WEBSTER'S OTAPHONE, OR INVENTION FOR ASSISTING THE HEARING. 347 and well-coloured drawings and prints on botany and zoology. "The best of our own and foreign manufactured articles should also find a place in the Institution; but their Lordships conceive that with respect to the former, it will not be necessary to incur any considerable expense, as the interest which our manufacturers are likely to feel in the progress of a school which promises to have important influence on their pursuits, will induce them to contribute specimens of their works. "By these combined means, with the aid of an annual exhibition, and probably of premiums and nominal rewards to successful scholars, their Lordships are of opinion that the experiment will have sufficient trial, and that the ultimate results upon art may safely be left to the operation of those influences which have hitherto governed the progress of all kinds of enterprise in this country. "I am directed, therefore, in continuance, to request that you will move the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury to apply to Parliament for the use of 1500l. as a grant for a school of design; and I am also to express their Lordships' hope that apartments may be assigned them in some public building in which the school may be conducted. (Signed) "DENIS LE MARCHANT." Copy Treasury Minute, dated July 15. My Lords concur in opinion upon this subject with the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade, and will submit an estimate for the grant of 15007. on this account to the House of Commons. Let an estimate be prepared and laid upon the table of the House of Commons accordingly. Acquaint Mr. Hume, for the information of the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade with the directions given; and state that my Lords will hereafter have under their consideration that part of the recommendation which relates to the propriety of providing accommodation for the proposed school in some public building, upon which my Lords can offer no opinion at present. WEBSTER'S OTAPHONE; OR, PATENT IN- The inventor was first led to a consideration of this subject by a sensible diminution of the powers of hearing in himself; and observing the general prevalence of this calamity, and also a mode as generally adopted, of applying the hollow of the hand to the back of the ear to increase the sound, he was induced to consider, whether the assistance this practice afforded, might not be obtained by means less troublesome and unsightly. With this view, the instrument he has termed an otaphone was first constructed; and its efficiency having exceeded his expectations, and led to the discovery of further benefits resulting from its use, he hopes that a narration of the principles on which it acts, will induce those who are subject to the depressing sensation of, partial deafness, to avail themselves of it. The shape of the outward ear generally escapes observation, but if once the attention is directed to it, it will be found to vary in a greater degree than any other organ; and as it is the outwork to the sense of hearing, the recipient from which all the subsequent changes sound undergoes, proceeds, its figure becomes a matter of important consideration, and it is also deserving of remark, whether it always presented the same external appearance. On inspection of that splendid collection of statuary, forming the gallery of Egyptian antiquities in the British Museum, it will be seen that, in almost every specimen, the ear is represented to have borne, in that remote age, a larger proportion to the head than at present; while in the Grecian and Roman sculpture, produced, probably, at an interval of 1000 years, it in no instance essentially differs from the most elegant proportions amongst ourselves, except in its greater prominence. The angle formed by the helix, or outer margin of the ear, and the temporal bone, varies in these statues from twenty to thirty degrees; and in the female heads, where it is more deli cately constructed, a similar projection is observable. This difference in its development is the more important, if we consider the very peculiar nature of its structure. Being formed of a substance harder than flesh, which would absorb the sound, and softer than bone, from which it would reverberate; having also such irregularities on its surface as collect the vibrations of air in every direction, and convey them to one general receptacle, it becomes apparent that any diminution of its natural expansion must be greatly prejudicial to the purpose for which it seems so wonderfully constructed; a deduction further confirmed by the fact, that those who possess the most perfect and shell-like form 348 WEBSTER'S OTAPHONE, OR INVENTION FOR ASSISTING THE HEARING. of ear, have the sense of hearing in the greatest perfection. This original shape is still preserved by eastern nations; but the climate we inhabit requiring some covering for the head, both by day and night, has greatly tended to alter its form, and certain notions of taste have induced parents to press it to the head as closely as possible. This organ seems also to have suffered in another respect, having no longer any voluntary power of motion; a faculty possessed by the Arabs and other nations approaching nearest to the primitive state of existence, but which long civilisation has rendered of less importance to us, and time has nearly obliterated. This adaptation of the ears to the direction whence sounds proceed, must greatly increase our auditory perception, and accounts for the wonderful acuteness of hearing possessed by savages. Instances of its existence occasionally occur among ourselves; a most eminent anatomist having favoured the inventor with references to two individuals, who, within the last twelve months, have consulted him, hav} ing a voluntary power over the muscles of the external ear;" and every practitioner of long standing must have witnessed similar cases. 66 Sir Charles Bell, in the following extract from his work on the "Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body," thus speaks of it:-" In most men the motion of the ear is lost, but some still retain it; and this is very remarkable,— that when the more internal mechanism of the ear is injured, and ceases to strengthen the sound before it conveys it inwards to the labyrinth, the external ear resumes the office to which it was originally adapted, and by a degree of motion and erection assists the hearing." Having thus established both an alteration in the form, and a loss of power in the use of this important organ, it seemed desirable that the projected instrument should not only accomplish the occasional service at first contemplated, but also attempt some remedy to counteract these permanent disadvantages. For this double purpose the otaphones are now constructed. They are formed from a correct model of the back of the ear, and by fitting all the irregularities of that very uneven and elastic surface, gently press forward the parts so as to produce a more perfect orbit, and fuller recipient of sound; and being self supported, they occasion no inconvenience to the wearer. By thus concentrating all the powers that nature has provided, a considerable addition to the ordinary force of sound is obtained; dissipating dulness of hearing, when not arising from internal injury, and enabling those in whom this sense is perfect, to preserve the same advantage at a much greater distance. They will, therefore, be found particularly useful in places of public worship, courts of law, the Houses of Parliament, theatres, and wherever the ordinary powers are insufficient; and by bringing the focus of sound into a more direct line with the face, the expression of the speaker is better preserved than by the unassisted ear. It is, however, on the advantages they permanently confer, when their use is discontinued, or very rarely resorted to, that the inventor places his greatest reliance for their general adoption. Though obtuseness of hearing arises from many causes, one of the most frequent is the insufficient quantity of sound the external ear collects. When this is the case, the membrane of the tympanum, or drum of the ear, and the internal organs which depend on its vibration for their active employment, become relaxed, and contract the same degree of feebleness as would attach to any other part deprived of its natural action; and this inertness, or stagnation of their powers, renders them unable to surmount those occasional injurious that blows, colds, fever, &c. create; and thus, from the most common accidents, a permanent injury to sense is induced, which a more active state of the parts would frequently remove. Ear-trumpets, which are generally employed to remedy this defect, often convey a sound painfully acute; and instead of bringing this organ, by gentle changes, to a degree of tension to which it might become equal, they commence with a force, derived from metallic surfaces, which impairs its elasticity, and requires the continuance of the same, or a greater power, to preserve any sensation whatever. the The ear therefore seems to require a degree of exercise proportioned to its capacity, but not exceeding it; and the prevalence of defective hearing leads to the presumption, that a greater nicety is requisite to attain this end, than any artificial means hitherto discovered have NEW RESOLUTIONS ON RAILWAY BILLS. afforded. The otaphones are based upon the principle, of proportioning their assistance within the limits apparently assigned by nature. The alteration they occasion when worn, is but a restoration of the ear to its original and most useful shape; and for all their subsequent ad. vantages, they depend on that peculiar fabric before described, and which is so happily adapted to the purpose, that no other substance can supply its place. They will, therefore, be found equal to the perfect restoration of the hearing, if any increase of sound, however trifling, is perceptible on their first application, and generally the use for an hour each morning, for a short time, is sufficient; but if the impediment has been of long continuance, and no advantage on trial is experienced, their employment, without previous preparation, will not be recommended. In conclusion, it is to be remarked, that as the defect these instruments profess to remedy, arises from insufficient action, and not from over exertion, they are applicable at every period of life; while those whose hearing is unimpaired, but desire to hear as well at a greater distance, will at once perceive the advantages they are capable of affording, by the louder sound of their own voices. 102, New Bond-street, W. NEW RESOLUTIONS ON RAILWAY BILLS. The House of Lords having on Wednesday last adopted these resolutions as sent up from the House of Commons, without amendment or alteration, we lose no time in publishing the following authentic copy of them. They will be found of a very stringent and, on the whole, salutary nature :— Amended Standing Orders for next Session. 1. That when any application is intended to be made to the House for leave to bring. in a Bill for making any railway, or for varying, extending, or enlarging any railway already authorised to be made, or for continuing or amending any Act passed for any of those purposes, or for alteration of the existing tolls, rates, or duties upon any such railway, notices of such intended application be given. 2. That such notices (except as hereinafter mentioned) do contain the names of the parishes and townships from, in, through, 349 and into which any such railway is intended to be made, varied, extended, or enlarged, and if an alteration in any existing tolls, rates, or duties, is intended to be proposed, the intention of proposing such alteration be expressed therein. But in case any such Bill shall be for the purpose only of altering any existing tolls, rates, or duties, or of continuing or amending any former Act, solely for the purpose of tolls, it shall not be necessary to insert in such notices the names of the several parishes and townships. 3. That such notices be inserted three times in the months of August, September, October, and November of this year, or either of them, in some one and the same newspaper of every county in or through which any such railway is intended to be made, or in which such railway, already authorised to be made, is intended to be varied, extended, or enlarged, or if there is no such paper printed therein respectively, then in the newspaper of some county adjoining thereto. 4. That a map or plan and section of the whole of such intended railway, and also of any intended variation, extension, or enlargement of any railway authorised to be made, upon a scale of not less than four inches to a mile, shall be deposited for public inspection at the office of the Clerk of the Peace of every county, riding, or division, in or through which such railway, or such variation, extension, or enlargement, is intended to be made, on or before the 30th day of November next, which map or plan shall describe the line of such intended railway, or of such intended variation, extension, or enlargement, and the lands in or through which the same is intended to be made, together with a book of reference, containing a list of the names of the owners or reputed owners, lessees or reputed lessees and occupiers of such lands respectively; and where such railway or such variation, extension, or enlargement, is intended to pass through any buildings, yards, or court-yards, or land within the curtilage of any building, or through any ground cultivated as gardens, an additional plan of such buildings, yards, land and ground, and of the said railway, shall be laid down upon a scale of not less than a quarter of an inch to every 100 feet. 5. That such section shall be drawn to the same horizontal scale as the plan, and to a vertical scale of not less than one inch to every 100 feet, and shall show the surface of the ground in the line of railway marked on the plan, and shall also have marked on it a line showing the railway line when finished (which line shall correspond with the upper surface of the rails), and a datum horizontal line, which datum line shall be the same throughout the whole length of the railway, and shall be referred to some fixed point 350 NEW RESOLUTIONS ON RAILWAY BILLS. stated on the section. That a vertical measure from such datum line to the line of the railway shall be marked in feet and inches at each change of the gradient or inclination, and that the proportion or rate of inclination between each such change shall also be marked. That the height of the railway over or under the surface of the ground shall be marked in figures at least twice in every mile, and also at every crossing of a turnpikeroad, and public carriage road, navigable river, canal, or railway, or junction with a railway, and that it shall be stated on the section whether any and what alteration in the present level of such turnpike-road, carriage-road, river, canal, or railway, is intended to be made. That where tunnelling or arching is intended, the same shall be marked both on the plan and the section. 6. That the clerks of the peace, or their respective deputies, do make a memorial in writing upon the map or plan, section and book of reference so deposited with them, denoting the time at which the same were deposited in their respective offices, and do at all seasonable hours of the day permit any person to view and examine the same, and to make copies or extracts therefrom, such person paying for the same the sum of 1s. for every such inspection, and the further sum of 1s. for every hour during which inspection shall continue after the first hour. 7. That within one calendar month from the time when the map or plan and section shall have been deposited with the clerk of the peace, a copy of so much of the said map or plan and section as relates to each parish, through which any railway is intended to be made, varied, extended, or enlarged, together with a book of reference thereto, shall be deposited with the parish clerk of each such parish in England, the schoolmaster of each such parish in Scotland, and the postmaster of the post-town in or nearest to such parish in Ireland, for the inspection of all persons concerned, at all reasonable hours of the day, such person paying for each inspection the sum of 1s. 8. That within one calendar month from the time when the map or plan and section shall have been deposited with the clerk of the peace, a copy of the said map or plan, section and book of reference, shall be deposited in the Private Bill-office of this House, and that a memorial in writing of the receipt thereof be indorsed by one of the clerks of the said office upon such map or plan, section and book of reference. 9. That before any application is made to the House for a Bill for making any railway, or for varying, extending, or enlarging any railway already made, previous application in writing be made to the owners or reputed owners, lessees or reputed lessees, by being sent to their usual place of abode in the United Kingdom, or, in their absence, to their agents respectively, and to the occupiers of the lands through which any such railway is intended to be made, varied, extended or enlarged, and that such applications shall be made on or before the 31st day of December next, and that separate lists be made of the names of such owners, lessees, and occupiers, distinguishing which of them upon such ap plication have assented to, or dissented from, such intended railway, or such variation, extension, or enlargement, or are neuter in respect thereof. 10. That before any petition shall be presented to the House for making any railway, or for varying, extending, or enlarging any such railway already made, the lists mentioned in the preceding resolution, and an estimate of the expense, signed by the person making the same, and a copy of the subscription contract after mentioned, be deposited in the Private Bill-office of this House, and that the receipt thereof be acknowledged accordingly by one of the clerks of the said office upon such petition. 11. That before any petition is presented to the House for a Bill for making any railway, a subscription to the amount of onehalf at least of the estimated expense shall be entered into by persons under a contract, binding themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, for the payment of the money so subscribed, 12. That no such Bill shall be reported to the House until it has been proved to the satisfaction of the Committee, that threefourths at least of the proposed capital of the Company has been subscribed under a like contract. 13. That no such Bill shall be reported to the House unless provision be made: 1. That no such Company shall be authorised to raise, by loan or mortgage, a larger sum than onethird of their capital, and that, until 50 per cent. on the whole of the capital shall have been paid up, it shall not be in the power of the Company to raise any money by loan or mortgage. 2. That, where the level of any road shall be altered in making any railway, the ascent of any turnpike-road shall not be more than one foot in thirty feet; and of any other public carriage road not more than one foot in twenty feet; and that a good and sufficient fence, of four feet high at the least, shall be made on each side of every bridge which shall be erected. 3. That no railway, whereon carriages are propelled by steam, shall be made across any turnpike-road or other highway on the level, unless the Committee on the Bill report that such a restriction ought not to be enforced, with the reasons and facts upon which their opinion is founded. NEW RESOLUTIONS ON RAILWAY BILLS. Amended Standing Orders for subsequent Sessions. No. 1 and 2 same as No. 1 and 2 for next Session. 3. That such notices be inserted twice in the month of February, and twice in the month of March, of the year immediately preceding that in which such application is intended to be made, in some one and the same newspaper of every county, in or through which any such railway is intended to be made, or in which such railway, already authorised to be made, is intended to be varied, extended, or enlarged, or if there is no such paper printed therein respectively, then in the newspaper of some county adjoining thereto. But in case any such Bill shall be for the purpose only of altering any existing tolls, rates, or duties, or of continuing or amending any former Act, such notices shall be inserted three times in the months of August, September, October, and November, or either of them, immediately preceding the Session of Parliament in which such application is intended to be made, in some one and the same newspaper of every county in or through which any such railway is authorised to be made; or if there is no such paper printed therein, then in the newspaper of some county adjoining thereto. 4. Same as No. 4 for next Session, except that the plan must be deposited" on or before the 1st day of March, in the year immediately preceding that in which such application is intended to be made." 5. Same as No. 5 for next Session. 6. That parties desiring to make any alteration in the line of any railway, the plans for which shall have been deposited, and the notices for which shall have been given as before-mentioned, shall be permitted so to do, provided no one deviation shall exceed one mile in length, and provided a plan and section of such alteration, together with a book of reference thereto, shall be deposited with the clerk of the peace, and a plan and section so far as relates to each parish, together with a book of reference thereto, with the parish clerks of the several parishes in which such alteration is intended to be made, on or before the 30th day of November, in the year immediately preceding that in which such application is intended to be made, and that the intention to make such alteration shall be advertised in manner before directed, twice in the month of September, twice in the month of October, and twice in the month of November, and that personal application shall be made to the owners or reputed owners, lessees or reputed lessees, or in their absence from the United Kingdom to their agents respectively, and to the occupiers of lands through which any such alteration is proposed to be made. 7. That parties desiring to make an appli 351 cation for a Bill to vary, extend or enlarge, any line of railway, for making which an Act of Parliament shall have been passed, shall be permitted so to do, provided that no one deviation shall exceed one mile in length, and provided a plan and section of such variation, extension, or enlargement, together with a book of reference thereto, shall be deposited with the clerk of the peace; and a plan and section, so far as relates to each parish, together with a book of reference thereto, with the parish clerks of the several parishes in which such variation, extension, or enlargement, is intended to be made, on or before the 30th day of November, in the year immediately preceding that in which such application is intended to be made, and that the intention to make the application for such variation, extension, or enlargement, shall be advertised in manner next before directed, in September, October, and November; and that personal application shall be made to the owners or reputed owners, lessees or reputed lessees, or, in their absence from the United Kingdom, to their agents respectively, and to the occupiers of the lands through which any such variation, extension, or enlargement, is proposed to be made. 8. That parties desiring to renew (in the then next ensuing Session) any application to Parliament in respect of any railway, the plans for which shall have been deposited, and the notices for which shall have been given, as before directed, shall be permitted so to do, provided that no one deviation shall exceed one mile in length, and provided a plan and section of such railway, together with a book of reference thereto, shall be deposited with the clerk of the peace; and a plan and section, so far as relates to each parish, together with a book of reference thereto, with the parish clerks of the several parishes through which such railway is proposed to be made, on or before the 30th day of November, in the year immediately preceding that in which such application is intended to be made, and that the intention to make such application shall be advertised in manner next before directed, in September, October, and November; and that personal application shall be made to the owners or reputed owners, lessees or reputed lessees, or, in their absence from the United Kingdom, to their agents respectively, and to the occupiers of the lands through which any such railway is proposed to be made. Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, same as Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, of standing orders for next Session. 13. That before any petition shall be presented to the House for making any railway, or for varying, extending, or enlarging any such railway already made, the lists mentioned in the preceding Resolution, and an estimate of the expense, signed by the person |