1842.] 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. 



IRVIXGS TILE MACHINE. 



Gl 



In the last number of the Journal, page 8, we gave a plan and description of this machine, which was not properly understood from the want 

 of the annexed perspective view of the apparatus, which we have since had drawn. 



THE INDUSTRIAL STATE OF BELGIUM.* 



The Belgians, besides a soil made fertile by their own exertions, 

 possess in tneir mines of coal and iron the elements of a great manu- 

 facturing power ; and we have already found them, by their productions 

 of cotton and woollen cloths and hardware, formidable rivals in many 

 foreign markets. Once the tame occupants of the battle-field of 

 Europe, they have now in this age of peace availed themselves of 

 their frontier position, to harass the trade of the surrounding countries; 

 often, it must be acknowledged, by expedients not the most justifiable. 

 The only characteristics which the Belgian tribes possess in common, 

 the only features of a national organization, are of a very unpromising 

 nature ; but it takes time to make a nation, and give it the high-souled 

 character of a great community. We do not complain of the Belgians 

 for employing English workmen to beat us out of tlie market, for that 

 is rather a good accessory of a disposition to enterprise; but we fear 

 that the spirit of piracy, which breaks out in their literary under- 

 takings, is too deeply-rooted, and that its demoralizing influence will 

 long affect them. We find the Belgian journals ever holding forth to 

 public attention some promised wonder of native growth ; but we do 

 not find, on after-inquiry, that these visions and speculations are ever 

 brought to any tangible form. The spirit of imitation is a good one ; 

 but that of piracy is so demoralizing in its influence on the mind, that 

 we cannot augur well of future success to Belgian enterprise. It will 

 take many years before the Gascons of the north can be sobered down 

 to the business-like pursuits of a steady people ; and until that takes 

 place, England has little to fear from their rivalry. These are remarks 

 which are not unnaturally suggested to us, when we read the priiem of 

 a new Belgian periodical, devoted to the industrial arts. " Belgium," 

 says the author, "occupies, without fear of contradiction, a first-rate 

 position among manufacturing nations, as the brilliant exhibition of 

 its productions demonstrates to every eye." This is an introduction 

 so truly Belgian, that we shall be prepared for any future escapade of 

 our new contemporary. 



Until the present time, it appears that, with two exceptions of works 

 produced by the editor of the one now founded, no periodical devoted 

 to the mechanical sciences has yet been attempted in Belgium. We 

 are rather surprised at this, but we hope that the effort now made may 

 be successful. Belgium, it is known, has at Brussels a very fine mu- 

 seum of the industrial arts, which is thrown open to the public, and is 

 a favourite Sunday walk of the working classes. The Director of this 

 museum is M. Jobard, a gentleman to whom Belgium is nuich 

 indebted for his exertions. The state of school instruction is very 

 good ; but the poii.t in which the Belgians are mainly deficient is in a 

 workmanlike character, uhich is not to be created in a moment. The 

 number of patents issued in Belgium is pretty large, but they form no 



* Bulletin (lu Mumc tic I'lnduslrie. Brussels. 



criterion, either of the progress of the arts, or of the ingenuity of the 

 Belgian people. We find that the numbers are: — 



1830 ... 5 183t) . . . 7l> 



1831 ... 15 1S37 . . .134 



1832 ... 30 1838 . . .280 



1833 ... 42 183'J . . . 2G'J 



1834 ... 48 1840 . . . 320 



1835 . . .02 



The small number in early years is to be accounted for by the effect 

 of the revolution, and the embarrassments of the country. 



THE "SLIDING SCALE." 



Sir — Being fond of the combination of utility and simplicity, I send 

 you an idea of a "Sliding ScaU," not for debate in the House of 

 Commons, I assure you ; but to be submitted, through ijuur journal, to 

 the judgment of the honourable professions of the civil engineer and 

 Architect, for their universal adoption. The sliding scale I propose 

 is to be drawn on a separate strip of paper, and substituted in lieu of 

 or in addition to the present one usually put on plans, maps, sections, 

 &c. It may be in length proportioned to the size of the plan, and 

 about half an inch in width, of the same paper, and kept always 

 with it, by being slid through two or three cuts made with a penknife 

 at right angles to the roll of the paper. There it lies, and is available 

 at a moment's notice, for examining the plans as to details, additions, 

 alterations, and so forth. About five minutes extra care in drawing 

 this scale makes it an invaluable attachment to any plan. The expe- 

 rience of almost all persons conversant w itii these matters must suggest 

 cases of occasional great inconvenience arising from not having a pair 

 of compasses, ulotting-scalc, or even rule, aye, or pencil at hand, at 

 the moment wlien most wanted, say in a field, on a scaffold, wheu 

 exhibiting designs to directors, noblemen, gentlemen, &c., by your 

 having put on hastily your No. I coat, to be punctual to appointment, 

 leaving all your conveniencies in the pocket of your working one, snug 

 in your study. In some instances very unusual sizes for plans may 

 have to be adopted ; and here, too, the sliding scale becomes useful 

 Trusting to the valuable assistance of your vote, in my endeavour to 

 pass the above suggestion, on its announcement in your February 

 number, 



Believe me, .Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



W. Bkwley, 



Dublin, Jan. 19, 1842. 



P.S. By way of addendum, in reference to the iii>t letter on his 

 vernier reading-staff (staves, I doubt,) of Mr. '1 . Stevenson, and his 

 few parting wonls, — I am sorry, for bis sake, my estimate of his 

 impruting qualifications was so just. 



