The operations upon the oil may terminate at one or other of four different and successive stages: 1. At the point when the re-agent used to remove the colouring matter, and initiate the drying action, has been added to and been dissolved in the oil; and this is called the solution. 2. At the point when through this solution there has been passed as much atmospheric air as raises the colour of the mixture to its maximum point; and this is called the browning of the oil, or its aëration up to the browning point. 3. At that point, when, through this browned oil there has been passed as much more atmospheric air as is required completely to bleach it; and this is called the bleaching point, or the aëration up to that point. 4. At any point when, following successively after the solution, the browning and the bleaching, it is required, by a still further addition of atmospheric air, to give to the bleached oil various degrees of thickness or of viscidity; and this is called the thickening point. That is, the first proportions yield an oil lighter in colour than ordinary refined linseed oil, and which dries in fifteen hours. The second proportions yield it of the same colour as refined linseed oil, but drying in twelve hours. And the third proportions yield it of a colour between that of the refined and the raw oil, but drying in ten hours. The temperature used is from 80 to 100 deg. Fahrenheit. Table (No. 2) of Relative Proportions of Effects. The reagents used here are the crystallised sulphate of manganese, and the anhydrous protoxide of lead, the latter in excess. Pbo.. РЬО... MnO, SO, HO Now, those distinctions, that possibly may at first appear almost too minute, are, in fact, of the utmost practical value and importance, and in practice resolve them-PыO.... selves into results the most simple and convenient. The solution is applicable in innumerable painting and waterproofing work, where colour is no object, and its preparation costs almost nothing. The browned oil is of use for like purposes, and is a more rapidly drying oil. The bleached is the very perfection of a painter's oil. And the thickened is of itself a fine varnish, and has besides, unnumbered uses among artists, among varnish-makers, coach-painters, and very many others. In order to tabulate the results of different methods of treating the oil, as those results appear in corresponding differences in the colour, in the degree of viscidity, in the specific gravity, and in the rate of drying of the oil, it is necessary to establish and adopt some standard of comparison. Good ordinary refined linseed oil is taken as one standard of colour, and is numbered 1. When the oil is lighter in colour than this, that degree is expressed as O, that is, as having no colour whatever. Ordinary raw linseed oil is represented as 5, and the dark boiled oil as 10, on the scale. The drying rate is expressed in hours, which is (as explained in the former part of this paper) its rate, per se, under average external conditions. There are two main classes of these oils, each class admitting of the production of the varieties of its kind that are enumerated above. These classes are 1st. Those prepared by means of the hydrated protoxide of manganese alone, as the reacting agent, either with or without aëration. 2ndly. Those prepared by means of both the hydrated protoxide of manganese and the protoxide of lead, as the agents of reaction, and with the latter in excess, so as to leave the lead as well as the manganese oxide in the oil finally. From a set of greatly more extended tabulated results, two examples are abstracted, as follows: Table (No. 1) of Relative Proportions and Effects. The reagent used here is the hydrated protoxide of manganese, containing, in all, 50 per cent. of water. When of this, there are added The second yield an oil of the colour of raw oil, but drying in 10 hours per se ; and the third yield the oil of a fine amber colour, drying per se in 7 hours. From these short tables are necessarily omitted many other particulars, as the relative drying rate and colour of the solution and of the browned products, as well as of those of the thickened varieties; but these will be sufficient to indicate the great variety of oils this new method gives us the power to produce. The writer would mention only one other fact relating to the production of a permanently dark-coloured oil in imitation of the old boiled oil, which he contrived, in order to gratify some who would still adhere to the old colour, and to the employment of a high temperature:-Grind up with the oil some nitrate of baryta and sulphate of manganese, and heat the mixture to about 4000 Fahr.; the result is the production of a deep reddish-brown coloured and tolerably good drying oil, but one that never bleaches. Now, here we have reactions, which, at a high temperature, and when out of contact with the oil, issue in the following: Ba O, NO, + Mn O, SO, = Ba O, SO; Mn 02; NO1; That is, we have formed peroxide of manganese and nitrous acid. But these reactions when the elements, at the temperature mentioned, are in contact with the oil itself, issue in other and more complicated changes, leaving in the oil, finally, sulphate of baryta and sesquioxide of manganese, and leaving the oil itself of a permanent deep brown colour, and with some increased drying properties. But as the process involves the using of the old and objectionable high temperature, and the final colour is also the old one, it is mentioned here only as an example, but which as a process is in every way inferior in value to these other methods. THE GREAT BELL AND CLOCK FOR THE Mr. Loseby's letter of the 10th inst., in reference to this subject, having been communicated to the Journal, 12 hours it has been thought desirable in publishing it to reprint Mr. Loseby's first letter and Mr. Denison's reply, which have appeared in other papers. = 10 hours SIR,-Notwithstanding the appearance of a leading article in the Times of Nov. 7, to the effect that a distinguished test of practice, and the referees are to determine whether London Nov. 12, 1856. lawyer, Mr. E. B. Denison, Q.C., had, fortunately for mankind, been specially raised up by Providence to restore the art of bell-founding, and discover improvements in turret clocks, there are a few simple matters of fact which require to be brought forward, or the public may find, when too late, how little the anticipations so SIR,-Mr. Loseby's statement, that it appears from the modestly announced in the Times have been realised. In the first place, the chief fact, that the bell is in-culated to strike the bell with a hammer of only 120 lbs. parliamentary papers that the Westminster clock is caltended for the clock, and will be struck by the clock raised 6 inches, is a pure and simple fabrication of his hammer, and not by an immense clapper, appears to have own, as anybody may see who will take the trouble to been thrust into the back-ground; for we were told, look at the contract, which was printed in 1852, and again several weeks ago, that the bell had been tried with a in 1855. And any body who chooses to look at my latest clapper of 700lbs., impelled by the force of five or six book "On Clockmaking" (not the rudimentary treatise, men, who had failed to bring out the full tone; and we but a reprint of the article in the "Encyclopædia are now informed that a clapper of 1,600lbs. is being Britannica," sold at Dent's, in the Strand), will see that prepared for the purpose; and the same notices lead us a hammer of 4 cwt. falling 12 inches--nearly eight times to understand that the official trial of the bell will be Mr. Loseby's figures-was the least that I contemplated decided by this enormously disproportionate clapper in- in designing the clock. The hammer will in fact be constead of by the clock hammer, with which it will have siderably more than this, as the bell is not only heavier, to be used. but much stronger than I ventured to expect three years ago. On looking over the different parliamentary returns on the subject, to ascertain the size of the clock, I find it is sufficiently large to lift a hammer of 120lbs., and give it a fall of six inches, with the clock going eight days; and it is further stated, that this proportion of weight and fall will be amply sufficient to bring out the tone of the large bell, provided it is of an average quality. Indeed, instances are mentioned in which the proportions are much smaller, as it is stated that the great bell of Oxford, weighing 152 cwt., only requires to be struck by a hammer of 54lbs., falling 44 inches. I have been wondering what could suggest to Mr. Loseby such an absurdity as the striking of a bell of 16 tons with a hammer of 120 lbs. ; and perhaps this is the explanation:-It does appear, from the parliamentary papers he refers to, that not before, but-after the intended weight of the bell had been increased from that of the Oxford bell to 14 tons, a hammer of little more than Mr. Loseby's size was proposed, in that very plan for the clock which his fraternity, the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, memorialised the Commissioners of Works to adopt, and to rescind (if they could) Mr. Dent's contract to execute my plan. It is only charitable to suppose that, writing with an imperfect recollection of the papers, and animated by a natural and amiable desire to pay off some old scores respecting his chronometer grievances, Mr. Loseby has, with a curious felicity of blundering, transferred the folly of the company of clockmakers to my account. E. B. DENISON. From the same returns we gather that the bell is to be supplied by the contractors, subject to the approval of competent referees on the part of the government, who will be deputed to ascertain if its merits are of the highest order, and if they are not, the bell is to be rejected. It is difficult to collect from the returns who the referees are at the present moment. At one time Mr. Denison and a gentleman nominated by him were appointed to the office, and more recently the duty appears to have devolved on Sir Charles Barry and Professor Wheatstone, but as other changes may have occurred, by which the responsibility no longer rests with the latter SIR,-After partly divesting Mr. Denison's letter, pubgentlemen, I think it better to make the following sug-lished in the Builder of Dec. 6, of the peculiar tone and gestions through the press, lest in the number of changes epithets which pervade it, the matter resolves itself into the duty of the referee should fall to the ground and be the following:reduced to a dead letter. 1. That the bell, before being accepted, should be placed in the position it is to occupy in the tower, and then tried with a hammer of about 120lbs., falling, by its own gravity alone, through a space of 6 inches; and as this is the force which will be employed upon the bell when in use, it is obviously that which should be employed in all the experiments that are to determine its fitness for the purpose it is intended for, and any effect which may be produced on the bell by a clapper of 1,600lbs. urged by the force of eight or nine men through a space equal to the whole width of the mouth, should be regarded as altogether beside the principal question. 2. That if the quality of the tone proves satisfactory, the referees should proceed to note its volume by stationing themselves at different distances from the tower in and about the neighbourhood of London, in order to compare the quantity of sound produced by this and other known bells; due allowance being made for the difference of size, the direction of the wind, and the state of the atmosphere, &c. 3. That as the bell has being designed by Mr. Denison, if it should so fall out that he and his friend at present occupy the position of referees, it would afford more scope for impartiality in the judgment about to be pronounced if Mr. Denison, and perhaps his friend also, were to retire from the office, and leave the task of deciding on the merits of his work in other hands, particularly as this is the first public instance in which Mr. Denison's views on the subject have been brought to the First. That the proportions of weight and fall given in my communication, viz., 120 lbs. for the hammer, and 6 inches for its fall, are "fabrications" of my own, and not to be found in the parliamentary papers, unless I have, as Mr. Denison expresses it, “blunderingly trans ferred the folly of the company of clockmakers to his account." Second. That in designing the clock he made provision for its having to lift a hammer of 400 lbs., and give it a fall of 12 inches, and that evidence is to be found of his having long contemplated this as the least quantity of work which the clock would have to do, and further, that now the bell has been cast, he finds even this weight and fall of hammer will have to be considerably increased. In reply to the first part, I have to state that, before writing the letter to which Mr. Denison refers, I carefully examined all the published parliamentary returns to the House of Commons, viz., No. 724, Session 1847; No. 257, Session 1848; No. 500, Ssssion 1852; and No. 436, Session 1855; and that I have since gone diligently through them again, and the result is that I have not found any inaccuracy or error whatever in my former statement. The weight of 120 lbs. and 6 inches fall, are neither “fabrications" of my own, nor were they quoted according to Mr. Denison's other suggestion, from the blundering statements of the company of clockmakers," but were taken from a table given by the late Mr. Dent, at page 56, parliamentary return, No. 724 of 1847; and, let me add, that I purposely confined myself throughout the letter to the quantities and figures given by Messrs. Dent and Denison themselves, thinking that the latter gentleman would not then question their accuracy. In reply to the second part, I have to observe that I can find no mention throughout the whole of the returns, either from Mr. Denison or any one else, that a hammer of 400 lbs. falling 12 inches would probably be required for the bell, which it was understood, before the first return was published in 1847, was to weigh from 14 to 15 tons. Neither has any provision been made, by enlarging the clock, for the enormous, and still accumulating, increase of work which Mr. Denison, in order to get his bell purchased by the government, seems now disposed to throw upon it. The main striking-wheel remains at 3 feet diameter, and it has never been increased beyond this size in any of the plans of Messrs. Dent and Denison, from the date of the first return in 1847, to the last return in 1855, and at this date the clock had been made. In justice to the late Mr. Vulliamy, I must remark that the plan for the clock which was sent in by him, and which Mr. Denison ridicules, under the title of the fraternity of clock-makers' plan, as being too small for the purpose, was larger than any of the plans proposed by Messrs. Dent and Denison, as the diameter of Mr. Vulliamy's main striking-wheel was 3 feet 7 inches. Nor is this the only advantage in durability which Mr. Vulliamy's plan exhibits over Mr. Denison's, for it had gun-metal wheels throughout, whilst the wheels in the clock that has been made are all of cast-iron, the commonest and cheapest material that could be used; nor is this all for which the public have to thank Mr. Denison, Q.C., for he has so managed matters that the government will have to pay as much for the clock as though it had been made of the more durable and costly material. In conclusion, I again set forward the principal questions to be kept in view : 1. What is the force which the clock now made is calculated to lift? To this, I reply, that, taking into consideration the size of the striking part, the time it should last, and the fact of the wheels being composed of cast-iron, 120lbs. for the hammer and 6 inches for its fall, is the greatest quantity of work which the clock should be allowed to do. 2. What is the force which a good bell of 16 tons should require? To this I reply that, taking the Oxford bell as the standard, which weighs 152 cwt., and is struck by a hammer of 54 lbs., falling 4 inches, and considering that Mr. Denison's bell was to have been much superior to the average quality, a hammer of 120 lbs. falling inches ought to be amply sufficient to bring out the tone. E. T. LOSEBY. London, Dec. 10, 1856. NOTICE TO MEMBERS. der the notice of architects and others, by means of Of this half-dozen, scarcely one gives any notion, either by scale or figuring, of the size and substance of the objects represented; prices are either not at all indicated, or, if indicated, are expressed so vaguely as to form no guide whatever to the real cost of the articles, What an architect really requires, if these patternbooks are to be of any use to him, are the following conditions: 1st. Each object (if in the least degree complicated) to be given in plan, section and elevation. 2nd. Each object to be drawn to scale, and the scale put upon each plate. 3rd. Each object to have its leading dimensions figured as well. 4th. The best mode of attachment of each object to adjoining work to be clearly shown. 5th. Such a concise description of each object to be given, as to enable the architect to define the same in his specification, without risk of confusion or mistake. 6th. The price of each object complete, as engraved, to be marked beneath or near to the engraving; any suggested variations, either of enrichment, or tending to simplification, to be also priced; and attention to be drawn to probable cost of fixing, painting, gilding, or any necessary process not included in the first price quoted. Illustrated price lists of articles for the use of all persons connected with the building trades, prepared in accordance with the preceding conditions, become most valuable sources of reference to professional men; whereas, if only pretty picture books, they are just looked over, thrown on one side, and then either put upon the bookshelves, perhaps never to be taken down again for years, or, after lying about for a week or two, are thrown into the waste-paper basket, as of no use. On the other hand, in an architect's office, a well arranged pattern-book is constantly referred to, and articles are drawn and specified from it, of course to the benefit of the manufacturer. If an architect knows that Brown's No. 3, or Jones's 24, or Robinson's 102, are just the right size and style for Mr. Smith's house, which he has got to build, and will cost such an amount as he thinks Mr. Smith can afford to pay, he at once determines to introduce the aforesaid numbers 3, 24, or 102, although, very possibly, some other manufacturer may, at the very same time, be making better and handsomer articles at a lower price. without scales or prices, the architect is tempted to write Let us suppose that, seduced by a pretty picture-book,, respecting some work he wants done, to the person who sent him the aforesaid picture-book. He receives a reply, giving him the particulars the pattern-book ought to learns that the article he supposed to be about 4 feet long have supplied, and from the manufacturer's note he is 6 feet 6 inches; and that what he expected would cost £5 will cost £7 10s. He then writes to know if size and price can be modified. The manufacturer says, in return, that any modification can be made; will the architect send a sketch? The architect makes his sketch, and the manufacturer finds that the alteration, although diminishing the quantity of material, will, through the additional labour, cost more than the original £7 10s. The architect does not think the article worth the money, and, in his client's interest, declines to purchase. BUILDING-TRADE PATTERN-BOOKS. Everyone has had his trouble for nothing, and discontent SIR,--Permit me to call the attention of such manu- is, of course, the result. If even the article should be facturers as seek to bring the articles they produce un-procurable at the architect's price, £5, the five shillings The Labourers' Friend Society has placed in the hands of the Secretary of the Society of Arts, 100 copies of a Report by their Honorary Architect, H. Roberts, Esq., on the late Brussels Congress for the Improvement of the Condition of the Labouring and Indigent Classes. Mr. T. Twining, jun., has deposited a limited number of copies of the Catalogue of the Brussels Exhibition of Domestic Economy, and a printed list of books, pamphlets, and other documents bearing on the condition of the working-classes, which have been presented to the Society of Arts, and are arranged for reference in the Society's Library. Copies may be had on application to the Secretary. Home Correspondence. his commission will procure him in return for his own and his clerk's time wasted, offers no very great premium to future transactions with the sender of the pretty but foolish picture-book. Pray, believe, Sir, that I am drawing no fanciful picture, but one of daily occurrence. My only inducement to sketch it has been my sincere belief that, in the rapid introduction into the building trade of improvements in the quality and technical treatment of old and new materials, lies the secret hope we can have of an ultimate escape from the enfeebling tradition in architecture to honourable and national originality. It seems to me that the organ of the Society of Arts, which does so much to foster, and, indeed, to generate all such improvements, should convey this hint, which I do not think it will prove unprofitable for those manufacturers whom it may concern to attend to. 54, Guilford-street, Russell-square. I am, &c., M. DIGBY WYATT. MEN AND MANUFACTURES. SIR,-A friend has just put into my hand your number of the 21st of November, containing a paper on this subject, by Mr. W. Bridges Adams. The drift of it seems to be, that, in the opinion of Mr. Adams, we should do well, as a nation, and economically speaking, to transfer our cotton manufacture from the present cotton districts of Lancashire and Lanarkshire to the Nerbudda districts in India. In support of this opinion, Mr. Adams makes one or two assertions which, to me, are somewhat astonishing. And, as I am tolerably familiar with the Lancashire cotton district, and have for some years given close attention to the best statistical data hitherto available, touching the present and indicating the probable future condition of our increasing townpopulation, as well in that district as elsewhere, and I find my own conclusions widely at variance on some material points with those of Mr. Adams, I venture to ask of that gentleman, through you, a further elucidation of some parts of his argument. assumes that labour applicable to the manufacture, as J. T. DANSON. Proceedings of Institutions. nesday evening, the 12th inst., the second course of lec- WATERFORD.-At the Mechanics' Institute, on Wed To Correspondents. Errata. At page 57, column 2, line 1, at bottom, and line 3 from bottom, for "could" read " should;" and line 6 from bottom, for through," read "though." At page 71, column 2, line 24, for "Miss," read Messrs."" MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. London Institution, 7. Dr. Tyndall, "On the Nature and TUES. Royal Institution, 3. Professor Faraday, "On Attraction." FRI. The first assertion of which I desire to see some proof is the following:-"Lancashire cannot grow men and women, for if she ceased to import them, they would disappear in a few generations, i.e., men and women fit for cotton-working.' I have at hand the returns of the population of every county in Great Britain, at the date of each of the six censuses taken since (and including) 1801. If Mr. Adams will be so kind as to point out among these materials, or in the Irish censuses, such as they are, taken during the last fifty years, or in the Reports of the Emigration Commissioners, or, in short, in any public documents accessible to the public, the particular returns, or other evidence, on which this assertion is based, I shall feel, and be ready to acknowledge, 2518. John Fordred, Islington-Improvements in lamps, in appaa considerable obligation. 2772. 2779. 2791. PATENT LAW AMENDMENT ACT. APPLICATIONS FOR PATENTS AND PROTECTION ALLOWED. [From Gazette, December 19th, 1856.] Dated 27th October, 1856. ratuses connected therewith, and in manufacturing certain William Kemble Hall, London-Improvements in machinery John Bond, Burnley, Lancashire-Improvements in machinery To put the question in the form least likely to be misunderstood, I would suggest that it be assumed that the cotton manufacture, as now carried on in Lancashire, were brought to a stand-still, not to increase or diminish, -and that Lancashire were called upon, with its present population, to maintain it at its present level for two or three generations, without importing men and women. This will avoid any question as to how far the importation hitherto going on has been required to meet the 2799. John Musgrave, jun., Globe Iron Works, Bolton-le-Moors— continuous expansion of the trade. And if Mr. Adams will state the process of induction by which, his facts being given, he elicited from them the conclusion I doubt the veracity of, he will confer an additional obligation. Having hitherto been of opinion that the cost of capital and of labour were both lower (allowing for the effective value of the labour) in Lancashire than in any other cotton-manufacturing district out of Great Britain, I should be glad to learn on what grounds it is that (looking at the effective value of the labour) Mr. Adams 2814. 2816. 2818. 2822. 2824. Dated 26th November, 1856. Improvements in the construction of cloth beams for beetles. Peter Walker, Warrington-Improvements in brewing, and in provements in cooking ranges. Joseph M. Saunders, 16, Westmorland-street, Dublin—Im Michael Allen, 39, Cavendish-grove, Wandsworth-road-Improvements in the slide valves of steam engines. 2826. William Johnson, 47, Lincoln's-inn fields-Improvements in 2828. Laban Clarke Stuart, New York-Improvements in machinery Dated 1st December, 1856. 2834. Charles Henry Gilks, Union-row, Tower-hill-An improved 2842. George Julius Vertue, Northam, Southampton-An improve- 2884. David Crawford, Glasgow-Improvements in washing, cleansing and preparing textile fabrics and materials. Dated 5th December, 1856. 2885. Robert Davison aud Joshua Crowther, Lansdowne Factories, 2889. 2890. Lodewyk Polak Kerdyk, Manchester-Certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for extracting colouring matters. to be employed for the purposes of dyeing, or for other similar processes. 2891. William Clyburn, Lombard-street-Improved machinery for making butter. 2844. John Carter Ramsden, Bradford, Yorkshire-Improvements 2892. Dated 2nd December, 1856. 2848. Frederick Cornwall, Birmingham-Certain improvements in 2863. Philipp Kurten, Cologne, Prussia-Improvements in the manu- Heth Ogden and Henry Hibbert, Salford-Improvements applicable to colliery and locomotive engines for the purpose of arresting or retarding their motion at required intervals, and of indicating the amount of work done in relation to such intervals. Dated 6th December, 1856. 2893. William Hooper and Joseph Fry, Mitcham, Surrey, and George 2895. 2897. 2899. 2905. James Perry, Ballymoney, Antrim, Ireland-Improvements in Richard Eaton, 2, Sussex-terrace, New-road, Battersea-An 2907. James Bertram, Edinburgh-Improvements in steam engines. 2864. Frederick Albert Gatty, Accrington-Improvements in the 2913. construction of filters or drainers. 2865. Emory Rider, Cannon-street-Improvements in the manufacture or treatment of gutta percha, being improvements upon the invention secured to me by Letters Patent, dated the 20th day of July, 1852. 2867. Adam Bullough and William Bullough, Blackburn-Improve- 2868. Henry Genhart, Liège, Belgium-Improvements in fire-arms 2871. James Kinder Cheetham, Rochdale, Lancashire-Improve- 2872. William Edward Newton, 66, Chancery-lane-Improved processes for ornamenting metallic surfaces, and for producing surfaces in intaglio, or in relief, for printing purposes. (A communication.) Dated 4th December, 1856. 2873. Aimé Lecocq, France-Improvements in hydraulic engines. 2874. James Apperly and William Clissold, Dudbridge, Gloucestershire-Improved machinery for preparing fibrous substances for spinning. 2875. Louis Bayer, Soho-An improved stuffing to be used in place 2876. Isaac Livermore, 5, Shrubland-grove East, Queen's-road, Dal- 2879. Daniel Barnard and David Lichtenstadt, 29, High-street, 2880. John Simon Holland, Woolwich-Improvements in the manu- 2915. Joseph Lillie, Manchester, and Arthur Dobson, Belfast-Im- 2917. John Rawson, Bury-Improvements in lubricators. 2221. 2923. William Seggie Carr, New York-Improvements in waterclosets. Hector Mollet, Newlay, near Leeds-An improvement in fulling woven woollen fabrics. 2925. John Thornett, jun., New North-road-Improvements in gasburners. 2933. INVENTION WITH COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FILED. Louis Vignat, 3, Place des Victoires, Paris-A new slide beater with one or more shuttles applicable to any loom whatever for weaving all kinds of tissue.-11th of December, 1856. WEEKLY LIST OF PATENTS SEALED. 1522. Bevan George Sloper. 1525. William McAdam. 1557. Thomas Emmanuel Marais. 1774. John Macintosh. |