298^ NlJW BEACON. Nov. I. 



Ohjervations oh the foregoing by the Editor. 



The utility of an undertaking of the kind above-mentinned, i* 

 too obvious to need farther illuftration. All that is wanted is, 

 that perfons who are judges fliould infpett the model, and 

 give a public report, which I have no doubt they will 

 foon do. Being myfelf fully perfuaded of the utility of the 

 plan, and the candouf as well as abilities of Mr Brodie, I beg 

 leave to teftify my approbation of it, by contributing my mite 

 of half a guinea, which fluU be paid when demanded, agreeable 

 to the propofals. 



I beg leave jufl to fuggefl one thing, Which ought 

 to be adverted to at prefent, lell perhaps it might come too 

 late if delayed till another occafion. As the trouble of erediing. 

 the beacon will be very confiderable, it is of great confequence 

 that the materials of which it is made fliould be of the moft 

 lading kind that can be found. Both oak and fir, ia 

 the fituation here propofed, very foon decay. Larix feems to 

 be the only wood that grows in our northern hemifphcre^ 

 that is capable of refifting the weather for a length of time 

 in this expofed fituation, and confequently that is the wood' 

 which fliould be provided for this purpofe. It may be had in 

 logs of any fize wanted by commiflioning it from Dantzick;. 

 and no time fliould be loft to order it on this occafion- 



The following faft, which I had from a gentleman of vera- 

 city, clearly fliows the fuperiority of larix to oak in this fitua- • 

 tion. The owners of decoys in Lincolnfliire, finding it necef. 

 fary to ftretch nets over the water by means of flakes fixed 

 in the fliallow^ fea, are put to a great expence for wood for the' 

 llakes ; one of ihefe was advifcd fome years ago to try larix 

 wood for this purpofe. Me accordingly put alternate flakes 

 of larix and oak- My informant allured ine, that at the timfi 

 lie mentioned it, two lets of oak piles had been wafted, and the 

 larix remained firm. How much longer it may rema'm, it 

 is impoffible to fay. 



One hint more : — The power of coal tar to preferve wood* 

 from ceiTuption, is now eilabliflied upon the moft undeniable 

 evidence. Care ought therefore to be taken to have the wood 

 as fully impregnated with this as pollible, by ftewing it, if it. 

 can be done, in hot coal tar before it be erected. All parts 

 of the iron woik fliould likewlfe be dipt in coal tar while 

 hot, as this gives it a power of refifting the weather, jnd 

 thereby keeping free from ruft, much more powerfully thaa 

 any other preparation that has ever yet been difcovercd. 



