18'16.] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 513 



P. S. I rpceivod at tlie sarnn limp the following letter from M. Lebriin, peer of 

 Fiance, Uireclor of the roynl printing office, and of the Journal des Savans. 



Paris, March 17, 1846. 

 Sir: 1 have the honor to advise yon that, at my siipgeslion, his Kxopllency the 

 Keeper of the Seals (Minister of Jnstice) hasjiist <rranted to the National Instituto 

 a praluitous subscription to the "Journal des Savans," inchiding the volumes 

 published since 1st January, 1844. These numberB, and those to be published 

 hereafter, will be placed at your disposition, &c. r piiDTj^j 



The continuation of this important work, with that of the Bulletin de I'Academ is 

 des Sciences, and numbers of other important publications, of which but one copy 

 is to be disposed of in behalf of the United States, have been sent to me to be pre- 

 sented to the National Institute, &c. . y 



Fkancis Markoe, Jr. Esq., 



Corresponding Secretary of the National Institute, Washington. 



LETTER FROM Dr. MACGOWAN, PRESENTING VARIOUS ARTICLES 

 OF CHINESE MANUFACTURES. 



NiNGPO, October, 1845. 



Sir : I beg to transmit for the museum of the National Institute the accompany- 

 ing articles, to illustrate the slate of some of the manufactures of this part of the 

 Chinese empire. I purpose forwarding by some future opportunity a variety of 

 Feeds, with specimens of horticultural produce, with a, view to their introductioa 

 into the United States. I am, sir, respectfully, yours, 



D. J. MACGOWAN. 



P. S. Does the Institute publish a journal of its proceedings? If so, I should ba 

 glad to receive a copy. Address D, J. Macgowan, M. D., Ningpo, China. 



To F. Markoe, Jr., Esq. 



Corresponding Secretary of the National Institute, Washington, 



List. 



1. The common brick, used in the north of China for building purposes generally, 

 but especially for thin, ligiit walls. The groove on the upper surface receives a 

 bamboo rod, connected at each end to posts which extend from the ground to the 

 ceiling. They are well adapted for partitions in upper rooms, and in China are 

 chsuper than boards. 



2. The tile, used in the construction of thick walls. A aeries of hollow squares 

 are formed with them, which are filled up with earth and rubbish. 



3. The tile used for roofs. These articles aro all made from a ferruginous clay 

 which turns blue in burning. They are made of various sizes. 



4. Straw shoes and sandals — articles which, at some future day, if not now, 

 might be introduced into some parts of the Union. 



5. Specimens of Chinese cutlery — a pair of scissors, a razor, and some needles. 

 The first two articles are sold for between two and throe cents each. Twenty-four 

 of the latter are uold for a cent. 



6. Specimen of the grass twine in common use in China. 



7. A brush, of bamboo and hogs' bristles. 



8. Soap made from lard and a species of steatite. It possesses active detergent 

 properties, but ia employed only for cloth. 



9. Specimen of the candles made from the product of the tallow tree, (craton 

 tibiferum.) The size sent sells fur less than half a cent. The accompanying 

 candlestick is of the usual form. 



10. A Ciiincse lock and key ; cost but five cents each. 



Tim box will leavo Canton fur Now York probably in December, and will bo 

 forwarded to Washington by my irionds iu Now York. 



