176 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[Mav, 



EsTABLWiiMBST OP A Metborologicai. Societv.— A meeting of gCTiUemcn devotej 

 to ahiroriomiral and meirorolncicil pursuits was held at the baronial and hospitable scut 

 of Dr. I.er, nl Harlwell, rear Aylesbury, last month, which led, durinf: three days dis- 

 cussion, tit .1 ROod deal of inttrestinc detail on various matters connected witli science, 

 and enrifd in the formation of tlie Hriiish Meteorological Society, to which Mr. Glaisher, 

 the accoinphslied oh»;erver and superintendent of the Metf^orolocical Department at 

 Greenwitli, consented to become secretary; S. C. Whitbroad, Esq., F.R.A.S , was 

 nominated prfsident; Dr. Lee, LL D., F.R.S., Ireasui-er; and a Council of several other 

 gentlemen, most of whom are members of tlie Astronomical Society, was formed. It 

 nas arranpt'd that a meetinfr of the officers should take place on the "tli of May, and 

 that gmthnien desirous of promotinc the science miKht be admitted mpmbers on signi- 

 fying thejr wishes to Mr. GJatshpr, of Blackheath, before that day, after which members 

 will be admitted by ballot. Mtrteorotogicul B«ports are already made from lorty different 

 stations in the kingdom, and arranged, condensed, and priiueil in the Quarterly Report 

 of the Registrar-General, by Mr. Glaisher. It is desirable to increase the number of thf? 

 stations, and that accurate and regular observations of standard barometers, thermome- 

 ters, and Iiycromelers. should be nmlliplipd, with a view to establish some general ])rin- 

 ciples of atmospheric variation, in relation to storms, weather, and diseases. Among 

 the subjects discussed at the meeting was that of meteoric stones, one of which, in the 

 possession of Dr. Lee, had fallen at I^aunton, Oxon, in 18S0, and wliich had been exa- 

 mined and recorded in ' Loudon's Magazine of Natural History,' by Mr. Stowc, of 

 Buckinghan), in March, 1831. Mr. Glaisher had received accounts of the descent of the 

 late meteor from many observers, who estimated its altitude and course, from the Bristol 

 Channel acioss Wales, and immediately «ver Northampton, till it burst at the height of 

 20 miles over Riegleswade, where fragments have been sought for, but at present without 

 success, though its bulk roust have been enormous. The interval whicli occurred between 

 the appearance of the light and the noise of the explosion was measured accurately by 

 the Rev. Joseph Read, of Stone, near Aylesbury, who had a chronometer in his hand at 

 the moment, and was found to be 53 seconds; and another gentleman, 15 miles south of 

 Stone, esiiniiited it at 57 seconds Dr. Lee had sent a model of his Aerolite to the 

 Museum at the India House, ami the curator, in return, sent him a model of one that 

 fell in India, which, though of larger dimensions, had very much the shape and character 

 of the Oxfordshire stone, which weighed, at its descent, 21bs 5oz. 



SotJTH Wales Raflwav. — A wrought-iron bridge of very large dimensions is now in 

 course of construction by the extensive ironfounders, Messrs, Finch and Willey, of Wind- 

 sor Foundry, Liverpool, who have erected substantial temporary premises for the purpose. 

 The bridge has been designed by Mr. Brunei, the civil engineer of the line, and is to be 

 thrown across the river Wye. Its extreme length will be 600 feet, there being four arches 

 or spans, one of 300 feet, and three of 100 feet each. As the navigation of the river can- 

 not be interfered with, the immense span of 300 feet is rendered necessary, in order to 

 prevent the erection of piers or other works, as a foundation on which to rest the mass of 

 iron-work which will be brought into requisition. The principle adopted is that of sus- i 

 pension from a tube by diagonal chains, which carry the girders on which the line of rails 

 is laid, and besides many other improvements being introduced to adapt the bridge to the 

 peculiarities of the situation in which it will be required. The contraction and expansion 

 of tlie iron-work is provided for with the greatest exactness ; oscillation and undulation 

 from any of those causes by which they are usually produced on railway bridges will he 

 effectually prevented. The roadway will be nearly 150 feet above the level of low-water 

 mark. Large ejUndrical pillars are to be driven into the giound near the margin of the 

 river, and from these and the piers, which form the extreme points of suspension, the 

 main support for the structure will be derived. Tlie iron likely to be used in the bridge 

 and cylindrical pillars will amount to 2,000 tons. To expedite the work, a large and very 

 powerful en;;ine has been erected, and extensive machinery brought into working order. 



Metropolitan Commission op Sewebs. — An account of the receipt and esjien- 

 diture of the M'^ti-opolitan Commission ot Sewers for 1849 has just been published. The 

 receipts amoimted to 71,623^ 13s. lOd., the items composing this total being 55,105/. As. 

 from rates, 13,518/. 10s, lOd. from coniributions, Sec, and 3,000/. from Joans. The 

 paymenis were as follow:— For works, 50,309/. 4s. Id. ; surveys. Sec. S,S^9l. 19s. IPd.; 

 management, 22,4fi0/. 17s. 5d.; loans, 4,0M/. l£s. 8d.; contingencies, 2t0/. 9s. 6d.; 

 making a total of 85,345/. ."is fid. The cash in hand at the commencement of the year 

 1849 was 22,056/. 3s. 7d. ; at the end of the year it was 9,234/. !3s lid. The total amount 

 paid for contracts commenced and completed for general works during the year was 

 40,606. 5s. 4d., being I0,57S/. lis. 5d. for sewers, 5,577/. ^s. 6d. for openings (side en- 

 trances, air shafts, gullies, private drains and flaps), H,9r.Gl. lis. Sd. for repairs to sewers, 

 gullies, Sec, 18,595/. 18s. lOd., for cleansing, including, flushing, casting, and lifting, 

 I,4£0/, 2s. 96. for incidental works, and 4.^2/. lis. Bd. for paving and gravelling relaid. 

 An additional sum Of 2,318/. Hs. Ud. was expended under contracts for special works, 

 being 100/. for incidental works, and 2,218/. 14s. lid. for sewers. The total amount of 

 monies owing to the Commissioners on account of uncollected rates is 56,171/. 12s. lid. 

 The debts owing by the Conimissioners amount to 100,7^8/. Is. Id., viz. 65,787/. for 

 loans, 4ii5/. I4s. for special contracts, and 34,485/. 7s. Id, for tradesmen's bills and other 

 obligations not under special contracts. 



X.ZST OP ME'W PATENTS. 



GRANTED IN ENGLAND FROM MaRCH 20, TO APRIL 23, 1850. 



Sir Months allowed/or Enrolment^ todess otherwise expressed. 



William .Joseph Curtis, of Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies, civil engineer, for im- 

 proved machinery and apparatus adapted for the manufacture of sugar. — March 23. 



Horatio Carter, of Thirza-place, Old Kent- road. Surrey, gentleman, for certain im- 

 provements in the production of light from ordinary cnal gas, by the use of burners, 

 consisting of more than one ring or sheet of tlnme, combined with a suitable chimney or 

 chimnevs, and supplied with atmospheric air, particularly adapted to ventilation.— 

 March 23. 



Joshua Siddoley, jun., brassfounder, of Liverpool, for certain improvements in ships' 

 fittings.— March '23. 



Alfred Wilson, of Mydldeton-street, Clerkenwell, clock-case maker, for an improved 

 Tentilator.— March 23. 



John Stephenson, of I{oan mills, Dungannon, Tyrone, flax spinner, for certain im- 

 provements in machinery for spinning tlux and other substances.— March 23. 



William Sykes, of York-street. Middlesex, tallnw chandler, for certain improvements 

 in the manulactnre of candles and wicks.— March at. 



John Varley and Joseph Hacking, of Bury, Lancaster, engineers, for certain improve- 

 ments in steam-engines and apparatus connected therewith.- March 23. 



Henry Robert Ramsbolham, of Bradford, Yorkshire, manufacturer, and William Brown, 

 of the same place, mechanic, for improvements in preparing and combing wool. — March 

 fl 8. 



John Gedge, of Wellington-street, Strand, Middlesex, for an improvement in lamps and 

 candlesticks. (A communication.)— March 23. 



Nathaniel Matthew, of Wern Tremadoe, Carnarvon, quarry proprietor, for an appara- 

 tus for cuttinc or dressing slates into various shapes and sizes. — March 2.3. 



Alfred Ciuillaume, Roseleur, of Paris, France, but now of 4, Soutlislreet, Finsbury, 

 Mid"lle«;PK, chemist, for certain improvements in coating or covering metals with tin. — 

 March 23. 



Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66, Cliancery-Iane. Middlesex, me- 

 chanical draughtsman, for improvements in the preparation of materials for ihe produc- 

 tion of a composition or compositions applicable to the manufacture of buttons, knife and 

 razor- handles, ink-stands, door-knobs, and other articles where hardness, strength and 

 durability are required. (A communication.)— March 23. ' ' 



Edward Welch, of St. John's Wood, London, architect, for improvements in fire-places 

 and flues, and in apparatus connected therpwiih.— March 23. 



Evan Leigh, of Miles Platting, near Manchester, Lancaster, cotton-spinner, for his in- 

 vention of certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for preparing and spinniog 

 cotton and other fibrous substances. — March 29. 



Joseph Theodore Clenchard, of Paris, France, manufacturing chemist, for certain im- 

 dprovements in the application of archi! to tlie orocess of dyeing and printing in colours, 

 and also an improved apparatus to be employed in the operation of dyeing.— March 26. 

 James Preece, of Hereford, shoemaker, for certain improvements in mills and ma- 

 chinery applicable to the tlirashing and grinding of corn, the manufacture of cider, and 

 other similar purposes, — March 26, 



Alfred Vincent Xewton, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery- lane, Middlesex, me- 

 chanical draughtsman, for improvements in coupling-joints forpipea, (AcommunicatioD.) 

 —March 20. 



Thomas Dickason Rotch, of Drumlamford-house, Ayr, North Britain, Esq , for im- 

 provements in separating various matters usually found combined in certain saccharine, 

 saline, and ligneous substances. (A communicatian.) — March 26. 



Thomas Walker, of Wednesbury, Stafi"ord, iron-master, for improvements in the manu- 

 facture of sheets or plates of iron for certain purposes. — March 28. 



James Sannicl. of Willoughby-house, Middlesex, civil engineer, for certain improve- 

 ments in the construction of railways and steam-engines, and in steam-engine machinery. 

 —April 5. 



Joseph Findlay, of Paisley, Renfrew, North Britain, manufacturer, for an improvement 

 or improvements in machinery or apparatus for turning, cutting, shaping, or reduciog 

 wood or other substances. — April 5. 



George Henry Phipps, of Park-road, Stockweli, Surrey, engineer, for improvements in 

 propelluig vessels. — April 5. 



Jonathan Charles Goodall, of Great College-street, Camden Town, Middlesex, card- 

 maker, for improvements in machinei-y for cutting paper. — April 5. 



Charles Seeley, of Heighington, Lincoln, merchant, for improvements in grinding wheat 

 and other grain. — April 5, 



John Piatt, of Oldham, Lancaster, engineer, for certain improvements in machinery or 

 apparatus for spinning, doubling, and weaving cotton, flax, and other fibrous substances. 

 —April 11. 



Richard Prosser, of Birmingham, civil engineer, for certain improvements in machinery 

 and apparatus for manufacturing metal tubes, which improvements in machinery are in 

 part applicable for otlier purposes where pressure is required; also for improvements in 

 the mode of applying metal tubeb in steam boiler.';, or other vessels requiring metal to be 

 applied within them. — April 11. 



Amedee Francis Redmond, of Birmingham, for improvements in the manufacture of 

 envelopes. — April 15. 



Edme Augustus Chameroy, of Paris, for improvements in the manufacture of boilers 

 and of pipes of mailable substances, as well as of elastic matter. — April I.'S. 



Robert Reid, of Glasgow, manufacturer, for certain improvements in propelling. — 

 April 15. 



Cutbbert Dinsdale, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, dentist, for improvements in the manu- 

 facture of artificial palates and gums, and in the mode of setting or fixing natural and 

 artificial teeth.— April 16. 



.Jolin Turner, of Birmingham, engineer, and Joseph Hard wick, of the same place, for a 

 certain improvement or certain improvements in the construction and setting of steam 

 boilers. — April 15. 



George Attwood, of Birmingham, copper roller manufacturer, for a new or improved 

 method of making tubing of copper or alloys of copper. — April 15, 



Charles de Bergue, of Arthur-street, Lonrlon, engineer, for certain improvements in 

 locomotive and other steam engines, alsoin buff"ers for railway purposes. — April 15. 



John Dove Harris, of Leicester, manufacturer, for improvements in the manufacture 

 of looped fabrics. — April 18. 



William Buckwell, of the Artificial Granite Works, Battersea, civil engineer, andGeo^e 

 Fisher, of the Taffball Railway, Carditf, civil engineer, for improvements in the con- 

 struction and means of applying carriage and certain other springs. — April 18. 



William Henry Ashurst. of Uie Old Jewry, gentleman, for improvements in the manu- 

 facturing of varnishes. — Apiil 18. 



Thomas Ross, of Coleman-street, London, gentleman, for improvements in machinery 

 for raising a pile upon woven and felted fabrics. — April 18, 



Abraham Moses Marbe, of Birmingham, chemist, for an improved manufacture Of 

 vegetable fluid to be used in the production of artificial light, and in lamps or burners 

 for consuming the same; which vegetable fluid is also applicable to the manufacture of 

 lacker or varnish. — April 18. 



William llargreaves the younger of Bradford, York, iron founder,for certain improve- 

 ments in the means of consuming smoke, parts of whicli improvements are also applicable 

 to the generating ofsteam.- April 18. 



Peter Arkell, of Chapel-street, Stockweli, Surrey, engineer, for improvements in the 

 manufacture of candle wicks. — April 20. 



Alfred George Anderson, of Great Suftblk- street, Southwark, Surr^-y, soap manufac- 

 turer, for improvements in the treatment of a substance produced in soap-making, and 

 its application to useful purposes. — April 20. 



John Timothy Chapman, of Wapping, Middlesex, for improvmeents in apparatus for 

 setting up ships' rigging and raising weights —April 20. 



Richard Archibald Brooman, of the firm ol J. C. Kobirtson and Co., of Fleet-street, 

 London, patent agents, for improvements in ihcmauufacture of zinc, and in the apparatus 

 emploved therein. — April 20. 



Henry Ritchie, of Brixton, Surrey, for improvements in the manufacture of copper, 

 brass, and other tubes or pipes. — April 23. 



William Macalpine, of Spring-vale, Hammersmith, general dresser, and Thomas 

 Macalpinc, of the same place, manager, for improvements in machinery for washing cot- 

 ton, linen, and other fabrics. — April 23. 



Charles Humfrey, of Downing College, Cambridge, M.A., for improvements in the 

 manufacture of candles and oils, and in treating tatty and oily matters, and in the appli- 

 cation of certain products of fatty and oily matters.— April 23. 



Antoine Pauwels, of Paris, France, merchant, and Vincent Dub^chet, also of Paris, 

 France, merchant, for certain improvements in the production of coke, and of gas for 

 illuminating, and also in regulating the circulation of such gas.— April 28. 



Richard Laming, of the New Chemical Works, Isle of Dogs, Middlesex, chemist, and 

 Frederick John Evans, of the Horseferry-road, Westminster, gas engineer, tor improve- 

 ments in the manufacture of gas for illumination, and other purposes to which coal gas is 

 applicable, in preparing materials to be employed in such manufacture, and in apparatus 

 for manufacturing and using gas; also improvements in treating certain products result- 

 ing from the distillation of coal, parts of which above-mentioned improvements are ap- 

 plicable to other similar purposes, — April 23. 



Edward Newton, of Chancery-lane, Middlesex, civil engineer, for improvements in 

 castii g type. CA communication.) — April 21. 



PierrcArmand Lecomte de Fonlainenioreau, of South-street, Finsbury, for certain im- 

 provements in the manufacture of wafers, and in the machinery or apparatus connected 

 therewith. (A communicati»n.)— April 23. 



