Description of Mr. Perkins' JVezo Steam Engine. 117 



ter, and supplied with water from a forcir^ pump, as in his 

 own engine. This generator is exposed to heat in an 

 analogous manner, so that, by means of a loaded valve, 

 whi( h opens and shuts, the red hot fluid may be constrain- 

 ed till forced out of the generator into the water in the 

 boilers of Bolton and Watt. By this means, as much low 

 pressure steam of four pounds on the square inch may be 

 generated by 07ie bushel of coals, as could be produced in 

 the old engine by nine bushels. This most important result 

 was obtained by actual experiment. 



Since these great improvements have been effected, Mr. 

 Perkins has made a discovery that seems, in its practical 

 importance, to surpass them all. He now entirely dispens- 

 es with the use of the condenser, and works the engine 

 against the atmosphere alone ; and by methods with which 

 we are not acquainted, and which indeed it would not be 

 prudent for him to disclose at present, he is enabled to ar- 

 rest the heat after it has performed its mechO/nical functions ^ 

 and actually pump it back to the generator, to unite with a 

 fresh portion of water, and reneza its useful labors. In an 

 operation like this, a considerable portion of the heat must 

 still be lost, but the wonder is that any should be saved ^ 

 and we venture to say, that the most sanguine speculator 

 on the omnipotence of the steam-engine, never dared even 

 to imagine the possibility of such an invention. 



We are well aware that, in announcing this discovery, 

 we are exposing ourselves to the criticisms of those whose 

 belief is naturally limited by their own experience; but it 

 is satisfactory to know, that Captain Basil Hall, (whose ac- 

 count of Mr. Perkins' discoveries and inventions, as deliv- 

 ered before the Royal Society of Edinburgh, gave such 

 universal satisfaction,) has been entrusted with Mr. Per- 

 kins' discovery, and that he speaks confidently of the 

 soundness of its principles, as well as the practicability of 

 its application.* 



We cannot quit this subject, without congratulating the 

 country on the brilliant prospects with which these inven- 



*After the 10th June, Mr. Perkias, whose address is Perkins & Co. 

 41, Water Lane, Fleet Street, is ready to take orders for his new engines, 

 and his apparatus for producing low pressure steam for working the ordi- 

 nary engines. The price, we believe, of the new engine, is only half that 

 of Bolton & Walt's, with one-third of th« savings of fuel, for a period o6 

 years which w« have not heard stated. 



