112 TEAR-EOOK OF FACTS. 



has fallen was only introduced into this country during the previous 

 month, and as its powers are somewhat extraordinary as compared 

 with others, we have purposely visited the workhouse at Hatnpstead 

 to see it in operation. The construction of the machine is very 

 simple, but this simplicity could not have been arrived at without 

 a profound knowledge of the mechanical requirements necessary to 

 fulfd the entire course of manipulations involved in washing every 

 description of cloth. In this respect, the machine and its workings 

 will present to those who are interested in mechanics a great deal 

 that is new and well worthy their attention. Its mode of action is 

 to press the linen between two ridged or beaded boards, then to 

 slightly rub and turn it over, in such manner that the position of the 

 linen is changed about fifty times every minute, and the soap and 

 hot water are forced through it as often. The Board of Guardians 

 certify that it is used by two of the inmates of the workhouse 

 under the superintendence of the matron, and that it has been 

 found to work to the entire satisfaction of the board ; no hand 

 rubbing whatever being requisite. The medical officer of health 

 states tluit "it is calculated to promote economy, cleanliness, and 

 public health ;" and the master that "it has been used in washing 

 all articles of wearing apparel, sheets, blankets, rugs, &c, in this 

 house, and that upwards of one thousand article:? have been washed 

 weekly in twenty-five hours ; the cost of fuel, soap, and soda not 

 exceeding five shillings," and he adds, "every article washed as 

 above has greatly improved in colour and sweetness when dry." It 

 is certainly somewhat curious that the two most successful washing 

 machines of late years have been from America. The American 

 floating-ball machine was a most ingenious and useful contrivance, 

 and had an enormous success in this country in opposition to the 

 strenuous exertions of the whole body of laundresses to stay its pro- 

 gress. This machine, however, it is said, leaves that far behind ; 

 whether the economy in labour and cost to work it or its results be 

 considered. It is but fair to state that the bulk of the thin 

 the workhouse are of a coarse nature, such as house linens, blankets, 

 and bed-ticks, but, the more delicate muslins, cambrics, and lawn-; 

 were submitted to it and were washed without the slightest injury ; 

 nor was band-rubbing required to get the creased dirt out of the 

 collars and the wristbands of shirts. — Mechanics' Bfagatine. 



There has also been described to tl e British Association, an 

 Atmospheric Washing Machine, by Mr. J. Fisher. The action of 

 this machine was derived from .streams of air forced through the 

 water from In low. The author in his paper observed, that for 

 tual use the water must never be of a higher temperature than Hd° 

 of Fahrenheit. It was stated that machines on this principle, driven 

 am- power, had been for some time past in successful operal a 



for cleansing the soiled laces at Messrs. Fisher's manufactory at 

 Nottingham. 



BBBAS -MAKINC AND HAKING. 



Dr. T,anki:st!-ii, I'.I.'.S., has read to the lfoyal Institution a 

 paper, of which the following is an abstract : — 



