94 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND AUCHITECTS JOURNAL. 



UMaech, 



Tdljlos were giveo of Ihe number of catlle, sheep, and pins killed, and 

 the amount of lallow melted during the last four years ; and a slatemenl 

 was appended, from which it appeared that the revenue (derived from 

 tolls, charged upon all the meat killed at per kilogramni'-), amounled 

 during one year to 47,608/. 16«.. that the total expenses were 4,958/. 12» , 

 leHving a prolil to the city of Paris of 42,051)/. 4»., or about CJ per cent, 

 upon 030, OHO/., the original cost of all these establishm nls. The paper 

 argued that if this revenue was obtained from the tolls, &c.. for slaui;liler- 

 ing meat for a population not exceeding one million souls, wno did not 

 consuine anything like the amount of animal food that Ijii^lisliinen habi- 

 tnally indulge in, how much greater would he the pioiit of such eslablish- 

 mciits fur London, where there was a population iifaily apinMiching Ihree 

 millions of souls, in whose behalf sudi slri-nuoiis exeilions were now 

 making for the increase of sanitary regulations and more ample supplies 

 of waler, and everything tending towards a higher slale of cleanliness 

 and health. 



Remarks. — In Ihe discussion which ensued, and in which Mr. E. Chad- 

 wiik, I'rofessor Owen, Messrs. Leslie, May, Allen, Raiisoine. Elliott, 

 Arinslroiig. and others, took part, very iuteiesling statistical facts were 

 given in connection with the present state of the Sinilhfield Market, and 

 llie evils attendant upon the animals being driven through the streets, and 

 then killed in a state of fever, when the blood was in a condition to in- 

 duce rapid decomposition of the meat, and render it unfit for food. In 

 proof of this, it was staled thai, in the summer, quantities of fine meat 

 were frequently oblined to be thrown by the butchers upon the oHal heap, 

 within thirty hours from Ihe time of the animals being slaughtered — pu- 

 trescence being so rapidly induced by the deleterious atmosphere of the 

 slaughterhouse pervading the place where the meat was kept. 



Among the numerous advantagesof a new and spacious establishment, 

 like that of Islington Market, to which public slaughter-houses are tube 

 attached, would be the direct contact of the caitle sellers with the but- 

 chers ; and by thus avoiding the intermediate profit of the middle men, 

 the latter would be enabled to sell their meat in better condition, aud at a 

 more reasonable rate, to the public. 



The present objectionable state of Smithfield appeared to be upheld 

 merely as a question of revenue to the city, for which ihe public not only 

 paid heavily, but suffered severely by common annoyance and by Ihe dele- 

 terious effect on public health. 



Modifications of the Paris system wre shown to be perfectly adapted 

 even to the actual state of the butchers' trade in London ; that ihe internal 

 arrangements of the slaughterhouses would not in any way interfere 

 with the employment of the servants of the butchers, nor could any 

 inconvenience arise from their congregating at such places — nor any loss 

 from theft. All these preventive arangements had been fully explained 

 by Mr. Grantham, in bis recent Treatise on Public Slaughter-houses, 

 (reviewed ante p. 51.) 



The opinion of the meeting appeared lo be pointedly in favour of so 

 desirable a measure as the establishment of Islingioo Market; and hopes 

 were expressed strongly, that, by showing to the trade that their interest 

 was so intimately connected with the measure, their cooperalion would be 

 obtained, to their ultimate profit, as well as for the public good. 



ROYAL SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF ARTS. 

 Jan. 8.— John Clay, Esq , F.K.S.E., President, in the Chair. 

 " The Aneroid Barometer" was exhibited and described, by Alex- 

 ander liHVsoN, Esq. — Mr. Bryson stated that on trial he had found Ihe 

 bai'oiueler to correspond with the coniiiion baronieier, within the ordinary 

 limits, say from 28 to 31 inches, to within a tenth of an inch, so that for 

 all ordinary purposes it might be trusted to. It has Ihe advantage over 

 the common barometer, in being easily transported, having no liquid in its 

 interior. It is of a circular shape, like a watch, and is about five inches 

 in diameter, having an index hand which points to the weight of the co- 

 lunin of air. 



Jan 28. — The following communications were maile : — 

 " Description of an Improved ll'indowsash, allowing the outside of the 

 Window to be cleanedor glazed without danger." Uy Mr. Chauli s UbaNi. 

 — This safety window ell'eclually prevents all chances of accident, as ilie 

 gla-s of both upper and lower divisions may be cleaned with perfect ease 

 and safety by a person standing on the floor inside of the window. The 

 principle i.s applicable to every form of modern window, and coiisi.'.ls in 

 th.' panes of glass being contained in a sep!>rate frame, which is to be ex- 

 anly adjusted to and fitted in the sash, to which it is lo be atlaclied on one 

 bide by hinges, Ihe oilier side remaining free, anil opening inwardly like 

 a iloor. In appearance it can scarcely be dislinguislied Ironi the present 

 window, and the expense is not materially dilfereiit. 



•■' Description of the Wax Candle Safely Mining Lamp" By Mr. John 

 Crane, Lee Crescent, Edgbaslon, near Birininghaiii. — Tins lamp was 

 slaled to be ol simple but safe construction. Coal pits being subject lo 

 the presence of an explosive gas called fire-damp, which, upon conlact 

 will) OHiiie, is exploded, ihe necessity ot ligliiing coal-pits wiih non- 

 exploding or safety lamps becomes evident. Coal-pit ex|ilt'sions are all 

 Ihe result ol negligence, and therefore, by means of proper care, are avoid- 

 able. That to work coal-pits uafely it is uut only aecessaiy lo u.e safe 



lamps, but also to take care to use such lamps properly Many terrible 

 expliisions have occurred during the use of safety lamps, because the men 

 (wiih a view of obtaining more light) have interfered with their lamps 

 and rendered them unsafe. If the common safety lamps afforded a better 

 light than a naked candle, there would then be no iuduceiueol to tamper 

 with Ihem, and ihe prime cause of many explosions w.iuld be removed; 

 and if they were constructed so that they could not be tampered with by 

 any thoughtless miners, then (supposing t.tat no naked lights were used in 

 pits, but in every case safety lamps of proper construction) coal-pit explo- 

 sions would be no more heard of. The author's wish was lo accomplish 

 so desirable an end by designing lamps possessing such advanlnges, and 

 by recommending the adoption of a more careful mode of wnking pits. 

 He thinks in few cases it will be advisable to entrust the mineio wilh the 

 care of the lamps; but Ihat in most cases fii persons be appointed to keep 

 and manage the lamps, who must be held responsible for any neglect of 

 care on their part. The Wax Candle Safety Lamp is staled to alford a 

 good light, aud it is fitted with a padlock and staple, so that it may be se- 

 curely fastened up. It is put into the hands of the collier ready lighted 

 and locked, and will need no interference till the caudle is consumed, 

 when he must apply to the lamp-keeper for a fresh one. Wax cauilles 

 (such as are used in many carriage lamps) are burnt in this lamp. The 

 front is made of thick glass, the sides aud lop of >^ ire gauze, aud the body 

 of ihe lamp of tin plate. The candle is inclosed in a tin tube secured at 

 bottom by a stopper, which is screwed and unscrewed with a key. Afler 

 the candle is lighted Ihe top is shut down and locked, and both keys kept 

 by the superintendent of lamps. The same keys will unlock any number 

 of lamps, if they be made similar. A helical wire spring inside the tube 

 keeps the candle always at the same height. Over the two wire sides are 

 hinged two tin covers which effectually protect the flame from the evil in- 

 fluence of wind. This lamp can be made of various sizes to suit dif- 

 ferent candles ; those which the author has had made are four inches 

 square, and about eleven and a half inches high. A large ring is fixed lo 

 ihe top of the lid, by wliicli the lamp Is suspended when in use. The 

 wire gauze inside the lid must be cleaned v^'ith a brush when necessary. 

 The lamp is strong, and is not likely to be put out of order. The author's 

 wish and desire are to &ee an end put to explosions, and thereby to render 

 llie occupation of the collier — arduous and unpleasant as it always will 

 be — less dangerous by ridding it of its greatest terror. 



Feb. 12.— David Rhind, Esq., F.R.S.E., V.P., in the Chair. 

 The following communications were made:— 



1. " Description of a method of Preoenting Accidents at Coal Pits." By 

 Mr. William Alexander, mining engineer. — fhe breaking of the winding- 

 rope, or continuous movement of the machinery beyond its proper place, are 

 two circumstances rife with accident and loss of life in mineral workings. 

 Mr. Alexander avoids the first by an improved catch in connection with tne 

 cage; and the second, in consequence of winding by friction, vvbich becomes 

 self-acting, in preventing the rise of the cage past a given point. 



2. " Description of an Hydraulic Bramah Press, with Improved Safety 

 Valve." By Mr. Hay Uall, biass-louniler. — i'his inipioveiuent in tlie 

 Bianiah press consists in doing away with the heavy weight formerly hung 

 on the safety or disengaging valves, and thus producing greater certainty 

 of action, aud a saving of expense, by preveuting the liability to wear and 

 break up, to which the present constructiou is expo:>ed. 



3. " Description of a Macliine far Dressing Straw Bonnets, or other 

 matters where hot or cold pressure is required." By Mr. Glokge D. 

 Howell — it is intended to reduce the labour aud many inconvenieuces in 

 the old mode of blocking slravv bounds, which, from the pressure required 

 on the breast, often produced coinplaiuts lu the chest, aud couauuipiions. 

 The machine has been in use for some lime, and found lo answer every 

 purpose required in the art. The pressure which, in the old mode, was 

 given by the breast and arm, is by this machine given by ihe lever worked 

 by the foot, and counterpoised by the back weight, which inslanily lilts 

 the blocking iron wheu the pressure of the foot is withdrawn. 



4. The Secretary read an abstract of the first part of a paper on improve- 

 ments in Electric Telegraphs, and new pUns for Priming by Electricity, 

 which was read to the Society of Arts, London, by £. Highton, Esq., civil 

 engineer, on the 17th January. 



NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



The New Kremlin at Moscow. — The Moscow Gazette says: — The new 

 Kremlin will shortly be finished. The gilded cupola sparkles already in the 

 sun, and recalls to mind the palaces with their golden summits of the an- 

 cient Grand Dukes of Russia. In the St. Geuige's-hall, that saint is to be 

 seen on horseback, fighting the winged dragon. Eighteen statues, repre- 

 senting the subiiiissiun ot as many provinces now belonging to Russia, are 

 scathed in complete armour with shields, which bear the date of the period. 

 The Andrew's-hall, or the throne room, is ornamented with niagiiificeiit 

 golden relief ; the Alexander-hall is of red marble, and astonishes the be- 

 holder by its beautiful architectural ornaineiits. It is difficult to describe, 

 so as to give a correct idea, the extraordinary grandeur of these halls, and 

 the exquisite style of the workmanship. 



