44-6 



Recollections of a Tour made in May, 183 9, 



lower course of tiles to a level, as indicated in the longitudinal section through 

 the gutter Jig. 118.; in which g is the gutter, A the lower course of tiles, 

 i the gutter beam, and k hollow posts for supporting the gutter beam, and 

 serving as pipes for conducting away the water from the gutter. Cast-iron 

 gutters of this sort will be found peculiarly adapted for ridge and furrow hot- 

 house roofs ; and we shall hereafter show that, for all large hot-houses, this 

 kind of roof is better adapted than any other. 



Roads very much curved in their Direction should be highest on the longest 

 Side. — In the making of private roads, wherever the curves or turns are 

 rather sudden, the surface of the road on the longest side of the curve should 

 always be made somewhat higher than on the shortest side, in order to coun- 

 teract the centrifugal force acquired by a carriage going at a rapid rate. The 

 neglect of this, in the case of sharp turns on the public roads, is one cause of 

 the overturning of carriages ; and it suggests the idea of the advantage that 

 would result, both to road-makers and coachmen, from a knowledge of scien- 

 tific principles. Were the latter aware of the nature of the centre of gravity, 

 it may reasonably be supposed that they would be more careful in loading the 

 roofs of their carriages, either with men or packages, so as to keep the centre 

 of gravity low ; and more cautious in driving on rough roads, and on such as 

 have quick turns, so as to lessen the acquirement of centrifugal or centripetal 

 force. 



An economical Hot Closet may be formed at very little expense, by taking a 

 common hastener for placing before a kitchen fire when meat is roasting, and 

 closing up the front, or side next the fire, with black sheet iron ; forming a 

 door at the back, for putting in and taking out the articles to be kept hot. 

 Black iron absorbs the heat powerfully, and the heated air within not being 

 allowed to escape becomes very hot. When it is desired to use this hot closet 

 as a hastener in roasting meat, it is only necessary to hang in front, before the 

 black iron, a covering of tinned sheet iron, which may be in two or more 

 plates, according to the size of the hastener, for convenience of lifting on and 

 off*. Fig. 1 19. is a back view of such a movable hot closet, with the door open, 

 showing the shelves, &c. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that white sheet 

 iron will, in many cases, be preferable to black iron ; because, while it reflects 

 the heat and hastens the meat, it will conduct and radiate quite enough into 



