KNOWLEDGE 



Sept. 18, 1885. 



(Bnv jlnbrntorsi' Column, 



We give here, weeTc ly vieek, a terse description of 

 such of the many inventions as we think may 

 he of use to our readers. Where it is possible, 

 the number of the patent is quoted, to enable 

 those who desire fuller information to procure 

 the specification from the Patent Office in 

 Cursitor-street, Chancery-lane. We shall, gene- 

 rally speaking, confine ourselves to the more 

 recent inventions; hut it often happens that an 

 article comes under our notice xvhich, although 

 not quite novel, is worthy of mention for its 

 utility and ingenuity. In s^u:h a ease we should 

 not hesitate to refer our readers to it. And 

 while we thus increase the interest of our pages, 



greater publicity to their inventions (Knowledge 

 being a popular magazine) than is accorded by 

 the most excellent trade journals-. 



I1IPR0TE5IENTS IN BRINSJIEAD PIAXOS. 



PlANOPOETES have hitherto been regarded in a 

 double aspect — both as musical ins 

 as articles of household o 

 make bold to say that, with many people, the 

 latter consideration has predominated to such an 

 extent as to give rise to the practice, on the part 

 of unprincipled manufacturers, of enclosing worth- 

 less mechanisms— from a musical point of view — 

 in cases constructed simply with a view to their 

 effective appearance. The purchasers of these 

 " musical boxes " soon discover, however, that 

 they have sacrificed their sense of sound to their 

 sense of sight, but too late in many cases to 

 remedy the evil ; for pianoforte-buying with most 

 people is an affair of once for all time rather 

 than an everyday occurrence. 



With the idea of remedying to a great extent 

 this state of things, the well-known firm of Brins- 

 mead & Sons have introduced, and are exhibiting 

 at the Inventions Exhibition, an improvement in 

 the construction of pianos which cannot fail to 

 commend itself to all concerned. The pianoforte 

 is now manufactured by them and shown com- 

 plete, irrespective of the cabinet-work, which is 

 altogether a subsidiary after-consideration. It is 

 not merely the ordinary " Brinsmead " previous to 

 encasement that is exhibited, however, but a com- 

 plex development of the latest inventions of the firm, 

 resulting in a mechanical structure challenging 

 approval or condemnation on its merits as a tone- 

 producer alone, an inspection and study of which 

 convinces one that a forward step has been taken 

 by the manufacturers in the interests of the 

 musical art. The illustrations given herewith 

 show the front and back view of their Patent 

 Consolidated Iron Piano ; an examination of these 

 will present a better idea of the mechanical im- 

 provements effected than could be afforded by 

 mere verbal description. 



Mr. E. A. Proctor's Lecture Tour. 



1. LIFE OP WORLDS 



2. THE SUX 



3. THE MOON 



4. THE UNIVERSE. 



Subjects : 



5. COMETS AND METEORS 



6. THE STAR DEPTHS 



7. VOLCANOES. 



8. THE GREAT PYRAMID. 

 Each Lecture is profusely illustrated. 



An-angements are now being made for the delivery of Lectures 

 by Mr. Proctor. Communications respecting terms and vacant 

 dates should be addressed to the Manager of the Tour, Mr. JOHN 

 STUART, Royal Concert Hall, St. Leonards-on-Sea. 



Sept. 21, 22, Harrogate; Sei)t. 23 24, 25, Ilkley; Sept. 28,20, 

 Berbv. 



Oct. 2, Chester; Oct. 3, 17, Malvern; Oct. 6, d, 

 mouth ; Oct. 7, 10, 14, 16, Torquay ; Oct. 19, 22, 28, 

 Oct. 21, 26, 29, Southampton; Oct. 23, 27, 30, Winchesi 

 Marlborough College. 



Nov. 2, Che3;fr; Nov. 4, Barnley; Nov. 9, StafTon 

 Streathara ; Nov. 12, Middlesbroug'h ; 



Saltai 



^■\ c;if 



12, 13, Fly- 

 er. Oct. 31 ' 



, Malvern 

 15, Upper 

 itton Cold- 



