MACHINE FOR CLEAKIKG CHIMNEYS. 171 



case, a substance of an elastic nature has not power sufficient 

 when the brush is forty or fifty feet up, especially where there 

 are sharp turns in the flues; the force applied to send the 

 brush up is principally spent in friction on the sides of the 

 flues, and of course would soon cut through any flexible sub» 

 stance that combines the whalebone, or other clastic sub- 

 stance used. 



INfy next attempt was to join elastic rods togetker by screws Elastic rods 

 in the joints, but this plan would not do in passing sharp el- g^re^ i Th 

 bows, as the joints would be ^trained, and soon unfit for use, joints. 

 and a danger of the joints slipping or breaking, which would 

 leave the brQsh in the flue. 



I then thought of the simple portable machine 1 have sent Machine for- 

 for the inspection of the Society; its cheapness, durability, "l®''^y '^^^*^'^'^* 

 and power of execution, will, I hope, reconimcnd it. I think 

 with perseverance it will abolish the practice of climbing 

 boys; I have used it in several lofty chiranies, and am con- 

 vinced it may in time become general. 1 have also sent a rod 

 and curtain that may be fixed to any opening of a chimney 

 piece, from six inches to five feet, without using nails or fork? 

 in the common mode, to the injury of the wainscot or chim- 

 ney piece. 



My method of working the machine is, by first putting up Method of 

 the brush, then pressing forward one tube after another, as u^i'ig it. 

 strung upon the rope, till the brush meets with an elbow in the 

 flue; then it is necessary to tighten the rope by pulling it un- 

 der the feet, or by means of a small pulley, and putting in one 

 of the small screws to pinch the rope; then make a fresh push, 

 and by shifting the two screws, the one to relieve the other, it 

 will pass the elbow, and possess sufficient stiffness to allow the 

 brush to be forced forward to any height. 



I have tried the heath and hair brushes, and find, that if the Brushes, 

 flue is well filled, it does not require so hard a substance as 

 heath, as it brings down the mortar with the soot. The 

 brushes of hair, and those formed from the article of which 

 carpet brooms or whi&ks are made, 1 think will answer the 

 best for general usp. 



This 



