Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

Chap. 9.]

Sliding Cocks-Water-Closets.

561

openings are inclosed by it; while to stop the flow through D, E must be moved back towards C as in the figure. The upper figure in the cut is another form of the same thing. The sliding tube H is the smallest, and has one end closed like Nos. 275 and 276, while F and G are separate pieces. Its action will be sufficiently obvious from the preceding remarks.

[blocks in formation]

Large cocks on this principle may be made for half the cost of ordinary ones, while the expense of keeping them in order is too trifling to be noticed-occasionally to renew the packing is all that could be required.

Water-Closets have been greatly improved by modern artists, but they are an ancient and probably Asiatic device. The summer chamber of Eglon, king of Moab, (Judges, iii, 20-25) is supposed to have been one. They were introduced into Rome during the republic, and are noticed by several ancient writers. Those constructed in the palace of the Cæsars were adorned with marbles, arabesque and mosaics. At the back of one still extant, there is a cistern, the water of which is distributed by cocks to different seats. The pipe and basin of another has been discovered near the theatre at Pompeii, where it still remains. Heliogabalus concealed himself in one, and whence he was dragged by his soldiers and slain.

Water-closets seem to have been always used in the East, and for reasons which Tavernier and other oriental travelers have assigned. Numbers are erected near the mosques and temples. A similar custom prevailed in old Rome, Constantinople, Smyrna, and probably all ancient cities. In the city of Fez, "round about the mosques, are 150 common houses of ease, each furnished with a cock and marble cistern, which scoureth and keepeth all neat and clean, as if these places were intended for some sweeter employment."-(Ogilby's Africa, 1670, p. 88.) In his "Relation of the Seraglio," Tavernier describes a gallery, in which were several water-closets. "Every seat [he observes] has a little cock." He mentions others, in which the openings were covered by a plate, which by means of a spring "turned one way or the other at the falling of the least weight upon it."

Sir John Harrington is said to have introduced water-closets into England in Elizabeth's reign, and some writers have erroneously ascribed their invention to him. They are described in the great French work on Arts and Manufactures, by M. Roubo, who says, they were long used in

562

Traps for Drains, &c.

[Book V. France before being known in England. Those which he has figured are however on the ancient plan, without traps, and such are still to be found in oriental cities. They are not to be compared with the modern ones. (See L'Art du Menuisier, folio edit. 1770, Pl. 69; Gell's Pompeiana; A Dissertation on Places of Retirement, Lond. 1751; Fryer's Travels in India and Persia, Lond. 1698.)

Devices for preventing the ascent of offensive vapors from sinks, sewers, drains, &c. are named traps. As these are simple in construction, and applicable under all circumstances, and yet are little known, we have inserted a sketch of a few of the most common. They are all modifications of the same principle.

[graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

A A represent a floor or covering of a sink or sewer, and the object is to discharge refuse water or slops of any kind into the latter without allowing currents of air to rise through the passage. No. 278 is a leaden pipe bent at one part into the form of a letter S, which part constitutes the trap. One extremity enters the sirk, and to the other, which is turned up perpendicularly, the basin of a water-closet, or a common funnel is attached. The flexures of the tube must be such, that whatever liquid is thrown down the basin, a portion will always remain in the bent part below so as to seal the passage completely, as shown in the cut. The basin and trap may be placed in a room at any distance above the sink or sewer, provided both are connected by an air-tight tube.

No. 279 is named a D trap, from its resemblance to that letter. It is of the kind generally used in water-closets, for which purpose it is always made of lead, and about twelve inches long, five wide, and ten or eleven deep. The pipe that enters the sink is soldered to one end and near the top. The other one to which the basin is attached descends six or seven inches through the top at the opposite extremity of the trap. By this arrangement water is retained within to a level with the lower edge of the pipe that enters the sink, while the perpendicular pipe dips between one and two inches below the surface. Hence although impure air in the sink can readily ascend into the trap, it cannot enter the tube on which the basin is placed; for to do so, it would have to descend through two inches of the water to reach the orifice of the tube; and then to ascend through an equal column within the latter before it could rise into the basin.

No. 280 is a form of trap used over the openings of street sewers, for which purpose they are commonly constructed of stone or brick and lined with cement. The figure is that of a square box open at top. A pipe is inserted through the bottom at one side to connect it with the sewer. This pipe stands about half way up the inside of the box, and above it there is a bent rectangular partition attached at three of its sides to the box, while the fourth side extends into the middle and dips two inches below the

Chap. 9.]

Bell Traps-Water-Lute.

563

orifice of the pipe, and consequently that depth in water; thus cutting off all external communication with the air in the sewer. A loose grate fits into a recess on the edge of the box, and is occasionally removed to take out the dirt that passes the grate. Small traps of the kind, and made of cast iron, are sometimes used in the drains of private houses.

No. 281 is named a bell trap from its figure. Such are generally of small dimensions, and are mostly used in kitchens, over the channels or tubes through which refuse fluids are discharged into sinks or drains. The end of the pipe projects two or three inches into the trap, consequently a quantity of water must always remain within at the same elevation. Over the pipe a bell or inverted cup dips about half an inch into the water, and is of such a size as to leave sufficient room for the fluid to descend between it and the sides of the trap, and also to pass under its edge and rise into the pipe, and so escape into the drain. The cup or bell is connected to a brass grate that drops into a recess cast round the inner edge of the trap.

The origin of traps is, we believe, unknown. The principle is precisely the same as in the water-lute of old chemists. Glauber used contrivances identical with Nos. 278 and 281, instead of cocks to close retorts, &c. Instead of water he sometimes used mercury, when the contents were of a corrosive nature.

END OF THE FIFTH BOOK.

APPENDIX.

John Bate-Phocion-Well worship-Wells with stairs-Tourne-broche-Raising water by a screwPerpetual motions-Chain pumps in ships-Sprinkling pots-Old frictionless pump-Water powerVulcan's trip-hammers-Eolipiles -Blow-pipe-Philosophical bellows-Charging eolipiles-Eolipilic idols referred to in the Bible-Palladium-Laban's images-Expansive force of steam-Steam and airWind-mills-Imprisoning chairs.

SOME facts and observations having occurred to us during the progress of this work which could not be inserted in their proper places, a few are added by way of appendix. While engaged on the last chapter, a large collection of old books was imported into this city from Europe, in which we fortunately found a perfect copy of "Nature and Art," mentioned at pp. 321, 421. From the title, which is annexed, it will be seen that our conjectures respecting its author and date of publication were correct. "The Mysteries of Nature and Art in foure severall parts. The first of water-works the second of fire-works: the third of drawing, washing, limning, painting and engraving: the fourth of sundry experiments. The second edition, with many additions unto every part. By John Bate, Lond. 1635."

At page 19, we quoted an example of frugality in Dentatus cooking his simple food while he swayed the destinies of Rome. There is a parallel case in one of the most virtuous of the Greeks, viz. Phocion. Alexander esteemed him, but could never induce him to accept of gifts, although he was always poor. At one time the Macedonian warrior sent him out of Asia a hundred talents as a mark of his regard; but when the envoys arrived with the treasure at Athens, Phocion was inflexible-he would not touch it. They then followed him to his house, and were astonished beyond measure to find the wife of this truly great man making bread, and himself drawing water.

Worship of Wells, pp. 33-37. "The worship of this well of St. Edward was particularly forbid by Oliver Sutton, bishop of Lincoln, in the time of Edward I. This well worship is strictly forbidden in King Edgar's canons, and K. Cnute's laws, as 'twas in a council at London under Archbishop Anselm, in the year 1102; and some of our best criticks observe that what is translated will-worship in Colossians, ii, 23, should be well-worship."-Hearne's Preface to Robert of Gloucester's Chronicle.) Wells with Stairs, p. 53. An extraordinary well of this kind was built by Pope Clement VII. in 1528.-(See Lond. Mechanics' Mag. vol. ii, 208.) Tourne-broche, p. 75. In the 33d year of Henry VI. A. D. 1454, an ordinance was established for reducing the expenses of the king's household. Instead of a larger number, only "vj children of ye kechyn tournebroches" were appointed, i. e. to turn the spits.-(Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England, edited by Nichols, vol. vi, 229.)

« AnteriorContinuar »