226 



THE C:iVII> ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[JtjyK,' 



the surface of the wagon boiler for the absorption of the heat pro- 

 duced from equal weights of fuel in the samo time. The result of this dis- 

 cordant practice is a loss by the locomotive of l-3rd of the heat which is 

 realized in tlie Wagon boiler ; that the rate of evaporation from equal surfaces 

 is augmented by the locomotive by G') per cent., so that the increase of evapo- 

 rative power is attended by a sacrifice of 3.3 per cent, of fuel. 



The locomotive possesses peculiar advantages in the thinness of the metal 

 composing the tubes, and the subdivision of the heat, but these are more than 

 neutralized by the exceedingly short period of duration of the heat, from any 

 given quantity of fuel about the boiler. This most important subject of time 

 is discussed in a series of propositions based on the following principles : — 

 The structure of the boiler and its mode of setting occasion the heat to travel 

 greater or less distances, and over very unequal extents of surface in equal 

 times, and the value of time will be appreciated by referring it to the rate of 

 combustion, to the distance passed over by the products of combustion before 

 they quit the boiler, the time in which the heat traverses the boiler, and to the 

 period of the duration of the beat about equal areas of surface. These remark- 

 able elements give rise to eleven propositions, which are fully discussed and 

 illustrated by tabulated results. The peculiar action which takes place on the 

 metal of the boilers is indicated by the phrase intcnsili/ of the calonfic action, 

 since there are involved many actions which are entirely independent of the 

 temperature of the fire. The relations furnished by some of these proposi- 

 tions are facts as regards the relative action of the fires, and furnish appropriate 

 measures of the effects of different systems of practice on the durability of the 

 boiler. 



The preceding abstract having been read, Mr. Parkes remarked there were 

 so many elements to be taken into consideration — the evaporation was affected 

 by so many circumstances — there were so many things left untold — that he 

 hoped some of the many who were capable of experiments would give their 

 assistance. Every day's work was an experiment which ought to be carefully 

 registered. He had great difficulties on many points, particularly with respect 

 to the locomotive boiler and the thinness of the heat-absorbing surface. It 

 had been stated on a preceding evening that Dr. Ure had proved, if two 

 vessels of equal size, the one of thin and the other thick metal, be placed in a sand 

 bath, there will be more water evaporated in a given time by the thicker than by 

 the thinner vessel. This was very extraordinary, since he thought that "25 per 

 cent, would be lost in the locomotive boiler if the tubes were of double the thick- 

 ness. The effect of thicknessof the material was evident in the experiments which 

 every boy has made with the paper boilers over a candle. The real cause of 

 the destruction of boilers is the application of heat to thick surfaces. Another 

 subject of peculiar importance is the temperature at which the heat leaves the 

 boiler and enters the chimney. lie had made experiments on this at War- 

 wick, and proved that he could not boil the water in a vessel at the top 

 of a chimney 60 feet high; the temperature never exceeded 180° Kahrt. It 

 was argued that more of this heat could not be used, but the Cornish en- 

 gineers had shown that to be an error, having surpassed his results. 



Another subject is the constant loss of heat by radiation ; he had attempted 

 to ascertain this with Mr. Wicksteed ; the boilers at Old Ford were covered 

 with cinders, so that but little radiation would take pi ce but from the 

 front or bed ; still the quantity of heat which goes off is considerable, and one 

 great source of waste. They had observed with great care the quantity of coal 

 requisite to keep the boiler hot ; this would furnish some measure of the loss 

 due to radiation. 



lilochs for Jialhcdija. 

 The attention of the meeting having been called to M. D'Harcourt's arti- 

 ficial granite for railways, blocks, and other purposes, Mr. Kastrick remarked 

 that he had about a month ago laid down blocks of the .Scotch Asphaltc, two 

 feet square, on a portion of the Southampton Radway. The sleeper was put 

 in while the block was formed. It was usual to bore holes and to fix the 

 chairs by bolts ; he had wished to ascertain how far the blocks would stand 

 the driving in of the bolts, without any boring ; they bore this without any 

 apparent injury, and he thought these blocks, weighing about 3J cwt. would 

 answer the purpose better than blocks of other materials. 



ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECT.S. 



licport of the Council, presented at the Ajmnnl General Meetinij, held the 

 Ml of May, 1839. 



At the expiration of another year of active exertion, and they trust of use- 

 fulness, the Council appear before their professional brethren to render an 

 account of the manner in which they liave endeavoured to fulfil the many and 

 important duties which have devolved upon them ; and to take a review of 

 those occurrences connected with the Institute and the art, which have marked 

 the past twelve months. They have the satisfaction of stating, that tlie 

 Institute has proceeded quietly but firmly in their course, drawing the atten- 

 tion of the members to new sources of information ; arousing a spirit of 

 investigation ; extending the foreign correspondence ; and drawing more 

 closely the bonds of mutual intelligence and good-will with their foreign 

 brethren on the cor.tinent. Thus, it is to be hoped, entitling themselves to 

 fresh confidence in the public estimation. 



Most satisfactory proofs have been received from distant parts of the useful 

 tenden&y of these exertions and of the propriety of these principles, which 

 have guided the members in their proceedings. The architects in Dublin are 

 now engaged in forming an Institute for the sister kingdom, and have applied 

 to the Council for their advice and co-opcralion. Upon the suggestion of 

 the Royal Institute of Fine Arts at Naples, the Neapolitan Government have 

 caused to be printed the rules and regulations of this Institute, as well as the 



proceedings of the opening meeting in I83J, together with the series of 

 questions issued for the guidance of correspondents. These questions have 

 also been printed in the annals of the American Institute of New York, and 

 two editions have appeared in German, published at Hamburgh and in Vienna 

 — those connected with architecture in both hemispheres, will therefore be 

 pursuing their in()uiries upon the same uniform system of investigation. In 

 America an attempt was made to emulate the purposes of our society by hold- 

 ing annual meetings of the architects, alternately in the leading cities of the 

 United States. But the remote distances at which the architects live, and 

 their comparatively small number, scattered over that immense territory, 

 presented difficulties, which, in spite of their enthusi.ism for the cause, obliged 

 them after two meetings to defer carrying out theirjobject to a more favourable 

 period. 



The Council have observed, with considerable interest, that a society has 

 been established at Oxford for promoting the study of Gothic architecture, so 

 as to provide for the euliivationof correct architectural taste, particularly among 

 the clergy, whose influence is naturally and justly so great in the selection of 

 designs for erecting new churches, or in the preservation of old ones. The 

 Council cannot but hope that the time is not far distant v\-hen general archi- 

 tecture may form one of the courses in the University education, and be con- 

 sidered as necessary an attainment and accomplishment to the gentleman and 

 scholar, as those branches of literature and abstract science which now occupy 

 the hours of the studious in tltese seats of classic learning. 



Amidst the political diflieulties naturally incident to an infant state emerg- 

 ing from the slavery of centuries, and with discordant principles of different 

 habits and distinct interests, it is gratifying to remark that an Archeological 

 .Society has been established at Athens under the auspices of the Government. 

 Their purpose is to promote excavations, to preserve the ancient edifices from 

 further degradation, and to pursue those fresh enquiries, to which recent dis- 

 coveries of monuments, or renewed observations upon those alre.idy known, 

 may give rise. That society has forwarded to this Institute a series of their 

 Ephemeris, containing their investigations, copies of the inscriptions, and re- 

 presentations of sculptured fragments recently brought to light. It is satisfac- 

 tory to observe the accuracy with which these subjects are rendered, and the 

 sound spirit of criticism and investigation with which these erudite researches 

 are pursued. Through the medium of the secretary of the Institute a class of 

 subscribers to that society has been commenced in England ; and it is hoped 

 that all who feel an interest in Greek antiquities, will promote by their con- 

 tributions the investigation of subjccis, which Englishmen have already so 

 materially advanced by their learned researches, and rendered familiar by their 

 accurate and superb illustrations. 



Shortly after the last annual meeting a proposition was made by the Archi- 

 tectural Society, to consider the expediency and practicability of a union of 

 the two societies. Committees were mutually appointed, who agreed unani- 

 mously upon a scheme for the incorporation of the two bodies. This was 

 approved at a general meeting of the Institute, but negatived by the other 

 society — a result much regretted by the Council, as they feel that the interests 

 of the art and of the profession would have been most effectually promoted by 

 amalgamating the whole body of the profession, and concentrating those 

 exertions for the benefit of architecture, which are less efficient when divided. 

 The Council instance with satisfaction a remarkable testimony borne to the 

 soundness of these views taken by the Institute, in the fact, that in consequence 

 of the rejection of the scheme by the Architectural Society, eighteen members 

 of that body withdrew, of whom thirteen have been elected members of the 

 Institute. 



The foundation of a students' class formed part of this scheme, and although 

 the proposition for the union proved ineffectual, yet this portion seemed of so 

 valuable a nature, that the Institute resolved to carry it into operation, and 

 eight students have been already admitted. 



Within the last twelve months several important competitions for edifices of 

 the highest consequence have been thrown open to the profession. The mode 

 generally adopted of conducting competitions, not seeming to produce the 

 results to be desired, either by the public or the profession, a committee of 

 members was appointed " to consider the practicability of adopting means to 

 secure more satisfactory decisions." These gentlemen, without entering upon 

 the subject of the policy of competitions in general, or the comparative advan- 

 tages of open or select competitions, or the question whether the standard of 

 the national architecture is likely to be raised or lowered by this mode of 

 procuring designs for public buildings, took a general view of the subject, 

 stating some of the objections to which the manner in which they are carried 

 into effect is liable, and suggesting some remedies. This report was printed, 

 and has been extensively circulated. 



The three subjects still open to the enterprise of the architect arc, the 

 Nelson Monument, the St. George's Hall at Liverpool, and the Royal Ex- 

 change of London. In the first of these a preliminary decision has been 

 pronounced, and the council are gratified in recording, that the two prizes 

 awarded to architectural subjects have been gained by fellows of this Institute, 

 Mr. Railton, and Mr. Fowler, the honorary secretary. The two other 

 subjects are still open. It is necessary, upon occssions of such magnitude and 

 importance, that adequate time should be allowed to the competitors, to 

 deliberate upon subjects requiring so much experience and consideration, both 

 as to arrangement and decoration ; — occupied as the architect is in his pro- 

 fessional engagements, it is highly necessary that he should be allowed ample 

 time for digesting the conception of monuments, which are to endure for ages, 

 involving his reputation as an artist, and perhaps the character of the periods 

 in which they are erected in point of taste. 



The prize drawings for the present year, namely, the restoration of the 



