TBANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 873 



CONCLUSION. 



Leaving to our posterity these more remote troubles, we may, I think, justly 

 draw from the entire discussion the conclusion that we have still a great deal tc\ 

 learn from mechanisms as they exist in nature. Great as have been the achieve- 

 ments of man since he first began to study mechanical science, with a view to 

 directing the great sources of power in nature for his own use and convenience, 

 the entire field of research is by no means yet fuUy exhausted. We must continue 

 to study the same science with undiminished ardour. In so doing we shall do well 

 to bear in mind that success can be achieved only by the patient, accurate, and 

 conscientious observation of the great facts of nature, which are equally open to 

 us all and waiting for our attention ; and by drawing correct inferences therefrom, 

 and by applying such inferences correctly to the fulfilment of the future needs and 

 destiny of our race. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. On the Automatic Balance of Reciprocating Mechanism. 

 By W. WoRBY Beaumont, M.Inst.G.E. 



[Ordered by the General Committee to be printed in cxtenso among the Keports. 

 See p. 665.] 



2. On Lace Machinery. By B. Doughty. 



The commencement of the machine for making lace may be dated about 1764, 

 when the old-fashioned stocking machine had been in existence about 200 year.=, 

 about which time certain discoveries and improvements were made which enabled 

 it to produce a net, at that time considered to be a great achievement, thus 

 making the stocking machine virtually the first lace uiacbine. In the course of 

 the next few years various other improvements by skilful mechanics were made, 

 which ultimately ended in producing a very useful net for embroidering purposes, 

 finding employment for a large number of machines, as well as women and girls. 



Very slow progress was made in the development of invention ; but this is, 

 perhaps, not much to be surprised at, considering that the ordinary mechanical 

 tools in use were of the simplest description : tliere were no labour-saving self-act- 

 ing tools with a steam engine for motive power to be found in any workshop then, 

 and every tool, except files, had to be made by the workman himself, who also 

 had to make every screw, holt, and nut that he required. 



The absolute necessity to supply himself with nearly every one of his require- 

 ments made the mechanic of that time a man of great resources, and contributed 

 very much to his inventive faculties. At that time nearly every part of the 

 machine was constructed of wrought iron, except the large framework, which was 

 made of wood, cast iron being almost unknown then in machine making. 



Further developments of the stocking machine led to the making of the warp 

 machine, which had many details in common with its original, though very 

 different in some respects. At one time great numbers of warp machines were 

 employed in making a very useful cloth with which our sailors were clothed for 

 years. Similar cloth has come into use again the last ten years under the name 

 of Stockinette, being very elastic. 



But a net was wanted, like that made by hand on the Continent, called 

 Brussels net. After many trials by inventors Ileathcote succeeded in making- 

 the exact net itself, and resulted in making his fortune, though it ruined hundreds 

 of machine-owners who made net that had previously been used for the same 

 purpose. Heathcote's machine was protected by patents, which many tried to 

 evade by making the net on other machines. One man named Leavers originated 

 a different machine, which after many alterations has come down to our time aa 

 the most useful lace machine we have. 



