618 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr. Butler had looked at the friction project, but deemed it of 

 little if any practical value. 



Chairman. — The question of irregular wear on lower sides of 

 pistons in horizontal cylindero has been examined. ' I believe 

 experience has decided that the piston is as well in them as in 

 vertical cylinders. The proper packing prevents any material 

 difference. Water packing was mentioned and described by 

 drawing, also, on the blackboard. Steam jackets have been ex- 

 tensively used to lessen radiation of heat from steam appartuSj 

 but that was an error, for the radiation is increased instead of les- 

 sened by the larger surface about it. 



Mr. Hedger, of New- York, had devoted much time to the con- 

 densing apparatus, and thought that he had invented a better 

 method — that is, by a double condensation, and in higher engines, 



Mr. Meigs hoped that inventors would never let the new idea 

 escape until duly secured to them by law. For they are watched 

 both here and in Europe, and when the idea is worth stealing 

 it is always stolen, or borrowed, without any compensation, in 

 either money or fame. 



About ten years ago, conversations were held in the Kepository 

 of this Institute,-upon the plan of constructing vessels of a thou- 

 sand feet keel, in order to cover about three waves, and thus 

 never pitch. To have chapel, vegetable garden, a convenient 

 railway all around her for hand cars, to exercise the feeble and 

 invalid, ball room, libraries, printing press, &c. The ride would 

 be about half a mile in circuit. 1 he propelling power to be 

 ten or a dozen paddle wheels, of which as many might be used 

 at a time or not; and if one should be damaged, it may be repaired, 

 or a new spare one, (always ready) applied. That such a vessel 

 would, on account of her great mass, be almost as little moved by 

 Atlantic storms as an island. That her speed might be at least 

 twenty miles an hour, &c. 



It was remarked then, that on the return of the next steamer 

 but one, this large idea would have then been grown in England ! 

 And it was so. And now the celebrated Great Eastern is to ap- 

 pear next May on our waters — the great dream realized. 



The subje.t for the next meeting was proposed by Mr. Leonard, 

 of the committee on questions. 



"Mechanical means of relief for the travel of Broadway." 



The club then adjourned. 



• H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



