212 Description of Messrs. Monteith and Co.'s 



in 1818, under the direction of Mr. George Ridger, senior, 

 manager of the works. It consists of sixteen of these engines 

 beautifully constructed, placed in one range in subdivisions of 

 four ; the spaces between each set serving as passages to admit 

 the workmen readily to the back of the press. Each subdivision 

 occupies twenty-five feet ; whence the total length of the appa- 

 ratus is one hundred feet. 



To each press is attached a pair of patterns in lead, {or plates 

 as they are called,) the manner of forming' which will be 

 described in the sequel. One of these plates is fixed to the 

 upper block of the press. This block is so contrived that it 

 turns on a kind of universal joint, which enables this plate to 

 apply more exactly to the under plate. The latter rests on the 

 moveable part of the press, commonly called the sill. When 

 this is forced up the two patterns close on each other veiy 

 nicely by means of guide-pins at the corners, fitted with the 

 utmost care. 



The power which impels this great hydrostatic range is 

 placed in a separate apartment, called the machinery -room. 

 This machinery consists of two cylinders of a peculiar con- 

 struction, having cylindric pistons accurately fitted to them. 

 To each of these cylinders three little force-pumps, worked by 

 a steam-engine, are connected. 



The piston of the larger cylinder is eight inches in diameter, 

 and is loaded with a top-weight of five tons. This piston can 

 be made to rise about two feet through a leather stuffing or 

 collar. The other cylinder has a piston of only one inch in 

 diameter, which is also loaded with a top-weight of five tons. 

 It is capable, like the other, of being raised two feet through 

 its collar. 



Supposing the pistons to be at their lowest point, four of the 

 six small force-pumps are put in action by the steam-engine, 

 two of them to raise the large piston, and two the little one. 

 In a short time, so much water is injected into the cylinders, 

 that the loaded pistons have arrived at their highest points. 

 They are now ready for working the hydrostatic discharge- 

 presses, the water pressure being conveyed from the one apart- 



