On the Motion of Bodies affected by Friction. 4f 



not be the least curious part of the hnmense collection of in- 

 genious mechanism ot which tlieir premises can boast. They 

 are not intended for the steam engine, but to supersede the 

 necessity of applying fire directly to their two large boilers, 

 each of which are of the co;itents of about 800 barrels. 

 They are in future to be heated by steam, sent into them 

 from these new boilers ; which will not only prevent the 

 wear to which the coppers are exposed by the usual practice, 

 which costs a large sum of money yearly, but, it is ex- 

 pected, will produce a large saving in fuel. 



We understand also, that when these boilers are finished 

 Messrs. Meux mean to have one constructed for their steam 

 engine. Indeed, if these boilers shall b-j found to answer 

 the purposes expected from them, and we can see no reason 

 to induce us to doubt of their success, it will occasion a 

 complete change in numerous departments of arts and 

 manufactures, in which steam and the heat that may be ob- 

 tained from it are, or may be, advantageously employed*. 



VI. On the Motion of Bodies affected hij Friction. By the 

 Rev. Samuel Vince, A. M. of Cambridge. Communi- 

 cated by Anthony Shepherd, D. D. F. R. S. Plumiart 

 Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at 

 Cambridge-^. Read November 25, ]784. 



J. HE subject of the paper which I have now the honour 

 of presenting to the Royal Society, seems to be of a very 

 considerable importance both to the practical mechanic and 

 to the speculative philosopher; to the former, as a know- 

 Icdfre of the laws and quantity of the friction of bodies in 

 moUon upon each other will enable him at first to render 

 his machines more perfect, and save him m a great measure 

 the trouble of correcting them by trials ; and to the latter, 

 as those laws will furnish him with principles for his the- 

 ory, which when established by experiments will render 

 his conclusions applicable to the real motion of bodies upon 

 each other. But, however important a part of mechanics 

 this subject may constitute, and however, I'rom its obvious 

 uses, it might have been expected to have claimed a very 

 considerable attention both from the meclianic and philo- 

 sopher, yet it has, of all the other parts of this branch of 

 natural philosophy, been the most neglected. The law by 



♦ Mr, Voolf has adoj.tcd lot the door of his furnace Mi. Robcrton's 

 invcmion for consuming smoke, which we have thcrefon; not described, 

 having k'^'*" ^ ^"1^ account of it in our eUvcnth volume. 



+ From the Philosorliicul Transactigii •, vol. l.\x". . _ 



which 



