street which required to be widened, there||tact with the ways, and the upper made to those at the ends, on timbers inserted under stood two houses much in the way, their front bear against the cross timbers which support the house at right angles, to the first set. being twelve feet too far forward. These the house. The object, at this stage of the The whole of the supporting frame-work is houses, therefore, must either have been ta- business, is to bring the whole weight of the tied so firmly together by bolts, that there is ken down, or shifted back. Mr. Brown un-house upon these cradles, and, consequently, not the slightest bending or twisting of any dertook to execute the less destructive pro-upon the ways which support them. If this part of the building. cess. They were both of brick, and built be done, it follows that the ends of the tim- "When at last the house has reached its together, one being forty feet deep, and bers, formerly described as resting on the destination, a new foundation is built, and the twenty-five feet front; the other thirty-two blocks, will no longer be supported at the whole process being inverted, the timbers feet deep, and twenty-two feet front. They same places. This change of the point of are withdrawn one by one; and such is the were of the same height, that is to say, twen-support is effected by driving in wedges be-security of these operations, that no furni ty-two feet from the ground to the eaves, above tween the timbers and the cradles; and it ture is ever removed from the houses so which stood the roof and two large stacks will readily be seen that these wedges have transported. The inhabitants, I am told, of brick chimneys; the whole formed a so- the two-fold effect of forcing the cradles down move out and in as if nothing were going on. lid block of building, having two rows of six upon the ways, and at the same time of rais- This, however, I did not see.* windows each, along a front of forty-seven ing up the timbers which support the house, "Mr. Brown was once employed to remove feet by twenty-two. This was actually moved and consequently, in a very small degree, a house from the top to the bottom of a in a compact body, without injury, twelve the house itself. The ends of the timbers sloping ground; and, as no additional imfeet back from the street. I watched the pro- now rest no longer on the blocks, which are pulse from screws was here required, he regress of the preparations on the 25th of May removed, and the house, supported upon the solved to ease the building down, as sailors call with great interest; but unfortunately, just cradles and the ways, is ready for being it, by means of a tackle. Unfortunately, about as the men were proceeding to the actual moved, as soon as the front and back walls the middle of the operation, the strop of one business of moving the screws, I was obliged have been taken away. of the blocks broke, and the operator, who to run off to keep an appointment with the "Suppose all this done, there is nothing re- was standing on the lower side of the buildMayor and Corporation; and when I came quired but to apply screws, placed horizon-ing, was horrified by the apparition of the back, three or four hours afterwards, the tally in the street, and butting against the house under weigh, and smoking, by its workmen had gone away, after moving the cradles. On these being made to act simul- friction, right down upon him. With that building thirty inches-which fact I ascer-taneously, the cradles, and consequently the vigorous presence of mind, which is com. tained by measurements of my own. On the frame which they support, together with the pounded of thorough knowledge, and a strong next day, with equal perversity of fate, I was house on its back, move along. sense of the necessity of immediate action, again called off to join a party going to New- "Such is a general account of the process. and without which courage is often useless, Jersey; and on my return two days after. I shall now mention how the various difficul-he dashed a crow-bar, which he happened to wards, I had the mortification to find the ties, most of which I dare say will have sug-have in his hand at the time, into a hole ac. work completed. The houses were now ex-gested themselves in the foregoing account, cidentally left in one of the ways, and leaping actly nine feet and a half from the position are overcome in practice. on one side watched the result. The mo. *We have been credibly informed that, during the ope Mayor and Corporation, to the amount of 150 individuals, were in the house and partook of refreshments. Also, that, wher: the church before alluded to was moving, a clergyman delivered a discourse on science, as connected with religion, to a congregation of between 300 and 400 persons.-[ED. MEC. MAG.] in which I had left them a few days before. "The horizontal supporting timbers, already mentum of the enormous moving body was "It would be tedious, perhaps, were I to described as being placed parallel to the so great that it fairly drove the iron bar, like give a very minute description of the whole street, and nearly at the same level with a cutting instrument, for a considerable disprocess; but it is so simple, that it may, it, are introduced one by one in this way. tance through the fibres of the timber. The with a little attention, be understood in a ge- A hole is blocked out in each of the end main point, however, was gained, by the neral way even by persons not much accus- walls, just above the ground, and large house being arrested in its progress down the tomed to such subjects, and may possibly be enough to admit a squared beam, say fifteen hill; and the able engineer, like an officer useful to those who are familiar with them. inches each way, of which the ends project who has shown himself fertile in resource, "The first object is to place a set of strong beyond the gable walls about a couple of reaped more credit from the successful ap timbers under the house, parallel to, and level feet. A firm block of wood is then placed plication of a remedy to an evil not antici with the street, at the distance of three feet under each of these ends, and wedges being pated, than if all had gone smoothly from apart, extending from end to end of the build-driven underneath, the beam is raised up, the commencement." ings, and projecting outwards several feet and made to bear against the upper parts of beyond the gable end walls. The extremi- the holes. Thus the inserted timber com-ration of moving the house situate at 85 Maiden lane, the ties of these timbers are next made to rest pletely supplies the office of the dislodged upon blocks of wood, placed on the ground portions of the masonry. Another pair of quite clear of the walls on the outside. Then holes is then made, and a second timber in by means of wedges driven between the tim- troduced, and so on till they are all inserted, bers and the blocks, they are made to sus- and firmly wedged up. The distance at tain a great part of the weight of the ends of which these are placed must depend upon the house. When this is done, the founda-the weight of the wall. In the case I wittion of the end walls may be removed with-nessed the houses were of brick, and the out danger, as they now rest exclusively on timber stood at the distance, I should think, the timbers, the ends of which, as I have de- of three feet apart. All this being done, the scribed, lie on solid blocks. intermediate masonry, forming the founda"I shall describe presently how the above tion, may be gradually removed, and a clear operation of inserting the timbers is perform-space will be left under the supported walls ed; but if for the present we suppose it done, for the reception of the ways. and the house resting on a sort of frame-work, it "There are two more precautions to be at.straction of railroads in this country. In aluis easy to conceive that a set of slides, or what tended to; these ways must all be coated son to the important article of rails, persons are called in dock-yards, ways, on which with tallow, in a layer of at least half an of inexperience on the subject, either as to their ships are launched, may be placed transverse-inch thick, so that the wood of the cradles own observations, or information derived from ly under these timbers, that is, at right an- may never come in contact with them. Some observations of others to such persons the gles to them, so as to occupy the very place device must also be adopted to prevent the article of wood, as well on account of its great where the foundations of the end walls once whole affair, house and all, from sliding la-strength, as the facilities with which it can be stood. It is necessary to interpose between terally off. This, Mr. Brown prevents, by procured in this country, are reasons which these ways or fixed slides, and the aforesaid cutting along the top of one of the ways a timbers, a set of cradles, similar in their deep groove, into which is fitted a corres- should have a preference for that object. A si. seem very naturally to impress their ideas that it purpose to the apparatus of the same name pondent feather, as it is called, of the super. Wooden Rails for Railroads. By MERCATOR. To the Editor of the American Railroad - SIR, The usefulness of your journal as a medium of intelligence on the subject of railroads becomes more and more apparent, when reflecting on the subject of the numerous mil. lions contemplated to be expended in the con on which ships rest when launched, to which incumbent cradle. This being made to work nilar idea prevailed in England while projectors final process of ship-building, by-the-bye, this easy, and well greased, the direct motion is of railroads were inexperienced on the subject of whole operation bears a close analogy.not retarded. railroads; but on perusal of recent English pub. These cradles are long smooth beams lying "I have said nothing all this time of the front lications, we observe among their sentences such along the top of the ways, and in the same and back walls; but it will easily be under-words as these, "since wooden rails have been line with them; their under surfaces in con- stood how these may be made to rest, like abandoned in this country." Wooden rails abandonment was for cause. abandoned!!! would be indeed a surprising and the time at which the hidden ends become one man's power may henceforth be worked idea to inexperienced persons above adverted decayed consequently matter of uncertainty: it by a common fire. to; and the natural conclusion is, that such of the street floor sleepers of the Arcade, which was, however, particularly observed at the ends Mr. Pelletan remarks, that the force of The probable was taken down, between Maiden lane and John steam, so applied, may be brought directly principal cause may be considered as observa-street, in this city, a short time since. The in aid of the machine, and will enable him to ble in the necessary situation in which rails are main part of the sleepers were comparatively double and treble his daily gains, instead of placed, being nearly on a line with the surface nearly as fresh in appearance as new, having its powers being limited, as hitherto, to filling been in use only some five or eight years, while the coffers of great capitalists at a compound of the earth, exposed to the moisture of the the ends of the sleepers, surrounded with ce- ratio. earth. In the last number of your Journal a communication appeared from Mr. J. L. Sullivan, on the subject of preserving wooden rails in railroads from rapid decay. He states that he has before explained his ideas on this sub ject, namely, in the year 1829; but does not inform us of any practical results during the long interim.. ment of lime, were of consistency and color The same jet of steam, when applied to of snuff; so that that part of them must have the purpose of increasing the draft of furbeen divested of strength in a comparatively short proportion of the time the building stood; aces, enables the proprietor to reduce their and I think no better reason can be given than diameter to two inches, even where a large that those ends were retained in a damp state, furnace is in question, to lead the smoke in when wet, longer than they would have been if any direction which may suit him best, and exposed to the atmosphere. But the policy of to make use of the whole heat produced. using posts or piles, is questionable; except it By means of this jet, a vacuum may be ef be to overcome local difficulties, as in marshy fected at will, in any given space, however Mr. S. states a well known fact, "That in ground. A gentleman who passed over the making railroads with timber, the posts or piles Charleston Railroad remarked to me that, upon maintained, not only at very small cost, but considerabl it may be, and permanently are liable to decay earliest at the surface, or a that part elevated upon piles, the side, appalittle above and below the surface of the ground, rently waving, motions were such as to remind through the medium of an apparatus of the This process is of because the effect of heat and moisture there him of the motion experienced in a vessel pass- simplest construction. combine"; and adds, "that to guard the posting over waves. ready application wherever evaporation or from this effect, I prevent the contact of earth P. S. Since writing the above, I accidentally desiccation are to be effected. Acting upon with this part by means of stone laid close met the person who acted as superintendant in a column of air, the jet supplies the simplest around it; and to keep the rain out from among pulling down the Arcade above alluded to: who, and most efficacious mode which can be them, I set them in water lime mortar, or in on inquiry, informed me that it was seven years adopted for creating blasts in forges, furnaRoman cement, applying it to the wood as well from the time it was built to the time it was pulled down; that the ends of the sleepers placed ces, &c. as stones; I also use sometimes, in the upper It appears the inventor claims priority in stratum, especially, a cement made of pitch upon the foundation wall were imbedded, and and lime, when the kind of timber is congenial, the ends incased with stone, bricks and mortar, this important discovery, inasmuch as he pitch being adhesive and lime indestructible. so that the earth could not come in contact communicated the properties of the jet in a The stone," he adds, "keeps the wood cool, with the timber; but where the earth came in paper addressed to the Academy in 1829, the cement keeps it dry." This extract seems contact with the wall opposite to the timbers, and he is tenacious of the claim in conse. particularly allusive to posts or piles; the decay the consistency of dust. the ends of the beams were completely gone to quence of the later application of the jet in of rails, however, laid near the surface, is probably co-equal with posts or piles. impelling steam carriages in England.— [Athenæum.] Knowing it to be your purpose to elicit and disseminate facts deemed to be tending to benefit the cause you have espoused, "public improvement," the foregoing is communicated. MERCATOR. THE RAILROAD.-The stock of this company has taken another rise, and several sales have been effected within the past two days at ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE DOLLARS per share, at which rate they are now in brisk demand. Equal quantity of Pot Ashes obtained from the same quantity of Ashes. By R. M. W. [For the New-York Farmer.] Mr. Sullivan not having fortified his explanation with any statement of practical results, it is presumable that his specification is predicated upon a theoretical view of the sub• ject. Mr. Sullivan has most undoubtedly taken an erroneous view of the subject: as to pitch, if SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION OF STEAM.-At placed in a damp situation below the surface, a meeting of the Paris Academy of Arts and The road has been used in a continued line it is of but short, a few months, duration. This Sciences, held on the 7th January, a memoir to the inclined plane from Charleston, and from may be observed upon a vessel's bottom, used was read, in which M. Pelletan treated of the the inclined plane to Hamburg, by a hand car. either in fresh water or salt. Wood cannot be dynamic effects of a jet of steam, and the running on the wooden rail, the iron for which kept dry in a wet or damp situation, by the ap- means of applying it, in a simple and cheap is now conveying, and we shall soon have the plication of cement of common lime, water lime, or Roman cement: all three of them are conAsatisfaction of announcing a junction—the ironway, to the purposes of the useful arts. ductors of water by capillary attraction; so that jet of steam,' says the author, when throwning of 22 miles being all that is now required to complete it. if a piece of wood were covered with any given into a cylindrical conduit, or into a pipe filled A passenger arrived from the inclined plane thickness of such cement, and placed in water, with air, imparts the active power with which on Saturday, having travelled 120 miles on the it would be found that the wood would become it is endued to the column of air, without road.-[Charleston Patriot, July 2d.] absorbed in water, conducted to it through the any other loss than that occasioned by the cement, and with such a coating would be more friction in the conduit, or pipe.' liable to decay than without it, by reason of its His detail of the results, which have alretaining dampness when wet, longer than if it had no such close covering. The experiment ready ensued from his discovery, are deserv may be easily made by making a ball of ce-ng of attentive notice. A jet of steam issu- MR. FLEET,—I very much doubt the ment; and, after perfectly dry, place it in a dish ing through an orifice of a milimetre, (.03937 possibility of obtaining two tons of Pot-Ash and apply water in contact with the lower sur- of an inch) under a pressure of five atmos. by any new process from the same quantity face of the ball, and it will be found that the pheres, possesses a velocity of five hundred of raw ashes. I am well aware that our ashes cement ball will absorb of water to the extent and fifty-nine metres, (1084 3-8 feet,) per are often thrown out of the leaches, before the of about two-fifths of the bulk of the ball, second; it consequently moves at the same strength is entirely exhausted, but, in a well whether of common lime, water lime, or Rorate of velocity as a bullet discharged from regulated pot-ash, it is usual to water the man cement; cement is at the same time so far a check to the passage of water, as to be a gun. leaches as long as they will color or taste the useful in the building of canal locks, &c. But this enormous velocity is, in its simple lies, after which they are emptied. Now the As to comparative practical results on that form, of no practical benefit, inasmuch as it only question with me is, whether soft water subject, the removals of numerous buildings in cannot be converted into a useful agent; properly applied will dissolve all the alkali, this city to make room for improvements, gives when, however, the steam has been enabled and, if so, I cannot but believe that we shall good opportunity for observation. It is well to impart motion to a quantity of atmosphere, work the leached ashes in vain. A patent known, that when a foundation wall is laid, the the velocity, it is true, is diminished, but the was obtained some years ago for working sleepers, so called, for the first floor, are usu. ally placed upon the upper part of the wall, mass set in motion is increased; and by this over leached ashes, but it was soon abandoned, and filled in between the sleepers with stone or operation, the active power of the jet of and the expense exceeded the profit. It is bricks, and lime mortar, or cement, in contact steam is susceptible of general application. true some names are mentioned that ought to with the ends of sleepers or beams, being in ef- The elastic force of steam has hitherto give some confidence in this project, but I confect as to combination, similar, or nearly so, to been employed under pressure, by the aid of ceive that the men must have been mistaken. the proposition of Mr. Sullivan; and what is machines, which are necessarily complicated, That ashes may be increased in bulk and the result? The result is that the ends of the and involve a serious loss of power from weight, by adding limestone, sand and salt, sleepers on the ground floor are usually found their bulkiness and friction; but steam, act-is very certain, but it is evidently an adulte. to be quite decayed, so far as surrounded by cement, if in a damp situation. It may be said ing immediately by its own power, can be ration, and no increase of alkali; and it is that this is too vague to be relied upon, as some made to effect its objects in machines of so easily detected when proper tests are applied. buildings remain many years before removed, simple a construction, that a steam engine of R. M. W. Babbage on the Economy of Manufactures. no injury had resulted to good seed so prepared,||were obliged to employ a magnifying glass for [Continued from page 405.] it was proved that, from the improved appear- that purpose; and that, in another similar arti[The following is the conclusion of Art. 133, together ance, its market price would be enhanced by cle, called "warp lace," such aid was essential. with the other articles that were omitted, and which the this process from five to twenty-five shillings a It was also stated by one witness, that reader will perceive should have been inserted immediate-hundred weight. But the greatest evil arose "The trade had not yet ceased, excepting in ly after the words "The holes for the rivets were punch-from the circumstance of these processes ren-those places where the fraud had been discoed by hand-punching with presses, and the 1630 holes"] dering old and worthless seed, in appearance, vered; and from those places no orders are which each tank required, cost seven shillings. equal to the best. One witness tried some doc- now sent for any sort of Nottingham lace, the The Navy Board, who required a large number, tored seed, and found that not above one grain credit being totally ruined." proposed that he should supply forty tanks an a hundred grew, and that those which did 139. In the stocking trade similar frauds have week for many months. The magnitude of the vegetate died away afterwards; whilst about been practised. It appeared in evidence, that order made it worth while to commence manu-eighty or ninety per cent. of good seed usually stockings were made of uniform width from the facturer, and to make tools for the express bu- grows. The seed so treated was sold to retail knee down to the ankle, and being wetted and siness. Mr. Maudslay, therefore, offered, if the dealers in the country, who, of course, endea- stretched on frames at the calf, they retained Board would give him an order for two thou-vored to purchase at the cheapest rate, and their shape when dry; but that the purchaser sand tanks, to supply them at the rate of eighty from then it got into the hands of the farmers; could not discover the fraud, until, after the first per week. The order was given: he made neither of these classes being at all capable of washing, the stocking appeared to hang like a tools, by which the expense of punching the distinguishing the fraudulent from the genuine bag about his ankles. rivet-holes of each tank was reduced from seven seed. Many cultivators, in consequence, dimishillings to nine-pence; he supplied ninety-nished their consumption of the article; and eight tanks a week for six months, and the price others were obliged to pay a higher price to charged for each was reduced from seventeen those who had skill to distinguish the mixed pounds to fifteen. seed, and who had integrity and character to prevent them from dealing in it. ON THE INFLUENCE OF VERIFICATION ON PRICE. 140. In the watch trade, the practice of deceit, in forging the marks and names of respectable makers, has been carried to a great extent both by natives and foreigners; and the effect upon [For the matter that should have been inserted here, see page 405, commencing at the 9th line from the end, at the 137. In the Irish flax trade, a similar exam-words "our export trade."] 134. The money price of an article at any ple of the high price paid for verification occurs. given period is usually stated to depend upon it is stated in the report of the committee are less able to judge of than the quality of 142. There are few articles which the public the proportion between the supply and the de- "That the natural excellent quality of Irish drugs; and when they are compounded into mand. The average price of the same article flax, as contrasted with foreign or British, has medicines, it is scarcely possible, even for me. during a long period is said to depend, ulti-been admitted." Yet from the evidence before dical men, to decide whether pure or adulterated mately, on the power of producing and selling that committee, it appears that Irish flax sells, drugs have been employed. This circumstance, it with the ordinary profits of capital. But in the market, from 1d. to 2d. per pound less concurring with an injudicious mode adopted these principles, although true in their general than other flax of equal or inferior quality in the payment for medical assistance, has prosense, are yet so often modified by the influence Part of this difference of price arises from neg-duced a curious effect on the price of medicines. of others, that it becomes necessary to examine ligence in its preparation, but a part also from Apothecaries, instead of being paid for their the expense of ascertaining that each parcel is services and skill, have been remunerated by free from stones and rubbish to add to its weight: being allowed to place a high charge upon the this appears from the evidence of Mr. J. Corry, medicines they administer, which are confess. who was, during twenty-seven years, Secretary edly of very small pecuniary value. The tento the Irish Linen Board: a little into the disturbing forces. 135. With respect to the first of these propositions, it may be observed that the cost of any article to the purchaser includes, besides supply and demand, another element, which, though often of little importance, is in many cases of "The owners of the flax, who are almost al.dency of such a system is to offer an inducement to prescribe more medicine than is necesgreat consequence. The cost, to the purchaser, ways people in the lower classes of life, believe is the price he pays for any article, added to the that they can best advance their own interests charges, the apothecary, in ninety-nine cases sary; and, in fact, even with the present cost of verifying the fact of its having that de- by imposing on the buyers. Flax being sold by out of a hundred, cannot be fairly remunerated gree of goodness for which he contracts. In weight, various expedients are used to increase unless the patient either takes, or pays for, some cases the goodness of the article is evi-it; and every expedient is injurious, particudent on mere inspection; and in these cases larly the damping of it,-a very common prac-parent extravagance of the charge of eighteen more physic than is really necessary. The apthere is not much difference of price at different tice, which makes the flax afterwards heat. shops. The goodness of loaf-sugar, for in- The inside of every bundle (and the bundles all vious to many who do not reflect on the cirpence for a two-ounce phial* of medicine is obstance, can be discerned almost at a glance; vary in bulk) is often full of pebbles, or dirt of and the consequence is, that the price of it is so various kinds, to increase the weight. In this cumstance that the charge is, in reality, for the grocer is at all anxious to sell it: whilst, on the Britain. The natural quality of Irish flax is attends the patient or merely prepares the preuniform, and the profit upon it so small, that no state it is purchased, and exported to Great Payment of professional skill. As the same charge is made by the apothecary, whether he other hand, tea, of which it is exceedingly dif- admitted to be not inferior to that produced by scription of a physician, the chemist and drugficult to judge, and which can be adulterated by any foreign country; and yet the flax of every gist soon offered to furnish the same commodity mixture so as to deceive the skill even of a foreign country, imported into Great Britain, at a greatly diminished price. But the eighteen practiced eye, has a great variety of different obtains a preference among the purchasers, beprices, and is that article which every grocer cause the foreign flax is brought to the British been fairly divided into two parts, three pence pence charged by the apothecary might have is most anxious to sell to his customers. The market in a cleaner and more regular state. for medicine and bottle, and fifteen pence for difficulty and expense of verification are, in The extent and value of the sales of foreign flax attendance. Now the chemist, although he has some instances, so considerable, as to justify in Great Britain can be seen by reference to the reduced the price of the apothecary's draught, the deviation from well established principles. public accounts; and I am induced to believe, Thus, it has been found so difficult to detect the adulteration of flour, and to measure its good qualities, that, contrary to the maxim that go vernment can generally purchase any article at a cheaper rate than that at which they can manufacture it, it has been considered more economical to build extensive flour-mills, (such as those at Deptford,) and to grind their own corn, than to verify each sack purchased, and to employ persons in continually devising methods of detecting the new modes of adulteration which might be resorted to. that Ireland, by an adequate extension of her from thirty-three to forty-four per cent., yet realizes a profit of between two and three hundred per cent. on the ten pence or shilling he charges for the same compound. This enor titude of competitors; and in this instance the mous profit has called into existence a mulimpossibility of verifying has, in a great mea sure, counteracted the beneficial effects of com138. The lace trade affords other examples ;| petition. The general adulteration of drugs, and, in inquiring into the complaints made to the House of Commons by the frame-work are retailed as medicine, enables those who are even at the extremely high price at which they knitters, the committee observe, that "It is imagined to sell them in an unadulterated state singular that the grievance most complained of 136. Some years since, a mode of preparing one hundred and fifty years ago, should, in the to make large profits, whilst the same evil freold clover and trefoil seeds by a process called present improved state of the trade, be the same the skill of the most eminent physician. quently disappoints the expectation and defeats doctoring" became so prevalent as to excite grievance which is now most complained of; the attention of the House of Commons. It ap- for it appears, by the evidence given before evil without suggesting an almost total change It is difficult to point out a remedy for this peared in evidence before a committee, that the your committee, that all the witnesses attribute in the system of medical practice. If the apoold seed of the white clover was doctored by the decay of the trade more to the making of first wetting it slightly, and then drying it with fraudulent and bad articles, than to the war, or reduce his medicines to one-fourth or one-fifth thecary were to charge for his visits, and to the fumes of burning sulphur; and that the red to any other cause." And it is shown by the of their present price, he would still have an clover seed had its color improved by shaking evidence, that a kind of lace called it in a sack with a small quantity of indigo; but press" was manufactured, which was only of his own reputation or skill. Or if the medisingle-interest in procuring the best drugs, for the sake this being detected after a time, the doctors then looped once, and which, although good to the cal attendant, who is paid more highly for his used a preparation of logwood, fined by a little eye, became nearly spoiled in washing by the time, were to have several pupils, he might himcopperas, and sometimes by verdigris; thus at slipping of the threads; that not one person in 66 once improving the appearance of the old seed, a thousand could distinguish the difference be- * Apothecaries frequently purchase these phials at the old and diminishing, if not destroying, its vegeta- tween "single-press” and “double-press lace;" bottle-warehouses at ten shillings per gross, so that when their tive power already enfeebled by age. Supposing and that, even workmen and manufacturers servant as washed them the cost of the phial is nearly one penny. ON THE INFLUENCE OF DURABILITY ON PRICE. himself benefitted by the extended scale of de mand. OF PRICE AS MEASURED BY MONEY. self supply the medicines without a specific average price may be procured by the stock||reduce the cost of supplying them, whilst he is charge, and his pupils would derive improve-being held by few persons. ment from compounding them, as well as from examining the purity of the drugs he There is a peculiarity in looking glasses with would purchase. The public would derive se146. Having now considered the circum-reference to the principle just mentioned. The veral advantages from this arrangement. In stances that modify what may be called the mo- most frequent occasion of injury to them arises the first place, it would be greatly for the inte-mentary amount of price, we must next exam- from accidental violence; and the peculiarity is, rest of the medical practitioner to have the ine a principle which seems to have an effect on that, unlike most other articles, when broken best drugs; it would also be his interest not to its permanent average. The durability of any they are still of some value. If a large mirror give more physic than needful; and it would commodity influences its cost in a permanent is accidentally cracked, it is immediately cut also enable him, through some of his more ad- manner. We have already stated, that what into two or more smaller ones, each of which vanced pupils, to watch more frequently the may be called the momentary price of any com- may be perfect. If the degree of violence is so changes of any malady. modity depends upon the proportion existing great as to break it into many fragments, these 143. The principle that price, at any moment, between the supply and demand, and also upon smaller pieces may be cut into squares for dressis dependent on the relation of the supply to the cost of verification. The average price, ing-glasses; and if the silvering is injured, it the demand, is true to the full extent only when during a long period, will depend upon the labor can either be re-silvered or used as plate-glass the whole supply is in the hands of a very large required for producing and bringing it to mar- for glazing windows. The addition from our number of small holders, and the demand is ket, as well as upon the average supply and de- manufactories to the stock of plate-glass in the caused by the wants of another set of persons, mand; but it will also be influenced by the country is annually about two hundred and fifeach of whom requires only the same very durability of the article manufactured. ty thousand square feet. It would be very dif small quantity. And the reason appears to be, Many things in common use are substantially ficult to estimate the quantity annually destroythat it is only in such circumstances that a uni- consumed in using: a phosphorus match, arti-ed or exported, but it is probably small; and form average can be struck between the feel-cles of food, and a cigar, are examples of this the effect of these continual additions is seen in ings, the passions, the prejudices, the opinions,||description. Some things after use become the diminished price and increased consumpand the knowledge, of both parties. If the sup- inapplicable to their former purposes, as paper tion of the article. Almost all the better order ply, or present stock in hand, be entirely in the which has been printed upon; but it is yet of shop fronts are now glazed with it. If it possession of one person, he will naturally en- available for the cheesemonger or the trunk- were quite indestructible, the price would condeavor to put such a price upon it as shall pro- maker. Some articles, as pens, are quickly tinually diminish; and unless an increased deduce by its sale the greatest quantity of money; worn out by use; and some are still valuable mand arose from new uses, or from a greater but he will be guided in this estimate of the after a long-continued wear. There are others, number of customers, a single manufactory, price at which he will sell both by the know-few, perhaps, in number, which never wear unchecked by competition, would ultimately ledge that increased price will cause a diminish-out; the harder precious stones, when well cut be compelled to shut up, driven out of the mared consumption, and by the desire to realize his and polished, are of this latter class; the fash-ket by the permanence of its own productions. profit before a new supply shall reach the mar-ion of the gold or silver mounting in which ket from some other quarter. If, however, the they are set may vary with the taste of the age, same stock is in the hands of several dealers, and such ornaments are constantly exposed for there will be an immediate competition between sale as second-hand, but the gems themselves, sells furnishes us with comparatively little inthem, arising partly from their different views when removed from their supports, are never formation, if we compare distant intervals of of the duration of the present state of supply, so considered. A brilliant, which has succes-time and different countries; for gold and siland partly from their own peculiar circum- sively graced the necks of a hundred beauties, ver, in which price is usually measured, are stances with respect to the employment of their or glittered for a century upon patrician brows, themselves subject to variations, like all other capital. is weighed by the dia rond merchant n the commodities; nor is there any invariable stand144. Again, if the commodity itself is of a same scale with another which has just escaped ard by which such comparisons can be made. perishable nature, such, for example, as a cargo from the wheel of the lapidary, and will be pur-The average price of a certain quality of variof ice imported into the port of London from chased or sold by him at the same price per ous manufactured or raw produce has been Norway a few summers since, then time will carat. The great mass of commodities is in- suggested as a permanent standard of price; supply the place of competition; and, whether termedia e in its character between these two but a new difficulty then presents itself: for the the article is in the possession of one or of many extremes, and the periods of respective dura-improved methods of producing such articles persons, it will scarcely reach a monopoly price. tion are very various. It is evident that the render their money price extremely variable The history of cajeput oil, during the last few average price of those things which are con- within very limited periods. The annexed tamonths, offers a curious illustration of the ef- sumed in the act of using them, can never be ble will afford a striking instance of this kind fect of opinion uron price. In July of last year less than that of the labor of bringing them to of variation of only twelve (1831) cajeput oil was sold, exclusive of duty market. They may, for a short time, be sold years. at 7d. per ounce. The disease which had ra- for less; but under such circumstances their] vaged the east was then supposed to be ap- production must socn cease altogether. On the proaching our shores, and its proximity created other hand, if an article never wears out, the alarm. At this period, the oil in question began consequence will be, that its price may conto be much talked of as a powerful remedy in tinue permanently below the cost of the labor that dreadful disorder; and in September it rose expended in producing it; and the only conseto the price of 3s. and 4s. the ounce. In Octo-quence will be, that no farther production will ber there were few or no sales: but in the early take place: its price will continue to be regupart of November, the speculations in this sub-lated by the relation of the supply to the destance reached their height, and between the mand; and should that at any after time rise, 1st and the 15th it realized the following prices: for a considerable period, above the cost of pro3s. 9d., 5s., 6s. 6d., 78. 6d., 8s. 9d., 10s., 10s. 6d.,||duction, it will be again produced. 11s. After the 15th of November, the holders 147. Articles become old from actual decay, of cajeput oil were anxious to sell at much or the wearing out of their parts; from improvlower rates; and in December a fresh arrivaled modes of constructing them; or from changes was offered by public sale at 5s.. and withdrawn, in their form and fashion, required by the varybeing sold afterwards, as it was understood, by ing taste of the age. In the two latter cases,--for-aatiooosocia Brass, 148. The money price at which an article Wire, Iron, No. 6, - Shovel and Tongs, fire irons, within a period Latches, for doors, bright thumb, dozen Locks, for doors, iron rim, 6 inches, dozen cwt. pair pair gross Frying Pans, Hinges, cast butts, 1 inch, Hammers, Shoe, No. 0, Gun Locks, single roller, Krobs, brass, 2 inches, for Commodes, dozen Curry Combs, six barred, Candlesticks, brass, 6 inches, Buttons, for Coats, Waistcoats, &c. Braces, for Carpenters, with 12 bits, - set gross Buttons, small, for gross pair dozen cwt. each dozen dozen 10000 private contract, at 4s. or 4s. 6d. per ounce. their utility is but little diminished; and, being .cononowoooooo-ano=bond Since that time, 1s. 6d. and 1s. have been rea-less sought after by the classes who have hithlized: and a fresh arrival, which is daily expect-erto employed them, they are sold at a reduced ed, (March, 1832,) will probably reduce it be- price to a class of society rather below that cflow the price of July. Now, it is important to their former possessors. Many articles of furnotice that, in November, the time of greatest niture, such as well-made tables and chairs, speculation, the quantity in the market was held are thus found in the rooms of those who by few persons, and that it frequently changed would have been quite unable to have purchased---------08-10hands, each holder being desirous to realize his them when new; and we find constantly, even profit. The quantity imported since that time in the houses of the more opulent, large lookhas also been considerable.* ing-glasses which have passed successively I have taken some pains to assure myself of 145. The frequent speculations in oil, tallow, through the hands of several possessors, chang- the accuracy of the above table: at different peand other commodities, which must occur to ing only the fashion of their frames; and in riods of the years quoted the prices may have the memory of most of my readers, were always some instances even this alteration is omitted,|| varied; but I believe it may be considered as a founded on the principle of purchasing up all an additional coat of gilding saving them from fair approximation. In the course of my inthe stock on hand, and agreeing for the pur- the character of being second-hand. Thus a quiries I have been favored with another list, chase of the expected arrivals; thus proving taste for luxuries is propagated downwards in in which many of the same articles occur; but the opinion of capitalists to be, that a larger society; and, after a short period, the numbers in this last instance the prices quoted are sepa who have acquired new wants become sufficient rated by an interval of twenty years. It is exto excite the ingenuity of the manufacturer to tracted from the books of a highly respectable * I have understood that the price of camphor, at the same time, suffered similar changes. each 16 0 Anvils Prices of 1812 and 1832. DESCRIPTION. Candlesticks. iron, plain, Awls, Liverpool blades, screwed, Bed screws, 6 inch square head, flat head, Curry Combs, 6 barred, Fire irons, iron head, No. 1, 8 barred, , patent, 6 barred, 8 barred, 1812. d. per cwt. 25 0 - gross gross duzen - dozen duced this economy in the manufacture is, that the lathe on which these knobs are finished is now turned by a steam-engine; so that the workman, relieved from that labor, can make them twenty times as fast as he did formerly. 150. The difference of price of the same article, when of various dimensions-at different periods, in the same country-and in different countries-is curiously contrasted in the annexed table. Comparative Price of Plate Glass, at the Manufactories of London, Paris, and Berlin. 16 10 0 17 10 0 1400 LONDON. 893 824 £. s. d. £. s. d. 11 5 0 27 0 0 13 9 6 500 PARIS. 1825. BERLIN. 1828. Inches. Value of currency per ct. Price of 3 per ct. consols English pig iron, at Bir- English bar iron, do. London, excluding duty 354 3 2 The price of silvering these plates is twenty METEOROLOGICAL RECORD, KEPT AT AVOYLLE FERRY, RED RIVER, LOU. 1833. Morn. Noon. Night. of from 41. to 61. 10s. per ton 14 10 0 13 15 0 The most influential of these causes has, undoubtedly, been the invention of cheaper modes of manufacturing. The extent to which this Reduction can be carried, and yet a profit be realized at per cent. the reduced price, is truly astonishing, as the since 1812. following fact, which rests on good authority, I cannot omit availing myself of this opportu- will prove. Twenty years since, a brass knob nity of calling the attention of the manufactur- for the locks of doors was made at Birmingers, merchants, and factors, in all our manu- ham; the price at that time, being 13s. 4d. per facturing and commercial towns, to the great dozen. The same article is now manufactured, importance, both for their own interests, and having the same weight of metal, and an equal, for that of the population to which their capital or in fact a slightly superior finish, at 1s. 9 d. gives employment, of collecting with care such per dozen. One circumstance which has proaverages from the actual sales registered in their books. Nor, perhaps, would it be without its use to suggest, that such averages would be still more valuable if collected from as many different quarters as possible; and when the amount of the goods from which they are deduced, together with the greatest deviations from the mean, are given; and that if a small committee were to undertake the task, it would Feb'y 1 41 give great additional weight to the information. Political economists have been reproached with too small a use of facts, and too large an employment of theory. If facts are wanting, let it be remembered that the closet-philosopher is unfortunately too little acquainted with the admirable arrangements of the factory; and that no class of persons can supply so readily, and with so little sacrifice of time, the data on which all the reasonings of political economists are founded, as the merchant and manufacturer; and, unquestionably, to no class are the deducions to which they give rise so important. Nor let it be feared that erroneous deductions may be made from such recorded facts: the errors which arise from the absence of facts are far more numerous and more durable than those which result from unsound reasoning respecting true data. 149. The great diminution in price of the articles here enumerated may have arisen from several causes: 1. The alteration in the value of the currency. 2. The increased value of gold in consequence of the increased demand for coin. The first of these causes may have had some influence; and the second may have had a very small effect upon the two first quotations of prices, but none at all upon the two latter ones. 3. The diminished rate of profit produced by capital, however employed. This may be estimated by the average price of three per cents. at the periods stated. 4. The diminished price of the raw materials out of which these articles were manufactured. The raw material was principally brass and iron, and the reduction upon it may, in some measure, be estimated by the diminished price of iron and brass wire, in the cost of which articles, the labor bears a less proportion than it does in many of the others. 5. The smaller quantity of raw material employed, and perhaps, in some instances, an inferior quality of workmanship. 6. The improved means by which the same effect was produced by diminished labor. In order to afford the means of estimating the influence of these several canses, the following table is subjoined: 35576 CON Wind. 44 2 52 3 46 66 4 42 46 66 66 64 37 66 64 NE, morn'g cloudy-rain all day-calm evening -heavy showers -river rising one inch a day Nw-high clear-cloudy evening 72 NE-light calm 66 19 clear 66 20 50 21 59 Nw-high 66 22 calm cloudy E-light -evening calm and rain -light showers all day !river risen this month 2 ft. 8 in. SE, light -gale in the evening and night-at midnight wind N-a severe gale--light showers -heavy showers-night calm and clear --light thunder showers-evening wind N and light clear morning-evening heavy thunder showers-wind s and strong -night thunder and light showers cloudy-evening light showers-wind SE -heavy rain at night and calm -rain, and in evening light showers clear-evening light showers and heavy thunder jelear all day heavy showers from N-thunder severe and at night -rain severe-Red River falling -evening wind s s-light cloudy evening-thunder shower from NW. severe -at night a gule from w-thunder and rain severe -rain and thunder heavy all day and night -light flying clouds all day cloudy calm clear SE sw-light N, morning cloudy-rain and thunder severe |