MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 17 



were also a circlet of diamonds ; necklaces and bracelets and stomach- 

 ers studded with brilliants ; and a brooch and pendant, the central orna- 

 ments of which were two enormous rubies. Near these gems was a 

 display of jewels, prepared for the Emperor of Hayti, of great beauty ; 

 and models of the crown, sceptre, state-swords, &c. 



AMERICAN vs. ENGLISH LOCKS. 



ONE of the most interesting incidents connected with the Great Exhi- 

 bition, was the so-called " Lock Controversy," carried on between Mr. 

 Hobbs, agent of Day & Newell's parautoptic bank locks, and Messrs. 

 Chubb and Braniah, manufacturers of the most celebrated English locks. 

 As a test of the comparative merits of the English and American locks, 

 Mr. Hobbs proposed to Messrs. Chubb and Braniah, that an opportunity 

 should be afforded him to try his skill in an attempt to pick or open 

 their respective locks, which were considered and represented to be 

 perfectly secure against the skill of all burglars ; Mr. Hobbs, on his 

 part, agreeing to afford to any person ample time and opportunity to 

 open Day & Xewell's locks, by any means, without resorting to violence. 

 A trial was, therefore, made, in the presence of a committee, first upon 

 a lock recently placed by Messrs. Chubb on the door of the vaults of the 

 State-Paper office . The lock having been examined, and found to be fairly 

 locked, Mr. Hobbs produced from his waistcoat pocket two or three small 

 and simple-looking tools, and proceeded to work. Within twenty-five 

 minutes from the time of commencing, the bolt of the lock flew back, and 

 the door was opened. It was then suggested by one of the gentlemen 

 present, that Mr. Hobbs should turn the bolt back again, and lock the 

 door ; it being a " detecter " lock, it was considered that he would be 

 unable to accomplish this feat. In less than ten minutes, however, the 

 door was again locked. No injury whatever was done to the interior 

 of the lock, and no traces were to be seen of its having been picked. 



Mr. Hobbs was then challenged by Messrs. Bramah to experimentalize 

 on what have been styled their impregnable locks, and was promised a 

 forfeit of 200 if he should succeed in opening it. In order that the 

 trial might be fairly made, commissioners were appointed to decide upon 

 it, and thirty clear days were granted by Messrs. Bramah to Mr. Hobbs 

 for his operation. Mr. Hobbs went to work, but, in a few days, sus- 

 pended his operations, alleging the weakness of his instruments. As 

 soon as others had been prepared, he desired to continue his attempt ; 

 but to this Messrs. Braniah objected. The commissioners, however, 

 interfered ; and Mr. Hobbs resumed his labors, and shortly picked and 

 opened the lock. 



No attempt, however, was made to pick the lock of Messrs. Day & 

 Newell, although a reward of one hundred guineas was offered to the 

 person who should succeed in picking it. 



At a meeting of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, of Great 

 Britain, a paper was read by Mr. Hodge, a well known engineer, upon 

 locks and their construction ; in which he fully demonstrated that 



Messrs. Day & Ne well's lock was the only one which could not be 



i j J J 



picked. 



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