313 



insufficient when raised to the vertical position to maintain 

 their own weight ; whereas, on the experiment being repeated, 

 but by interposition of a thin plate of soft iron between the 

 magnet and the bars operated upon, and sliding the North 

 Pole in advance over them as before, they were enabled to 

 do so. These processes were, secondly, further displayed in 

 the tractive power of supporting weights, the results of which 

 were, that by the Doctor's method a horse-shoe piece of iron 

 was enabled to sustain, when magnetized, nearly double the 

 weight of that produced by any previously known process. 

 A very powerful small magnet was exhibited, capable of 

 carrying ten times its own weight, and very effective methods 

 were pointed out of de-magnetizing bars, which were very 

 ingenious. 



At the conclusion of this communication, the following 

 paper was read : — 



ON THE COMPAIIATIVE ECONOMY OF VARIOUS METHODS OF 

 APPLYING POWER FOR LOCOMOTION ON RAILWAYS, 

 AND PARTICULARLY ON THE ATMOSPHERIC SYSTEM. 

 BY WILLIAM SYKES WARD, ESQ., LEEDS. 



In bringing to your notice the subject of Atmospheric 

 Railways, I hope it may not be thought that I endeavour to 

 introduce to you a chimerical speculation ; for whatever may 

 be the ultimate success of the promoters of the Atmospheric 

 System, there is now little doubt that it is to a great extent 

 practicable ; and that if, in the infancy of railways, before the 

 locomotive engine had been perfected as it is at present, the 

 introduction of Atmospheric Railways would have been con- 

 sidered a great benefit to the community, — even at present 

 we have the unequivocal evidence of the most eminent railway 

 engineers, that the Atmospheric Railway is a great triumph 

 to mechanism, the only doubt being whether it can be worked 

 with practical advantage in a commercial point of view. 



