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THE EUPHRATES EXPEDITION.

vantages which may be expected to flow from such a measure. Depending, as the trade of India chiefly does, on British vessels for the means of transport, the importance of early intelligence in regulating the required supply, as well as for affording information of the state of the European markets, cannot, it will be ob vious, be too highly estimated; and the present year, in which the increase of the staple commodity, cotton, has been so remarkable, may be cited as a striking instance of the benefit which, in a commercial point of view, it could not fail to produce, that the political no less than the commercial interests of both countries would be thereby promoted, and above all, it would materially advance the great end which England has in view in retaining her dominions over India, of extending the blessings of civilisation among the numerous population of this great empire, while it would likewise contribute in no small degree to the comfort and happiness of that large class of his Majesty's subjects whose avocations condemn them to a long sojourn in this country, with the consequent pain of separation from their friends and connexions in England. Under these circumstances, the petitioners confidently trust that the House will not fail to give the subject all the consideration which its importance so fully merits. The petitioners, therefore, humbly pray, that such further measures may be taken for improving and establishing the means of rapid communication between India and England by steam, as to the wisdom of the House inay seem most expedient.

THE EUPHRATES EXPEDITION. The lamentable event which has befallen the Euphrates expedition, in the midst of its prosperity, renders it desirable that the truth should be as widely spread as possible, that, melancholy as the facts are, reports should not increase their sadness.

The expedition, with the two vessels, the Euphrates and Tigris, was descending the river most prosperously. Fuel had become, from Beles, most abundant, consisting of wood, a bituminous coal, and charcoal. The state of the river was so favourable, that the Tigris, being the smallest vessel, was in the habit of leading, and, having a native pilot on board, there was no difficulty of finding the deep channel. The Arabs were friendly; they engaged to provide depôts of fuel, and entreated our protection.

On Saturday, the 21st inst., we had brought up at midnight to a bank for fuel, and after the people had dined we cast off, meaning to steam to Annan, then distant about eighty miles. Scarcely, however, had we commenced our voyage, when a cloud of dust was seen to rise high into the air on the right bank, threatening a squall of no ordinary violence. Preparation was immediately made to meet it, by furling the awnings, &c. Having passed over a reef of rocks, at this season far under the water, the signal was made from the Tigris, leading as usual, and having Colonel Chesney on board, to choose a berth and make fast. Scarcely had we answered when the squall began. The Tigris was rounding to make fast, the Euphrates following. As we neared the left bank I saw that the Tigris had failed to bring up-her head was falling outwards. The Euphrates was now obliged to back her paddles to give room-an operation full of danger, lest she should be unable to gather way upon berself again against the current and the violence of the gale. However, her power is great, and again working the engines with all force, she came to the bank with some violence; but by the skilful management of Lieutenant Cleveland, and the activity of Mr. Charlewood, and a most willing crew, a hawser and small anchor were got on shore; then a chain cable and larger anchor; then a second chain cable and another anchor. All the time the paddles were kept working with their utmost power. Still, however, such was the violence of the hurricane that the vessel drove, but, fortunately, it did not last above fifteen minutes, at the end of which time our danger was over and the vessel was safe.

But what had become of our consort? I had seen her cross our bows, driving down the stream, and unable to bring her head to the gale. The thick dust which then suc ceeded excluded her from my sight; and from that moment I have never seen her since. In the midst of the hurricane Mr. Fitzjames reported to me that he had seen her upset to leeward about three quarters of a mile, and instantly after that she went down.

A party was sent off along shore to render what assistance they could, and another went by boat. Some of the officers-namely, Colonel Chesney, Lieutenant Lynch, Mr. Eden, Dr. Staunton, Mr. Staunton, and Mr. Thompson, came walking towards us, much exhausted. They had swam and dived ashore. Some seamen and natives also followed them; but fifteen Europeans, of whom three were officers-namely, Lieutenant Cockburn, Royal Artillery; Mr. Lynch, a passenger, and brother to Lieutenant Lynch; and Mr. Sarded, an interpreter, were lost, besides five natives.

LIST OF ENGLISH PATENTS FOR JULY.

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LIST OF ENGLISH PATENTS, GRANTED BETWEEN THE 24TH OF JUNE AND 27TH OF JULY, 1836.

Samuel Hall, of Basford, Nottingham, for improvements in propelling vessels, also improvements in steam-engines and in the methods of Working some parts thereof; some of which improvements are applicab e to other useful purposes. June 24; six months to specify.

Alexander Stocker, of Birmingham, for improve. ment in machinery for making files. June 25; six months.

John Roberts, of Prestolle, Lancaster, calicoprinter, for certain improvements in the art of block-printing. June 27; six months.

Bennett, Woodcroft, of Ardwick, Lancaster, for an improved mode of printing certain colours on calico and other fabrics. July 2; six months.

William Wainwright Potts, of Burslem, Stafford, china and earthenware manufacturer, William Maclune, of Burslem, china and earthenware manufacturer, and William Bourne, of Burslem, manager, for an improved method or process, whereby impressions or patterns in one or more colours or metallic preparations are produced and transferred t surfaces of metal, wood, cloth, papier machée, bone, slate, marble, and other suitable substances, prepared or otherwise, not being used or known as earthenware, porcelain, china, glass, or other similar substances. July 2; six months.

Samuel Meggitt, of Kingston-upon-Hull, master mariner, for certain improvements in anchors, and in apparatus for fishing; such improved anchors, which improvements may respectively be adapted to anchors now in common use. July 2; six months.

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Robert Walter Swinburne, of South Shields, agent, for certain improvements in the manufac ture of plate glass. July 4; six months.

John Isaacs Hawkins, of Chase Cottage, Pancras Vale, Hampstead road, engineer, for an improvement in the art of manufacturing iron and steel; being a comunication from a foreigner residing abroad. July 4; six months.

William Southwood Stocker, of Birmingham, mechanist, for improvements in machinery applica ble to the making of nails and other purposes. July 7; six months.

Matthew Heath, of Furnival's Inn, Esquire, for new mechanical combinations for obtaining power and velocity applicable to the propelling of vessels, raising water, and to machinery of various descriptions; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. July 11; six mon.hs.

Elisha Haydon Collier, of East India Cottage, City road, formerly of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, U.S., civil engineer, for an improvement or improvements in steam-boilers. July 13; six months.

Miles Berry, of Chancery-lane, Holborn, mechanical draftsman, for certain improvements in appa ratus for forming staves for barrels, casks, and other purposes; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. July 13; six months.

Lewis Matthias Horliac, late of Paris, but now residing in the Haymarket, gentleman, for certain improvements in carriages and harness; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. July 13; six months.

Oliver Bird, of Woodchester, Gloucester, clothier, and William Lewis, of Brunscomb, Stroud, Gloucester, clothier, for certain improvements in ma chinery applicable to the dressing of woollen and other clothis requiring such process. July 13; two

months.

John Ericsson, of Brook-street, New-road, civil engineer, for an improved propeller applicable to steam navigation. July 13; six months.

William Essex, of Cheetham, near Manchester, Lancaster, agent, for improvements in machinery for producing rotary motion. July 13; six months.

Samuel Brewer, of Boswell-court, Carey-street, engineer, for certain improvements for generating gas; which improvements are also applicable to other useful purposes. July 14; six months.

Charles Phillips, of Chipping Norton, Oxon, surgeon, for improvements in drawing off beer and other liquors from casks or vessels. July 14; six months.

John Ericsson, of Brook-street, New-road, civil engineer, for certain improved machinery to be used in the manufacturing of files. July 20; six months.

Charles Wheatstone, of Conduit-street, musical instrument manufacturer, and John Green, of Sohosquare, musical instrument manufacturer, for a new method or methods of forming musical instruments, in which continuous sounds are produced from strings, wires, or springs. July 27; six months.

John Hall, of New Radford, Nottingham, lace manufacturer, for certain improvements in certain machinery for the purpose by such improvements of facilitating the operation which is commonly called dressing or getting up, or finishing of large pieces of lace-nets of various kinds, whereof some are ealled bobbin-net or twist-net, and other kinds are called warp-net and tuttings. July 27; six months.

Peter Spence, of Henry-street, Commercial-road, chemist, for certain improvements in the manufac

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ture of Prussian blue, prussiate of potash, and plaster of Paris. July 27; six months.

Charles Brandt, of Belgrave-place, Pimlico, gen. tleman, for an improved method of evaporating and cooling fluids. July 27; six months.

LIST OF SCOTCH PATENTS GRANTED BE-TWEEN THE 21ST OF JUNE AND 21ST OF JULY, 1836, INCLUSIVE.

John Woolrich, of Birmingham, Professor of Chemistry in the Royal School of Medicine at Birmingham, for certain improvements in producing or making the substance commonly called or known by the name of carbonate of baryta, or carbonate of barytes. Sealed June 23, 1836.

William Taylor, of Southwick, county of Stafford, engineer, and Henry Davies, of Stoke Prior, county of Worcester, engineer, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for introducing water or other fluids into steam boilers or evaporating vessels; also, for obtaining mechanical power by the aid of steam, and for communicating motion to vessels floating in water. June 27.

John Wilde, late of New York, but now residing in Manchester, merchant, and Joseph Whitworth, of the same place, engineer, for an invention, partly the subject of a communication made to them by certain foreigners residing abroad, of certain machinery for effecting the operation calle knitting, and producing a fabric similar to that of knitted stockings. June 29.

David Fisher, of Wolverhampton, mechanic, for an improvement in steam-engines. July 7.

Hamer Stansfeld, of Leeds, merchant, in consequence of a communication made to him by Chris. tian William Schonherr, of Schneeberg, in the kingdom of Saxony, for improvements in ma chinery for preparing certain threads or yarns, and for weaving certain fabrics. July 8.

Thomas Rock Shute, of Watford, county of Hertford, silk throwster, for improvements in spinning and doubling organzine silk. July S.

Robert Walter Swinburne, of South Shields, agent, for certain improvements in the manufacture of plate glass. July 12.

Edward Jelowicki, of No. 8, Seymour-place, Bryanston-square, Esquire, in consequence of a communication made to him by a certain foreigner residing abroad, for certain improvements in steamengines, July 15.

Benjamin Simmons, of Winchester-street, Southwark, engineer, for certain improvements in chemical retorts, stills, and other apparatus, and in the machinery connected therewith, and by the use or employment, whereof various processes can be speedily, conveniently, and economically performed. July 18.

John Isaac Hawkins, of Chase Cottage, Hampstead-road, county of Middlesex, engineer, in consequence of a communication made to him by a certain foreigner residing abroad, for an improve. ment in the art of manufacturing iron and steel. July 18.

John Archibald, of the parish of Alva, county of Stirling, manufacturer, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for carding wool, and doffing, straightening, piecing, roving, and drawing rolls or cardings of wool. July 21.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

Printing for the Blind.-We are happy to inform our readers that the Bristol Society for embossing and circulating the authorised version of

the Bible for the use of the blind have received the munificent grant of 1007. from the British and Foreign Bible Society "towards printing the Scriptures for the use of the blind, by means of an embossed stenography, after the invention of Mr. Lucas." In order, therefore, that the blind may be regularly supplied with the sacred Scriptures, the type is already commenced in this city, and the Society expect to commence printing some time next month. They are, therefore, desirous that the blind should receive the instruction offered them by the Society at their school, 57, Castle-street.Bristol Journal.

Bleached Flax.-We have seen this week, at Leeds, a specimen of bleached flax, prepared by a York chemist, which appears to present a decided improvement in the manufacture of that article. It has created a great sensation amongst the manufacturers, and has been taken for silk. It is capable of being manufactured into the finest thread, for veils, lace, cambric, &c., and which will supersede those articles of French manufacture. The texture is most beautiful.-Doncaster Chronicle.

Organ. The city of Munich has lately purchased a curious organ of marvellous effect. The pipes and stops are of a miniature size, yet have all the musical effect of a church organ. It is the work of an humble artist of Florence, named Michael Paoli; whose talent has been revealed by chance, and who, at the age of sixteen, made a beautiful clock, after one inspection of a model. The curate of his village first employed him to make an organ, which all Florence admired.-Athenæum.

Philosophical Shop-Bill.-In opening, one day, a paper rolled round a pair of gloves, I discovered a lithographised chart, emblematic of society. In the north was the province of Aristocracy-in the south that of the Productive Classes. These two provinces were separated by the mountains of Pride. Among the other cantons of Aristocracy, that of the Clergy was distinguishable, watered by the river of Luxury. Below, in the territory of the Productive Classes, the rivulet of Misery fell into the lake of Despair. The most interesting part was the explanation, which gave the history of the inhabitants. Those of Aristocracy make frequent excursions into the territory of the producers, and carry off their women and children into slavery. This print sets one thinking. A privileged class, in the nineteenth century, and in a country where thought is so active as in England, should be careful to show itself intelligent and above reproachan irreproachable power never falls.-Hennequin's Tour in England.

Erratum.-In. p. 264, col. 2, line 16 from the top, for "changers" read "changes.""

The Supplement to Vol. XXIV., containing Title, Contents, Index, &c., and embellished with a Portrait of Mr. Walter Hancock, C. E., is now published, price 6d. Also the Volume complete in boards, price 98. 6d.

British and Foreign Patents taken out with economy and despatch; Specifications, Disclaimers, and Amendments, prepared or revised; Caveats entered; and generally every Branch of Patent Business promptly transacted.

LONDON: Published by J. CUNNINGHAM, 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 Lion-square. Sold by G. W. M. REYNOLDS, Proprietor of the French, English, and American Library, 55, Rue Neuve, Saint Augustin, Paris.

CUNNINGHAM and SALMON, Printers,
Fleet-street.

HEBERT'S FLOUR-MAKER.

VOL. XXV.

Mechanics' Magazine,

MUSEUM, REGISTER, JOURNAL, AND GAZETTE.

No. 678.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1836.

Price 3d.

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HEPERT'S FLOUR-MAKER. We fulfil our engagement made in a former Number (665), of giving a description of the larger kind of "Hebert's Patent Flour-makers;" and we adopt for this purpose, the machine which we stated was in successful operation at the workhouse of All Saints', near Hertford, in preference to another machine on the same principle, which the patentee assures us is greatly improved-because, in the first place, we fulfil our promise to the letter; and, in the second place, because the practical demonstration of actual advantages has more weight with us than any deductions from theory, however plausible. And until the inventor shall have given to us equal proofs to those which we are about to submit to our readers of the success of his more recent improvements, we shall rest satisfied with what is before us.

We live in an age when improvements. are occurrences of every day, yet it is singular that the process of grinding and dressing wheat is nearly the same as it has been for centuries. The French burr stones, awkward, massive, and troublesome, have hitherto been free from the inventive assaults of enterprise and genius; and when we reflect how long the miller has been wedded to his upper and nether millstone, we can hardly expect this invention to attract his attention, but we think it a subject worthy of consideration to those who are friendly to manual labour, either as employment or punishment, to inquire how far a cheap process can be introduced in the manufacture of an article of the first consump

tion; and should it appear that England possesses within herself the means of effectually superseding the French burr stones, the greater honour will rest on those who are the means of its introduction.

The prefixed wood-cut exhibits a per spective sketch of the flour-maker constructed by Mr. Hebert, for the workhouse at All Saints, where it has been constantly at work, without the slightest deterioration of the grinding surfaces, for a period of time, that would, in ordinary mills, have required a renewal of them many times. For the purpose of ascertaining the efficacy of this new machine, the following questions were addressed to the Guardians of the Union and the Master, to which the former replied in general

terms, that they were "satisfied with the working of the machine," while the latter answered each question categorically in the words which we subjoin.

1. How few men are competent to work the machine, so as properly to grind and dress?-One.

2. How many men can you efficiently employ in working the same?-Fourteen. 3. Can you employ boys equally as well as men? -Yes.

4. What is the opinion of the millers at Hertford of the quality of the flour produced?Their opinion is, that the quality of the flour is good.

5. Do you find that the number of persons at work makes any difference in the quality of the flour or other products; or does that circumstance affect only the quantity of work done ?-It makes no difference in the quality, but only affects the quantity.

6. Do you find any difficulty in making the necessary adjustments, especially as relates to the means of proportioning the work according to the number of labourers employed ?-No difficulty.

7. Do you find the superintendence and management of the machine absorb much of your time?—No.

8. Has your experience in the working of the new" Patent Flour-maker" convinced you that the presumed difficulty of grinding and dressing simultaneously, is in this new machine completely obviated?

-Yes.

9. Do you consider that the skill and superintendence of a regular miller is in this new machine at all necessary ?— No.

10. Do you consider that the machine works as perfectly now as when first erected? Yes.

The answer to the 9th question appears to us to be one of considerable importance, as relates to the economical working of the machine, especially in a workhouse; for in all other mills that we are informed of, the expense of a professed miller to superintend their operations is entailed upon the establishment. This is, indeed, unavoidable with the ordinary stone-mills, as their surfaces require frequent dressing or re-cutting, at least once a week when constantly in use. Besides the stoppage or loss thus occasioned of one day in every week, it requires great practical skill (at necessarily high wages) to execute such work in an

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