Animadversions on Mr. Genets Memorial, fyc. JJ9 



are claims to information and knowledge, which ought, surely, 

 to have been amply sufficient to have sustained him, calm 

 and unmoved, amidst all my " aspersions, unfair subversions, 

 misnomers, and curtailments; 1 ' but it has been an easy, 

 though by no means a pleasant task to show, that these high 

 claims are preferred by one whose knowledge is limited to 

 the action of the old atmospheric engine, and, that even in 

 this, it is altogether imperfect. 



I had been led, by a friend, to anticipate a very formidable 

 reply to my former strictures on Mr. Genet's work. Although 

 I was fully aware that the ground taken by that gentleman 

 was untenable, yet I confess that I did expect from him some- 

 thing more imposing than the ' Reply' before me, Feeble as it 

 appears to me, it yet covers considerable space, and although 

 I have not attempted to notice one half the errors which it 

 contains, my animadversions have already swelled out to an 

 undesirable extent. I proceed, therefore, to make some re- 

 marks upon Mr. Genet's projected improvements, and will 

 endeavor to do so without provoking another quibble on his 

 part. 



»I cannot better describe the claims of Mr. Genet than by 

 quoting the words of his friend, Dr. Pascalis, who, on this 

 subject, has fairly identified himself with Mr. Genet, although 

 this gentleman states, that in speaking of his ' Memorial,' the 

 Dr. has only " claimed for its author, on a subject entirely 

 new, a suspension of censure, and condemnation, until the 

 whole scheme could be matured, and rectified, by actual ex- 

 periment." Let us, however, hear the claims, in the words 

 of the Dr. himself, and learn if they are thus limited. In 

 Vol. XL p. 112, of your Journal, he says, "Mr. Genet un- 

 dertakes to apply the aerostatic power to the raising, or 

 lowering, of canal boats, on an inclined plane, between a 

 water level, and a higher level, with or without water. He 

 will propel boats on a high level, destitute of water, and lower 

 them to a water level. He can raise or lower carriages on 

 rail ways, from one level to another — relieve steam boats., 

 stranded or grounded, &c. Combining also aerostatic and 

 hydrostatic powers, he can raise or lower canal boats, to or 

 from a high vertical altitude; raise vessels stranded, and 

 other heavy bodies, from under water, also on land, by means 

 of hydrostatic cranes. He can direct how to prevent ships 

 from sinking, &c. and finally, he will protect, or guard steam 

 boats, against snags, sawyers, shoals, and rocks." 

 Vol. XIIL—No. 1. 12 



