1864. | Introduction. 21 
cylinder of a low-pressure engine, working in conjunction with the 
former, and thence through the surface-condensing apparatus back into 
the boiler in the form of heated distilled water, thus practically work- 
ing two distinct engines. * 
These are but two of the improvements which have been introduced. 
into a single branch of mechanical science, and if our space allowed it, 
we might touch upon many others in its various sections. We could 
speak of the advances in railway travelling, especially over short 
distances, and underground, instancing the Metropolitan Railway, with 
its convenient carriages, excellent system of lighting and signalling, 
and consequently the comparative safety with which the trains pass to 
and fro. We might refer to the introduction of coal-cutting machinery, 
which will, we trust, one of these days, put an end to the destruction 
of human beings under the most terrible circumstances that can be 
conceived ; to the improvements in machinery for the utilization of 
hitherto waste products, and new substances, and which along with 
others already named, could not in their turn be accomplished but for 
the employment of improved forms of iron, such as the cheaper steels 
and semi-steels, homogeneous metal, malleable cast-iron, &c.; but our 
readers must be content with these passing remarks on the progress 
of Mechanical Science, and pass on with us to the last subject 
which demands our notice, and without which our work would be 
far from complete. 
We now refer, not to any special branch of science or human 
industry, but to the progress of scientific education, and that chiefly in 
our own country. 
Whether this be effected by means of Philosophical Institutions for 
the middle and higher classes ; in the University Lecture Hall for 
students, or through the machinery of the Science and Art Department 
of the State ; it is entitled to, and will receive, our earnest consideration ; 
and as far as the nature of our work admits, a warm support will be 
accorded to Science instructors of every rank and station; indeed it 
will be our earnest desire, however limited may be our influence, to 
promote the welfare of all scientific men, from the most illustrious 
observer, to the humblest labourer in the fields of Science. 
And now, conscious that in this extended but hasty survey, we must 
have said much that is open to doubt and criticism, and left unsaid 
* Of the two steamers ‘ Hibernian’ and ‘ Bohemian,’ both of which are about 
the same tonnage, plying between Liverpool and Canada, the former is fitted 
with a surface-condenser, but not the latter. The former consumes 44 tons of 
coals per day, and makes 123 knots per hour; the latter requires 55 tons per 
day, and steams only 11 knots per hour. 
+ Concerning which, some valuable information will be found in the present 
number of our Journal, 
