MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 41 



that of the parties interested, reported that the invention was able to work 

 cheaper than horses ; that it was speedier, safer, more agreeable, and less in- 

 jurious TO roads than horses; and that it was subject to Prohibitory Tolls; 

 and the committee reported a Bill to make the tolls equal to those on horse 

 carriages, which Bill passed the Commons, but was rejected by the Lords. 



In 1834 Gurney again petitioned; another investigation took place, but 

 the case was laid over until 1835, when another committee resumed the sub- 

 ject, and a Bill was passed to relieve steam carriages from Prohibitory Tolls, 

 and to extend Gu nicy's patent, which had nearly expired. This Bill the 

 Lords rejected, in consequence of which the capitalists withdrew, and the 

 invention was left to the zeal of enthusiasts, who worked with little or no 

 hope of money, and who were easily crushed by the strong opposition of es- 

 tablished interests. 



It is remarked in the history of this invention, that it might have attained 

 the sanction of Parliament, and attained complete success, had there been a 

 company committed to no particular invention, yet controlling them all, 

 and adopting and combining what was best in all. The same remark, we 

 think, is now applicable to the invention as it stands in this country. And 

 we may add that the view of Fazey applies with greater force than it did 

 when the locomotive was undeveloped, and the competing steam carriage 

 plans were in some measure protected by patents. Capitalists will keep 

 aloof from it unless it is presented in such a condition that they may expect 

 a monopoly of the plans which they pay for perfecting and introducing. 

 They will not pay the extraordinary expenses of new machinery, and of 

 repeated partial failures, if, when they have shown that the general project is 

 economical, those who wish to use them can get their models copied at mere 

 workmen's prices, or run them down by the force of superior capital. 



Inventors usually are actuated by love of invention, and do not compre- 

 hend the motives of money-making men. They are also partial to their own 

 devices ; and, though not more selfish than other men, they are often at 

 variance with each other, and weaken themselves until they fall an easy 

 prey to the lowest class of capitalists. It appears that this invention has 

 heretofore failed from the division of those whose plans, if combined, would 

 have insured its success ; it is to be hoped their error will save the invention 

 from a like fate at this time, when it seems to be exciting renewed attention, 

 both here and in England. 



FEEDING OF STEA3I BOILERS BY METER. 



The owners of steam machinery are well aware that it is by no means an 

 uncommon occurrence for the shortcomings of one portion of their arrange- 

 ments to be unwittingly attributed to another and innocent department. In 

 this way, the engine and its boiler are often mixed up, as to their respective 

 merits and defects, very much to the confusion of their qualities, the perpet- 

 uation of uneconomical working, and the betrayal of the confidence of the 

 employer. 



Every steam boiler and every engine ought to stand for itself; and each 

 must support its o\vn individual credit. What goes on in the steam cylinder 



4.* 



