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provements to facilitate and expedite the bleaching of linen and other vegetable fibres. April 7; six months.

Robert Copland, of Brunswick Crescent, Cam berwel', Esquire, for improvements upon patents already obtained by him for combinations of appa ratus for gaining power. April 9; six months.

Mi.es Berry, of Chancery-lane, civil engineer, for new or improved ap aratus or mechanism for marki g down or registering the notes played on the keys of piano-fortes, organs, or such other keyed musical instruments; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. April 7; six mentlis.

Jacob Perkins, of Fleet-street, engineer, for cer tain improvements in steam-engines, and in geneating steam and evaporating and boiling fluids for ertain purpose. April 12: six months.

James Leman, of Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, gentleman, for improvements in making or manufacturing sap; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. April 12; six months.

Thomas Hodgson Leighton, of B'yth, Northum berland, chemist, for certain improvements in the converting sulphate of soda into the subcarbonate of soda or mineral alkali. Apr.112; six months.

Joshua Bates, of Bishopsgate-street, merchant, for certain improvements in machinery tor cleaning and preparing wool; b ing a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. April 16; six months."

John Parkinson, of Rose Bank, Bury, Lancaster, calico-printer, for certain improvements in the art of block printing. April 19; six months.

James Pedder, of Radford, Nottingham, lacemaker, for certain improvements in certain machinery for making, by means of such improve ments, figured or ornamented bobbin-net lace. April 21; six months.

Henry William Nunn, of Newport, Isle of Wight, lace-manufacturer, for certain improvements in manufacturing or producing certain kinds of embroidered lace, part of which improvement- are applicable to other purposes. April 21; six months.

Hamer Stansfield, of Leeds, merchant, for machinery for a method of generating power, applicable to various useful purposes; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. April 23; six months.

Edward John Dent, of the Strand, chronometer. maker, for an improvement of the balance springs, and their adjustments of chronometers and other time-keepers. April 23; six months.

James Finlon, of Black-Horse-yard, Holborn, coach-smith, for improvements in apparatus for supplying water to water-closets. April 23; six

months.

George Augustus Kollman, organist of his Majesty's German Chapel, St. James's Palace, for improvements in railways and in locomotive-carriages. April 23; six months. 1:

Edward John Massey, of Liverpool, watchmaker, for improvements in railway and other locomotive-carriages. April 23; six months.

S Sampson Mordan, of Castle-street, Finsburysquare, mechanist, for an improvement in making or manufacturing triple-pointed pens. April 23; six months.

William Taylor, of Smethwich, Stafford, engineer, and Henry Davies, of Stoke Prior, Worcester, engineer, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for introducing water and other duids into steam-boilers or evaporating-ves

sels; also for obtaining mechanical power by the aid of steam, and for communicating motion to vessels floating in water. April 26; six months.

Thomas Aitken, of Edenfield, Bury, spinner and ma ufacturer, for certain improvements in the preparation of cotton an other fibrous sustances, and in the conveyance of the same to roving rames; mules, throstles, or any other spinning or doubling machinery. April 26; aix months.

William Preston, of Sunnyside, Lancaster, ope rative calico-printer, for certain improvements in printing of calico and other fabrics. April 28; six monthe.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

Greenwich Railway.-The newly invented break for stopping the train of carriages at a moments notice, was exhibited to Mr. Rennie, and several scientific gentlemen on Saturday last, as well as the carriages fitting up on Lord Dundonald's principle, with which they expressed themselves per fectly satisfied as to the impossibility of accident, or their upsetting.-Sun.

The Sea Water Purifying Company has been revived under new auspices. It is said that the process about to be adopted is founded partly on the patent of Mr. Wells, (which the Privy Council Tately refused to confim) and on a more recent invention of a Mr. Stothart. The object is an important one, and if Mr. Stothart's plan, (of which we know nothing) be effective, we wish its promoters success.

Case-Hardening.-It is perhaps not generally known amongst mechanics, that the salt called prussiate of potash is now much used in case-hardening. The process is easy, and saves a great length of time. The method is, to powder the salt and sprinkle it upon the iron when in a state of redness-it will run like oil; and when plunged into cold water, will be found as hard, or even harder than iroa case-hardened in the usual way.

The Supplement to Vol. XXIV., containing Titte, 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.

The communication of S. S. on the subject al. luded to will be most acceptable.

Campo-Bello shall have early attention. He has ascribed the delay to its true cause.

Communications received from G. C. L.-Mr. Mackintosh-Mr. Steil-D. D. C.-Dr. Edwards Clovis-A Cornubian-A Learner-Aug. Salvey Mr. Murray-John Lee-A Utilitarian-M. M. -Ydlorey-Mr. Baddeley-A Friend fo Railways, but Enemy to Quackery (which shall be forwarded as the writer requests)-A Visitor.

Patents taken out with economy and de spatch; Specifications, Disclaimers, and Amendments, prepared or revised; Caveats entered; and generally every Branch of Patent Business promptly transacted. Drawings of Machinery also executed by skilful assistants, on the shortest notice.

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.

Mechanics' Magazine,

MUSEUM, REGISTER, JOURNAL, AND GAZETTE.

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HEBERT'S PATENT FLOUR-MAKING MACHINE.

HEBERT'S PATENT FLOUR MAKING

MACHINE.

From a personal inspection of the machine delineated in perspective on the preceding page, and from a careful perusal of the inventor's specification, it appears to us to be his design to construct four-mills of the utmost simplicity and durability; in which, not only the grinding of the corn, but the dressing (sifting) of the meal into flour, pollard, bran, &c., are simultaneously performed. It is not, however, to be understood that these combined operations are effected by the mere annexation of a dressing-machine to a mill, and driving them both together; for in such an arrangement there would be neither novelty nor economy. But the combined operations of grinding and dressing are in this new Patent mechanism so simplified, and so intimate, that they are continuously going on, upon one continuous surface. The essential inembers of the machine are thereby reduced to only two! one stationary, the other rotative. This remarkable simplicity conduces to many advantages, which our mechanical readers will at once appreciate, without our entering upon the details. The inventor has shown in his specification, and has actually put into beneficial practice, several modifications of the principle so as to adapt the scale of their operations to any required magnitude. We have selected for the present article what the patentee denominates his patent domestic flourmaker, which is adapted to the manual force of one man; but the power requisite to work this, may be diminished or. increased at the pleasure of the operator, by a corresponding reduction or augmentation of the feed, or quantity of corn permitted to pass under the operation of the grinders in a given time. In a subsequent Number we purpose inserting a description of one of the same kind of machines, which is in use at the workhouse of All Saints, near Hertford, where it is worked by any number of men, from two to ten (by a suitable alteration of the feed), and is capable of properly grinding and dressing as much corn in a given time as other mills will grind only; the estimated power requireda to work it efficiently, being that of one horse, whether worked by that animal, or by wind, water, or steam.

We shall now proceed to describe the

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hand-mill with reference to the engraving before adverted to.**

a is an axis, mounted in plummerblocks bb, and turned by a winch c, assisted, if required, by a handle d, fixed to one of the arms of the fly-wheel ee. The axis a also carries a bevelled wheel f, which drives a pinion g fixed upon a vertical spindle, that revolves in the centre of a metallic hopper i, and carries at its lower extremity the upper grinder; and to the periphery of the latter is attached a series of brushes, that revolve together with it inside the circular casej, cast in one piece with the hopper i. The lower grinder is fixed in the centre of the flat top k of the pedestal; and around the lower grinder, in the same plane as its superior surface, is an annulus of fine wire-gauze; over the area of which the brushes sweep in their revolution, continually scattering every particle of the meal, as the same is constantly projected in minute quantifies all around the peripheries of the grinders, on to the wirework; causing the flour to fall through the meshes into the drawer mm below: while the bran and pollard, which cannot pass the wire-gauze, are continually being freed from their adhering flour by the action of the brushes, until they are driven through an aperture, at the outer circumference of the wire-gauze, on to an inclined screen of coarse wire-work, where the offal separates itself, in the mere act of falling, into pollard and bran; both of which deposit themselves into separate compartments made in the drawer n At l is a screw for regulating the admission of the corn; and at o is a lever, over an engraved plate, which directs the operator which way to move it, according as he may desire to regulate the grinding, whether coarser or finer than it was previously set. These adjustments are obvious to the sight, and unerring in their action.

*

Amongst the advantages which this machine presents to the economist may be stated its convenience, portability, and perfect cleanliness, and there being no dust or waste of any kind. It is particularly adapted for the use of domestic families who are desirous not merely to

Our draftsman, upon looking at this engraving, has observed to us, that he has made the square pedestal or box rather too small, which has given to the machine an appearance of top-heaviness, which the original does not possess

IMPROVED PORTABLE FIRE¬Ladders.

make their own bread, but to be sure that he flour which they use is a genuine pro duct of good wheat. As respects its utility to emigrants and distant settlers, we have reason to believe that its merits have already been very satisfactorily tested; the durability of the grinding surfaces being such as to render a renewal of them apparently unnecessary for a series of years. A mill of this kind may be seen at No. 20, Paternoster

row.

IMPROVED PORTABLE FIRE-LADDERS.

Sir, Mr. Merryweather having just completed a third set of his improved portable fire-ladders for the Fire-Association of the South-Western District of St. Pancras, the opportunity was taken of making some experiments, particularly with a view to ascertain the effect of my invention of an upper carriage, described at p. 184 of your 22d volume. In the first instance, a simple roller the width of the ladder was attached on the under side, and the relief which was thus afforded in raising the ladders was most surprising.

A pair of small wheels were subsequently applied, when all the irregulari. ties of the brick-work, ridges, window. sills, &c., were surmounted with the greatest ease, and with a rapidity altogether unprecedented.

Thus equipped, three young men joined and raised seven lengths of these ladders, reaching upwards of 40 feet, in half a

minute!

I was previously told that this feat had been repeatedly done on the day previous, but must confess I could not give credit to the statement; my scepticism was, however, completely removed on seeing the experiment performed.

There is one great advantage in employing wheels permanently fixed to the first joint of all such ladders as are stationed in sets, not yet adverted to, viz, that when the six ladders are strapped together, and standing upright against a wall, &c., with the wheels downwards, they serve to carry the ladders; and thus equipped, one man (supposing it possible a case may occur where no more assistance is at hand) can run off with them to the fire wi hout the least difficulty....

Another addition is about being made to these ladders, for the purpose of assist

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ing such persons as, from fear or infirmity are unable to avail themselves of the ladders as a mode of escape. A small metal, pulley is to be fastened to the wheel-axle at the top of the ladder, a rope passed through which, enables a cradle, to be raised to any window of a dwelling, for the rescue of invalids, females, children, &c.

It is with the most unfeigned pleasure, that I notice the attention which this subject has recently received; fire-escapes and improved fire ladders have been stationed in numerous convenient, situations in many parts of the metropolis, and great exertions are every where mak ing to lessen the number of those calamities, which, in spite of all human. efforts, will sometimes occur.

I remain, Sir, yours respectfully,.
WM. BADDELEY.

London, April 23, 1836.

ON TUNING PIANO-FORTES.

Sir,-Many, when they first commence. learning to tune, are contented to begin simply with tuning, properly so called, instead of what is technically called. roughing-up. This consists in taking the instrument rough from the stringer, and drawing it up until such time as it stands at concert pitch. It may be urged that a person who possesses a delicate ear will learn sooner on the first plan, in consequence of the ear not being vitiated by the discordant sounds that are the necessary attendants upon roughing up; but such a person would be quite at a loss when he had to tune an instrument half a note, or even two half-notes (which is not uncommon) below concert pitch." From his comparatively bungling manner of proceeding, he would be three times as long over his work as one that has learned by roughing-up. In short, it is like learning to write elegantly before pothooks and hangers are acquired.

All this arises principally from not knowing the part in which the strain of the strings causes the pitch to fall, and to make the necessary allowance for it by drawing up that part above pitch. If the bearings are comprised within the septave F-E, the pitch is found to fall from the included B, all the way up the treble. This is remedied by drawing that part up considerably above the pitch

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you are working upon, and, by the time you have finished the treble, it will have settled pretty well down to the perfect octave. Again, the first-named would probably make his pitch exact at starting, instead of allowing for the falling of it afterwards. Of course, I only speak of an instrument that is very flat.

In horizontal grand and square pianofortes, this strain is very considerable; in cabinets not so great. The reason of this is, that in the latter the strain is in a perfectly vertical direction, and, consequently, they stand longer in tune; but in the two former it is all diagonal-and, indeed, it has been jocularly said, that the square piano-forte is so called, because there is nothing square about it!

The task of roughing-up is materially facilitated by stretching the strings with a well-known instrument called a rubber, made of wood, and, in most instances, covered with leather; this is pressed downwards with considerable force upon the whole length of string. It also has the advantage, where a string is false, i. e. not perfectly round, of causing it to become more pure in its tone. Until of late years, piano-forte makers were sadly bothered for wire. The best that could be procured then was the Berlin, or German wire, as it was generally called. But bad was that best; it was only iron wire, and neither round, square, oval, nor any other shape. It was very scarce, and difficult to procure in time of war; when Napoleon shut the foreign ports against us, to wit, it was a favour to get it at all at 10s. 6d. or. 12s. per lb., and there has been the unexampled price paid for it of 25s. per lb. at a public sale. It was also very wasteful; ring after ring having to be thrown aside in consequence of brittleness.

The proud boast was reserved for an Englishman of overcoming these difficulties, and furnishing steel wire as near to perfection as any thing in this sublunary world. There had been countless trials and experiments made to give to steel such a temper as would fit it for music-wire; but the patience of the English piano-forte makers had been nearly exhausted by their repeated disappointments, and it was some time be.

Wr. Webster, of Penns, near Birmingham.

+ He professes to send it out quite perfect, and will exchange any quantity from a quarter of an ounce to a quarter of a ton.

fore it came into general use. Now, not only is nothing else used in England, but at Paris, Vienna, Hamburgh, and even Berlin itself, the German wire has been completely beaten out of the market. This created a new era in piano-forte making; for I think I may safely assert, that piano-fortes have been considerably more improved within the last ten or twelve years than during the previous thirty or forty. Independent of this, it has grown up more into a distinct trade per se; formerly their shops were supplied with artisans from the joiners and cabinet-makers-now they are supplied with men regularly brought up to the business from their childhood.

[April 20, 1836.

CIRCULATING DECIMALS.

CORIO.

Sir, The following is the rule for mixed circulates, alluded to p. 41, but which, you will perceive, is equally applicable to pure circulates.

Rule.--Divide unity, with cyphers ad libitum, hy the given number.

Substitute the remainder for a new divisor, and the former divisor for a new dividend.

Proceed thus for six or seven terms, more or less; then by the rule for continued fractions.

Substitute a fraction, having the first quotient for the numerator, and unity for the denominator, for the first term, and call the fraction A.

Multiply the numerator of A by the second quotient, to which add the denominator of A (or unity) for the numerator of a new fraction, which call B.

Multiply the denominator of A by the second quotient for the denominator of B.

Multiply the numerator of B by the third quotient, to which add the numerator of A, for the numerator of a new fraction called C.

Multiply the denominator of B by the third quotient, to which add the denominator of A, for the denominator of C.

Proceed thus through all the quotients,

It must rest with the operator to discover when he has calculated a sufficient number of terms to obtain the result; but generally it will be when the remainder is very considerably less than the divisor that produces it.

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