lar of the order of the Garter; in her right hand she carries a sceptre, and on her head is placed a royal tiara or diadem. The attendant page, with his hat in his hand, looks up to the Queen, whilst gently restraining the impatient courser, which is richly decorated with plumes and trappings. The inscription, "Victoria, Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regina, Fidei Defensor," is engraved in Gothic letters, and the spaces between the words are filled with heraldic roses.Reverse: The Queen, royally robed and crowned, holding in her right hand the sceptre, and in her left the orb, is seated upon the throne, beneath a rich Gothic canopy; on either side is a figure of Justice and Religion; and in the exergue are the royal arms and crown; the whole encircled by a wreath or border of oak and roses.-London Journ,

RECENT AMERICAN PATENTS. (From the Franklin Journal for May.) SMELTING IRON ORE, BY A COMPOSITION OF ANTHRACITE AND CLAY AS A FUEL: Joseph Lyon, Pennsylvania.―This improvement consists in the employment of a mixture, or composition, of anthracite and clay, as a fuel, which is to be called "claycoals," of which the following is an exact description:

Anthracite is reduced to a coarse powder, or screened, mixed, or mingled, either by hand or machinery, with such portions of clay and water as may be requisite to bring the mass, or aggregate, to a consistence that may be readily made into balls, or be taken up by hand, or machinery, in portions of any shape, or size; when these "clay-coals" are dried, they can be used as fuel in the manner that coke or charcoal is commonly used in the reduction of iron ores. Portions of the limestone, or other fluxes, may be mingled in the composition of the mixture, and also some of the finer portions of the ore, when either, or both of these additions, may be considered useful.

PREPARING OLEAGINOUS SEEDS FOR PRESSING: James Crisswell, Pennsylvania. -This invention consists in conveying steam by means of a tube into a chest, flat on the top, with rim round it; within which rim the seed is placed in such a manner as to expose it to the heat from the steam within the chest; the chest may be of any given size, dimensions, or construction, to suit the convenience of the manufacturer. The patentee claims, as new, the application of flax-seed, or other oleaginous seeds, preparatory to the expreeing the oil therefrom, by means of any apparatus so constucted as to expose the seed to the heating influence of the steam.

MANUFACTURING WHITE LEAD, AND OTHER SALTS OF LEAD: Homer Holland, Massachusetts.-The invention consists, 1st. In an improvement in the method of applying the conjoint action of friction,air, and water, to metallic lead, by placing fragments of this metal in revolving lead cylinders, or chambers, so as to produce a fine powder or pulpy suboxide of lead, for making or producing the commercial salts, nitrate and acetate of lead.

2nd. In combining carbonic acid, from the atmosphere, directly with this suboxide, as it is formed in the cylinder by the addition of carbonate of soda, or other alkaline carbonate, so as to produce, or make, the carbonate of lead, or the pigment known as white lead. To effect the oxidation of the lead, I put coarse shot, or other fragments of unalloyed lead, into a leaden cylinder, or chamber, about four feet in length, and three in diameter, made to revolve, horizontally, upon an axis of flanches. The leaden cylinder, or chamber, is enclosed in a strong and tight wooden case; air is admitted by perforations of the cylinder, at the ends, near the axis; soft water is put in the chamber, sufficient to cover the charge of shot or fragments. The cylinder is made to revolve eighteen or twenty times in a minute, by the application of any force, and the electrochemical action of the friction, air and water, produces a fine, pulpy suboxide of lead which is strained out by removing a bung from the side of the cylinder, and placing therein a hollow tube, leading to a sieve, or strainer, resting in a canal, or trough, which conducts to a reservoir.

This pulpy suboxide sufficiently freed from water, is readily combined with acetic acid, this giving "sugar of lead," and, with nitric acid, producing nitrate of lead. To make carbonate of lead, the process is identical with the above-described for the suboxide, with the addition of about six or eight ounces of the carbonate of soda to each gallon of water used in the cylinder. The cylinder is revolved several honrs in producing the suboxide for the salts of lead, and from twelve to sixteen previous to straining out the carbonate, or white lead, which is conducted,. as above described, to a vessel armed with an agitator and washed by decantation with pure water, once or twice, to free it from alkali, when it is to be dried by any convenient means, becoming the pure carbonate, 66 or cream, "white lead of commerce.. this process, for white lead, the use of vinegar and of acetic, or acetous acid in any shape is avoided, and the health of manufacturers is preserved from the fumes of the volatile pera cetate of lead so deadly in the ordinary proThe foregoing process the patentee

cess.

In

prefers but the revolving chambers may be cylindrical, square, or polygonal of any size and length. The lead lining of a wooden cylinder may be of sheet lead, or cast in cylinders to fit the wooden case, or carcass, and the cylinders are to be renewed from time to time, as they frit away. The number of cylinders, their weight, and the charge, will depend on the force employed, and the extent of the manufacture. Each cylinder (principally the lead chambers) may weigh six hundred pounds. The charge added, from one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds of fragments, and the necessary water and carbonate of soda. The lead fragments may be shreds of sheet lead, shot, or fragments produced by pouring melted lead through a colander into water. Antimony and other alloys of metals are often mingled with lead in the shot of commerce, and unfit them for this process. The alkali preferred is soda, as this has the strongest affinity, or attraction, for oxygen and carbonic acid, and is less liable to form an hydrate. The pulpy suboxide may also be conveniently carbonated in the vessel employed for decantation, as it it armed with agitators, by passing into the pulpy suboxide, as it is withdrawn from the cylinders, carbonic acid produced by the combustion of charcoal, from fermentation, or from the decomposition of carbonate of lime, or chalk, by sulphuric, or hydrochloric acid. The decanting vessel, again, may be used conveniently in removing a disagreeable yellowness from pure carbonated lead by minutely mingling a trifle of indigo, or blue smalts, with the carbonate of lead.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

Honours to Men of Science.-Sir John Herschel is, we believe, the first Englishman who has ever received a baronetcy purely on account of his scientific acquirements. His father was only a Hanoverian knight, which was also the honour enjoyed by himself previous to the late coronation. Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer is only the second literary baronet, having been preceded by Sir Walter Scott. No great inventor has ever received a similar honour; Sir Richard Arkwright was indeed knighted, but that was not on account of his mechanical merits, but in the usual routine, as the bearer of an address of congratulation on His Majesty's escape from the knife of Peg Nicholson, or some equally important occasion.

A Cheap Voyage.-Such is the competition at present among the steamers between England and France, that passengers are actually taken from Boulogne to London for one shilling, or sometimes, it is said, for even less!

Enormous Plate of Iron.-We were lately shown in Messrs. Fawcett, Preston, and Co.'s yard, two plates of iron, which are said to be the largest ever made. They measure 10 feet 7 inches long, 5 feet 1 inch wide, and 7-16ths of an inch thick, and weigh between 7 and 8 cwt. They are intended for the bottom plates of two steam generators on Mr. Howard's plan, and were made by the Colebrookdale Iron Company, Shropshire; who, we were informed, are the only company in Britain (we may say in the world, that can make plates of this size, or even approaching to it.-Liverpool Standard

Woolf's Engine Re-invented.-Mr. James Duncan, watch-maker at Glenluce, has lately constructed a small steam-engine on the high pressure principle, the novelty of which consists in the steam acting twice in the cylinder before it escapes into the atmosphere, by which there is a saving of half the fuel, and half the water, which a common engine of the same power would require.-Ayr Observer

British Association.-The arrangements for the meeting of the British Association in August are going on rapidly under the direction of the local committee, who have entered into contracts for preparing the various places to be occupied on the occasion. In fitting up the riding school, where the dinner ordinaries are to be held, considerable progress has been made; as also at the Assembly Rooms, where a spacious apartment is about being built, to connect the great room with the racketcourt behind, so as to furnish ample accommodation for a promenade and refreshments for 3000 persons. The Green Market will also be fitted up with great splendour as a promenade. Amongst the distinguished men of science expected are Sir John Herschel and M. Arago, who, with many others, will be accommodated in private houses.-Newcastle Journal.

Wheatstone's Electrical Telegraph.-On the bank by the side of the Great Western Railway the directors are now laying down iron tubes containing wires, for communicating with the various stations by means of Wheatstone's electrical telegraph. The advantages, if it succeed, will be immense; the expense we have heard is about 1007. per mile.

New Cordage.-The brothers Landauer, of Stuttgard, have obtained a patent for a new species of cordage; the threads of which are not twisted one over the other, but united in a parallel direction. A cord, 12 inch in circumference, sustained a weight of 13001b. without breaking; and when at last an additional weight caused it to break, the fracture resembled a cut with scissors, which proves that each thread was of equal strength. A cord of 504 threads, 3 inches in circumference, 111 feet long, woven in this manner, only weighed 19lbs; whilst an ordinary cord of the same circumference and length, and as many threads, weighed 51 lbs.

The twenty-eighth volume of the Mechanics' Magazine is now published, price, in half-cloth, 8s. 6d., with a Railway Map of England and Wales. The Railway Map may be had separately, price 6d.; and on fine paper, coloured, price ls.

ROWLEY'S PATENT ROTARY ENGINE.

Sir, I herewith send you a copy of the specification and plans of the last, and as it appears in my humble opinion, about the best patent ever taken out for a rotary steam-engine, the production of Edmund Butler Rowley, Esq., Surgeon R. N., of Manchester. Although it comes upon the heels of your extracts from Mr. Russell's voluminous andpowerful article condemnatory of this application of steam power, I think it will stand well in the estimation of most practical men, and may not perhaps escape a compliment from Mr. Russell, (should it meet his eye) embracing, as it does completely, the most favourable principle that he professes under any circumstances to tolerate, as compared with the reciprocating engine.

I also send you an account of Mr. Rowley's patent buffing apparatus for insertion.* He is likewise the inventor of the pneumatic telegraph, favourably noticed some months ago in your Journal, but, being as diffident as he is ingenious, he takes little pains himself, to give his several inventions even common publicity. An engine of 6-horse power will soon be constructed according to his plan, to test the merits of his patent, and he will in the mean time be happy to show the model to any gentleman favouring him with a call, as well as glad to obtain, through the medium of your pages, the opinion of any of your scientific contributors, of its general merits. I am, Sir,

Your obliged, and obedient servant,
RICHARD EVANS.

7 Portland-street, Manchester,

July 9th, 1838.

Description of Mr. Rowley's Rotary Engine, abridged from his specification.Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, are representations of the various parts composing Mr. Rowley's rotary engine, which should be mounted in frame-work, for stationary purposes; it is shown as applied to a locomotive engine at fig. 5.

The engine is composed of a cylinder A, whose top and bottom or side-plates aa are precisely similar in every respect, and which are bolted to the said cylinder by means of the flanches with which they are provided; in the interior of each of these plates, or cylinder sides, there are

*It shall be published in a subsequent number. ED. M. M.

two grooves or races, formed as at bb and cc, the outer groove b being perfectly circular and concentric, whilst the inner groove c is partly circular and partly eccentric, as represented. There is a circular apparatus DD, formed with a rim and spokes or arms, similar to a wheel (or the same may be formed of one solid piece,) having two or more steam-tight chambers ec, formed in it, for the purpose of lodging the pistons ff, and allowing them to slide in or out. The whole of the apparatus is keyed firmly upon the central shaft g, which shaft revolves in proper bearings, and passes through and extends beyond the side plates aa; the outer rim DDD, of this revolving wheel fits exactly into the circular grooves or races bb, and forms the inner side or wall of the steam-chamber LL, whilst the guidepins of the pistons ii (which guide-pins may be furnished with rollers) travel in Thus the eccentric grooves or races ce.

it will be seen, that as the expansive force of the steam introduced through the inlet pipe j exerts itself against the pistons, it will drive round the wheel D D, and as the guide-pins of the pistons travel in the eccentric grooves cc, the pistons will be alternately drawn in towards the centre of the wheel, to enable them to pass the abutment K, after which they are gradually forced into the steam-chamber, and so again allow the steam to act against them; the steam, after exerting its force upon the pistons, escapes by the exit pipe k.

In order to assist the parallel motion of the pistons, the guide-pins ii run in parallel grooves, or mortises mm, in the pistons chambers; each piston is also furnished with a guide-rodh,which works in an opening in the central shaft g.

It will be readily seen by reference to fig. 5, that if this revolving wheel or engine be applied to a locomotive carriage, as at a a, the central shaft g will drive the wheels of the said carriage, by means of the bevelled gearing bb, and if applied to stationary purposes as at figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the main driving-wheel must be keyed upon the central shaft g, and re

volve with it.

The sides of the pistons and the abutment are to be furnished with suitable metallic packing.

The reason for having two or more pistons is very obvious, for if the wheel had been furnished but with one, it might so happen as to be arrested when

7

opposite the abutment, in which case, the steam would enter and escape without producing any effect upon the piston; but as it is here proposed to construct the apparatus with two or more pistons, and as it is impossible for more than one of them to be retracted at the same moment, the steam must act against some one of them, and thus produce a continuous rotatory motion.

Fig. 6.

gradual retraction from, and protrusion into the steam-chamber is self-acting, and is effected by causing the two guidepins with which each piston is furnished to travel in the two excentric grooves, or races, contained in the interior of the said cylindrical vessel-also the admission and escape of the steam from either side of the abutment, and which can be regulated at pleasure.

Fig. 6 represents an induction and eduction-pipes, constructed with two branches, one of each proceeding from and leading to both sides of the abutment. At the division of the pipes there is a stop-cock, or tap, which is so constructed as to allow the steam to enter and escape through one of the branches of the induction and eductionpipes only. It is intended that both pipes shall be worked by one rod, and which, when turned to the right, allows the steam to enter on the right side of the abutment, and escape on the left; when turned to the left it allows the steam to enter on the left side of the abutment and escape on the right; and thus the steam-wheel is caused to revolve to the right or left at pleasure; so that, when applied to locomotive purposes, the engine may be driven either backwards or forwards, as may be required.

Mr. Rowley states, that his improvement in the rotary engine consists in inclosing a wheel, having two or more pistons encased in it, in a cylindrical steamtight vessel; and which pistons work in a circular path-chamber or steam-chamber-and which steam-chamber has a division or partition in it, constituting an abutment for the steam; and to enable the pistons to pass this abutment they are gradually drawn in, or retracted within the wheel, and often passing the said, they are as gradually pushed forward into the steam-chamber; and this

THE THAMES TUNNEL WORKS.

66

Sir, The report of Mr. Walker on the Thames Tunnel (No. 779, p. 252,) may well be styled an extraordinary" document. It is extraordinary in all its features, but the measures it recommends to be taken for the completion of the work are most extraordinary. It now appears that it is impossible to carry the tunnel through with the means at present employed;-that Mr. Brunel's shield, of which all the world has heard so much, has met with more than its master in the oozy bed of the river; that a most egregious blunder has been committed from the first, in endeavouring to tunnel under the Thames at so short a distance from its bottom,and that, if the undertaking is ever to be completed, it must be not as a tunnel under the Thames, but as a tunnel through a mass of clay thrown for the purpose, where the Thames ought to be Truly, these matters alone are sufficient to make the report “extraordinary" enough, without the addition of the many others which Mr. Walker adds, with a prodigal hand, in every sentence of his singular production.

Mr. W. was desired, in the letter from the Treasury, to attend particularly to the question of cost, but the chief gist of his report seems to be to recommend the completion of the work, as he phrases it, "without reference to cost," that is, without at all considering what it may come to. He observes, indeed, that

no prudent man would commit himself to the accuracy of an estimate of this work," yet, strangely enough, he almost immediately proceeds to calculate that the total expense (supposing those measures to be adopted whose cost cannot be calculated) will be 614,000l. or triple the original estimate. It is pretty certain, we may take it for granted, that the tunnel could not be com