C138D 



XX. On a new Construction of a Condenser and Air-pump. By 

 the Rev. Gilbert Austin. In a Letter to Sir Humphry Davy, 

 LL.D.F.R.S. 



Read March ii, 1813. 

 Dear Sir, 



Woodville, Dec. 5, 181 1, 



According to your desire, I give you a description of my 

 glass condenser, which, upon inspection, you were so obliging 

 as to consider might possibly be found useful in some of those 

 extensive and profound chemical researches, in which you are 

 happily engaged. 



In the year 1759, I sent to the Royal Irish Academy the 

 description of a little condensing instrument for the extempo- 

 raneous preparation of artificial mineral waters, which I stated 

 would be more proper for nice experiments, if it could be 

 made entirely of glass. As this suggestion had not, to my 

 knowledge, induced any one better qualified to construct such 

 an instrument of that material ; pursuing my own ideas, I 

 contrived the glass condenser herein described, the different 

 parts of which, as to their fittings and application, that is the 

 grinding of the barrel, the fitting and connecting of the flat 

 joints and valves, I have been obliged to execute myself. 



I have found this instrument to answer my immediate pur- 

 pose very well, and have also applied it successfully to some 

 other trivial chemical experiments ; but it has for a consider- 

 able time (on account of my other avocations) remained neg- 

 lected, and would have continued so to remain, had not you 



