730 Retrospective Criticism. 



Gregory's Mechanics, vol. ii. ; and in Nicholson's Operative Mechanic. We 

 have sent Mr. Mallet's letter to the editor of the Mechanics' Magazine, in 

 which it will be found, vol. xviii. p. 70. Mr. Mallet remarks that this is 

 an instance of what has become common in London of late years, " the 

 practice of furbishing up an old invention, and taking out a patent for it, 

 either through ignorance, or a worse intention." — Cond. 



Trafficking in Gardeners' Situations, (p. 499.) — From what has come 

 to my own knowledge within the last twelve months, I can fully add my 

 testimony to the truth of the remarks of An Enemy to Bribery. I do 

 not think it necessary here to enter into a full disclosure of the transac- 

 tions above mentioned, but merely to say, that, however surprising the 

 coincidence may seem, the same letters of the alphabet will answer very 

 well for the name and abode of the individual to whom I allude, as those 

 that designate the worthy trafficker noticed in your former pages, viz., 

 a Mr. B. of Y. I remain, Sir, yours, &c. — An Advocate for every Thing being 

 done above board. August 28. 1832. 



Trafficking in Gardeners' Situations, (p. 499.) — Sir, I beg to inform 

 An Enemy to Bribery (p. 499.) that I have enquired, and cannot hear 

 that any thing of the kind he alludes to has been transacted in this part of 

 the country. I can hear of gardeners having been recommended by a 

 nurseryman, and they, of course, feel themselves under an obligation to 

 send to the nurseryman for what seeds and plants they may want; but this 

 is nothing but what is right, as it is discharging an obligation, and of no 

 injury whatever to their employers. An Enemy to Bribery believes 

 the practice of trafficking, which he describes, to be detrimental to gardens 

 and gardeners. This cannot be the case, as the absurd practice of Mr. B. 

 of Y. is far from being a general one ; and a good honest gardener is not 

 so great a blockhead as to give twenty pounds for a situation ; and an 

 inexperienced gardener would very soon lose the situation he had paid so 

 dearly for. The statement of An Enemy to Bribery is thought by many 

 to be little less than enmity or jealousy on his part, or else the names of 

 all parties would have been published in full, in an open and Englishman- 

 like style, a system which it would be well if many of the correspondents 

 of the Magazine adopted. I have purchased the Magazine for the last 

 three years, and have frequently read experiments, proved by whom we 

 know not, except by two and sometimes three capital letters of the 

 alphabet. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — William Whidden, Gardener to Colonel 

 Chester. Chicherly, near Newport, Bucks, Sept. 10. 1832. 



Mr. Hay's Method of heating by Steam, (p. 330.) — Sir, I have perused 

 with very great pleasure Mr. Hay's plan and description of heating hot-houses 

 by steam through perforated pipes ; a plan which, I have no doubt whatever, 

 when the nature and principles of steam, as applied to the heating of hot- 

 houses, pits, &c, become better known, and the mania for hot water has 

 a little subsided, will, for horticultural purposes of every description where 

 artificial heat is required, be found superior to any other hitherto invented. 

 The country being just now pretty full of hot water, I expect some will 

 be inclined to consider such an assertion rather speculative ; which, to a 

 certain extent, I must admit, though I believe it has been found to answer 

 perfectly in several places where it has been tried, and the time which it 

 has been in use here induces me to speak at least from short experience. 

 About two years ago, I had two vineries built, to supply early grapes, with 

 the borders laid hollow, and perforated lead pipes introduced underneath, 

 with the view of maintaining a temperature in the outer border, during the 

 forcing season, equal to that of the surface of the earth during the months 

 of July and August. The vines being young, and not having yet been 

 forced, I am only able to state that the temperature of the border can be 

 regulated to the greatest nicety. Early this spring I had a cucumber pit 



