carrying out this idea. I expect it to be derided, but I recommend it to the attention of the residents and of the proprietors of houses on the main lines of street. If the traffic on these established lines is diverted, I want to know how THE sailing ship "Tantallon Castle," Captain the rents are to be kept up. But by some such Howson, of Messrs. Donald Currie and Co's Castle device as I have proposed, the traffic of foot pas-line of packets between England and Calcutta, has sengers might be increased by thousands in the day just arrived in London from Calcutta Sand Heads and yet little inconvenience result. All who wished in seventy-eight days. The passage out was made could walk as they walk now; the carriages or in eighty days, and the whole voyage has been drays are not interfered with, nor are the streets completed in six months, eighteen days, including diminished in width. If you print this, hundreds of forty-two days' detention in the Hoogly-the ingenious minds will doubtless read it, and I fully fastest voyage yet made. expect the plan will be largely improved upon and developed. Perhaps it will be laughed at; well, if so, that is no great calamity. It is something to have provided food for a laugh in these dull times.I am, Sir, yours, &c., JOSEPH DYER. Sydney, New South Wales, September 8. [We have also looked at the difficulties of the present proposition, and are not nearly so sanguine of overcoming them as our correspondent. Besides, we by no means admit the necessity for such a scheme. Mr. Dyer has forgotten the Charing Cross Railway, by which passengers can proceed from the City to the West-end in seven or eight minutes for twopence. Then there is the Thames Embankment, as well as new streets and through routes which are in course of being opened up. However, our readers will doubtless thank Mr. Dyer for his novel suggestion, as, indeed, we do, in these "dull times." --ED. M. M.] We must absolutely decline attending to any communications unaccompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for insertion, but as a proof of good faith, ED. M. M. Advertisements are inserted in the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE, at the rate of 6d. per line, or 5d. per line for 13 insertions, or 4d. per line for 26 insertions. Each line consists of about 10 words. Woodcuts are charged at the same rate as typo Special arrangements made for large advertise The "Tantallon Castle" is now three and a-half years old, and has just completed her fifth voyage between England and Calcutta. She was built by Messrs. Robest Steele and Co., of Greenock. A BODY of officers of Her Majesty's Customs, headed by two examining officers, the other day paid a visit to H.M. Screw Indian Relief troopship Serapis," Captain John C. Soady, now lying in dock at Portsmouth, and, proceeding direct to the foretank room, pulled out, apparently to the great astonishment of those of the officers and crew standing by, thirty-eight bags filled with leaf tobacco, which had been stowed away between the tops of the tanks and the deck beams. The whole was, of course, seized and conveyed to the Custom-house, where it was found to weigh within a few pounds of 18cwt. No "owner" was forthcoming. ON Friday last, the Duke of Richmond, president of the Board of Trade, presented to Mr. E. A. R. Acton, of that department, on behalf of the Italian Government, a handsome testimonial which had been forwarded in acknowledgment of the eminent services rendered by Mr. Acton in compiling, in conjunction with Captain A. Albini, of the Royal Italian Navy, the Italian edition of the "International Code of Signals." The It lian Government had proposed to mark their sense of Mr. Acton's services by conferring upon him the decoration of the "Crown of Italy;" but, as the regulations of Her Majesty's service do not admit of the acceptance by a British subject of a foreign Order, Mr. Acton was unable to accept the offered distinction. A BERLIN letter says at the latest artillery experiments, a gun of twenty-four pierced iron plates of from 5in. to 6in. in thickness, and this is considered a prodigious result. The idea of fortifying the railways seems about to be realized in all the new constructions. The bridges of the Oder, near Frankfort, on that river, and of Pommersig, are to be furnished with permanent works. The same is to be said of the bridge over the Rhine, near Reuss. RECEIVED.-W. G. S.-W. H.-J. B.-H. W. L.-C. H.-Probably, also, the new communication across the J. D.-P. M.-J. W. and Co.-S. K. M.-J. F.-J. M. Elbe will be fortified. The experiments lately made A. R.-C. J.-D. R.-C. W. P.-F. T. C.-A. T.-B. F.J. K.-T. L. H.-J. N.-I. M. E.-J. B-W. P. M.-A. B.- there in the employment again of bronze for guns Y. and H.-B. H.-D. T.-J. H.-R. S. P.-H. M. S.- have yielded very good results as respects field R. F.-E. J.-J. P. B.-T. W. T.-R. P.-J. D. F.-R. S.- pieces. Artillery of the same kind has also been T. L.-J. B.-R. M.-J. B.-R. N.-H. C. ments. THE iron troopship "Inconstant," which has been building at Pembroke Dock for some time past, is expected to be launched immediately. tried in Bavaria. WE take the following items from the "Army and Navy Gazette:-We hear that the field artillery in India are about to be armed with bronze muzzleloading rifled guns. For several reasons we are not so pleased to hear that they are to be cast in India, ONE of the 200 cast-iron service 8-inch 65cwt. smooth-bore guns now being lined with coiled iron tubes and rifled by Sir William Armstrong and Co. at Elswick on Major Palliser's system, was delivered at Woolwich last week, and, having successfully passed proof, was inmediately forwarded to Shoeburyness for test of its rifling by ascertaining range and accuracy of projectiles fired from it-namely, shells of 641b., the powder charge of the gun being 81b. The result was highly satisfactory; in fact, we hear that the shooting has never been surpassed by any other rifled gun. The system of rifling proposed by Major Palliser for these guns, and which has turned out so successful, is simply three plain grooves, enabling the 64-pounder Armstrong shutt rifled gun projectiles to be used, the Palliser gun being 64-pounder bore-i.e., 6-3 inches. But the character of the shooting is, no doubt, due to the removal by Major Palliser of the rear ring of studs from the projectiles. liscellanea. THE Council of the Royal Agricultural Society have elected Mr. H. M. Jenkins, F.G.S., to the office of secretary and editor. There were forty-six candidates. As a proof of the extreme mildness of the season, we may mention that Mr. William Boyer, of Aldermaston, Berks, has a second crop of raspberries in his garden, this fruit being much finer than the first crop. MR. BALDWIN LATHAM, C.E., President of the Society of Engineers, gave a dinner to the council and officers of the Society on Friday last at the Bridge House Hotel, London Bridge, when an exceedingly pleasant evening was passed. THE number of visitors to the Patent Office Museum, South Kensington, for the week ending November 7, was 4,184. Total number since the opening of the Museum, free daily (May 12, 1858), 1,427,527. WE understand that the Markets Improvement Committee have definitely fixed November 24 1or the opening of the new meat and poultry market. In the unavoidable absence of the Prince of Wales, the ceremony will be performed by the Lord Mayor. THE Contractors of the Honduras Inter-octanic Railway, Messrs. Waring Brothers, have made arrangements for the shipment of all the plant required for the first section of the railway from the harbour of Puerto Caballos, on the Atlantic coast, to the town of Santiago. THE sinking and fixing of the last lift, or set of pumps, at the Mosley Common collieries, belonging to the Bridgewater Trust, has been completed. The depth is 1,020ft., and the working of the collieries will give employment to a large number of persons, as there are four or five seams of coal, which will last for many years. IT is important to property owners to know that counsel's opinion has been given this week to the effect that the Board of Works is not empowered to drain streets, and charge the property owners the costs, but the owners are bound to construct the necessary drains in accordance with the requirements of the Board. DURING the first seven months of the present year, the exports of cast iron from Belgium amounted to 10,509 tons, as compared with 7,082 tous in 1867 and 10,404 tons in 1866. This shows an increase of 3,427 tons in the exports during the same period in 1867, and 105 on those of 1866. The imports which in 1867 were 34,548 tons, in 1868 amounted to only 24,532 tons. THE Smithfield Club Cattle Show is to commence at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, on Monday, December 7, and will continue open during the four following days. The Earl of Hardwicke is the president for the year, and amongst the prominent members of the Club are the Dukes of Marlborough, and Richmond, Earls Leicester, Powis, and Spencer, Viscount Bridport, and Lords Berners, Tredegar, and Walsingham. The aggregate amount of the prizes is £5,300. The number of visitors to the South Kensington Museum during the week ending November 7, 1868, was-on Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, free, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 12,155; on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (admission 6d.), from 10 am. to 4 p.m., 1,681; total-13,836. Average of corresponding week in former years, 9,693. Total from the opening of the Museum-7,892,805. AT the last meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works, a plan was adopted for the improvement of Park-lane, by the opening up of Hamilton-place, as proposed by the bill promoted by the Board in 1865, and the taking of the two northernmost houses on the east side of Hamilton-place, and the solicitor is instructed to issue the necessary notices of the Board's intention to apply to Parliament for an Act to enable them to carry out the improvement. WE read that a stereotyping machine has been invented in America, in which each type is made successively to leave its intended impress upon a plastic surface, and when type metal is poured over this surface a stereotype plate is obtained. The motive power required to work this machine is supplied by electricity; but the hand of the operator must determine which letter is successively selected for the impress, which may be done by playing upon keys like those of a piano 1343 C. BROWN, Dublin. Baking. Dated April 24, 1868. This invention consists in constructing apparatus of two or more plates or castings placed one above another, such plates or castings having transverse internal channels or pipes, each channel or pipe opening at each end into a longitudinal channel or pipe. One longitudinal pipe forms the inlet and the other the outlet for a supply of steam or other fluid. The plates are supported by collars or bosses which are threaded internally, and are mounted on upright threaded shafts or columns. The collars or bosses are wheel or a bevel wheel, and these wheels are geared into each firmly secured to or formed in one with a worm by corresponding worms or bevel wheels on transverse shafts, of which there is one at each end of every plate. The two transverse shafts are connected by chains, or by gearing, so that when one shaft is turned by a crank handle, or otherwise, the other shaft turns equally and simultaneously. By these means the several plates can be moved up or down to bring them nearer to or farther from each other, as required. Brackets carried from the plates to the transverse shafts help to support the shafts. For baking, hot pressing, or other heating purposes, steam or other heating medium is caused to circulate through the channels or pipes of the plates, while, for cooling purposes, cold water, or other cooling medium, is caused to circulate through them.-Patent completed. peating firearms. Dated April 24, 1868. 1344 J. R. JOHNSON, Red Lion-square, London. ReThis invention is not described apart from the drawings. 1345 R. and T. NUTTALL, Walmsley, and B. BARBER, Manchester. Manufacture of woven fabrics termed quillings and toiletings. Dated April 24, 1868. THE first meeting of the Institution of Civil Engineers for the ensuing session, to be held on Tuesday, the 17th inst., will take place in new premises erected during the recess on the old site in Great George-street. In the interval that has elapsed since the close of the last session, the premises have been entirely rebuilt, and the accommo--Patent completed. dation for members, both in the meeting-room and in the library, has been more than doubled. The meeting-room will now seat comfortably about 400. WE have from Valparaiso an extraordinary account of the election of a patron saint to one of the churches there, which was concluded on September 6. The Mercurio " says the favourite candidate was "the Adorable Saviour of the world." who polled 19,946 votes; the Most Holy Virgin" had 4,132; sundry odd saints put in a poor show, polling in the aggregate 384 votes. After the election, a" Te Deum" was sung, and a sermon pronounced in celebration of the joyful event. Patents for Juventions. ABRIDGED SPECIFICATIONS OF THE Abridged Specifications of Patents given below are classified, according to the subject to which the respective inventions refer, in the following table. By the system of classification adopted, the numerical and chronological order of the specifications is preserved and combined with all the advantages of a division into classes. It should be understood that these abridgments are prepared exclusively for this Magazine from official copies supplied by the Government, and are, therefore, the property of the Proprietors of this Magazine. Other papers are hereby warned not to produce them without an acknowledg ment: 1419 GENERAL MACHINERY—1355, 1390, 1393, 1899, 1406, 1409, LIGHTING, HEATING, AND VENTILATING-1361, 1369 METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture1397, 1407 MISCELLANEOUS-1343, 1346, 1349, 1354, 1358, 1363, 1367 1368, 1372, 1374, 1392, 1394, 1396, 1398, 1401, 1408, 1413' 1415, 1417, 1418 ROADS AND VEHICLES, including railway plant and car riages, saddlery, and harness, &c.—1342, 1848, 1356, SHIPS AND BOATS, including their fittings-1380, 1387, 1395, 1412, 1414 1377, 1379 STEAM ENGINES-1362 WARFARE-1344, 1352, 1353, 1357, 1373, 1375, 1376 1341 J.BAGGS, High Holborn, London. Manufacture of white lead. Dated April 25, 1868. This invention consists, under one head, in effecting double decompositions of the soluble salts of lead by alkaline carbonates in the state of hot or boiling solutions. and washing the precipitates thereby produced with hot or boiling waters; and in subjecting such precipitates, as well as other white leads, in a wet state to the action of centrifugal force in a machine such as is well known as the hydro-extractor.-Patent abandoned. 1342 T. T. MACNEIL, Cockspur-street, Charing-cross, London. Apparatus for indicating the distances travelled by cabs and other vehicles. Dated April 24, 1868. One part of this invention consists in fixing upon the nave or other part of one wheel of a cab or other vehicle a grooved wheel or pulley, the diameter of which bears a definite proportion to the diameter of the wheel. Round such grooved wheel is passed an elastic band, by preference wholly or partly of india-rubber, which band passes round a second grooved wheel or pulley which is always made of one definite size, to suit the before-mentioned proportion of the other pulley and the wheel of the vehicle, and which imparts motion to any arrangement of mechanism for indicating the distance travelled, or the fare payable; but, by preference, the patentee employs in combination therewith the arrangement of mechanism described in the specification.-Patent completed. This invention consists in a novel arrangement of warp threads and healds constituting what is called the tie up The invention is not described apart from the drawings. Patent completed. 1346 D. C. LOWBAR, Southampton-buildings, Chancerylane. Wire tie for securing bales. Dated April 24, 1868. truss is formed of iron or other metal wire of the proper Here the portion of the tie which encircles the bale or size or gauge to give the required strength. At one end of the tie the patentee forms a loop by turning back and twisting or coiling the extremity of the wire. In this loop he secures a hook, which is also formed of iron, or other suitable metal wire, such being of a larger size than the other wire to render the tie equally strong in all parts. At the other end of the tie he forms another loop or eye, and when the tie has been arranged around the bale or truss, the book is inserted into this eye, the two ends of the tie being thereby securely coupled together.-Patent completed. 1347 C. W. HARRISON, Oberstein-road, Clapham Junction, Surrey. Means of preventing incrustation in boilers, &c. Dated April 24, 1868. It is well known that water always acquires positive negative or contrary electricity is imparted. electricity in its friction against solid bodies, to which a In this condition the solid body, especially if a good condector, like one of the metals, becomes susceptible of combining with or being coated with various of the products that are thrown down from water by both the secondary action derived from electricity and by heat. Now, the purport of this invention is to obviate this tendency in boilers and vessels within which water is heated by means of arrangements or constructions which shall by continuous or intermittent electrical discharge obstruct or carry away this induced electricity. Also by the medium of the separate electrical source placed in or connected with the vessel forming the feed water tank to purify the water from much of the saline or foreign matters that it holds, before it passes into the boiler.-Patent completed. 1348 J. LIDDARD and G. BUXTON, Birkenhead. Rails and chairs of railways. Dated April 24, 1868. This invention consists in a method of adapting rails to chairs whereby the usual wooden wedges may be dispensed with. For this purpose the patentees place loose pieces on the sides of the rails corresponding to the form thereof, and which pieces are then passed into recesses formed in the chairs, or the said loose pieces may be replaced by projecting parts rolled or otherwise formed upon or affixed to the rails.-Patent completed. don. Apparatus for scoring or marking at billiards. Dated 1349 J. WETHERILT, Chapel-street West, Mayfair, LonApril 24, 1868. This invention consists in adapting to the movable rollers which carry the numbers or spots (as the case may be) for marking the game, gearing for driving index wheels, which wheels are marked with numbers corresponding to the games to be recorded. Stationary fingers or pointers are set over the faces of the index wheels to is adapted to these wheels to prevent them from being show their progress of rotation, and a stop arrangement turned back.-Patent abandoned. base, and is thus preserved from accidental friction, or a blow, which is not the case with the ordinary centralfire breech-loading cartridge, the detonator of which is nearly flush with the level of the base of the cartridge, and sometimes projects above it, in which case the cartridge is liable to be exploded while in the act of closing the breech, especially in depressing barrel breechloading arms.-Patent abandoned. 1353 W. BARTRAM, Sheffield. 'Apparatus for filling, closing, and re-capping cartridges. Dated April 24, 1868. trated in a future number of this journal.-Patent comThis invention will probably be described and illuspleted. 1354 G. A. WELCH, R.N., Sydenham, Kent. Apparatus for the preservation of life and property at sea. Dated April 24, 1868. This apparatus consists of an air-tight casing, somewhat tapered in form towards the bottom, having a central space open from top to bottom for the reception of the person or valuables to be saved. This casing, which may be in one or more compartments, and of any suitable metal or other material, the patentee encloses in an open framework of wood or battens suitably connected together, which serves to protect it, and at the same time adds to its floating power. This open framework is also placed on the bottom of the casing, so as to form a support for the feet open to the water. He further provides the apparatus with one or more hollow tubes or sockets passing from top to bottom, each containing a signal staff for the purpose of indicating the position of the apparatus or ship to which it belongs, and also for attracting the notice buoy when in the water, to facilitate its recovery by the of a passing vessel should it be lost. Each signal staff is fitting the one in the other, the whole being contained in telescopic, being formed in two or more parts or sections the socket or sockets before mentioned. The signal staff is automatically raised out of its socket when the buoy is dropped into the water by means of a weighted rod sliding in the lower part of the socket. There are other points of detail.-Patent completed. and dressing ores and minerals. Dated April 24, 1868. 1355 J. BERNARD, Salisbury-street, Strand. Preparing This invention relates to an improved method and means for washing or separating different ores and minerals from each other, and also from their matrices and other impurities. One modification of carrying out this part of the invention consists of the following arrangement and means:-In a cylindrical or other suitably formed vessel or cistern, which is secured to a common framing, the patentee places a chambered movable bottom, on which is secured a perforated top or sieve, or in lieu of the movable chambered bottom he employs a fixed bottom, and a movable perforated plate, either being free to move water-tight upwards and downwards in the said cistern. This movable bottom or plate is placed upon and attached to a tube or hollow piston, and which passes water-tight through the head of a cylin ler placed directly underneath the cistern; both the other hollowed piston and the lower cylinder are furnished with suitable cocks and valves for the escape of water, atmosphere, or other fluid, as may be required, and which may be either forced or kept under a convenient head pressure until required. When any material is to be heated by this process, the perforated movable bottom or plate is supposed to be at the bottom of the cistern, and the material placed in it, after which water is permitted to flow into the lower cylinder and through the hollow piston rod and perforated plate into the cistern, passing through the material, which it forces up in its passage, keeping it in a state of suspension and agitation until the whole becomes arranged according to the specific gravity of each particle. Water alone, and water and atmosphere, may be employed to obtain the desired result, according to circumstances. When the materials are sufficiently acted upon, they are allowed to subside, after which the perforated plate or bottom is raised by closing the valve in the hollow piston, and communicating with the cistern, which will have the effect of the water pressing upon the surface of the hollow piston rod, and thereby elevating it with the movable bottom and the material in the cistern to any desired position, which will enable the attendant to remove the whole or any portion of the material; the hollow piston and movacle or perforated plate connected therewith, can now I lowered by stopping the communication with the prescylinder to escape, after which the operation can be resing medium, and permitting the fluid in the lower peated.-Patent completed. 1356 T. F. CASHIN, Sheffield. 'Apparatus for actuating and regulating the working of railway signals, &c. Dated April 25, 1868. This invention consists, first, of switch levers for working single sets of points on sidings of main lines, branch lines, or for shunting. Second, of combined levers and tions or stations. Third, of an arrangement for permitappliances for working the points and signals of juncting trains to run behind the points at junctions and stations without deranging the system of locking. Fourth, of a contrivance for forcing the points home close, and crushing any compressible matter that may be between them and the rails by the action of the train passing over them. Fifth, of a method for preventing the abutting ends of fish-jointed rails from being depressed below one another, or the connecting bolts from being turned loose. The details of the invention are voluminous.-Patent abandoned. 1350 W. H. RYLAND, Birmingham. Fastenings for articles of dress and jewellery. Dated April 24, 1868. The patentee claims the combination or arrangement of a hinged bow, sliding bar, and springs, and chamber for containing the said bar and springs, substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings, whereby the releasing of the bow of the fastening is effected by a pulling action, and the liability to the accidental unfastening of the said bow thus prevented.-Patent completed. 1351 J. DEWAR. Kirkcaldy, Fife, N.B. Making and pre-ceiving and absorbing or checking the recoil of ordnance. Dated serving manure. Dated April 24, 1868. 1357 W. N. HUTCHINSON, Wellesbourne, Devon. Re and absorbing or checking the recoil of one or more cylinThis invention consists in the employment for receiving ders or receivers containing air which the recoil compresses in such cylinders or receivers.-Patent abandoned. 1358 L. MARSON, Eagley, Lancashire. Means for retainThis invention relates to the retention of the outer end simply bruises it or grinds it up into a meal or powder, In making manure, the patentee dries fish, and then April 25, 1868. in which condition it is ready for use as manure. He also mixes fish prepared as above-mentioned with blood, viscera, and offal of animals, or with draff or dreg (by which he means the refuse of grain used by brewers and distillers), also dried and bruised or ground up as above-ing the outer ends of tapes, ribbons, &c. Dated April 25, 1868. mentioned. To preserve as manure in an inoffensive and innocuous condition he subjects these substances to the action of sulphurous acid.-Patent completed. 1352 W. BARTRAM, Sheffield. Cartridges. Dated April 24, 1868. Here the inventor proposes to form the cartridge case of brass, or other suitable metal, and to apply to the iterior of the base a nipple set and fixed in a socket tube attached to the box, leaving a space around the nipple enclosed by the tube or socket; the face of the nipple is adjusted about the sixteenth of an inch below the surface of the base of the cartridge case, so that, when the cap is placed on the nipple, its striking face is well below the (which is ordinarily left unfastened or loose) of tapes, ribbons, and similar narrow fabrics or paper, and consists in the application and use of metallic wire, or other suitable material, or thin plate, employed as a binding or retaining band, cincture, or loop so bent or formed as to embrace the loose end of the tapes, ribbons, or similar narrow fabrics or paper, and also the fold or layer or folds of paper or ribbon beneath such loose end, so that, as the loose end (which projects slightly beyond the said band or cincture) is pulled to unwind the tape or fabric; the band runs or slides upon the lower fold or layer, and constantly holds the upper layer on to the lower, so that wherever the |