MECHANICAL PARADOXES. 



There are, in fact, seven weights pressing down- 

 wards on the left, and only four on the right. 

 Remembering these facts, it is easy to see 

 that we have in the machine conditions which 

 quite neutralise the extra leverage in the lower 

 quarter on one side, and the inventor him- 

 self should be willing to admit that we are 

 entitled to apply to the case the general prin- 

 ciple that weights in descending on one side 

 cannot produce more power than they consume 

 in being raised the same height on the other. 

 To expect more from the machine is as vain as 

 to expect a bottle to yield more water than 

 was put into it when it was filled. 



116 



