Perkins'' Steam Engine. 63 



We have seen a testimonial given, for some private pur- 

 pose, by several respectable engineers, whose names howev- 

 er, we do not feel ourselves at liberty to publish without au- 

 thority. It was to this effect : 



" We, the undersigned, having made ourselves practically 

 acquainted with Perkins' high pressure safety steam engine, 

 do not hesitate to state, that he has established the following 

 new and important facts in the construction of his engine. 

 1st, Absolute safety. 2d, Greater economy in fuel than in 

 any other engine hitherto invented. 3d, The removal of 

 all the re-action of the steam, and atmospheric air, on the 

 eduction side of the piston, without the necessity of an air 

 pump. 4th, A new and simple flexible metallic piston, re- 

 quiring no oil, or lubrication, whatever. 5fh, A reduction 

 of three fourths of the weight and bulk, by very much sim- 

 plifying certain complicated parts of steam engines, and sub- 

 stituting a very simple eduction valve, for the one commonly 

 used both for eduction and induction. By which means, a 

 reduction is made in the size of the engine ; a saving of pow- 

 er is effected, and a diminution of friction ; less wear and tear 

 occur, and less destructibility of materials. And lastly, the 

 joints, by Mr. Perkins' peculiar mode of connecting, are 

 more easily made secure, and tight, even with the steam at 

 the pressure of lOOOlbs. to the square inch, than the joint of 

 the low pressure condensing engines." 



This is all the information, that we are at present enabled 

 to afford upon this interesting subject ; the specification will 

 not be enrolled until September ; we shall then take the ear- 

 liest opportunity of laying the invention before our readers, 

 with all its details, and in the mean time should any further 

 information transpire, we shall not allow it to pass unnoticed. 



Newton's Journal, (London.) 



Believing that Mr. Perkins and Mr. Hazard have, in the preceding 

 pages, insisted on the principal cause of the explosion of steam boilers, 

 and being convinced that the effectual prevention of these horrible ca- 

 tastrophes would be a great blessing to mankind, and would remove 

 the only important objection which exists against the general use of 

 steam power, it is with particular pleasure that we introduce to our rea- 

 ders the following communication from Mr. Doolittle. We have seen 

 the working model, and cannot discover any defect either in the princi- 

 ple or practical operation of the machinery. Such is the opinion also 

 of an eminent mathematical and mechanical philosopher who has exam- 

 ined the instrument. — Editor of the Am. Journal. 



