that he directed his assistant, Mr. Cochrane, to go to Cherbourg and inspect the operations. He did so, and furnished an elaborate report upon the subject. From this report (he Sir C. Fox), believed there would be no difficulty in constructing a submarine vessel so as to form a most powerful engine for the destruction of the ships of an enemy. An order was immediately given to him by the Government for the construction of such a vessel, which was executed by Mr. John Scott Russell; the termination of the late war, however, prevented the full testing of the terrible powers of that machine, but that it would accomplish all the objects contemplated, experiments made with the apparatus had abundantly proved.

Mr. FREDERICK LAWRENCE believed this invention was not even so modern as had been stated by Sir Charles Fox, for he found that in 1776 a premium of 20 guineas was given by this Society to a Mr. Spalding, of Edinburgh, for his invention of a diving-bell,* which appeared to possess the main principles of the apparatus now before them. It had two chambers, an upper chamber to contain air, and the other a working chamber, similar to the design of Major Sears. By the introduction of air into the upper chamber, the bell was raised to the surface, and admitting the water in the place of the air, the bell sank again to the bottom. He thought that was similar in principle to the apparatus of Major Sears. He was not aware whether the machine to which he alluded had ever been brought into practical operation. He believed it was no part of the design of the inventor to do away with the chain at the top, which he (Mr. Lawrence) could not but regard as a double measure of precaution in the use of such machines. Major Sears appeared to think that connection with the surface by chains was dangerous; but he must be aware that in submarine operations it was not customary to trust the machine to one chain only, but a safety chain was attached, together with the hose for supplying air to the machine, and in the event of any casualty occurring to the chains, he apprehended the machine would be supplied with sufficient air to afford time for the attaching of another chain to the diving-bell. He thought in Major Sears's invention the great danger would be from the hose breaking, a case very likely to occur in a strong tideway, if a guy-rope should break; and that once broken, it appeared to him that the raising power of the machine was destroyed, and it | would then become in reality a metal coffin to the unfortunate persons within it.

Mr. HEINKE remarked that his experience related to diving dresses rather than to the diving bell itself, and he believed that the diving apparatus had been brought to such a state of perfection that by its aid they could accomplish everything for which the diving bell was designed. One great objection to the apparatus of Major Sears, as far as he could see at present, was its cost, which was a consideration in engineering matters. By means of the recent improvements in diving dresses, a diver could sink or raise himself with the greatest ease by means of valves attached to the helmet, which were perfectly under his control. At the works at Westminster-bridge, a diver met with the accident of breaking the glass of his helmet whilst under water, by striking it against a large spike in one of the piles. He was nearly stunned by the blow, but having the presence of mind to close the valve in front of the helmet, the result followed, as in the case of Major Sears' apparatus-the diver came to the surface. The fracture of the glass operated in the ame manner as the opening of a valve. On another occasion, at the same work, it was found that one of the stones of the foundation had not been properly laid on its bed, owing to a quantity of dirt getting beneath it. This was about 11 o'clock at night. By signal from the diver the stone was raised a few inches, so that he could introduce his arm, and having cleared away the dirt, the

* Transactions of Society of Arts, Vol. 1, p. 220.

stone was again lowered into its position. He believed that two or three men furnished with diving dresses could do the same work as was accomplished by means of the diving bell.

Mr. FRASER expressed a wish to be informed as to the different dimensions of which this apparatus could be constructed. In a work on which he was at present engaged, viz., removing a bed of concrete in a well at a depth of 90 feet under water, such an apparatus would, no doubt, be of great service, as also in the sinking of wells generally, if it could be made of dimensions sufficiently small for the purpose. With regard to diving dresses, he questioned whether anything had yet been invented in that way which would enable a diver to remove with facility a weight of six tons, which could be effected by Major Sears' apparatus.

Mr. JOHN BETHELL said his experience had been more with diving-dresses than with diving-bells, but he thought a mistake had been committed in the construction of the old diving-bell. They used to be made very heavy, and were still made of great weight. In his opinion it was unnecessary to construct diving bells of such great weight or strength; all the weight necessary was simply that which was sufficient to sink the machine in the water; they had merely to weight the bell in proportion to the displacement; but with regard to the bell itself, it was unnecessary that it should be of a thick material. Twenty-five years ago he showed that a diving-bell could be made of india-rubber cloth stretched over an iron frame, and it would be just as sound and effective as a bell of cast iron, five inches thick, because the bell had an internal pressure of condensed air to counteract the external presure of the water upon it-the two pressures balancing each other. He also showed, five-and-twenty years ago, that a diving bell might be made of thin sheet iron; and in order to enable the divers to move it when they pleased, there was placed at the top an india-rubber bag, like an air-cushion, which communicated by a pipe with the top of the bell. By the diver turning a cock inside, and allowing a portion of the air to pass into that bag, he caused the bell to rise, and by pulling a string attached to a valve in the top of the cushion the air was let out and the bell sank. Consequently one or two men in the bell, by working the cock, could so regulate the gravity of the machine that they could conduct it to any place they pleased, and then allowing the surplus air from the bag to escape, the bell descended to the required spot. One of the most simple, and at the same time most profitable diving-bells ever worked, was that employed in recovering property from the wreck of the Thetis frigate. That bell consisted merely of a ship's iron tank. A hole was knocked in the bottom of the tank, which was weighted with a few pigs of ballast. The fire-engine pumps were employed as air pumps, and there was the diving-bell all ready for use. By that means property to the value of £500,000 was recovered from the Thetis frigate. With regard to the apparatus now before them he would remark that it was very ingenious, but exceedingly complicated. The mode of making a diving-bell was very simple indeed. A bell capable of holding six divers could be inade for a small sum, and by attaching the air bag in the way he mentioned it could be moved about with facility. Twenty years ago he sent out closed diving dresses; the air was supplied to the helmet by an air pump, and the foul air was driven off through an open pipe leading from the top of the inside of the helmet down to, and discharging its air into, the water just above the diver's right shoulder. The diver had merely to apply his finger to close this pipe, and he came up immediately, and on taking away his finger he sunk again. By these means he could raise himself to any height in the water and to any spot desired, or on to the sides of rocks on which he might have to operate. These dresses had not only been used in Europe, but in many other parts of the world. Two of her Majesty's ships were saved by the use of these

With

dresses. The Wellesley, 120 guns, on entering the other words, it enabled men to work under water, and harbour of Ceylon, in 1838, struck upon the rocks, move heavy bodies, which could only be lifted by cranes; and would have foundered, but the diving apparatus was and to place stones for foundations, with as much accurigged out, and in twenty minutes the carpenters re- racy as could be done by a mason working on land. This paired the ship thoroughly. The other ship, the struck him as one of the principal advantages of the Thunder, ran upon rocks off the Bahamas, in 1837, and machine. Although a great portion of the work could sprang a leak. It was ascertained that there was a be performed by the men within the machine, yet there diving apparatus at Nassau, belonging to Dr. Lee, who was nothing to prevent men wearing the diving-dresses lent his dress to Capt. Owen, and after the damage had assisting in the operation outside. He regarded the been surveyed by the captain and first-lieutenant, machine as an exceedingly useful invention. in the dress, the carpenter was sent down, and in half- regard to the observation of Mr. Bethell, that it was difan-hour the leak was repaired. The water was pumped ficult to get engineers to pay attention to this subject, he out, the ship got off the bank, and proceeded on her might say that engineers were occupied largely with homeward voyage. On reaching home, it was admitted works above ground, whereas they had not frequent opthat the damage had been repaired as effectually as if portunities of building walls below the surface of the it had been done in one of the naval dockyards. It struck water. Submarine engineering operations were comhim that engineers had paid less attention to the use paratively rare, and generally involved great expense. of diving dresses and diving apparatus generally, It was not from want of attention to the subject on the in submarine works, than they deserved. He had part of engineers, but rather from the fact that if they endeavoured to interest them in the subject on other took all the submarine works during the last 10 or 15 occasions by descriptions of those apparatus, but how-years, and added them together, they would form a very ever pleased they might be at the moment, their atten- insignificant item compared with the other descriptions tion had not been given to the subject. They still re- of works which had occupied the attention of engineers tained the ponderous diving-bell, with its costly stages, during that period. At the same time, he would say, on platforms, and piers, whereas a common ship's boat behalf of the profession generally, that they were exwould serve the purpose with greater safety to the divers. tremely glad to see any improvement in the machinery The great-in fact the only-point with regard both to adapted for the purposes of construction under water. diving-bells and diving apparatus, was to keep up a con- Sir CHARLES Fox explained, with regard to Dr. stant supply of condensed air to the divers, and Payerne's apparatus, that when at work they had no to have condensing air-pumps and pipes of the communication with the shore, because, when they had best quality. He ought to mention that his diving to work in heavy weather, it was necessary to get into dresses had been employed in the Bay of Nava- still water before they could work, and with that machine rino, in recovering guns from the Turkish ships, they could bring away each time four cubic yards of at a depth of 500 feet, which had been effected with- blasted rock, or other material which had to be removed. out difficulty, and with perfect safety to the driver. He would conclude by observing that he entertained a high opinion of the merits of Major Sears' invention, which he thought calculated to answer well the purposes for which it was intended.

Mr. LAWRENCE remarked that diving bells were not usually made heavier than was required for sinking them in the water, but the chains must be of a strength sufficient to bear the whole weight of the bell when out of water. In a bell 9 feet by 4 feet by 6 feet, the displacement would be six or seven tons, and such bells would weigh about eight tons, therefore the chains must be able to lift that weight.

Mr. NEWTON remarked that he had gathered from the paper, that Major Sears proposed to move his machine, when submerged, by the divers pushing it from the outside. If that were the case it involved the use of the diving dress by the persons so employed, and if so he did not see the necessity for a diving bell of this description. For the purpose of moving heavy weights, he thought the caissons ordinarily used in constructing breakwaters, &c., answered every purpose. With regard to the observations of Sir Charles Fox, he (Mr. Newton) would say the case mentioned by him was not the first attempt to blow up enemies' ships. During the American war of Independence, a plan was proposed for blowing up the British ships, which did not suceeed.

Major SEARS, in reply to Sir John Rennie, said that he was fully aware of the improvements made by Sir John and his father in the ordinary divingbell; he would beg, however, to correct him with regard to the similarity of the machine used, not in 1809-10, but, during the revolutionary war between England and the colonies, when the submerged boat, the same as that now used by Dr. Payerne, was adapted to blowing the enemy's fleet out of the water. [A description of the failure of the enterprise was here given by Major Sears.] In reference to cutting off piles, it was a question of economy whether the circular-saw or the arrangement with the Nautilus would be most economical. In answer to Sir Charles Fox, he would say that, although Sir Charles characterised the invention as nothing new, and as combining the same principles as Dr. Payerne's machine, yet, while admitting that there is nothing new in engineering science," it was nevertheless true that new combinations produced new The CHAIRMAN said that he had had a previous oppor-results, and that Dr. Payerne's principle involved serious tunity of inspecting the model upon the table, and he was much pleased with the obvious attention which had been paid to a number of practical details, which all mechanics knew were the desiderata in a work of this kind. All of them who in their younger days had read books upon mechanics, would remember that machines had been proposed for locomotion under water, and no doubt the idea itself was an old one; but, after all, the carrying out was dependent on the successful arrangement of minute details. He must say, with regard to the machine before the meeting, he was much pleased with the evidence of the careful consideration which must have been devoted to bring this machine to perfection. It did not seem calculated to supersede the diving dress. No doubt the facilities offered by those dresses, for moving under water were very great; but the peculiarity of this machine appeared to be the subaqueous motive power that it afforded; in

disadvantages, inasmuch as, admitting that his boat might lift by the exhaustion of water, one or two stones, yet, when that power had been exerted, it was necessary to return to the surface to get a fresh supply of air. According to the report of Lieutenant Tyler, R.E., it took thirty minutes more to descend in forty feet of water than the ordinary bell, and assuming the latter to occupy ten minutes, the time required to ascend and descend would necessarily be not less than an hour, in which time the Nautilus would place three or four stones. In reply to Mr. Lawrence, Major Sears admitted that, like Spalding's bell there were two chambers, and perhaps, in some cases even more; yet, as Mr. Lawrence remarked, Spalding's bell had never been brought into use. Mr. Spalding certainly used suspensory chains. It was well known that in addition to the suspending chain there was a safety chain, but that chain was liable to become fouled

evening next, the 11th inst., a paper by Major H. B. Sears, on Appliances for Facilitating Submarine Engineering and Exploration," would be read. Part II. Submarine Exploration.

SOULAGES COLLECTION.

The following correspondence has taken place in reference to this collection :

To THE RIGHT HON. SIR BENJAMIN HALL, BART. M.P. SIR. We beg leave respectfully to call your attention to an importation recently made into this country, known as the "Soulages Collection," consisting of numerous interesting objects of an artistic and decorative character, illustrative of the tastes and manufactures of Italy in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and extremely valuable as examples for study to artists engaged in the various departments of industry and manufactures. to which art is applicable.

It is because we feel strongly the great importanceof the formation of a museum or collection of such objects and examples of industrial art, and the immense advantages that would necessarily result in the progress of many branches of our munufactures from providing means and facilities for seeing and studying the artistic works produced in other countries and in former ages, that we venture to trespass on your attention, and request your assistance as the representative of a constituency which comprises a great number of persons engaged in occupations that would be greatly benefited thereby. The want of a collection of this nature has long been seriously felt in the metropolis, and the principle of the formation of such a museum has been recognised by the government, and acted upon by purchases made at the sale of the Bernal Collection, at the Great Exhibition of 1851, and the Universal Exhibition at Paris in 1855. It is a requirement which has been abundantly provided for in Paris by the collection at the Hôtel Cluny, some departments of the Louvre, and the examples and specimens at the Imperial manufactories of Sèvres, Gobelins, and Beauvais, which have exercised a powerful influence upon the education of numerous artists and art-workmen, and greatly contributed to the improvement and extension of many branches of manufacture.

with the suspending chain, and when human life was at stake no precaution should be omitted. It might be possible for the divers to have a sufficient supply of air to enable them to wait for a reconnection, yet, they would of necessity be very uneasy, being dependent on the exertions of others; but, in the Nautilus, even supposing the hose to be broken, the divers had within the machine itself several distinct means of bringing it to the surface. In reply to Mr. Heinke, he would say, it was not intended to supersede submarine armour, but to make use of it as an adjunct. As to cost of apparatus, the extra cost would be more than compensated by the extra labour performed; inasmuch as the Nautilus could do more work than ten or more men in armour. In reply to Mr. Fraser, he would remark, that the dimensions or form not being arbitrary, the Nautilus could be adapted to perform the work required in a well with ninety feet of water; as it might be made from five to ten feet in diameter, and with a lifting power of from one to six tons. In reply to Mr. Bethell, he thought that, theoretically, india-rubber on an inflexible frame might answer, if the relative density could be maintained between the inside and outside; yet, as so many contingencies were apt to arise, it would not do to place trust in so frail a material. As to the weight of the ordinary bell not being necessary, it must be allowed that, when the volume of air had displaced a certain amount of water, it was necessary to compensate by weight for the weight of water displaced, and therefore he must insist that chains, capable of bearing six or seven tons, were required for an ordinary bell. As to the air-bag on the top of the diving-dress, or bell, it was but of little value, as the supply of air was necessarily limited. In answer to Mr. Newton, he would remark that that gentleman had evidently misunderstood his meaning; where there were no currents, the operator stepped through the lower trap of the Nautilus on to the bed of the sea, and, pushing with his hands against the inside of the machine, caused it to move. When, however, currents had sway, the cables were employed as described, either holding or moving it as might be required. Men with diving-dresses were not habitually employed inside, although they might be, in particular cases of exploration. Although caissons might be used in some localities, yet they were not applicable in all cases. The United States government had built a caisson at Pensacola, costing some fifteen thousand dollars, which subsequently cost twelve thousand dollars to remove from the channel, where it had overturned. Further, as Mr. Newton could not see the advantages, he would briefly sum them up, premising that any improvement in science or the arts was to be appreciated by its practical utility. The Nautilus possessed the power of commencing the actual work at once, whilst with the ordinary bell extensive preliminary operations were necessary; and it was but fair to suppose that, before such preparations were concluded, by the use of the Nautilus, the work would have considerably advanced. Then the facility of lifting and transporting weights certainly afforded the means of constructing a work in one-third the ordinary time; since, if the ordinary diving bell could do but four hundred cubic feet per day, the Nautilus could do three times as much with the same amount of labour. This he considered, quite a sufficient advantage, in addition to the time gained in the selection of foundations and their The most favourable opinions have been expressed resubsequent preparation. In a word he would say, that garding it by those most competent to judge of its merits in all his statements he had asked them to take nothing as a collection. As a proof of this we may point to the upon trust, for he was prepared to verify every word Report of the Committee appointed to examine it by the that had been uttered, by reference to practical opera-Council of the Royal Institute of British Architects, tions to be performed by a large machine, shortly to be placed in the Victoria Docks, where he hoped that all who were sceptical as to its merits would practically test its operations.

A vote of thanks was passed to Major Sears.
The Secretary announced that on Wednesday

The Soulages Collection would be a most valuable acquisition in the formation of such a museum as we have referred to, and government has now the opportunity of purchasing it upon terms so advantageous, that we consider it would be a neglect of duty not to secure it for the nation. It has been purchased by a number of noblemen, gentlemen, manufacturers, and others engaged in business, whose names are the best guarantee of its value in every sense, whether considered commercially or in an artistic point of view; and having incurred the risk of purchase and conveyance, they have, through the assistance of Lord Stanley of Alderley, the President of the Board of Trade. given many thousands the opportunity of seeing it at Marlborough-house, and now offer it to government for the public benefit at its prime cost of about £13,500, including carriage and all expenses attending its importation.

who conclude a long and able notice by saying,-"And they have come to the conclusion, that it would be an irreparable loss of a great opportunity to improve our manufactures, to enlarge the sphere of art application, to increase our commerce, and instruct the public mind, if the government did not accept the offer to sell the whole

to the nation at cost price: an offer so nobly made by the disinterested and public-spirited men, who, with singular generosity, and on their own responsibility, have at all risks afforded the opportunity to the country of securing the collection in its entirety."

sumed, no means at all? Even in the examinations which are not actually competitive there is a good element at work, both for the public service and for the general body of competitors. If out of 100 candidates nominated for appointments 60 or 70 only are pronounced qualified, the rejection of the others at once opens the field of nominations to 30 or 40 more, so that, while the several departments obtain better servants, well qualified candidates obtain a greater number of chances. In all respects, indeed, such a scheme ought to work for the adfits resulting will be found, we trust, as the Commissioners themselves anticipate, in the general improvement of education which the application of this stimulus will promote.

We need not add any observations of ours to the high authority from which we have borrowed the foregoing extract, but it is necessary that we should state most emphatically, that the gentlemen who have combined to purchase the collection have had in view the sole object of supplying a public want in a purely disin-vantage of the country, and not the least of the beneterested manner. No doubt whatever exists in the minds of those most competent to judge, that a much larger sum could be realised by public auction than the cost of this collection. To guard themselves against the slightest imputation of interested motives, it has been expressly agreed that, in the event of a sale by auction, the surplus exceeding the cost and expenses shall be devoted to the encouragement of art.

The study of objects such as are comprised in this collection is as necessary to the education of the artworkman as the study of ancient monuments and edifices is to the architect, the remains of Greek art to the sculptor, or the works of the old masters to the painter.

We therefore hope you will lend the influence of your sound judgment and cultivated taste, and your voice as the representative of a numerous and important constituency, to induce the government to become the purchasers of the Soulages Collection, and thus assist in rendering an important service to the public.

We have the honour to remain,
Sir Benjamin,

Yours most respectfully,

Signed............

PETER GRAHAM.
JOHN G. CRACE,
JOHN JACKSON.
EDWARD BOND.

February 18, 1857.

DEATHS FROM SNAKEBITES IN INDIA.

(From the Bombay Courier.)

The number of deaths arising from snakebites in the various zillahs and towns subordinate to this presidency having been brought to the notice of Mr. A. Bettington, Commissioner of Police, by several magistrates, that gentleman addressed a letter to Government to the following effect:

"I have the honour to report, for the information of government, that the loss of life from the bites of snakes in some districts of this presidency is considerable. In the Dharwar Zillah, for instance, no less than 16 deaths are reported to have occurred within the last four months from this cause. It appears that more deaths are occasioned by snakebites than by tigers. I beg to propose, for the consideration of government, that rewards be offered for the destruction of snakes-eight annas for a snake of any kind, and 12 annas for a cobra; to be paid on the production of the snake forthwith by the Patel and Kolkurnee of the village, who will forward the dead snake (by the village Mhar), with the receipt, to the nearest Mahulkurry or Mamlutudar. It is absolutely necessary that the payment should be prompt, and the reward sufficiently high to induce people to occupy themselves in killing snakes. I purpose to make no exception, because the No other person has been asked to sign, and as the ad- carpet snake, foorsa,' the whip snake, and the cobra dresses of those who have signed are not added, I think it (the snakes most commonly met with), are all poisonous, right to state that Mr. J. G. Crace resides in Wigmore- and there can be no exercise of discrimination. In an street, and has done the greater part of the decorative exceptional case, it would not answer to withdraw paywork in the interior of the Houses of Parliament; Mr. ment while ignorant persons, unable to detect the John Jackson is of the firm of George Jackson and Sons, poison-fang and gland, were debating whether the reptile Rathbone-place, and is the first man in his way of busi-was or was not poisonous. It will be necessary also that ness in Great Britain; and Mr. Bond is the most active partner in the firm of Gillow and Co., Oxford-street. Hoping that you will approve of the object we have in view, and lend your able assistance to accomplish it, I remain, dear Sir Benjamin, Yours faithfully,

DEAR SIR BENJAMIN,-I have the honour to transmit herewith a letter signed by three of your constituents besides myself.

the magistrates shall continue to urge and compel the removal of masses of prickly pear from the villages. In many places it does not exist in the form of a boundary hedge, but in patches of greater or less extent, not only occupying ground that might be turned to other purposes, but harbouring reptiles and infecting the air."

In reply the government approved and sanctioned the suggestions of the Commissioner of Police. The people, encouraged by the rewards offered, are occupying themselves most actively in destroying these reptiles. Each day nearly 300 dead snakes are brought in. Mr. Bettington saw an immense number of every description; the most common of all is one called the "foorsa." The civil surgeon of Rutnagherry knows no remedy for the poison of this deadly reptile. Ammonia and other stimu

poison of the cobra and some other snakes, but are of no avail against the poison of the foorsa. The poison does not act on the nervous system, like that of the cobra, but on the blood alone, which becomes corrupted in a peculiar manner.

With respect to the competitive system, the Com-lants, if applied in time, are effective antidotes to the missioners make a favourable report of their experience, and, although they admit that the system is as yet in its infancy, they anticipate good results from an extension of its opportunities. For ourselves we regard this question as lying in so very small a compass, and being so transparently plain in character, that we are not disposed to waste arguments upon it. How, in short, is it possible that examiners deputed for the purpose, and employing the best known means without any extraneous bias, should not make a better selection of candidates than A committee has been formed in France to examine patrons open to bias, and employing, as must be pre- and report on the merits of the competitors for the prize

GALVANISM AND ITS ECONOMICAL APPLICA-
TION IN THE ARTS.