matter. I am aware that P. R. stands not alone in his view of the case-the misunderstanding is general; I must, therefore, request a corner for the following remarks, which are intended to put this affair in its proper light before your readers.

P. R. speaks of the public security; it would be well to consider, who are the public? And what is meant by the public security? With reference to our pre-. sent inquiry, the public are divided into two great classes, the insured and the uninsured. The Insurance-Companies guarantee themselves to the first class, to make good the amount of all losses by fire upon the insurers paying them a certain agreed (and for the most part a trifling) premium. The number of the insured is such, as to have the effect of placing about one-third of all the property in the metropolis at the risk of the Insurance-Companies. These Companies, knowing the disgracefully defective means possessed by the public for extinguishing fires when they occur, consider a portion of their receipts well laid out, in providing a certain number of firemen and engines, stationed in the most advantageous situations over the metropolis, to endeavour to circumscribe as much as possible the extent of damage by fire.

This the Insurance-Companies do, in order to protect and preserve, to the utmost of their power, their own property, i. e. property which they are bound to replace, if lost or damaged by fire.

In effecting this object, as a matter of course-in fact, as a matter of necessitythey also protect, to a very great extent, the property of the second class, or uninsured portion of the public, in which they can have no real interest.

It should be borne in mind, that the insurers do not pay the Insurance-Companies for putting out fires-but, to make good any loss occasioned by fire. So long as the Insurance-Companies continue solvent, the insured have no grounds for complaint; because, if the firemen are unable to stop the progress of the fire, the Insurance-Companies are bound to make good all losses to the amount insured.

Under no circumstances have the uninsured any right to complain; if they choose to take all their own risk, and provide no kind of protection against acci

dent by fire, whose fault is it, if they are occasionally losers by their speculation?

There is a constant ratio between the amount of business done, and the expenses incurred, in fire-insurance, as well as in every other trade; and I dare say the Insurance-Companies are of opinion, that their present force is as great as their business will support, and sufficient to protect the property lying at their risk. Let the second class become insured, and all the property in the metropolis be placed at the risk of the InsuranceCompanies, then see how soon they would increase their fire-engine establishment; their amount of income being tripled, would enable them to do so. The pub lic will not, as P. R. states, "be led to suspect," but, if they view the case aright, they will positively know" that it is not the Insurance-Companies' interest that property should be secured against casualty by fire" (AT THEIR EXPENSE) "beyond a certain extent." That is, beyond the extent of their own liability.

66

We are continually hearing the public find fault with this, that, and the other; the public occasionally take upon them selves to dictate to the Insurance-Companies as to the power of the engines, and the number of the firemen they should employ; just now some ill-advised persons would fain cram steam fireengines down their throats, albeit, it appears, they fancy they can do better without their aid." I believe, if the Insurance-Companies thought it advan tageous to their interest to employ a steam fire-engine, they would soon have one; but, if they are of opinion, that a machine of this kind would not afford protection adequate to the expense it would entail, of course they have an undoubted right to judge for themselves; I hold a different opinion as to its utility. As well might the potent public call upon any machinist and say, Although you have hitherto found manual labour suffi cient for the purposes of your manufac tory, it is possible your business may suddenly increase; we, therefore, desire that you will henceforth employ a powerful steam-engine to drive your lathes, &c."or, to call upon my neighbour, and say, "It is true you have as yet found a horse and cart amply sufficient for the requirements of your trade, nevertheless, the public desire you will immediately pro

vide yourself with a waggon and six horses"as to call upon the InsuranceCompanies to adopt any particular machine, or to incur any additional expense, inconsistent with the amount of business they are doing. In all these cases the same answer might very justly be givenwill the public place the necessary funds at our disposal? If so, we shall be most happy to avail ourselves of this additional power.

P. R. says, "the option of rejecting or accepting Mr. Braithwaite's steam fireengine becomes a matter for the public." Now, is it at all likely that the public will do any thing in the matter? The public have hitherto treated the subject of protection from fire with such reprehensible apathy, that while comparatively small provincial towns have been provided with a well-organised and efficient fire-police, the preservation of the millions of property in this vast metropolis has been permitted to depend upon chance! All the wholesome legislative enactments, tending to check the spread of fire, have either been cunningly evaded, or set at open defiance and yet who so ready to cavil upright and complain as this same public?

Perhaps no person has less reason to take up the cause of the Insurance-Companies than myself; seeing that I have made greater sacrifices, both personal and pecuniary, in their behalf (my cir cumstances and station in life considered) than even Mr. Braithwaite-not only without receiving the slightest advantage, either directly or indirectly, but without even thanks for my pains. Nevertheless, I am of opinion, that much good will ultimately of necessity arise, to all parties, by a more correct understanding of the true relations existing between the public and the Insurance-Companies. For the public to call upon those who ever have been, and must continue to be, irresponsible to the public for the manner in which they choose to conduct their own business, is something worse than foolishness. Let the public take what share of the risk they please, but let them protect that share, as weil as the Insurance-Companies protect theirs, and we shall hear but little complaint about the spread of fires in future.-Yours, &c. WM. BADDELEY.

London, Nov. 22, 1836.

LIST OF ENGLISH PATENTS, GRANTED BETWEEN THE 22ND OF OCTOBER AND THE 24TH OF NOVEMBER, 1836.

Jeremiah Crook, of Liverpool, merchant, for certain improvements in the machinery for manufacturing hat bodies; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Oct. 28; six months to specify.

Thomas Edge, of Great Peter-street, Westminster, gas-apparatus and lamp-manufacturer, for certain improvement in lighting or illuminating by gas, oil, or spirit-lights or lamps; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Oct, 28; six months.

Robert Copland, of Courlands, Wandsworthroad, Surrey, Esq., for improvements upon patents already obtained by him for combinations of apparatus for gaining power. Nov. 5; six months.

James Elnathan Smith, of Liverpool, merchant, for certain improvements in railways and on locomotive-carriages to work on such railways being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Nov. 8; six months.

John Whitcher, of Ringwood, Hants, carrier, for improvements in drags or apparatus applicable to carriages. Nov. 8; six months.

James Smith, the younger, and Francis Smith, both of Radford, Nottingham, mechanics, for certain improvements in certain machinery already known for making bobbin-net or twist-lace. Nov. 8; six months.

Joel Linsey, of Bury, Lancaster, cotton-spinner, for improvements in machinery used for spinning, preparing, and doubling cotton, and other fibrous substances. Nov. 10; six months.

Bertie Paterson, of Peacock-street, St. Mary, Newington, Surrey, engineer, for certain improvements in the construction of meters or apparatus for measuring gas or liquids. Nov. 12; six months.

Henry Augustus Wells, of the city of New York, but now residing in Threadneedle-street, London, for certain improvements in the manufacture of hats. Nov. 15; two months.

Fletcher Woolley, of York street East, Commercial-road, Middlesex, gentleman, for improvements in the manufacture or preparation of materials to be used as a substitute for bees'-wax; parts of which improvements are applicable to other pur poses, Nov. 15; six months.

John Yale, of Sanchiehall-street, Glasgow, practical engineer, for improvements in rotatory-engines, or an improved rotatory-engine. Nov. 15; six

months.

Augustus Applegath, of Crayford, Kent, calicoprinter, for certain improvements in printing calico and other fabrics. Nov. 15; six months.

Joseph Whitworth, of Manchester, engineer, for certain improvements in machinery for spinning and doubling cotton, wool, and other fibrous substances. Nov. 19; six months.

William Norris, of Alston, Cumberland, landsurveyor, for certain improvements in the manufacture of combs; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. Nov. 19; six months.

John Gordon Campbell, of Glasgow, merchant, and John Gibson, of the same city, throwster, for a new or improved process or manufacture of silk, and silk in combination with certain other fibrous substances. Nov. 19; six months.

John Buchanan, of Ramsbottom, Lancaster, millwright, for an improved apparatus for the purpose of dyeing, and performing similar operations. Nov. 22; six months.

Thomas Robson, of Park-road, Dalston, Middlesex, operative chemist, for improvements in firingsignal and other lights. Nov. 22; six months.

George Guynne, of Holborn, gentleman, and Jaires Young, Brewer, of Brick-lane, for improvements in the manufacture of sugars. Nov. 22; six months.

Isaac Naylor, of Stainbrough, near Barnsley, York, gamekeeper, for an alarm-gun or reporter and detector. Nov. 22; two months.

Timothy Hackworth, of New Shildon, near Bishop Auckland. engineer, for improvements in steam engines. Nov. 22; six months.

Thomas Ellis, of Stamford-hill, Middlesex, Esq., and Thomas Burr, of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, for improvements in the manufacture of sheets and pipes or tubes, and other articles of lead and other metal. Nov. 24; six months.

Joseph Woollams, of Wells, Somerset, gentleman, for certain improved means of obtaining power and motion from known sources. Nov. 24; six months.

LIST OF SCOTCH PATENTS, GRANTED BETWEEN THE 22ND OF OCTOBER AND 22ND OF NOVEMBER, 1836, INCLUSIVE. Thomas Grahame, of Nantes, France, but now of St. James's-street, Middlesex, gentleman, for certain improvements in passing boats and other bodies from one level to another. Sealed Oct. 25.

William Brindley, of Caroline-street, Birmingham, paper-manufacturer, for improvements in the manufacture of tea-tray and other japanned ware, and in the board or material used therein, and for other purposes. Oct. 26.

Michael Linning, Clerk to his Majesty's Signet in Scotland, for certain improvements in converting mosses into fuel, and in preparing and drying the said mosses, and for making and extracting certain colouring matter or paint, and tar, gas, oil, ammonia, varnish, and other properties from the same. Oct. 29.

George Sullivan, of Morley's Hotel, Charingcross, Middlesex, gentleman, in consequence of a communication made to him by a certain foreigner residing abroad, and invention by himself, of improvements in machinery for measuring fluids. Nov. 18.

Robert Walter Swinburne, of South Shields, Durham, agent, for certain improvements in the manufacture of plate-glass. Nov. 18.

Augustus Applegath, of Crayford, Kent, calico. printer, for certain improvements in printing calico and other fabrics. Nov. 18.

John Yule, of Sauchiehall street, Glasgow, practical engineer, for improvements in rotary-engines, or an improved rotary-engine. Nov. 18.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

The British Museum.-Two Italian workmen have been lately busily employed in the Elgin Gallery, taking casts from the valuable remains placed there. The casts are made in a tenacious composition, resembling a mixture of wax and putty, but the most jealous care is taken by the Italians to prevent either the mode or the material employed in taking the casts being discovered, for each workman is surrounded by a canvas screen, effectually precluding the possibility of a glimpse. In a small apartment on the left of the principal gallery of ⚫ sculptures there have been lately placed upwards of

200 specimens of the most beautiful Etruscan vases, the last Government purchase; the delicacy and finish of these matchless specimens of pictile art baffle description. They vary in size from the sinall but elegant vessel of two inches, to the magnificent amphora of three feet in height. Two or three splendid mummies, purchased by the Government about six months since at the sale of the unequalled collection made by Mr. Salt (his Majesty's late Consul at Cairo), have been placed in one of the small rooms, on the same floor with the gallery. Judging from the external decorations of the cases, they contain the bodies of early princes of Egypt. The fingers of the carved figure, representing the inhabitant within, are covered with valuable gold and other rings; some of these are cornelian, and bear curious characters, the signet of the deceased. Within the last twelve months the Library has received many valuable additions. A whole range of book-shelves in the first reading-rooms has been set apart for the reception of the newspapers of the United Kingdom; these have been mounted in rich bindings, gilt and lettered on the back, and present to the eye a brilliant array of literature, which might be taken for the richest editions of Piranesi and other folio authors. It is not generally known, that some of the most skilful bookbinders in London are constantly employed within the walls of the Museum, putting into substantial bindings the purchased and presentation copies of all literary works in boards. Some rare specimens of binding are found in the King's Library, which serve as models to the mechanics employed. The choicest specimens of binding in the library just named are by Roger Payne, a worthless creature, who has received as much as 200 guineas for binding a single folio work; and though constantly employed (when he chose to work) died a beggar, upwards of 100 years ago. The department of MSS. has also been considerably enriched during the past season, not only by the accession of the Arundel manuscripts, purchased from the Royal Society at Somerset House, but also by the acquisition of 55 volumes of Oriental manuscripts, purchased from the same Society for the comparatively small sum of 1657. It may be added, that within the last few weeks a green basalt sarcophagus (which still remains unpacked) was presented by the Duke of Hamilton.Standard.

The Supplement to Vol. XXV., containing Title, Table of Contents, Index, and Plate of Specimens of English Medallic Engraving by Mr. Bate, will be published on the 1st of December next, price 6d.

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

A complete list of Patents from the earliest period (15 Car. II. 1675,) to the present time may be examined. Fee 2s. 6d.; Clients, gratis.

Patent Agency Office,

Peterborough-court, Fleet-street.

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.

"He (Mr. C.) received orders to fit a pair of one-hundred horse power boilers, in his Majesty's ship the Meteor, which was done. The first trial to prove their power of generating steam was made in still water, when eighteen revolutions of the paddle-wheels were made, those of another vessel of the same power making only eleven revolutions. When ready for sea, the Meteor was placed in competition with the steam made by another vessel; a distance was marked out upon the river, and due observations taken, when the Meteor was proved to gain in speed one and half knots per hour, by the working of the patent steam-boilers of Collier's invention. Thus establishing their working powers. Another trial was made against H. M.'s vessel Firebrand, from Woolwich to Sheerness; four Lords of the Admiralty were in the Meteor to witness this trial. The Meteor, furnished with Collier's patent boilers, beat the Firebrand by twenty minutes, in this short distance!! The Meteor had also a trial to run against H. M.'s ship, the African, from Plymouth to Falmouth, a distance of fifty-five miles, when she gained an hour and half in speed during that short run, with Collier's patent boilers.

"The Meteor was then ordered to Lisbon, and Mr. Collier was directed to attend the voyage, as soon as fuel and other requisites could be provided; but here, a great disadvantage presented itself, by reason, that only Welsh coals could be obtained, and even those of a very bad quality, instead of Newcastle coals, yet, with these she put to sea, working admirably; and, notwithstanding that the Meteor was overtaken by a violent tempest, and obliged to lay to for twenty-four hours, and during which period the fires were banked down, and the steam let off. On the abatement of the storm, the

On the Superior Advantages of the Patent Improved Steam-boilers, invented by Elisha Haydon Collier, Civil-engineer. London: John Nichols, Chandos-street, West Strand.

pilot ordered Collier to prepare for work (presuming, as in ordinary cases, that an hour or two would be required to get up the steam to the working power). Mr. Collier immediately superintended his fires, and in less than ten minutes his steam was up to the working point; on intimating which to the pilot, he would not believe it possible; but however, found it to be the fact; this being a further evidence of the power of these boilers (notwithstanding the inferiority of the fuel, a large quantity of which, indeed, was so bad, that it was thrown overboard). However, the voyage proceeded, to the admiration of all on board; * * * the stokers declaring that they would rather stoke these boilers for six months than those in present use for one month. No flues required cleaning during the voyages out and home. With equal success the voyage was performed back from Lisbon to Falmouth, where the boilers were scrupulously examined, and were found to be quite as perfect as when first put on board, and without an atom of sediment from the impurities of the water, or crystallisation of salt; thus proving another of the great merits of these boilers.

"Upon these reports being forwarded to their Lordships, an order was forthwith given for the payment of the price agreed upon for these boilers.'

Notwithstanding these favourable re

ports of their " 'faithful servants," the public will be surprised to learn (and we wonder Mr. Collier does not inform them how and why it so happened) that the Lords of the Admiralty ordered Mr. Col lier's boiler to be removed, and the Meteor to be placed out of commission till she could be refitted with boilers on the common plan. The price Mr. Collier received for his boiler was 2000l.; and so highly did their Lordships value it, that Mr. Collier was allowed to repurchase it at the price of old metal. The sum for which it was appraised back to him (funnel included) was 150l. (!) being at the rate of 4l. 10s. per ton. We are, however, too well aware of the nature of Admiralty dicta to place implicit reliance upon the decision of their Lordships; and as Mr. Collier has lately been "blowing off" a good deal of vapeur, in the shape of advertisements and paragraphs, "particularly inviting" engineers and boiler-makers to examine his important improvements, we have thought that his own exposition of the "superior advantages" thereof would be interesting to