receive a Prize Medal at the late International Exhibition, yet it is worthy of the most flattering consideration. The peculiar advantages of Wood's machines, compared with M'Cormick's last invention, were fairly tested on a special occasion; but it seems, from the report, that the latter was awarded superior merit. The Mower was highly successful in France in 1860, at the only trial of grass mowers ever held under the auspices of the imperial government; and, at that period, it received the "Grand Gold Medal of Honour," as the most complete machine on trial, either native or foreign; also, a gold medal and 1,000 francs, as the best foreign machine.

A "Reaping and Mowing Machine" was exhibited by Messrs. Russell & Tremain, of New York, but it failed to receive any especial commendation. Kirby's "Patent Combined Mower and Reaper," and his "Single Mower," received "honourable mention." The following is a description of the peculiar advantages of Kirby's improvement, viz. :—

"The peculiar features are an independent action between the driving-wheel and finger-bar when mowing, so that they may each follow their own ground, and each play up and down independently of the other. The driver's seat is so pivoted over the driving-wheel, that the weight of the driver balances the weight of the frame and the downward pressure on the horses' necks, and throws the whole upon the driving-wheel, thus adding to the power of the wheel, and materially lightening the draught of the machine. It has an adjustable overhanging reel, used in either mowing or reaping, or not, as desired, and a revolving track-clearer, which spreads the grass evenly. By means of a lever at the side of the driver, either or both ends of the cutting apparatus may be lifted to pass obstructions, or move from field to field."

It will be observed, from the brief sketch that we have given of this important invention, that M'Cormick has won unfading laurels in the production of his great "Reaper," and that agriculturists throughout the world have been most singularly blessed by this new stride in mechanics.

During the Exhibition period, M'Cormick's and other reapers were tested at Preston. The competitors were equally sanguine of success, and each anxiously aspired for the premium medal. The programme for the trials was impartially arranged; and, in its execution, each exhibitor endeavoured to honourably merit the reward for superiority. The grain was very heavy, and the surface of the ground traversed by the machines was calculated to fully test the utility of the inventions for general adoption by agriculturists. All were equally circumstanced, and each was impartially manipulated. M'Cormick was triumphant! His improved Reaper achieved a great success, and was recognised as a climax of agricultural invention.

Subsequent to the Preston trial, M'Cormick distanced his competitors at the International Exhibition held at Lille, France. There, too, his Reaper won the Great Gold Medal for superiority. Machines from England and other parts of the world were brought to the Exhibition to compete for the French honour, and they were fairly tried upon the fertile plains near Lille. The result was decidedly in favour of M'Cormick's machine in every respect. At the Hamburg International Exhibition, he was honoured with the Great Gold Medal, "for the practical introduction and improvement of the Reaping Machine." This was the only Gold Medal awarded to an American; and was one of the twelve distributed for the most useful inventions or improvements exhibited. The M'Cormick Reaper has attained a permanent position as a successful agricultural implement in both hemispheres; and, for the future, it will be as essential to farmers as the shovel and the hoe. It is in use

throughout the civilised world, and universally recognised as the greatest laboursaving machine that has been devised during this most eventful century.

Fig. 1.

WASHING AND WRINGING MACHINES.-These singular domestic inventions have attained great perfection in economising labour, and in saving garments from the severe wear and tear so common to their cleansing by the rubbing process, heretofore practised. These machines squeeze the cloth, and expel from it the water and its dirty particles. The principle of washing by the machine is very similar to that performed by manual labour. The twisting or wringing of clothes by the hand, stretches or breaks the fibres; but the machine does not affect the thread; and, in fact, a piece of paper may be pressed nearly dry without producing the least tear. Of the machines exhibited, there were Sanborn's patent "Clothes Wringer, Starcher, and Mangler;" and C. E. Gray's "Little Giant Wringer, Washer, and Mangler." The two inventions, although not dissimilar in their operations, are quite different in their mechanical construction. For effectiveness and simplicity, Gray's patent has unquestionably the advantage. Figs. 1 and 2 are illustrations of his machine; the former representing it attached to

a tray, as in process of wringing; and the latter shows its peculiar construction.

A A represent a horizontal wooden bar, each end of which rests upon the edge of

Fig. 2.

C

B

Be

a tray or tub, or across the corner of a table, to which it may be as easily fastened for mangling or starching; B B are solid india-rubber rollers, between which the clothes are made to pass; CC are galvanised iron levers, which hold the rollers in position; D is the handle by which the rollers are moved; E E are the rods which secure the machine to the tray, tub, or table, and are lengthened or shortened ad libitum, by means of a screw thread in the upper end; F F are the india-rubber springs, which

E

hold the two sections of the levers, and regulate their action upon the material points between the rollers; through their agency the pressure is equalised, so that a small or bulky article is acted upon by very nearly the prime weight. All the iron parts of Gray's machine are coated with composition metal that does not rust; and, besides, it prevents softening of the india-rubber. Mr. Gray has attained perfection in the invention of a wringer; and, ere long, his machine will be regarded as one of the necessary articles of domestic service; while we are confident that it will be found economical, with respect to labour and the wear of clothing. The price of the machine is only 17s. 6d., and is sold by Messrs. Bostwick &

Co., 67, Blackman-street, Borough, London; who are the proprietors of the patent for the United Kingdom.

MANCUR'S COMPOUND SPRING SCALE.-This exceedingly novel contrivance was perhaps the most simple of the useful inventions exhibited in the American Court. The annexed figure represents one of the scales, gauged for two classes of measurement. The large ring and hook are employed when the article to be weighed is heavy, and the small ring and hook when it is light. The Scales are held in the hand by the ring, and the article to be weighed is attached to the hook: when suspended, the weight will open the circular or elliptical steel spring; and, as it opens, the pointer rises to the numeral indicating the weight of the article. These Scales have been carefully proved, and found to be most singularly correct, equalling the Roman balance. Each elliptic spring is practically tested and gauged, in conformity with the elasticity of the metal, which is tempered by a recently disco process. By this new and important discovery the metal is matically prepared to present a given resistance or elastici all climates. They are neatly constructed; and a

091

140

120

.ing

!

200 lbs. is sold for the small sum of five shillings! Although only a short time has elapsed (June, 1863) since they were introduced to the British public, upwards of 18,000 have already been sold. They were exhibited by the proprietor, Mr. E. Mancur; and are on sale by J. A. Brown & Co., 11, Cullum-street, London.

BROWN'S LOCKETS AND JEWELLERY.-It was said by people of olden times, that "it was not all gold that glittered." There never was a more correct saying; and its

truth is evidenced by Mr. Brown's new style of jewellery, exhibited in a case represented by the annexed illustration. These watch and miniature cases are manufactured and sold for almost nominal sums, notwithstanding their golden armour defies detection by acids; and they wear for many years. The inferior metal is thickly plated with 16-carat gold; and the articles manufactured therefrom, retain their original beauty in defiance of the rough usage of the hand of time. These superior goods are sold by the manufacturers, J. A. Brown & Co., 11, Cullum-street, London.

BLAKE'S STONE-CRUSHING MACHINE was another of the extraordinary labour saving inventions exhibited in the American department. The mechanism of this novel apparatus was exceedingly simple, and easy to be worked. The stone was placed between two iron grooved plates, which opened and closed upon it, and at each pressing it broke into pieces. These plates were adjusted to break a stone of any desired size. The machine will be found useful in all countries where there are macadamised roads, as it can crush the boulder or other stone to the size required, as "metal" for the road. It has been most favourably received in France, Russia, and other countries. It was exhibited by Mr. L. A. Bigelow, of Boston.

Besides the mechanical contrivances mentioned in the foregoing, there were exhibited, in this department, many others of considerable novelty; among which were the Cow Milker, California Pump, Gore's Belt Shifter, Emory's Cotton Gin, and Chickering's Piano. The Cow Milker attracted much attention; and it is a matter of infinite credit to the Americans, that this was, probably, the only "Yankee trick" presented on the occasion from their great country.

:

CHAPTER IV.

THE COURTS AND GALLERIES OF GREAT BRITAIN.

SOUTH-EAST GALLERIES.-According to the method announced (p. 42), we have noticed the leading characteristics of the South Courts, which were occupied by British exhibitors; to which, having reference to the order of arrangement in the building, we have added the Court occupied by the United States. In further pursuing this portion of the plan, our sketch must necessarily be brief and general, to afford the greater space to "review the whole collection in classes, having special reference to the work of comparison." Our visitor will therefore now hastily pass along the Galleries corresponding with the area we have already traversed. These Galleries were principally occupied with the textile fabrics of the United Kingdom; with cotton goods; flax and hemp; silk and velvet; woollen, worsted, and mixed goods; carpets, in the manufacture of which our country has greatly improved since 1851; woven, spun, felted, and laid fabrics, shown as specimens of printing and dyeing; tapestry, lace, and embroidery. In this department Ireland held a proud position, for richness of design and fineness of work; promising, at no distant day, to equal, if not to surpass, Brussels and Valenciennes. Spitalfields, Coventry, and Paisley here displayed productions of the greatest elegance, and ingenuity of design and execution, as much admired by our foreign visitors as ourselves. Scotland was specially rich in her tartans and hosiery; of which, one specimen was shown containing 1,060 diamonds, and in the manufacture of which no less than forty-two threads were used. Scotland, also, is successfully devoting attention to the manufacture of jute, of which numerous specimens were shown in the Dundee Case, where the manufacture is conducted with great activity. Clothing, also, was here represented, in boots and shoes, hats and bonnets, and the most exquisite dresses for ladies and gentlemen; the robes of the clergy, and the secular trappings of the laity. But we must not anticipate the description due to all these things in their proper classes.

NORTH-EAST COURTS AND GALLERIES.-A large portion of the North-Eastern Courts was filled with furniture, which will come under notice in Class XXX. Entering these Northern Courts from the Central Avenue, the visitor found himself in the Court filled with "musical instruments, and that of all sorts." Here were to be seen and heard all the recent improvements in organs, pianos, harmoniums, violins, drums, Eolian harps, brass instruments (as the cornet-a-piston, with the champion valves),

X

flutes in wood and metal, concertinas, and all our national instruments for producing the "concert of sweet sounds." One great advantage offered in this Court, was the opportunity of marking the progress of improvement in a variety of instruments, from the earliest to the present time. Thus, in flutes, Messrs. Clinton showed some of the earliest, rising by gradual stages to their Eight-keyed Metal Flute, with new key mechanism designed for tropical climates. There was, also, a series from the old harpsichord, in which the strings are twanged by quills, to the iron grand piano of Broadwood, and their successful rivals.

The Courts of China, Japan, and the Ionian Islands adjoined our Music Court. The former two, by an act of welcome, trespass on our British domains. It was very gratifying to have such an excellent opportunity to examine the productions of the two foreign nations with whom we are now acquiring a growing intimacy, and an increasing commerce. The most remarkable object in this curiosity-shop was a human skull, mounted in gold, and alleged to be the skull of Confucius. As the historical veracity of Chinese antiquaries is not in the very highest estimation, the name assigned to this respectable cranium is not likely to impose much on the public credulity: it was certainly the most respectable the Chinese authorities could have selected for this very noble "dome of thought." Among the varieties shown in this collection there was very little of novelty, though there was much to call for admiration in the numerous exquisite specimens of carved works, of which the principal was the Screen taken from behind the emperor's throne in the Summer Palace.

The collection from Japan was, in many respects, more interesting than that from China, and served to sustain and enhance the favourable estimate we had previously formed of Japanese productions. Those who had formerly seen only the lacquered work, known as Japan ware, must have been much surprised at the large varieties of beautiful, rich, and well-executed works with which this little Court abounded. The porcelain vases, jars, bowls, grotesque figures, and egg-shell china; the bronzes, mirrors, and models; the intaglios and medallions; the arms and armour, including a shirt and cap of mail; the swords, bows and arrows; the paper, silk, crape, and cotton exhibited, all served to prove that the Japanese had attained a high degree of civilisation. Some insight into the science and literature of this interesting people, was afforded by their Quadrant and Sun-dial, a Pedometer, a Clock, Thermometer, and Telescope; an Encyclopædia, and several illustrated works on natural history. The so-called "Rice-glass," in this Court, excited no little sensation among those who imagined the glass to be what its name implied. The "Rice-glass" is composed of the same elements as any other glass-soda and silica; the latter being an important element of the husks of rice or wheat, or oats, all of which have siliceous coverings. To many persons, the most interesting objects in this Court were the two spotless solid Spheres of Crystal, from the "Holy Mountain" in Japan, remarkable alike for their transparent purity and their perfection of form.

As much interest is now taken in the silks of Japan (which will probably, ere long, form an important article of commerce with Europe and the western world), we here introduce an important notice which Mr. Robert Hunt has given, on the