356 



Notes on Gardens at Brighton, 



Fig. 35. 



Fig. 36. Handbarrow Measure. 



ground, by heavy hammers, so as not to exceed in diameter 5 or 

 6 inches. They are then placed on a table of a triangular shape 

 (j%. 34.), boarded on three sides like a dressing table, but open 

 at the narrow end, which is placed next and in front of the ope- 

 rator, who sits on a stool (b), or stands, as he may choose, and 

 has a block between him and the point of the table 

 (a), the top of which block is about 6 in. lower than 

 the top of the table. By means of an iron ring fixed 

 into a handle of wood (Jig. 35.), he draws from the 

 table as many of the stones as the ring will enclose on 

 the block, and then breaks them while still enclosed 

 in the ring, which is held by his left hand. When 

 this is done, then, with another motion of the left 

 hand, he draws them in the ring off the block till M"********- 

 they form a heap at one side, or he at once drops them into the 

 handbarrow measure, (Jig. 36.) To pre- 

 vent any fragments from getting to his 

 face, he puts on a wire guard or veil 

 (fig. 37-), which may be tied by a riband 

 round his head, or suspended from his 

 hat. In the same handbarrow, which serves as 

 a cubic yard measure, stones are conveyed to 

 any distances. The price paid is so much a 

 yard. In some places the breaking apparatus 

 consists of three separate parts, the table, the 

 block, and the stool ; in others, the whole is 

 combined in one machine, furnished with a 

 wheel (Jig. 34. c), which serves as one foot 

 when the machine is stationary, and handles 

 (d), by means of which it may be moved from Fig- 37. wire Guard. 

 place to place as easily as a common wheelbarrow. In some 

 places there is a light triangular frame with thatched hurdles, 

 one for each side, and one for the top, which can be used for 

 protecting the operator from rain, snow, or cold winds. 



We consider these contrivances for raising the character of 

 stone-breaking as a fine example of what may be done for man, 

 even in the humblest, most unintellectual, and most monotonous 

 of occupations. An article in the Journal of the Royal Agricidtural 

 Society, vol. ii. p. 353., published in December last, shows how 

 the labour of keeping roads in repair may be rendered greatly 

 more interesting to the operator, by letting the work at so much 

 per mile, furnishing the operator with certain appropriate articles 

 of clothing, and forming a scale of merit, by which the portions 

 of road under each man is to be tried, and gratuities awarded 

 to them accordingly once or twice a year. How different must 

 be the feelings of men so employed from the feelings of those 

 who have no more interest in the road they are repairing than 

 the horse has in the cart which he drags over it ! 



