(56 ENGLISH la I'.MCATIUNS 



history of the machine, and observed, that as the ground selected 

 was very uneven (it was in fact remarkably so), the trial would 

 be a good one. After a brief delay, the gear being declared in order, 

 on went the machine, drawn by two strong horses, and heedless of ruts 

 and hillocks in its course, which was very rapid, bringing down every 

 thing it encountered cleanly and completely, including two or three 

 slices of turf at least a foot long, and more than an inch thick. 



The performances of the machine were not confined to one single 

 course. A considerable amount of work was performed in the most 

 satisfactory manner, Mr. Hussey himself sitting on the box at the side, 

 and throwing aside what was cut down in the manner best adapted 

 for gathering and binding. Indeed the work was not confined to the 

 fern; a rabbit who was not accustomed to this species of interference 

 was started and cruelly lacerated before he had time to escape. 



At the close of the trial, his royal highness gave a practical 

 proof of his favorable opinion by ordering two of the machines for 

 himself, one for Windsor and the other for Osborne. Me then, after 

 expressing his gratification, rode back to the game-keepers and resumed 

 his gun. After he had left, the machine operated well upon some 

 rushes. 



It may not be out of place to state here that Mr. Dray's explanation 

 of the failure of the Hussey machine at Tiptree Hall (Mr. Mechi's 

 farm), is that it was entirely owing to its not being properly managed. 

 On that occasion, he says, the person in charge of it was simply a porter 

 at the Exhibition, who, not understanding the matter, neglected to clear 

 away the wheat as it was cut down, in consequence of which the action 

 of the machine was unavoidably and fatally impeded. We witnessed 

 the result at Mr Mechi's, and certainly there was no such fault on 

 Saturday. The progress of the machine was notwithstanding the 

 unevenness of the ground, rapid and satisfactory; and it was stated 

 as a fact that on a level ground the horses used in drawing may trot, 

 not only without weakening or impeding the action of the knives, 

 but even with advantages, as by that means the cutting requires 

 increased precision and force. 



The following is Prince Albert's certificate: 



Windsor Castle, Nov. 13, 185 1. 



Sir: — In answer to your letter addressed to Gen. Wemyss, I have 

 leceived the commands of his Royal Highness Prince Albert, to say, 

 that so far as he could judge of Mr. Hussey's Reaping Machine, 

 from its performance in the high fern at W'indsor Park, his Royal 

 Highness is disposed to form a very favorable oi)inion of it, and has 

 ordered one* in consequence for the use of his own farm. His Royal 

 Highness can however give no opinion as to the relative merits of this 

 machine in comparison with those of others which he has not seen 

 at work I have the honor to be sir, your ob"t serv't, 



grp:y. 



*The Prince ordered two Machines, one for Windsor and one for Isle of Wight. 



