Retrospective Criticism . 



217 



action.) The annexed (fig. 41.) is a representation of the 

 bath ; the construction of its valve is shown at a in the 

 section. The vessel is made of sheet iron tinned, japanned 

 on its outside surface; the valve is of brass, and it is pro 

 tected from oxidation or rusting by the contact of slips of 

 zinc plate ; a galvanic principle, the zincs being positive to 

 all .he other metals employed. The excellence of this shower 

 bath consists exclusively in its adaptation to the use of the 

 riursery, and its light expense. Its simple principle had 

 been very neatly appropriated to the same purpose, but for 

 the use of adults by the lecturer who published a " Descrip 

 tive account of a Shower-Bath constructed on a principle not 

 hitherto applied to that machine," &c. which see. (This 

 pamphlet is No. 81. in the Wrexham Artisans' Library) 

 It is right to acknowledge that the nursery shower-bath 

 was first suggested by the following quotation from A 

 Treatise on Derangement, $c." in the descriptive account. 

 P- °- : — " The utility of cold bathing as a remedy sinks into 

 comparative insignificance when contrasted with its im- 

 portance as a preventive of disease, and as a temperer of the 

 constitution when early begun and long persevered in. The 

 shower-bath, so easily constructed in private houses, would 

 be a valuable apparatus to the nursery, whereby a hardy 

 race of children would be sent forth to meet the varied 

 vicissitudes of our climate." (Johnson, London, 1820.) "In 

 the novel structure of our shower bath the convenience of 

 adults was never considered ; they are already more suitably 

 accommodated in a variety of other forms. It was only de- 

 signed to render the shower-bath more generally available 

 in the nursery. In this respect suitability of size, cheap- 

 ness, and convenience of form, advantages inseparable from 

 its object, are so peculiarly possessed by it as to claim for 

 its own the title of the nursery shower-bath, and place 

 that valuable machine within the reach of every one. The 

 method of filling the bath is from below by plunging it into 

 a can or pail (of sufficient diameter to receive the vessel into 

 it) about half filled with water, at the same time holding 

 the valve open to permit the escape of the air from within 

 the bath until it be filled with water, when the valve being 

 allowed to close, the water is supported in the bath by the 

 resisting upward pressure of the atmosphere. The child is 

 put to stand in or is held over a small tub, and the bath is 

 held merely by the hand at any desired height above the 

 height of the child. Besides this there is no preparation, no 

 shutting up as it were in a closet; circumstances which 

 frequently intimidate children more than the bathing itself 

 does ; in this case they are scarcely aware of what is going on before all is over. The repetition 

 of the shocks may be made quick, numerous, and light, at pleasure ; and, what it can be scarcely 

 necessary to add, either warm, tepid, or cold water may be used, as occasion requires. At the 

 trifling expense of (I believe) 10s., parents may now be furnished with a useful and durable 

 machine, which it is hoped they will no longer suffer their nurseries to be without." 



Destroying Caterpillars on Gooseberry Bushes, as practised by the gardener of 

 T. A. Knight, Esq. In abridging this paper you have omitted to state the advantages of applying 

 lime to the base of the stems of gooseberry trees, and that part constituted the whole merit of the 

 paper. — T. A. K. Oct. 25. 1829. 



Evil effects of Reaping and Threshing Machines. — Sir, Being a constant reader 

 of your valuable Magazine, allow me to offer a few remarks upon what I consider the bad conse- 

 quences resulting from the use of threshing and reaping machines in this country. (Vol. V. 

 p. 600.) In the first place, it is a diminishing of labour; and surely that is not needful in this 

 country, where labourers are so abundant. According to the statement in the Magazine, this 

 reaping machine, with eight men, in one day would do work equal to twenty-four men. You 

 acknowledge " the want of employment is general throughout the country;" and will this be a 

 remedy for the baneful evil? From local observation, I can see the mischievous effects of 

 threshing-machines, several being used in the parish where I live. In the severity of winter 

 where is the resource of the labourer but in the flail? and consequently, if he is thrown out of 

 employ by these machines, he must come directly to the parish for support. Were therea greater 

 demand for labour, higher wages would be given, which would render the labourer capable of 

 maintaining his family without being obliged, after he has received his week's wages of seven or 

 eight shillings, to go to the parish for his wages to be made up sufficient for their support : and, 

 Mr. Editor, in my humble opinion, these machines will rather tend to aggravate than remedy the 

 cause of distress. Some few individuals may benefit by them, but, according to your very just 

 remark, " No good is worth much that is not good for all." My wish is that the sickle may still 

 bear the sway, and the barn still echo with the well wielded flail. If, for the good of farming 

 labourers, you should think these few remarks worthy of insertion in your useful pages, it would 

 much oblige — A Sub-Gardener. Worcestershire, Jan 21. 1830. 



We have inserted this communication to gratify our correspondent, and because we are happy 

 to find young men who think in any way, and are able to express their thoughts distinctly. 

 Having said this, we shall leave A Sub-Gardener to be answered by some of his brethren; 

 simply observing, that every improvement when first introduced has a tendency to injure some 

 one : in fact it may be said, that unless it had this tendency it would be no improvement. — Cond. 

 Treatment of Mr. Knight. The high and equal Education Principle. — Sir, 

 You would have your readers to believe that you are actuated by the kindest spirit imaginable 

 towards Mr. Knight ; but many of them must think with me that you have a most strange way 

 of showing it in your remarks upon him, which appear to savour more of acrimony and a carping 

 spirit than kindness of feeling. However, I will give you credit for not wishing worse to that 



