Intelligence and Miscellanies. 1 73 



Not having an opportunity to refer to the original com- 

 munication of the celebrated Haiiy at the time when I has- 

 tily drew up the account you favored me with publishing of 

 the minerals of Sparta, I may possibly have been inadver- 

 tently led into some trifling error in the statement of the cir- 

 cumstance alluded to by Mr. Seybert. Indeed 



«' To err is human, — to forgive, divine." 



For assuredly, I never entertained the presumptuous idea, 

 of attempting to grasp at a single leaf of the immortal lau- 

 rels of the great, and venerable and lamented Haiiy ! 



But, I hope in future, Mr. Seybert will view me with less 

 jealousy, for I should be sorry to be considered anything less 

 than his friend, orthat of any young man of such eminent pre- 

 tensions to useful science. I have no pretensions to analyiti- 

 cal chemistry, having merely amused myself occasionally with 

 a few imperfect essays, to satisfy an ardent curiosity concern- 

 ing the character of a few ambiguous minerals. I under- 

 took the task, because, at that time, no one else would en- 

 gage in it. But I now rejoice to see a spirit of emulation 

 spreading through this interesting country, so honorable and 

 useful to its native genius and physical resources. 

 I am, Sir, with high respect, 



Your humble servant. 



THO'S. NUTALL. 



2. Iron Conduit Pipes. 



The increasing efforts which are making in this country to 

 supply our cities with good water, give a peculiar interest to 

 every thing connected with this subject. One of the princi- 

 pal practical difficulties in these undertakings arises from the 

 bursting, leaking and decay of the waterpipes. Many years 

 ago they were formed of cast iron in Scotland, and it ap- 

 pears that cast iron pipes are now in full and successful use 

 in the new river water works near London. We have be- 

 fore us the report of the watering committee of Philadelphia, 

 which contains an important correspondence between the 

 committee and Mr. Walker the engineer of the London new 

 river water works. We are assured by Mr. Geoige Vaux 

 of Philadelphia, to whom we are indebted for these facts, 

 that the information communicated by Mr. Walker, " has 

 been found by experience, during the last four years to be 



