AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 547 



Mr. Tillman — We can hardly overrate the inestimable import- 

 ance to mankind of a perfect understanding of steam boilers by 

 those who construct them and those who use them. 



The subject of steam boilers was ordered to be continued at 

 the next meeting. The Club then adjourned to the second Wed- 

 nesday of December next, at 7^ p, m. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary, 



December 10, 1856. 

 Present — Messrs. Charles H. Haswell, Tillman, Larned, Lee, 

 Creamer, Dr. Smith, J. K. Fisher, Clark, and others, — 37 in all. 



Charles H. Haswell, U. S. Engineer, in the chair. Henry 

 Meigs, Secretary. 



The Secretary remarked that he had extracts from the most 

 recent learned articles on mechanics, from Europe and home, 

 which he introduced to the club, as well to stimulate American 

 mind as to instruct. It is a duty to provide for such an unexam- 

 pled, keen, and bold-thinking creature matter for consumption; 

 for the inventions of the old world can not only be beaten here, 

 but we are daily drawn upon for the products of our mechanical 

 genius. Yet, the drawer seldom admits that he received the funds 

 from R S. 



He then read the following extracts and translations he had 

 made since the last meeting of the club, viz : 



Dr. Newton mentions a process for the solution of silex, by 

 M. Hardinge, at Mount Washington. He effected the solution 

 by first calcining, then into cold water — then grinding. He adds 

 small quantities of some alkalire — perhaps salt, potash — then 

 into boiler, intense heat; then becomes as clear as water. By a 

 little alcohol — but he uses something analogous or having affinity 

 for water, and the water disappears in a minute, and becomes 

 pulp; put into moulds and dried, it soldifies; is like glass. 

 Bricks are cheap(!) Cover walls &c., and color it as you please; 

 cast into figures; mould it, &c. 



IRON AND STEEL. 



The great question as to making iron and steel is more agita- 

 ted now than it has ever been since man first obtained it for his 

 use. 



