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ing the results together giving 2862-35, and subtracting therefrom 171-4, thence leaving 2690-95 for a remainder. This quantity, multiplied by one-twelfth of the distance between the horizontal sections, and then by the constant number 2 x 4-2 before mentioned, will give 2825-4975 cubic feet, or 80-7285 tons for the displacement between these lines; and, therefore, the displacement to the 2 W.L. is equal to 219-84 — 80-7285 or 139-1115

tons.

To form the scale of displacement, a vertical line, as L.W.L., 5 W.L, drawn on page 298, is taken as the axis of abscissæ, and the dotted line perpendicular to it, marked "lower part of keel," as the other axis of co-ordinates. From the point where these axes intersect the heights of the horizontal sections, above the under side of the keel amidships, are set up according to scale; through the points 44 W.L., 4 W.L., &c., thus obtained, lines are drawn parallel to the dotted line, and from the vertical line distances are set off upon them, proportionate to the displacement in tons to the cor

responding water-lines. The scale in the figure is of an inch to 10 tons; consequently, the distance from the vertical line to the point in the curve at L.W.L. is 21 984 feet on the "quarter" scale. The distance on the horizontal line at 2 W.L. to the point in the curve is 13.91115 feet; and so on for the others.

The very small displacement below 5 W.L. has been neglected in our calculations; consequently, the curve must meet the vertical line at 5 W.L.

|

as an

screw, combining with it the high velocity of forward motion to be obtained from the use of the fish-tail at the same time astern of the rudder. It is well known that one defect of the screw is, that it does not, under all circumstances, e. g., head to wind, utilize sufficiently the steam power which might be applied to it if there were more perfect resistance. This, any greater area brought to bear on the resisting medium, would effectually absorb; but no advance with the screw alone, in this direction, is possible without at the ame time increasing the draught of water. I will give a brief description of the mode of construction and appliance of a "fish-tail" propeller, according to this view. The propeller should first be framed with a central boss, and with hammered brass springs exactly like the bones of a fish's tail projecting from it above and below. Then this framework should be covered with india-rubber, to complete the imitation. The motion might be obtained from the end of the screw shaft by an

past ten or twelveccentric, working in a frame which would give

Vienna, a machine for needlework, by which, it is
said, every kind of sewing may be executed with
the utmost precision. The Emperor of Austria
has granted a patent to the inventor. Should
these mechanical perfections make much farther
advancement, every thing in the world will
shortly he executed machine,"
To Americans, however, the world is indebted
for the invention of sewing machines adapted to
common use in tailoring, shirt-making, dress-
making, boot-making, and similar trades. The
high prices paid for common hand-sewing in the
United States naturally led to the invention and
use of labour-saving machines adapted to plain
sewing, just as the high prices of fancy articles for
clothing had previously led to the introduction of
similar machines among the lace-makers and em-
broiderers of England. The American inventors
who are best known in the United States and in
Europe, are Elias Howe, jun., and Sherburne C.
Blodgett. The only American manufacturer who
is
Elias Howe, jun., has for the past ten or twelve
years occupied the first place among the inventors
of sewing machines. His patent of September 10,
1846, for the combination of the needle and the
shuttle has been generally acknowledged to be at
the foundation of the sewing machine trade in the
United States. All the leading manufacturers have
accepted licences from him, and his income from
the royalties thus received is said to amount to
not less £20,000 annually. Sherburne C. Blodgett
from the fact of
one to which a prize
was awarded at the Exhibition of 1851. In con-
sequence of this exhibition of sewing machines in
London in 1851, and of their exhibition subse-
quently in Dublin in the following year, the
American idea of sewing by machinery became
current and popular in this country. Very soon
a demand was created for machines superior to
those which had previously been used in embroi-
dering and stay-making, and improved machines
were rapidly introduced, most of them, however,
being of American invention and manufacture.
The demand for army clothing during the Crimean
the improvements which were being constantly
made upon them has tended to increase their use-
fulness and their sale. In mechanical construction
they are rapidly approaching perfection; but it is
much to be regretted that the machines sold in
England had not been so far reduced in price as
to bring them within the reach of the middling
classes, and especially of families in moderate cir-

When the curve (A) has been drawn through is best kreat Brit
the points thus found, the displacement corre-
sponding to any water-line between 5 W.L. and
L.W.L. may be readily found. Thus :-From the
dotted line set up a distance equal to the draught
of water on the proper scale; and through the
point found draw a level line cutting the curve
4. The distance of their intersection from the
vertical line when set off on the scale of tons will
give the displacement required.

THE SEWING MACHINE.

A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF ITS INVENTION. The essential parts of a sewing machine are but few. Machinery is needed only to pass a thread through the fabric, to retain this thread in the fabric after it has been passed through it, to change the relative position of the fabric and the needle for the formation of the stitches, and to tighten the thread in the fabric so as to form a seam. Every combination of machinery which effects these objects is a sewing machine.

There are five varieties of sewing machines: 1st. Embroidering, tambour, or chain-stitch machines. 2nd. Running-stitch machines. 3rd. Compound chain-stitch machines. 4th. Lock-stitch machines. 5th. Back-stitch machines.

In England, the first inventors of these varieties of the sewing machines, and the dates of their inventions, are as follows:- A tambouring, or chain-stitching machine, was first patented by John Duncan, May 30, 1804. A running-stitch machine was first patented by Leonard Bostwick, April 2, 1844. A machine for making a compound chain-stitch, and also a lock-stitch machine, were first patented by John Fisher and James Gibbons, December 7, 1844. The first patent for a backstitch machine was granted to Frederick F. Robinon, February 7, 1851. Bostwick's machine is extremely simple, and Robinson's is extremely complicated; but as neither has been used to any considerable extent in this country, they deserve to be named only to make the list of varieties complete. John Duncan and John Fisher are the original inventors of the sewing machines used at present in Great Britain. All other patentees have merely improved upon their inventions.

On the Continent several of these varieties were used before they were patented in England. In France tambouring machines were used about the beginning of the present century. A number of the London Monthly Magazine, published in 1817, contains an allusion to an Austrian sewing machine, which may be quoted as a literary curiosity-"A Tyrolian has lately invented, at

war stimulated manufacturers and importers, and

cumstances.

FISH-TAIL PROPELLERS.

RUDDER

FISH TAIL

any vertical mo

reciprocating horizontal, with...
tion from the combined circ... motion of the
shaft, and this would admit or e joint which is
of course necessary being placed in the false stern
post or rudder, as most advisable. The rudder
would be cut through and jointed, as in the case
of those screws which now work astern of the
rudder, and which are not uncommon. To provide
for the cessation of motion in the fish-tail when
going astern, it would be necessary to give a cer-
tain degree of "fore and aft" play to the eccen-
tric on the screw shaft, so that the back pull
should disengage the eccentric from its frame.

This is, of course, only a rough idea and sketch of what I believe might be done; but it is clear that if practicable, the speed may be greatly increased of all screw vessels, and perhaps also a more efficient power be obtained of steering straight astern.

W. Crag, Grasmere, June 15, 1859.

J. H. SELWYN.

THE EXPERIMENTAL SCREW
PROPELLER.

THE annexed figure is an authentic representation
of the shape to which the propeller was reduced

THE following interesting letter is from the pen by cutting off its leading corner in the late exof Captain Selwyn, R.N.:

TO THE EDITORS OF THE “ MECHANICS' MAGAZINE."
GENTLEMEN,-I have read with much interest
your account of Mr. Reddie's paper read at the
U. S. Inst., May 30, and you will perhaps allow
me a few remarks on the subject.

Mr. Reddie is scarcely correct in assuming that
the "fish-tail" form of propeller has been so much
overlooked. It is mentioned in Appendix D, of
the new edition of Tredgold's work, and indeed
few seamen who give their attention to such sub-
jects have failed to observe and appreciate the
admirable ease with which the ocean fishes, pro-
pelled only by this means, are able to pass the
most rapid steamer when urged to her highest
speed. My own thoughts have often been given
to the subject; but the difficulty to be met is, or
I may say, I think, was this, that no backward
motion, no "going astern," so essential to steamers,
could be obtained from such a form of propeller.
I now see reason to believe, however, that this
apparently insuperable difficulty only arose from
our not having studied nature quite closely
enough. In all those fishes (and there are many)
which are capable of rapid backing or stern mo-
tion, the breast fins or paddles are used for this
purpose, and there seems no reason why we should
not avail ourselves of the backing powers of the

periments made with the Doris. It will be perceived that by thus cutting in a straight line, instead of rounding off the corner, two other corners are formed, and the cut being across the thickness of the metal in the blade, a blunt surface was left, which consequently met with greater resistance from the water than it would if chamfered to an edge. That a blade of this im

perfect shape, with so thick a square edge, should have proved its merits sufficiently to stand second in the order of merit of the propellers tried on that occasion would seem to amount to a proof that a blade formed, as Sir Howard Douglas proposed, in a fair flowing curve throughout, with the leading edge made fine, would be still more. successful.

BUNNETT'S PATENT SELF-SUPPORTING FIRE-PROOF FLOORS, ROOFS, AND ARCHES.
FIC.I.

FIC.2.

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BUNNETT'S PATENT SELF-SUPPORTING | for the application of remedial measures. Many
FIRE-PROOF FLOORS, ROOFS, & ARCHES.

By W. BADDELEY, C.E.

plans have been devised for the construction of fire-proof houses within the last half century, and of these, the last appears to be the most practical. THE recent disastrous conflagration of an oil and I allude to the methods of constructing self-supturpentine warehouse in Linte-street has caused porting fire-proof floors, roofs, and arches, recently considerable excitement among the citizens, and patented by Mr. Bunnett, the well-known builder's led to an inquiry as to the best method of pre-engineer, of Deptford. This invention was briefly venting a recurrence of such a disaster. Two things appear to be plainly demonstrated by this fatal occurrence, viz., that large depositories of such highly-inflammable materials ought not to be tolerated in such densely-crowded localities; and that all warehouses for containing such stores, wherever located, should be of fire-proof con

struction.

[blocks in formation]

noticed in the annual report of London fires for
1858 (ante page 206), and as it is now exciting
much interest in the building world, the follow-
ing additional particulars may probably be
interesting to your numerous readers.

Bunnett's fire-proof floors are constructed of
hollow or cellular bricks, so formed, externally, as
to lock into each other on all sides, so that, when
laid to break joints, each brick receives the direct
support of six adjoining ones, carrying out a prin-
ciple of mutual support over the whole extent of
the floor.

Figures 1 and 2 show a transverse and longitudinal section of one of these cellular bricks made of clay or brick earth; they are produced by forcing the plastic clay through dies or moulding orifices, the dies being so forined as to cause each. block to be produced with two of its sides of a suitable shape to overlap and be overlapped by the adjacent bricks. The form of the overlapping parts a a may be varied, but it is believed that the form of block shown above is as convenient as any for the construction of floors and roofs of fire-proof character.

In addition to the two sides of each block being
made so as to give support to, and receive sup

tight. Its thickness and its property of being air-tight
will be easily observed to be its only causes of safety."-
Braidwood on Fire-engines,

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port from other blocks, the ends of each block are also so cut as to give and receive a similar support.

Fig. 3 shows a floor composed of these blocks, laid in cement, and farther held in position by tierods or bars B, at intervals, which pass through the hollow spaces formed within the blocks 4, to plates of angle iron C; so that the entire thrust of the arches is received and sustained by the rods and plates B, C. The end of the arches thus produced may be built into walls, or carried by piers or other supports, according to the purpose to which it is to be applied, whether for the construction of floors, or roofs of houses, bridges, &c.,

&c.

In Fig. 3 the floor is slightly canted, which would, for many purposes, be thought advantageous; but Fig. 4 shows the method of proceeding when a flat-boarded floor is to be laid upon the arch with a ceiling underneath.

In this case the tie-rods, B, are shown as passing below the bricks (instead of through them), and through the walls, forming supports for the ceiling joists.

Fig. 5 shows a fire-proof floor, or roof, constructed of graduated cellular bricks, with a central key-brick, forming a perfectly flat floor on the upper surface, but arched on the underside. are the blocks, B the tie-rod, and C the angle iron wall plates.

A

Fig. 6 is a section of one of the graduated cellular blocks employed in the construction of the floor, Fig. 5. The advantages of these fire-proof floors consist in the facility and cheapness with which they can be constructed; their capacity to resist and remain unaltered by heat; their great strength, and fitness for the reception of wood floors, cement, plaster, imitation of marbles, or

encaustic tiles, in which case they will not exceed in thickness an ordinary floor with joists.

Arches upon this principle are well adapted for cheap and durable bridges of a moderate span, as well as for beams, girders, &c.

Persons desirous of availing themselves of this admirable invention will do well to visit Mr. Bunnett's works at Deptford, where practical demonstrations of the strength and capabilities of floors of this description may be seen and tested.

SCOTT'S

COMPENSATION SELF-REGISTERING MAXIMUM THERMOMETER,

FOR DEEP-SEA OBSERVATIONS. MR. WENTWORTH L. SCOTT, of Brunswick-terrace, Westbourne-grove, has favoured us with the following description of his thermometer for deepsea observations, which was exhibited at this year's Exhibition of Inventions at the Society of Arts.

This instrument consists of a glass tube with a cylindrical bulb containing mercury (as in the ordinary thermometer) at its lower extremity; but at the top the stem is drawn on into a fine jet, bent at right angles, A, Fig. 1; in the interior of the second bulb, B, Fig. 1, this upper bulb is about half filled with mercury, the remaining space being a vacuum; near its base a platinum wire, p, is welded into the glass and bent upwards so that its point is nearly in contact with that of the jet. It is obvious that when the instrument is "set," i.e. the lower bulb and capillary tube to the point of the jet completely filled with' mercury-any rise of temperature will expand the mercury and cause it to overflow in minute globules into the reservoir above. The platinum wire is simply for the purpose of preventing the formation of large drops at the point of the jet, by its superior attraction for the fluid metal. Upon cooling, the mercury now remaining will of course sink in the tube. The instrument is so graduated that if it were cooled to 0 deg. Fahr. the level of the mercury would precisely indicate the highest temperature to which it had been previously exposed; but if the observation were made at the atmospheric temperature the mercury would stand exactly as much higher in the tube, i.e., lower in the scale, as the temperature of the air was above 0 deg. Fahr.; therefore to ascertain the maximum temperature it is only necessary to add to the degree at which the mercury stands the temperature at the time the observation is made. Thus, supposing the "compensation" thermometer marks 35 deg., and an ordinary instrument by its side is at 50 deg., 85 deg. will be the highest temperature that has occurred since the last observation. "set" this thermometer, the lower bulb must be gently raised until the mercury runs down the tube into the reservoir-bulb; when contact has thus been established between the two portions of the metal, the reservoir-bulb is slightly elevated, care being taken to keep the point of the glass jet under the sun-face of the metal (the dotted line aa in the diagram represents the level of the mercury during this operation). The mercury will now flow back into the lower bulb and refill the small vacuum produced by the previous decantation, when, upon restoring the instrument to its original vertical position, the tube will be full to the extreme point of the jet. It will be at once seen that vibration or agitation cannot militate in any degree against the accuracy of this instrumeat, no moveable indices being employed. Fig. 1 gives a view of the upper bulb, and a portion of the scale, of the actual dimensions. Fig. 2, onethird full size, shows a section of the entire instrument in a gun-metal tube for deep-sea experiments. Fig. 3 is an external elevation. The thermometer is "set," and inserted in the tube (into which, after greasing, a little mercury has been poured), oscillation being prevented by rings of vulcanised india-rubber, the upper one clamped by the binding screws bb; lastly, the cap is tightly screwed on, the arrangement being then ready for use. Well greased leather washers occupy the spaces at ww. The silver medal of

To

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the Society of Arts has recently been awarded to the inventor for this instrument. It has also been examined and approved by Rear-Admiral R. Fitzroy.

IN a late number of the Morning Star we read: "The invention of the myria-type of M. Combarieu has been submitted to the Government and accepted for inspection. This marvellous invention being destined to operate an immense and immediate revolution in the art printing, it is worth description. Hitherto the characters used in printing have been characters, by reason of their extreme softness, wear composed of a mixture of lead and antimony; these out quickly, and are, besides, very expensive. The characters are moulded one by one; the best workman can scarcely produce 5,000 of them in a day in

The

the rough. They have afterwards to be finished up, and pass through several hands. M. Combarieu, by an ingeniously invented machine, produces 10,000 of these characters at one stroke. Each letter is then separated by a mechanical saw, which divides them with mathematical regularity and precision. consequence of this invention will be-production increased cent. per cent.; exactitude and regularity, hitherto unattainable; the use of harder metal, which will avoid the frequent renewal of printers' materials; reduction (by one half) of the outlay; and at length the one great object—an increase of printing, and an enormous diminution in the price of books! Look behold the glorious result. M. Combaricu announces, now through the vista of approaching years and moreover, his intention of producing characters in steel, the durability of which will be beyond calcula tion."

BUNNETT'S PATENT SELF-SUPPORTING FIRE-PROOF FLOORS, ROOFS, AND ARCHES. FIC.I.

FIC.2.

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BUNNETT'S PATENT SELF-SUPPORTING | for the application of remedial measures. Many FIRE-PROOF FLOORS, ROOFS, & ARCHES.

By W. BADDELEY, C.E.

plans have been devised for the construction of fire-proof houses within the last half century, and THE recent disastrous conflagration of an oil and I allude to the methods of constructing self-supof these, the last appears to be the most practical. turpentine warehouse in Linte-street has caused considerable excitement among the citizens, and porting fire-proof floors, roofs, and arches, recently patented by Mr. Bunnett, the well-known builder's led to an inquiry as to the best method of pre-engineer, of Deptford. This invention was briefly venting a recurrence of such a disaster. Two things appear to be plainly demonstrated by this fatal occurrence, viz., that large depositories of such highly-inflammable materials ought not to be tolerated in such densely-crowded localities; and that all warehouses for containing such stores, wherever located, should be of fire-proof construction.

Had the building where this unfortunate but purely accidental calamity took place been composed of incombustible materials, with such wellknown adjuncts as science furnishes for the purpose, it is almost certain that the contents of one floor only would have been consumed, without any damage to the surrounding properties. As it was, the vast amount of combustible matter employed in the construction of the building literally added "fuel to the fire," increasing the fury of the flames and extending their ravages in all di

rections around.

Although it is admitted that it is almost practically in possible to construct an absolutely fireproof building, still much may be done by a judicions disposition of even combustible materials, to retard the progress of fire and give time

"There is a description of floor, which although not altogether fire-proof, is almost practically so. It is composed simply of plank 24 or 3 inches thick, so closely joined and so nicely fitted to the walls as to be completely air

noticed in the annual report of London fires for 1858 (ante page 206), and as it is now exciting much interest in the building world, the following additional particulars may probably be interesting to your numerous readers.

hollow or cellular bricks, so formed, externally, as Bunnett's fire-proof floors are constructed of to lock into each other on all sides, so that, when laid to break joints, each brick receives the direct support of six adjoining ones, carrying out a principle of mutual support over the whole extent of the floor,

Figures 1 and 2 show a transverse and longitudinal section of one of these cellular bricks made of clay or brick earth; they are produced by forcing the plastic clay through dies or moulding orifices, the dies being so forined as to cause each. block to be produced with two of its sides of a suitable shape to overlap and be overlapped by the adjacent bricks. The form of the overlapping parts a a may be varied, but it is believed that the form of block shown above is as convenient as any for the construction of floors and roofs of fire-proof character.

In addition to the two sides of each block being made so as to give support to, and receive sup

tight. Its thickness and its property of being air-tight will be easily observed to be its only causes of safety."Braidwood on Fire-engines,

port from other blocks, the ends of each block are also so cut as to give and receive a similar support.

Fig. 3 shows a floor composed of these blocks, laid in cement, and farther held in position by tierods or bars B, at intervals, which pass through the hollow spaces formed within the blocks 4, to plates of angle iron C; so that the entire thrust of the arches is received and sustained by the rods and plates B, C. The end of the arches thus produced may be built into walls, or carried by piers or other supports, according to the purpose to which it is to be applied, whether for the construction of floors, or roofs of houses, bridges, &c.,

&c.

In Fig. 3 the floor is slightly canted, which would, for many purposes, be thought advantageous; but Fig. 4 shows the method of proceeding when a flat-boarded floor is to be laid upon the arch with a ceiling underneath.

In this case the tie-rods, B, are shown as passing below the bricks (instead of through them), and through the walls, forming supports for the ceiling joists.

Fig. 5 shows a fire-proof floor, or roof, constructed of graduated cellular bricks, with a central key-brick, forming a perfectly flat floor on the upper surface, but arched on the underside. are the blocks, B the tie-rod, and C the angle iron wall plates.

A

Fig. 6 is a section of one of the graduated cellular blocks employed in the construction of the floor, Fig. 5. The advantages of these fire-proor floors consist in the facility and cheapness with which they can be constructed; their capacity to resist and remain unaltered by heat; their great strength, and fitness for the reception of wood floors, cement, plaster, imitation of marbles, or

encaustic tiles, in which case they will not exceed in thickness an ordinary floor with joists.

Arches upon this principle are well adapted for cheap and durable bridges of a moderate span, as well as for beams, girders, &c.

Persons desirous of availing themselves of this admirable invention will do well to visit Mr. Bunnett's works at Deptford, where practical demonstrations of the strength and capabilities of floors of this description may be seen and tested.

SCOTT'S

COMPENSATION SELF-REGISTERING MAXIMUM THERMOMETER,

FOR DEEP-SEA OBSERVATIONS. MR. WENTWORTH L. SCOTT, of Brunswick-terrace, Westbourne-grove, has favoured us with the following description of his thermometer for deepsea observations, which was exhibited at this year's Exhibition of Inventions at the Society of Arts.

This instrument consists of a glass tube with a cylindrical bulb containing mercury (as in the ordinary thermometer) at its lower extremity; but at the top the stem is drawn on into a fine jet, bent at right angles, A, Fig. 1; in the interior of the second bulb, B, Fig. 1, this upper bulb is about half filled with mercury, the remaining space being a vacuum; near its base a platinum wire, p, is welded into the glass and bent upwards so that its point is nearly in contact with that of the jet. It is obvious that when the instrument is "set," i.e. the lower bulb and capillary tube to the point of the jet completely filled with mercury-any rise of temperature will expand the mercury and cause it to overflow in minute globules into the reservoir above. The platinum wire is simply for the purpose of preventing the formation of large drops at the point of the jet, by its superior attraction for the fluid metal. Upon cooling, the mercury now remaining will of course sink in the tube. The instrument is so graduated that if it were cooled to 0 deg. Fahr. the level of the mercury would precisely indicate the highest temperature to which it had been previously exposed; but if the observation were made at the atmospheric temperature the mercury would stand exactly as much higher in the tube, i.e., lower in the scale, as the temperature of the air was above 0 deg. Fahr.; therefore to ascertain the maximum temperature it is only necessary to add to the degree at which the mercury stands the temperature at the time the observation is made. Thus, supposing the "compensation" thermometer marks 35 deg., and an ordinary instrument by its side is at 50 deg., 85 deg. will be the highest temperature that has occurred since the last observation. "set" this thermometer, the lower bulb must be gently raised until the mercury runs down the tube into the reservoir-bulb; when contact has thus been established between the two portions of the metal, the reservoir-bulb is slightly elevated, care being taken to keep the point of the glass jet under the sun-face of the metal (the dotted line aa in the diagram represents the level of the mercury during this operation). The mercury will now flow back into the lower bulb and refill the small vacuum produced by the previous decantation, when, upon restoring the instrument to its original vertical position, the tube will be full to the extreme point of the jet. It will be at once seen that vibration or agitation cannot militate in any degree against the accuracy of this instrument, no moveable indices being employed. Fig. 1 gives a view of the upper bulb, and a portion of the scale, of the actual dimensions. Fig. 2, onethird full size, shows a section of the entire instrument in a gun-metal tube for deep-sea experiments. Fig. 3 is an external elevation. The thermometer is "set," and inserted in the tube (into which, after greasing, a little mercury has been poured), oscillation being prevented by rings of vulcanised india-rubber, the upper one clamped by the binding screws bb; lastly, the cap is tightly screwed on, the arrangement being then ready for use. Well greased leather washers occupy the spaces at ww. The silver medal of

To

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

the Society of Arts has recently been awarded to the inventor for this instrument. It has also been examined and approved by Rear-Admiral R. Fitzroy.

IN a late number of the Morning Star we read: "The invention of the myria-type of M. Combarieu has been submitted to the Government and accepted for inspection. This marvellous invention being destined to operate an immense and immediate revolution in the art printing, it is worth description. Hitherto the characters used in printing have been composed of a mixture of lead and antimony; these characters, by reason of their extreme softness, wear out quickly, and are, besides, very expensive. The characters are moulded one by one; the best workman can scarcely produce 5,000 of them in a day in

the rough. They have afterwards to be finished up, and pass through several hands. M. Combarieu, by an ingeniously invented machine, produces 10,000 of these characters at one stroke. Each letter is then separated by a mechanical saw, which divides them with mathematical regularity and precision. The consequence of this invention will be-production increased cent. per cent.; exactitude and regularity, hitherto unattainable; the use of harder metal, which will avoid the frequent renewal of printers' materials; reduction (by one half) of the outlay; and at length the one great object--an increase of printing, and an enormous diminution in the price of books! Look behold the glorious result. M. Combarieu announces now through the vista of approaching years and moreover, his intention of producing charact steel, the durability of which will be beyond tion."

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