636 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Chairman — I have observed most perfect combustion where thin 

 strata of coal are used ! The Mississippi steamboats lose smoke 

 enough to drive as many more boats ! 



Mr. Tillman spoke of oscillating cylinders, their origin and 

 their economy of space in sea going vessels. 



Chairman — They were invented more than twenty-five years 

 ago. Their use is now revived ; they give advantage by their 

 less weight and space; they are as costly as others; the cylinders 

 are heavier and more difficult of construction. 



Mr. Fisher hoped that the Chairman would prepare a paper for 

 us on the subject of steam engines. 



The Club adjourned. H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



December ^Zd^ 1857. 

 Present — Messrs. Thomas B. Stillman, Jordan L. Mott, Sibley, 

 Cohen, Steele, of Jersey City, Fisher, Tillman, Dwyr, of Brooklyn, 

 Whitney, Geissenhaimer, Butler, Ebbitts and others; twenty-two 

 members. 



Mr. Stillman in the chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



[London Athenaeum, October, 1857.] 



RAILROADS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



Extracts by H. Meigs. 



Parliament has authorised the raising of nearly £400,000,000 

 sterling for these roads; and nearly £300,000,000 of it has been 

 actually applied. A stupendous sum, more than one-third of the 

 national debt, and more than four times the value of all the real 

 property in Great Britain. The earth-works are 550,000,000 of 

 cubic yards. The locomotive engines are 5,000, and would cover 

 in length over 30 miles. The cars, of all sorts, over 150,000, 

 would cover in length 500 miles. The rolling stock is worth 

 £25,000,000 sterling. About 100,000 men are attached. Four 

 tons of coal and twenty tons of water are flashed into steam every 

 minute throughout the year. To lay the roads, 26,000,000 of 

 sleepers were required, of which 2,000,000 must be renewed every 

 year. New rails to 20,000 tons a year are required. The sleepers 



