llti Some Ohservutions on Steam-Engines. 



of the Govexnment ; since the consequence would he little even 

 were the coins continued as they are. However, the moneys of 

 account might be altered amongst the commercial world them- 

 selves, without any inconvenience, as making the guinea the luiit, 

 and dividing it into 10, 100, and 1000 parts, by a similar decimal 

 division as that contained in tiie weights and' measures. With 

 regard to dry measure, that might be regulated by the liquid 

 measure, retaining the same dimensions ; thus, the bushel con- 

 taining 10 gallons, or 3913-047 cubic inches, or 100 cubical 

 pendulums; and other decimal divisions in proportion. 



Should this article meet your acceptance, I shall take the li- 

 berty of offering you a further communication on the subject; in 

 which, however, I shall confine myself to a review of the bill now 

 in the committee of the House of Commons. In recommending 

 this to your protection, 

 I am, sir, 



Your very obedient servant, 



August 7, 1815. ' R, 'W. 



XXIV. Some Observations on Steam-Engines; with a Talle of 

 Work done by certain Engines in Cor7iwall, from August 

 1811 to May \S\b,loth Months inclusive: showing the 

 monthly Consumption of Coals by the Engines reported; the 

 Number of Pounds of Water If ted one Foot high by the 

 Coals consumed; and the average Work performed by each 

 Bushel of Coals, expressed in Pounds of Water lifted one 

 Foot high. 



In the year 181 1^ a number of the respectable proprietors of the 

 valuable tin and copper mines in Cornwall resolved to have the 

 real work ascertained whicli their respective steam-engines were 

 performing, as it was suspected that some of them might not be 

 doing duty adequate to the consumption of fuel ; and for the greater 

 certainty of attaining their object it was agreed that a coun- 

 ter should be attached to each engine*, and all the engines be 

 put under the superintendance of some respectable and compe- 

 tent engineer, who should report monthly the following partieu- 

 lais in columns: viz. 

 ' The name of the mine ^ -the size of the working cylinder; 



* The counter is a train of wheels, working like clock-work, commonly 

 attached to the beam in such a manner that every stroke made by the en- 

 gine moves one tooth, so that the index tells how many strokes have been 

 made since last examined. This is so shut up ia a bos that no person can 

 get at it but the one intrusted with the key. 



whether 



