Walter Scott in Edinburgh. A committee of the subscribers advertised for designs, with the promise of a fifty-guinea prize to each of the three which should be most approved of. Fifty-four were sent in. Two of these considered entitled to the fifty-guinea prizes, were by eminent English architects, and to the third the committee found attached the name "John Morvo," a fictitious one, adopted from an ancient inscription on Melrose Abbey, telling that such was the appellation of one who

had in kepyng al mason werk
Of Santandroys, ye hie kirk
Of Glasgow, Melros, and Paslay,
Of Niddisdaill, and of Galway.

The architect who had chosen it was one George Kemp, an obscure artist, recently a journeyman carpenter! Some months before, when engaged in taking drawings and plans of the Abbey of Kilwinning, in Ayrshire, Kemp had been urged by a professional architect who was aware of his merit, to furnish a design for the Scott Monument. Intermitting his task in Ayrshire, he had hurried home to Edinburgh, and, from the details of Melrose Abbey, which were strongly imprinted on his mind in consequence of having minutely surveyed the ruin some years before, he composed a tall Gothic tower or spire, of most beautiful proportions, taking, we believe, exactly five days to execute the work.

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The committee being now disposed to receive additional competing designs, a few were given in, including one by Mr. Kemp, being a much improved edition of his first design. This new plan is described by the committee, as an imposing structure of 135 feet in height, of beautiful proportions, in strict conformity with the purity in taste and style of Melrose Abbey, from which it is, in its details, derived:" at the bottom, beneath a groined arch, is an open chamber, for the reception of a statute of Scott. Mr. Burn, of Edinburgh, an architect of the first reputation, attested to the committee "his great admiration of the elegance of Mr. Kemp's design, its purity as a Gothic composition, and more particularly the constructive skill exhibited throughout, in the combination of the graceful features of that style of architecture in such a manner, as to satisfy any professional man of the correctness of its principle, and the perfect solidity which it would possess when built." The committee accordingly, in a report drawn up in February last, recommended his design for adoption, only two out of sixteen persons remaining dissatisfied with the resolution. One of the dissentients has since raised an opposition, (we are glad to say ineffectual,) to the design, on two grounds-first, that the artist is an obscure

man; and, second, that his design is a plagiarism. The second point has been refuted, we believe, in a satisfactory manner, by the artist himself; but the first is one which he cannot so well answer.

Mr. Kemp is the son of a shepherd, on the property of Mr. Brown of Newhall, on the southern slope of the Pentlend Hills: he became an apprentice to a joiner at the Red Scaur Head, near Eddlestone, where his opportunities of seeing architectural objects were nearly as limited as at Newhall. Having served out his time, he removed to Galashiels, and wrought for nearly a year with a millwright.

The business pursued by Kemp at Galashiels led him occasionally to distant spots in Yarrow, Ettrick, and other districts of that romantic country, and enabled him to gratify his peculiar taste by an inspection of the ruined fanes of Melrose and Jedburgh. He afterwards went into England, where he wrought as a joiner for several years, never omitting an opportunity of seeing any remains of Gothic architecture. On one oc

casion, when settled somewhere in Lancashire, he walked fifty miles to York, spent a week in inspection of the minster, and returned on foot. Subsequently, he removed to Glasgow, where he wrought for four years, and used to employ his leisure in inspecting the cathedral. Again he spent some time in England, where it was his custom to remove as frequently as possible, that he might have opportunities of seeing fresh specimens of his favourite architecture. He thus became acquainted, amongst other remarkable structures, with the cathedral of Canterbury, so distinguished as an example of the early Gothic.

In 1824, Mr. Kemp formed the design of travelling over Europe, for the inspection of its most valuable Gothic remains, working at his trade, as he went along, for his support. He commenced at Boulogne, and thence proceeded to Abbeville and Beauvais to Paris, spending a few weeks in each place. His skill in mill-machinery, and the anxiety of the French to obtain English workmen in this department, secured him employment wherever he went; and he experienced much kindness from the various parties with whom he became connected. It was his custom to stop for employment at or near those towns in which the finest Gothic structures were to be found, and to spend his leisure hours in inspecting them. He had thus much superior opportunities of studying the features of the architecture, than the most of professional men who travel under what appears more favourable circumstances; for, while these can only pause for a day or two at each place, and in the long

run bring home confused impressions of a multitude of objects seen in too rapid succession to be well individualised in recollection, Kemp was enabled to meditate upon each for weeks, and to form distinct pictures in his mind of every particular of what met his eye. Now, too, he began to use the pencil, though only for the delineation of parts of the various buildings, and with the awkwardness of one who was yet a tyro in drawing.

His designed tour of Europe was abruptly broken off, after about a twelvemonth's travel in France, by intelligence respecting the commercial embarrassments of a near relative, and he then returned to Scotland. After some time, he made an endeavour to set up in business for himself as a joiner in Edinburgh, but the effort did not succeed. In the mean time, he applied himself regularly and systematically to the study of drawing and perspective, in which he soon rendered himself a proficient. About the year 1830, he proceeded to Melrose, and took three minutely elaborate views of the ruined abbey from various points. They were purchased at a liberal price by the eminent Scottish architect, Mr. Thomas Hamilton. Mr. Kemp was next employed, by Mr. Burn, to execute a model of a splendid palace which he had designed for the Duke of Buccleugh, and which was then proposed to be built at Dalkeith, but has not as yet been commenced. The model, which was on so large a scale as to require the architect's drawing-room for the business of its construction, was completed, after sundry interruptions and alterations, in two years, and was then placed in the vestibule of the existing palace of Dalkeith, where it has been admired by all who have seen it. An engraver in Edinburgh, named Johnston, who had undertaken on his own account a splendid work, of the character of Britton's Cathedral Antiquities, now employed Mr. Kemp to take some of the requisite drawings of ground plans, elevations, and details-a task not more congenial to his taste than within the range of his ability. Mr. Johnston's premature death occasioned a transference of the undertaking to an enterprising copartnery of publishers, by whom Mr. Kemp has continued till now to be employed at intervals, in the preparation of his work. We believe some time must yet elapse ere the publication of the work will be commenced;

but when it is, we shall be much disappointed if the work fails to establish his reputation. Such of the drawings as have been shown to us are of surprising correctness and beauty, the two distinguishing characters of every thing he executes.Abridged from the Edinburgh Journal.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

Copyright Law.-The Globe of April 25, speaking of the Copyright bills, says " It has occurred to us," much meditating, "how justice to authors might be reconciled with convenience to the other classes concerned in literature, whether something analagous to the rights conceded to dramatists to a share in the profits of each representation might not answer the purpose-on the publication of each new edition of a popular work." A suggestion to the same effect was made in the Mechanics' Magazine when Sergeant Talfourd's Copyright bill was first brought forward last session.

A Sign of the Times.-It may be taken as a fact, in proof of the increasing tendency of education towards utilitarianism, that the directors of King's College, originally established as a peculiarly aristocratic rival to the London University, have announced for the present session a course of lectures on "Civil Engineering." This is a decided step in the march of practical science.

Steaming Extraordinary.-Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Walter Hancock, the enterprising steam-carriage engineer, accompanied by two friends, rode from Stratford and through the principal streets of the City in a steam-gig! Mr. Hancock remained a considerable time with this novelty of science in front of Guildhall, now and then guiding it adroitly round the open space. This was about a quarter past four o'clock, when a great number of persons were present. A notice was painted on the back of the gig, stating that Mr. Hancock had no connection with the "Steam Carriage and Waggon Company." Every one seemed surprised at the ease with which Mr. Hancock threaded his way through the crowd of carts, omnibuses, cabs, and other vehicles in Cheapside, Leadenhall-street, and other crowded thoroughfares. The gig stopped opposite the Bank for a few minutes, when the machinery was inspected by Mr. Oldham, the engineer, who has fitted up all the printing apparatus of that establishment to be worked by steam. During Mr. Hancock's temporary absence much amusement was caused by one of the bank porters pompously ordering the gentleman left in the gig to on," the latter declaring that he could not. Hancock soon returned, when the machine, obedient to the guidance of its master "moved on" in fine style, and returned without accident to Stratford.

move

Mr.

Erratum.-Sir,-In my communication on the descent of falling bodies, which appeared in No. 767, page 42, there is a mistake in fig. 1, in the distances of the points of intersection x y z on the line an; the distance of the point a from a should be equal to that of b from a, y four times, and nine times that of x from a. The correct distances of x y z, viz, 1, 4 and 9 is the principal object of the arrangement.-I. R. ARIS.

Complete Sets of the Mechanics' Magazine may now be had, twenty-seven volumes, half-cloth, price £11 78.

2

WRIGHT'S IMPROVED GAS-STOVE.

Sir,-Having invented and practically applied a modification or improvement of the gas-stove lately patented, the result of which has equalled my fullest expectation, I am induced to lay the same before the readers of your valuable Magazine, from a conviction that it only requires to be well known to be generally adopted.

It combines three most useful properties, viz. portability, lightness, and cheapness at the same time it has none of the ill effects so justly attributed to dry air arising from the old gas stove. The material is entirely sheet-iron (with the exception of the copper gas-ring and fittings.)

The annexed drawing (see front page) is a vertical section of the stove now in action. A is an outer case of cylindrical form, inclosing an inverted cone B, around the lower part of which the ignited gas plays from the hollow perforated ring C. There is little novel in the general principle of these three portions of the stove, but my improvement consists 1st, in the addition of a smaller cone D, supported within the larger, leaving a space between the two for the current of air: 2nd an annular vessel K, containing water through which the hot air must pass in its passage through the stove; and lastly above the vessel K., and between it and the damper, is placed a circular plate L rather larger than the orifice in the water vessel. The use of this plate will be

seen.

The gas being ignited through an opening for that purpose, the cone immediately above the jets gets heated; this by rarifying the air within, causes an upwards current through the stove; the external air now rushing in is divided by the point of the lesser cone, and compelled in its passage to pass against the heated sides of the larger cone.

It now rises through the opening in the water vessel, and striking against the plate passes over the surface of the water, carrying with it whatever steam or moisture is there generated; the air being by this process rendered wholesome, passes round the edge of the plate, and out at the damper on the top into the apart ment. No inconvenience is felt from the burnt air, which is suffered to escape through perforations in the upper part

of stove. M represents the vessel of water seen in perspective.

It is but justice that I should mention that the plan of the small cone was proposed by Mr. W. Ashdown, of this town, the maker, in lieu of a moveable diaphragm which I thought of having. I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,
F. J. WRIGHT.

Hammond-place, Chatham,
Wednesday, March 3, 1838.

POISONS IN CHEMISTS' SHOPS. Sir,-Of whatever trade or profession your correspondent Mr. Good, of Brighton, is, or has been, I am quite certain from the tenor of his letter which appeared in your last No. of the Mechanics' Magazine, that he has not been used to a chemist's shop: if he had, he would not propose that" poisons be kept under lock and key." If such plan was to be adopted, particularly that of having "Poison!" written on the door of the cupboard, we shonld soon lose our customers. Mr. Good does not know I think, that in the greater part of prescriptions which are brought to our shops to be made up, poison of some kind or other is ordered, such as laudanum, prussic acid, and many other kinds, to get at which the cupboard would have to be unlocked, and the person waiting for his recipe to be dispensed, would therefore very naturally suppose we intended to poison him, when he saw in very large letters" the word poison on the door.

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It is not every one who knows, that all medicines are poisonous if taken in sufficient quantities; and if Mr. Good's suggestion were to be acted upon, there would be comparatively few things in a druggist's shop, but what would be under lock and key-a shop fitted up in this style would very soon have to be locked up altogether.

Your correspondent must also look at the great inconvenience his plan would subject us to; for example-that of unlocking the poisonous cupboard perhaps fifty times a day to get at such common articles as verdigris, blue and white vitriol, sugar of lead, spirits of salts, &c., which he perhaps knows to be strong poisons and must be kept locked up.

H. G. says oxalic acid is sometimes taken in mistake for epsom salts, their crystals being like to one another; perhaps if the following simple test for distinguishing them was more generally known it would prevent at least any accident from occurring through their being taken in mistake:-Test-to the suspected article add a few drops of common black writing ink-if its colour remains, it is epsom salts-but if the ink in a short time turns red it is oxalic acid. This is a very easy manner of telling one from the other, and should one life be saved by its being more generally known by means of this letter, I shall be more than repaid for any critical remarks which this my very imperfect attempt at letter writing may bring forth from any of your correspondents. I am, Sir, &c. A DRUGGIST.

STEAM CARRIAGES ON COMMON ROADS.

A new company has just been started, having for its object, the not very new one of introducing "steam carriages and waggons" into general use on common roads. The company state that they have secured the right to the exercise of a patent boiler and machinery, invented by "Sir James C. Anderson, Bart.," after many years of study and research, and which are said to combine every requisite for the successful prosecution of the scheme. According to the prospectus, Sir James Anderson has succeeded in constructing a boiler capable of producing the “most dense” kind of steam, and at the same time of resisting any degree of pressure. From this specimen, it will be perceived that the concocters of the company have no very clear ideas of the matter they have taken in hand, and are even ignorant of the very simplest and best-known qualities of the powerful agent they intend to call into their service. As to the flourishes they indulge in with regard to the wonders of the Baronet's invention (and we perceive he is one of the directors into the bargain) they might as well be spared until a little experience has been had; and references to the opinion of the Parliamentary Committee of 1831, in proof of the practicability and economy of common road steam travelling, are worse than useless. The seven years

that have since elapsed, without any progress being made towards the state of things which the report of the committee gravely announced as close at hand, speak volumes on the reliance to be placed on their judgment. The prospectus talks of conveying goods and passengers at double the speed of horse coaches, and at one-half the expense. Let but one-half of this be actually accomplished, and there will be no necessity to raise the ghost of the committee's unlucky dictum, in order to direct the public attention to the desirableness of investing a spare half-million in a common-road-locomotive company.

THE

SUPPLY TO HIGH-PRESSURE BOILERS -SIMPLE WATER-GAUGE BLOWING-FAN.

Sir,-A method of supplying water to a high-pressure boiler appearing to be still a desideratum, the following results of a few experiments directed to that object, may, perhaps, be not unworthy of consideration; although my situation prevents my having much contact with the mechanical world, and other circumstances confine my mechanical operations to a very small scale. The ingenious contrivance of Mr. Baddeley (page 276, vol. xxi. of your Magazine) suggested to me a more easy construction with the same principle, which is represented in the accompanying figure, and which I have had in operation for nearly a twelvemonth.