NOTES AND NOTICES. Henry Shrapnel, of Salisbury, major-general and colonel in the Royal Artillery, for improvements in fire-arms of various descriptions, and in ammunition for the purposes of fire-arms. Sept. 6; six months to specify. Miles Berry, of 66, Chancery-lane, civil engineer, for certain improvements in mills for grinding wheat and other grain, and which improvements render them also applicable to other purposes, being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Sept. 13; six months to specify. Stephen Perry, of Wilmington-street, Wilmington-square, gentleman, and Edward Massey, senior, of King-street, Clerkenwell, watch-manufacturer, and Paul Joseph Gauci, of North-crescent, Bedford-square, artist, all in the county of Middlesex, for certain improvements in pens and penholders. Sept. 20; six months to specify. Edward Weeks, of King's-road, Chelsea, horti. cultural builder, for certain improvements on kitchen or other grates or ranges, which he denominates Weeks's Cooking Apparatus. Sept. 20; six months to specify. NOTES AND NOTICES. M. Arago, the French astronomer royal, who attended the meeting of the British Association at Edinburgh last week, has been commissioned by his Government to entirely remodel the Observatoire Royale at Paris, and his journey to this country has been partly for the purpose of communicating personally with our astronomer royal, Mr. Pond, and to examine the very important, but little talked of, improvements in astronomical instruments which the Greenwich Observatory now exhibits; as well as to become acquainted with the superior manner of observing practised there. M. Arago has expressed, in the most unequivocal terms, his admiration of all he has seen at Greenwich; he fully concurs in the praises which the most celebrated German astronomers have bestowed on the mode of conducting the business in our observatory; and acknowledges the beneficial results to nautical science which have flowed from the system there adopted, which originated with, and has been perfected by our present astronomer, royal.-Globe. Telegraphic Communication between London and Liverpool-We have heard that there is some idea of forming a line of telegraphs along the London and Birmingham Railway as far as Birmingham, and though no arrangements have yet been made for carrying the project into effect, we entertain hopes that it will not be allowed to die away, and that the line, instead of being permitted to terminate at Birmingham, will be extended to this town, in which case the communication of important intelligence may be effected between London and Liverpool in a wonderfully short period of time. The reason why it has been proposed to connect the line of telegraphs with the railway is that it may frequently be necessary (as in the case of an engine with a train of passengers getting out of order), to communicate rapidly along a distance of several miles, for the purpose of obtaining assistance. The primary object, therefore, is the convenience of the Railway Company, and it is believed that the straight and level lines of the railway, some of which extend without a curve for several miles, may be used for this purpose, with almost as much advantage as a chain of heights and headlands. If the plan should be carried into effect, however, the accommodation of the company will soon be a very secondary object, and the telegraph will become an important political and commercial instrument, valuable in peace, and doubly valuable in time of war. In France 447 there are telegraphs from Paris to the Spanish, the Italian, the German, and the Belgic frontiers, as well as to Calais, Brest, Marseilles, and Toulon; whilst in this country, so much a-head of France in most of the arts of life, the only line in use is that from Liverpool to Holyhead, the one from London to Portsmouth, employed during the war, being no longer in operation. Even the Prussian Government has formed a line of telegraphs between the Rhine and Berlin. In general the spirit and enterprise of British capitalists have been found much more effectual in opening new and improved lines of communication between all parts of this country than the patronage of Government has been on the Continent; but in this respect we are behind most of the Continental nations. This probably arises from the fact of telegraphs having been principally used for military purposes, especially during the reign of Napoleon; but there can be no doubt that they may be rendered extremely useful in conveying commercial, shipping, and general information, as well as Government orders in time of peace, and that they would become of immense value if we should ever have again the misfortune to be involved in a war. Liverpool Times. If Mr. Baddeley will refer to the drawing of Mr. Barton's piston, contained in "Galloway's History of the Steam-Engine," page 437, he will there see one of Mr. Barton's improved pistons, in which the light circular steel hoop is alone used, the spiral spring being wholly laid aside. Mr. Baddeley, in No. 564, refers to Barton's piston of 1818, not 1828 or 1830, which is not quite fair to Mr. Barton.-JAMES R. WHITE, Sept. 12, 1834. Cotton Weaving.-An invention is in course of trial, at Wallshaw Mills, Oldham, which has for its aim the adaptation of the Jacquard silk figuring loom to the figuring of strong cottons; and John Fielden, Esq., one of the honourable members for Oldham, has so far improved the power-loom, that, by a new application of the lathe, it will perform nearly double the quantity of work now produced.-Macclesfield Courier. Our readers will be gratified to learn, that the inquiry and observations we made respecting the necessity of employing a tinker to design and finish the tops of the chimneys of the new State Paper Office (vol. xx. p. 336), have not been without their use. The long metal tubes have been taken down, and the chimney-tops have been again neatly and ornamentally finished in stone. This example, which cannot be too much admired, it is hoped will be followed by other architects who have the superintendence of public buildings, and that they will at once use their best efforts to dismount every cowl, tall boy, and potters' chimneypot, from the prominent situations so many of them occupy, and there appear as blots on the tablet of the sky. Grenadier caps surmount Apsley-house, while on St. George's-hospital, which stands on lower ground, no such useless terminations to the chimneys have been per mitted. We will thank our readers to acquaint us (if by letter, post paid), when any such tenants are removed, either from public buildings, or noble private dwellings; and perhaps they will also favour us with a description of any new character given to chimney-tops. We hope the taste displayed in the chimneys and manufactories, which we lately noticed, will contribute to forward improvements in the appearance of those on every other building. Perhaps many of our readers are aware, that, on either side of the York Monument, Carlton-terrace, there are gates, and that these are constantly open during the day, and sufficiently wide for any carriage to pass through. In fact they appear, from Waterloo-place, evidently intended for carriage 448 NOTES AND NOTICES. It entrances, for the trees in the Park may be seen through the openings, but not the thirty-six steps which descend from the base of the pillar. There is not, perhaps, much reason to apprehend that any person would intentionally ride through these openings; but it is within the bounds of probability that any horse or horses having run away, and thus become unmanageable, might do so. is not necessary to say what would be the consequence of such an event to any one who might be so unfortunate as to take a journey at full speed, either in a carriage or on horse, down such a declivity; or estimate the number of persons who might be killed or injured by being on the steps at the time. Perhaps to point out that such a calamity may be prevented, by railings placed on the curb-stone of the pavement opposite to the openings, which would not at all obstruct foot-passengers, for whom only those entrances are intended, is all that is now requisite. In the "Monthly Repository," vol. vii. p. 226, there is a very good paper by Junius Redivivus, on the State of the Working Classes; but it is singular enough that he here distinctly concedes the very point which he would not grant to R. of Bayswater, in the discussion which was carried on for some time in the pages of the Mech. Mag. between these parties. His words are:-"It is clear that the impediment of the physical¡ condition of the poor must precede the improvement of their minds," &c.-A LOOK ER-ON, Bridgewater, Sept. 13. The only coal which has been yet found in India, available for steam-navigation, is the Burdwan coal; the power of which, compared with the But although best Newcastle, is as about 5 to 9. this coal is cheap in Calcutta, yet when shipped for the out-stations it becomes more expensive than sending out coal to them from England direct. The railway system is making prodigious strides in the United States. There are already no less than thirty-seven railway companies in the State of New York alone-all incorporated since the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway -whose united capitals amount to the sum of 29,865,000 dollars-nearly 6,000,000. British. A Sympathetic Ink, very far superior to any yet in use, may be thus made:-Dissolve a small quantity of starch in a saucer with soft water, and use the liquid like common ink; when dry no trace of the writing will appear upon the paper, and the letters can be developed only by a weak solution of iodine in alcohol, when they will ap . pear of a purple colour, which will not be effaced until after long exposure to the atmosphere. So permanent are the traces left by the starch, that they cannot when dry be effaced by India-rubber. Spontaneous Ignition of Coals.-Instances of this have, we understand, become of frequent occurrence since the alteration of the law, which substituted weight for measure in the sale of coals. When coals were sold by measure they used to be well screened, but now every thing is thrown in -even to the very dust-to make up weight. If the coal, therefore, has any sulphur in it, and the dust happens to get wet, spontaneous ignition is almost inevitable. When the hatches of a vessel, called the London, which was lately sent out to India with coal, were opened at Calcutta, a volume of flame instantly burst forth, and it was found necessary to half scuttle the vessel to extinguish the conflagration. It is supposed, that had the vessel continued at sea twenty-four hours longer she must with all on board have been destroyed. Something of the same kind occurred the other day to the coal ship at the dock-yard, Woolwich, from which the different Government steamers are supplied with coal. The hold was discovered to be in a kindling state, and they were obliged to turn the coal out of her, or she would have taken fire and sunk. Street Names.-On some of the glass lamps in Paris the names of the streets are inscribed. It is desirable, says a Paris journal, that a similar inscription should be made upon every lamp at the corner of a street. This would prove useful at night, not only to strangers but to the Parisians themselves. The same thing in London would be of no small utility to both Londoners and strangers. Preserving Bees in Winter.-Mr. Ethridge, of Mount Rose Pew, buried several hives of bees in the ground last year, sufficiently deep to be out of the reach of frost, and impervious to air, being first covered with straw and then mould. They were taken up in April, and the bees found to be in good health, and the honey not diminished. - Blackwood's Journal of Agriculture. We shall be glad to hear again from Mr. White. Communications received from Mr. AldersonThe Westminster Chess Clnb-Pit-Mr. W. Hegs -Mr. R. Smith. The Supplement to the present Volume, with Preface, Titles, and Index, and Portrait, on Steel, of the late Mr. Telford, will be published on the 1st of November. LONDON: Published by M. SALMON, at the Mechanics' Magazine Office, No. 6, Peterborough Court, between 135 and 136, Fleet-street. Agent for the American Edition, Mr. O. RICH, 12, Red Lionsquare. Sold by G. G. BENNIS, 55, Rue Neuve, Saint Augustin, Paris. END OF TWENTY-FIRST VOLUME. M. SALMON, Printer, Fleet-street. 3 A. INDEX TO THE TWENTY-FIRST VOLUME. Achromatic lens, invention of the, 277, 330, Ackermann, Rudolph, death of, 32 Air-pump without valves, 66 Air-stove and ventilator, Reed's, 17 Alderson's treatise on the steam-engine, 218 America, showers of fiery meteors in, 10 --, map of magnetic co-variation lines American patents, 95, 110, 224, 264, 285, flour, moisture of, 139 canals, 382 viaduct, 434 Animal instinct, lecture on, by Rev. A. "Animalia infusoria," Müller's, 76 Apiarian system, Nutt's, 154, 185, 215, 290, engines, 276; the interception of flame by 392 Balance, delicate, 281 Ballingall's improved mode of ship-building, Barlow, Peter, Esq., F. R. S., on the pre- Bark, substitute for, 208 Barton's metallic piston, 134, 176, 216, 228, Baunoscope, the, an instrument uniting the Bee system, Nutt's, 154, 185, 215, 290, 332 Beer, Bavarian, 34 " Prague, 35 Bell, Sir Charles, on the mechanism of the Bessel's mode of finding the longitude, 445 musical festival, 176 new portable, 296 -, ferry, chain, 374 350 Arithmetic, Dr. Lardner's Treatise on, 236 Astronomical instruments, Simms' Treatise Atlantic, map of magnetic co-variation lines Atmosphere, refraction of the, 230 supplying with water, 276, Book-trade in India, 256. between England and France, 351 Bow, the, power exerted in bending, 172 Bramah's press, the principle of, of great Brewing, Art of, Mr. Booth's Treatise on the, ferry-boat, 374 canal navigation, 416 Champagne, adulteration of, 133 Chasing, process of, 127 Chemical filter, 227 Chemistry, experimental, helps to self-in- --, attention paid to, in the cotton- Chimney-sweepers and flues, Act for regu- flues, improved mode of construct- ing, 389 sweeping machine, 409 Chimneys, ornamental, 416 Chimney-top abominations, 447 Chinese Dictionary, Dr. Morrison's, 47 Chinese paper, manufacture of, 59 gongs, composition of, 59 Chubb's detector-lock, 80 Cider, English, decline in the quality of, 134 Clock invented by Mr. A. Symington, 272. Coals in France, 48 -, disadvantage of purchasing, by mea- in India, 448 , spontaneous ignition of, 448 Coinage, British, 147, 187, 399 Comets, Professor Robinson on, 428 Continent, rate of wages on the, 52, 70 twisting, and laying, 95 Cotton roving machine, Moseley's, 285 cial to, 121 ring, 113, 191, 272, 329 Emigrants, practical hints to, on the clearing Emigration, effects of, on wages, 32 -, map of magnetic co-variation lines Evaporation, Kneller's patent process of, Explosion of steam-boilers, 82 F. Factory Commission Reports, extracts from, Farraday, Dr., 278 Farrow's glass silvering-machine, 1 * Fermenting apparatus, the Gervais, improved, Ferry-boat, chain, 374 Ferrying, new mode of, with horses, 240 Fiery-meteors, shower of, in America, 10 Filter, simple chemical, 227 Fish, shower of, 239 Fisherman's lamp, 91, 203, 439 Flame, the phenomena of, 140, 195, 206, 229, 252, 328, 347, 379 Flax, New Zealand, 310 Flour drying apparatus, Tyson's, 139 451 and solids, analogy between the Fog, remarkable, 192 Forgery, prevention of, 208 Forman's, Captain, new mode of propelling France, mortality in,38 iron manufactures in, 318 exportation of books to, 351 machinery to, 365 Frost, contraction of iron by, 173 Fuller, John, Esq., Professorships of Expe- death of, 48 Furnace sugar- damper, Jordan's, 368 G. Galvanic battery, cheap, 22 action, instances of, 204 Gardens, ancient Roman, 152 Gas, coal, application of, to light-houses, 58 experiments with the flames of, 140 engine, explosive, 110 Weekes's portable eudiometer for condensation and liquefication of, 170 Geology, philosophy of, 48 Gervais fermenting apparatus improved, 129, Glasgow, statistics of, 430 Glass silvering-machine, Farrow's, 1 Glass plate electrical machines, 175, 344 Goldsmiths, English, 125 Gongs, composition of Chinese, 254 Grate-bars, alteration in the shape of, 44 Gregory's Optica Promota," 330, 343 Grey, Mr. T., on the railway system, 182 Gun-carriage, new, 176 Gurney, Mr., and steam carriages on com- |