FIXING AND VARNISHING DRAWINGS, PRINTS, &c. does not represent it? Is not the axle of the wheel a moved forward to a point perpendicular to the obstacle b it is owing solely to the extreme simplicity of the apparatus, that the locomotion is not greater, but an inch is as good as an ell. Let him, instead of pinning the periphery of the wheel to the apex of the obstacle to be surmounted, make his wheels, cog wheels, and lay down a rack for a rail road; then let him apply spring power in the way and at the place that I have pointed out, and he will obtain locomotion to a greater extent than he will be pleased to see. Surely it cannot be necessary for me to say, that the rack and the cogs, like the pinning of the peripheries of the wheels, are merely for the purpose of obtaining adhesion in an extreme case of ascent. It says little for Saxula's acuteness, that he has not anticipated me in devising this experiment, and that he has not put my assertions to this further test; but then-what then? he would have been caught at last in the trap of which he speaks, and his new and only true theory, the elaborate theory, which has cost him so many sleepless nights, and which is big with more important consequences to society than the Newtonian theory of the universe, would have gone to the tomb of all the Capulets. Saxula makes some remarks on the common theory of locomotion being at variance with his experiments. I would beg to remind him, that theory is as useful to correct the evidence of experi ments, as experiments are necessary to verify the conclusions of theory. He will find this observation to apply to the experiment of the carriage propelled by four equal weights, respecting which he asks my opinion, as to their comparative efficiency in forcing the machine over an obstacle. I answer, in his own words, in another communication, "like spaces in like times argue like power, with the same resistance;" also, like resistance with the same power. If the spaces vary, the resistance varies, and that weight which descends through the greatest space, is the most efficient. Saxula may say, that each weight unwinds the same extent of cord; this is granted: but let him call to mind the distinction which I have already endeavoured to teach him, between ab 61 solute and relative motion; in short, let him think for himself. With this communication, I take leave to close the controversy, so far at least as I am concerned, and if anything has escaped me, which may appear to Saxula too caustic to be consistent with courtesy, I beg to remind him, that the tone of triumph in which he has lately indulged, has been uncalled for and unprovoked. Yours, &c. BENJAMIN CHEverton. FIXING AND VARNISHING DRAW- Sir,-If Iota (vol. xiv. p. 447) has not yet met with a satisfactory method of setting and varnishing chalk drawings, the following is at his service. To set pencil or chalk drawings, wash them over with water in which a small quantity of isinglass, or parch ment size, has been dissolved; almost any size that is colourless will do. Many persons use skimmed milk for the purpose, and it answers pretty well, but the above is better. Mr. Smyth, the artist, manufactures a very excellent fixing liquid, which is very much in request; it is sold for him by most artists' colourmen. To varnish chalk, pencil, water-colour drawings, or prints; wash them over with the solution of isinglass, until they bear up in every part; when dry, give them a coat of spa varnish (white hard spirit), when the first coat is dry and hard, a second may be added, and this will, in most cases, be found sufficient. I I may observe, it is necessary to apply the isinglass solution very gently, and not to go over the same part twice until the first coat is dry, otherwise the drawing is liable to be disturbed. It is also requisite to keep the picture free from dust while wet, for any that may happen to get upon it will be inseparably glued to the surface. Care should also be taken to keep the brushes perfectly clean. With a little attention to these particulars, any person may fix, or varnish, all kinds of drawings, prints, &c., with the greatest ease. Yours, &c. Oct. 2, 1831. WM. BADDELEY. NOTES WORTH NOTICE. "Many sinall matters collected together make a considerable figure: the great pyramid of Egypt is composed of single bricks." Progress of the Press.-Newspapers increase and multiply in all parts of the globe, with most astonishing rapidity. The times must, indeed, be strange, when regular journals of news are published in Algiers and Constantinople, as is now actually the case, the former by the French invaders, and the latter under at least the covert sanction of the present liberal grand Turk. The negroes of Li. beria, too, have their newspaper, and the latest accounts from Swan River have brought the intelligence, that the MS. journal, hitherto the only literary food of the colony, had been substituted by a regular printed one, which commenced on the 16th May. There exists a perfect newspaper rage among the native population of Hindostan-Not content with the gentle sounding Jam Jahan Nama (edited by Huree Hur Duttu) the Soodhakur, the Prubhakur, the Hurkaru, and divers others, to the number altogether of nine, all published by natives-lo, a tenth appears"-in the shape of the Subha-Rajendru, which consists of half Persian and half Bengalee; "and," says the India Gazette, "we hear that another is to be published at Cuttach, in the Ben. galee, Persian, and Orissa languages!" The absorbing question with all these, is the propriety of widow burning, on which a great difference of opinion exists. In Australia, no less than two new papers have lately appeared, the Sydney Herald, and Life in Sydney. Advance of Australia.-A new society has sprung up at Sydney, having, for its object, the encouragement of domestic manufactures. A steam-boat plies regularly between Sydney and Paramatta, and two seminaries of learning, “Sydney College," and "King's School," are about to be established. New Fire-proof Dress.-Many of our readers will doubtless recollect, that some months ago an Italian, who styled himself "the Chevalier Aldini," exhi bited at many of our public institutions -the Mechanics' Institution, we believe, among the number-a dress of Asbestos, by means of which a person might pass through fire uninjured, as was proved by actual experiment. The chief objection to M. Aldini's plan was its great expense, but a new fire-proof material has been invented by another Italian, the Marquis Origo, cammander of the firemen of Rome, to which this strong objection does not apply, and which, therefore, promises to be of extensive utility. His process consists in dipping repeatedly the ordinary uniform of a fireman-boots, gloves, and a large hood-in a strong solution of sulphate of alumine and sulphate of calx, and, after the first drying, saturating it in soap-water. To prove the efficacy of the invention, two firemen were clothed in this dress; they had incombustible masks on their faces, and moistened sponges in their mouths and ears; thus prepared, they went into a building, twenty-three feet long, and a yard wide, full of burning firewood; along the whole length of which they walked ten times without the least inconvenience. If this statement be not highly exaggerated, Origo's invention well deserves a trial in England, where so many lives are annually lost by accidental fires. New Letler-founding Process.-Stereotyping is about to be applied in a novel manner. A Mr. Thomson has lately taken out a patent for a new method of typefounding, which consists in casting a stereotype-plate, much in the usual way, and then separating the letters by means of a saw, thus reversing the usual operation. It is expected that this will effect a considerable saving. To the uninitiated, it appears much to resemble the pro cess of making saw-dust out of dealboards. INQUIRIES. New American Periodical. -A newspaper has lately been started at Baltimore On a novel plan:-a reasonable space is devoted to the really-important news; and the remainder, instead of being filled up with unmeaning paragraphs, notices of extraordinary turnips, or "accidents and offences," is composed of permanentlyinteresting articles on statistics, natural history, the arts, manufactures, &c. It is edited by Professors Ducatel and Calvert, of the University of Maryland. There is but one reason why the Mechanics' Magazine should not be a publication of a precisely similar character: each Number would be subjected to a duty of fourpence. The New Volcanic Islands. By the latest intelligence from the Mediterranean it appears, that, so far from Graham Island disappearing, as had been reported, it seemed likely to become the centre of a complete volcanic archipelago, as it had already formed three distinct islands, and continued throwing up immense quantities of lava and cinders. The Decline of Science Denied.-A strong feeling of opposition to the degrading notion that science in England is on the decline, appears to be rising in the scientific world. The proceedings of the late Congress at York-a meeting which was chiefly promoted by Dr. Brewster, a furious asserter of decline-was opened by the President, the Rev. Vernon Harcourt, repelling the assertion with indig nation; and Professor Daniel, of King's College, in his inaugural lecture, the other day, also denied the truth of the monstrous assertion. In his last Number of the Edinburgh Journal of Science, Dr. Brewster tauntingly inquired what emineut men of science had denied the fact of the alleged decline? We suppose he will now allow that he has received his answer, especially as he attended the York meeting in propria persona. Promotions in the Order of Merit.His Majesty has just given another proof of his determination to encourage scientific research, by bestowing the honour of knighthood on two very eminent characters in the philosophic world:-Mr. (now Sir Charles) Bell, the very celebrated anatomist, and coadjutor of the Lord Chancellor in the intended new edition of Paley's Natural Theology; and Mr. (now Sir Joseph Frederick William) Herschel, son of the discoverer of the Georgium Sidus, himself equally eminent as an astronomer and mathematician, and, above all, well known to the reading public by his excellent Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy.-- F. H. Enquiries. 63 Cider-Pressing.-Sir, Several of your Devonshire friends would be much obliged to any of your numerous correspondents to put them in the way of applying the power of Bramah's hydraulic-press to their (at present clumsy) cider-presses. Within these few years, presses on the plan of the napkin, with two screws, have been in use; but they do not squeeze drier than the old ones, and, I believe, are very often out of order. The power should be over, and not under the cheese, for many reasons.-Yours, &c. A SUBTHE FIRST, Stiverton, SCRIBER FROM near Totness. Density of Cider-Juice.-In making cider from good apples, what is about the usual average produce per bushel of apples in juice; and what is the density of such juice per barrel, as indicated by Dring and Fage's saccharometer, such as is commonly used by brewers, by which they ascertain and regulate the strength of their worts ?-Z. Changes produced by Hot Iron in the C lour of Syrups.-To what cause is it owing, that when in making lozenges from brown sugar, (such as are commonly known by the name of white bulls'-eyes) the boiled syrup, while in a warm and plastic state, is repeatedly drawn over an iron substance, it is converted from a state of almost blackness to a white or stone colour?-Z. Quicksands.-What is the theory of the quicksand?-A. C. T. Zinc Plates. Being in possession of a small lithographic printing-press, the rollers of which are too close to admit of a stone passing through them without breaking. I should esteem it a particular favour if I could ascertain from any of your obliging correspondents (through the medium of the Mechanics' Magazine) the method of preparing the zinc plates, which, I understand, have been recently introduced with great success; or where (if anywhere) they are to be purchased in London, which are ready prepared.S. H. Ripening Beer.-To what is it owing that ale, or any description of bottled beer, ripens so much sooner when laid down on the side of the bottle, than when standing up? A friend of mine informed me a day or two since, that he always has one or two bottles at a time so laid down to be prepared for drinking. LAMBDA. Shalder's Patent Pump.-Sir, If any of your correspondents, who may have had one of Shalder's expressing fountains in use a sufficient time to judge of its merits, and who may have accurately calculated or observed its powers, will state the result, through the medium of your pages, it may help to resolve the doubts of many beside those of your obedient servant, Z. Water-proof Coating." I cannot see what advantage can be derived from the sand being mixed with the paint as used at the South Stack Light-house, vol. xiv. p. 457; for the interstices formed by the sand will only make a lodgement for wet. Not that, according to my idea, the paint by these means will be at all injured; but I wish to suggest, the uselessness of the saud, consequently the misuse, unless (as is not at all improbable) the sand be intended to give a kind of roughcast appearance, in resemblance of stone. Some months since, I accompanied a fellow-student over St. Paul's Cathedral, where I remarked on the stone wall of the upper gallery two initials, with the date (if I mistake not) of 1752, which had been done in paint. The parts so painted protraded, at least 1-16th of an inch. It would be worth while to know how a paint so durable was composed.”— LAMBDA.-Regent's Park, October 3, 1831. MISCELLANEOUS. Dignity of Trade.-At one period none but persons of property were allowed by the English law to follow even the commonest trades. The 7th of Henry IV. declares that no man shall apprentice his son or daughter to a trade unless he have or rent land to the amount of 20s. yearly; and by the 5th of Eliz. chap. 32, the amount of the qualification was increased to 60s. yearly, and limited to freehold possessions. The first apprentice of the first framework-knitter (the Rev. William Lee, who invented the stocking-knitting machine) was Sir William Carey, eldest son to a Lord (Hunsdon), who was of the Blood Royal. Lee's apprentices and workmen were principally composed of his relatives, who thought it so high a honour to belong to the new craft, that they wore their working needles, having ornamental silver shafts, suspended from a silver chain at their breasts. This mark of distinction was preserved so late as the reign of Queen Anne.-Henson's History of the Framework-Knitters. Poison for Bugs. Professor Brande recommends the following as the best possible poison for bugs: Reduce an ounce of corrosive sublimate, and one ounce of white arsenic to a fine powder; mix with it one ounce of muriate of ammonia in powder, two ounces each of oil of turpentine and yellow wax, and eight ounces of olive oil; put all these into a pipkin, placed in a pan of boiling water, and when the wax is melted, stir the whole, till cold, in a mortar.. Important Invention.-A gentleman (whose address may be had on application to the Editor) informs us he has "invented a machine or instrument whereby a person may write, either in the common writing hand or any other, with an extraordinary increase of facility; but that he is prevented bringing it forward, owing to the great expense of taking out a patent, to which he thinks the importance of the invention justly entitles him. A good opportunity this for an enterprising speculator. French Beetle Forceps.-We purchased last year in Paris a pair of insect forceps, which do not seem to be known to our collectors, but which we have found exceedingly useful for taking beetles and other in. sects out of holes, where they cannot be otherwise easily reached. The instrument is made of steel, and resembles a pair of large scissors. In some the handle-rings are like those of scissors, on a line with the blades; in others they are at right angles to these. The pliers used by our collectors are much inferior in utility, by being too small, short, and slender. The French instrument is farther useful for seizing venomous or dangerous insects. In other cases the fingers alone are often sufficient, and for minute beetles a wetted finger.-Professor Rennie: Insect Miscellanies. Quadrature of the Circle.-One "Arthur Parsey, of the Burlington Arcade," has announced, in the form of an advertisement in the daily papers, that he "has discovered the quadrature of the circle indisputably." Rare Arthur Parsey! Why does he not let out the secret at once? He seems evidently to be in the expectation that a deputation from the Royal Society (the Wise Men of the East), or perhaps from the Government itself, will forth with wait upon him to solicit, on a promise of high honour and preferment (the Governorship of Formosa would be appropriate) a revelation of the wonderful discovery. Toothache. The root of the yellow iris, chewed in the mouth, is said to be an inmediate cure for the toothache. We have also heard, that the seeds of the same plant, roasted, form an excellent substitute for coffee. |