Review of the Practical Tourist. 213 



Art. IL — The Practical Tourist, or sketches of the vseful arts, 

 and of Society, Scenery, &fc. &fc. in Great Britain, France and 

 Holland. In two volumes; by Z. Allen, Providence, R. I. 1832. 



COMMUNICATED. 



The author of this work is ah-eady favorably known to the public 

 by his valuable book on practical mechanics. He made the tour, 

 here noticed, chiefly for the purpose of minutely inspecting manufac- 

 turing establishments, and collecting such information respecting their 

 internal operations and general economy, and their influence upon 

 individual character and national prosperity, as would be practically 

 useful to his own countrymen, — a kind of knowledge which, as he 

 justly remarks, could be obtained only " by entering apartments filled 

 with the smoke of furnaces and resounding with the deafening noise 

 of machinery, or by conversing with men devoted to the common 

 handicraft labors of life." For this, if in no other respect, his book 

 is peculiarly valuable. Such information was much wanted, and he 

 has proved himself a very suitable person to furnish it. Besides his 

 individual interest in manufactures, his previous acquaintance, with 

 their condition in this country, and his lucid and pleasing manner of 

 describing what he saw, the author exhibits throughout these vol- 

 umes, ample proof that he is a candid and faithful observer. With 

 the facts pertaining to the useful arts, there is judiciously blended 

 such matter of general interest, as will render this an entertaining 

 work to all persons who would, at their own fire side, ramble over the 

 same countries with an agreeable fellow traveler, and will also serve 

 as a useful guide to those who may incline to visit the same places 

 personally. The work, as well for the rich entertainment it will fur- 

 nish to the general reader, as for the important information it con- 

 tains for several kinds of manufacturers, cannot fail of meeting a 

 favorable reception from the public. 



The plan of this journal makes it necessary to notice such facts 

 and observations only, as will interest the scientific manufacturer, 

 and of these even, our limits allow us to admit only a kw notices, 

 which will be given, mainly, in the writer's own words. 



After describing the gradual improvements made in the carding, 

 spinning and weaving of cotton, from the state such operations were in 

 for ages prior to the middle of last century, and in this country till 

 fvithin the last fifty years, and exhibiting their present advanced 



