172 
On the Burmese Varnish. 
“ Upon the tug system, high pressure engines might be again introduced into 
steam navigation*.” 
And lastly, the tug system will be superior in economy to any thing yet devised. 
A large steam boat, with a powerful engine, cannot be constructed much under 4flfl0£ ; 
hut the best steam tugs need not cost above 2000ih nor steam vessels (for ferries) 
above 3000. i) each. 
Remarks by the Editor of the Mechanics* Magazine. 
“The saving, we apprehend, would be even greater than Captain McK here antici- 
pates. An engine of 12 or 14 horse power, if embarked in a tug, would be suffici- 
ent for almost any purpose ; aud a common condensing engine of that dimension 
may be obtained for less than 500j£. and a boat to embark it in, clinker 
built and copper fastened, for little more than 300j£. Such at least are the or- 
dinary prices at Newcastle, where tugs are much employed to tow the trade up and 
down the Tyne ; and they connot differ greatly from the prices elsewhere.” 
“ Captain McK professes himself unable to imagine what objection can be stated 
to the tug system, ill opposition to so many advantages, except it be some supposed 
difficulty in managing two boats together in certain circumstances of tide, current, 
weather, &c. But to this he gives the following satisfactory answers : 1 . The thing 
has been already done on the American rivers, at least as rapid and as strong as 
any of oursf-: 2. where there are thus great advantages to be obtained, and only one 
small difficulty to be overcome, with common talent and energy, if there is a will, 
there will be found many ways.” 
Captain McK. describes the American method of connecting the tug with the 
passage boat as follows. “ Two iron rods are secured one to each bow of the passage 
vessel, so as easily to play up and down ; and their other extremities are brought 
together, as in a triangle and are jointed and pivoted on the taffrail of the tug. As 
general principles the nearer the two boats are kept together the smoother, the lighter, 
and more manageable, will be the draught ; and inflexible rods, besides their conveni- 
ence for backing and keeping the boats apart, transmit the impulse undintinished j 
whereas, ropes act like springs, and a considerable portion of the power is expended 
in merely stretching them.” 
Captain McK. also proposes the tug system for the open sea, and thinks the 
advantages of its employment would be equally great. “ Should a gale of wind arise, 
the tug, relieved from its incumbrance, would probably be always able to command 
its own safety ; while the passenger vessel, lying under jury masts, (with the 
means of erecting and rigging which she might be furnished,) or at anchor, would be 
much more lively without the engine.” 
Cl 
IV. On the Varnish used hy the Burmese , and its probable Identity 
with that of the Chinese Lackered Ware. 
The following letter was addressed by a gentleman to a friend on the subject of 
ascertaining, through a correspondent in China, some points relating to the so 
generally admired Chinese varnish. We publish the letter at full length, inas- 
much as it may furnish to others, having an opportunity of inquiring, an idea 
of the particulars to which they should direct their attention. The letter is fol- 
lowed by an enumeration of the facts which were in consequence ascertained. 
The principal point, however, the identity of the Burmese and Chinese varnishes, 
is not noticed. We hope our publication may, in the possible extension of 
its sphere of circulation, yet reach China ; and that onr countrymen in that quar- 
ter of the globe may be reminded by it, how many interesting facts and how much 
* “ We arc particularly glad to observe the stand which Captain McK. makes- 
in favour of these engines. It is disgraceful to the character of the nation that a 
few destructive explosions, occasioned solely by gross neglect and ignorance, should 
have had the effect of driving them so generally out of use. There is not another 
people in the civilj se d world who have been so frightened out of the use of a great 
mechanical power. Our own step-children [brethren ?] the Americans, seem 
to cry out shame upon us ; for there isscarcely on all their rivers a single steam boat 
which is not propelled by a high pressure engine.” — Ed. Mech Mag- 
i' Or of ours. s ' 
