64 



made in the United States by eminent chemists, that it is unnecessary to repeat 

 them here, it being presumed ihey aie well known at home ; I will only remarii 

 that Mr. Mushet's results are strikingly coincident with them, Mr. Mushet is con- 

 aiJered as amongst the very highest authorities in all matters relating to coal and 

 iron. " The specimen of coal sent is the very best bituminous coal I ever saw. 

 I should consider it well adapted to iron making. It contains, and will form as 

 much weight of coke, from a given quantity, as the best South Wales furnace 

 coals. Composed of gas, 18.400 ; pure coal, 79.968 ; fawn colored ashes, 1.632 

 = 100.000." 



[After the above notes were entered in my journal, I was enabled to procure the 

 following additional analyses, which I have thought it proper to incorporate in this 

 paper, viz : 



The Welsh coals have always been preferred for working the celebrated Cornwall 

 steam engines, and it has been suggested that their superiority and extraordinary 

 performances may be attributed, in no small degree, to the nature of the fuel. I 

 shall, however, touch but lightly on this matter at present, reserving the whole 

 subject of British coals for a future paper, if I should find the leisure to enter on so 

 important an investigation. 



December I3ih. — Left Pontypool at 10 o'clock in the morning for Newport, 

 on my return to Bristol. Newport is a fine large town, the rival of Cardiff, and 

 the port of Monmouthshire. It is from this place a large portion of the railway iron 

 for the United States is shipped. They are building a large dock and basin that 

 will greatly facilitate trade when finished. The roadstead is very good for this part 

 of the coast. 



After leaving Newport, passed through Chepston, a very interesting old town, 

 the Episcopal capital of the see of LlandalT. A very elegant cast iron bridge spans 

 the river, over which we passed immediately after leaving Cheslon. The ride 

 from Pontypool to Bristol is through a truly beautiful country ; crossed the 

 rirer Severn in a steamboat about 10 miles from Bristol, which reached at 7 o'clock 

 in the evening. 



Deeemher 14//(. — Devoted this day to looking through Bristol, and visiting, 

 among other matters of interest, the mammoth iron steam-ship, now on the stocks, 

 intended for the New York trade. She is 280 feet long on the keel ; 330 on the 

 upper deck, and is calculated for 3,00i) tons burden. • Her engines 1,000 horse 

 power, and Bhe is to be propelled by the Archimedean screw, placed on the keel 

 in the stern. The screw is composed of three helices, is 12 feet long, and about 

 4 feet diameter. 



The advantages of this arrangement are supposed to be very great, and to con- 



