In noticing the architecture of the building, Mr. Wyatt observes that one peculiarity most distressing was, that a system of sham seemed to preside over all the ornaments and constructions. "Great carton pierre trusses which supported nothing, painted bas-reliefs to imitate bronze, fir covered over with paper to make it look like oak, were all unnecessary and wasteful professional forgeries ;" and he states his belief that a better building might be erected, affording the same area and advantages as the Parisian Palace of Industry, and avoiding its defects, for an amount less, probably, by one-fourth, than that which has been expended upon it. The second division of the report, that which relates to the past expositions, gives a rapid and lively sketch of the origin of such institutions, and the leading features by which each successive exposition has been characterized. The first official exhibition took place under Napoleon, in 1798. On the same spot, in the Champ de Mars, on which the army had celebrated the inauguration of the noble collection of Italian spoils, and but six weeks after that fete, the nation erected the "Temple of Industry;" and exhibited specimens of the blessings and advantages of peace. The success of the first experiment led the Executive to determine to institute similar exhibitions annually, and letters were addressed to the prefects of the departments, requesting them to form local committees to examine and forward proper products to Paris at the public expense, and which might be eligible to carry away the prize of twenty silver medals offered by the Government, or one gold one to be awarded to whoever should have opposed the most formidable rivalry to English manufacture. Notwithstanding this circular, an interval of three years elapsed before the second exposition took place, when 220 exhibitors were admitted to the competition. It was on this occasion that the immortal Jacquard obtained a bronze medal, and subsequently a pension of 1,000f. per annum, which was ultimately increased to 6,000f. Mr. Wyatt mentions it as a gratifying circumstance, that it was in consequence of Jacquard's reading the advertisement of a premium offered by the Society of Arts, that he was induced to turn his attention to the study of that loom which has since rendered his fame so universal. The third exposition took place in 1802; the Societé d'Encouragement was established immediately after it, but nothing worthy of special mention is recorded of the exhibition itself. In 1806 the fourth exposition was held, and, in the meantime, French industry had made extraordinary progress under the influence of the master mind of Napoleon. In every department of textile fabric an amazing improvement had been effected; and the manufacture of iron, and steel, and porcelain was conducted on greatly improved principles. The isolation which for many years separated manufac> turing France from the other producing powers of Europe, by forcing her energies to supply alone what other countries derived from mutual co-operation, laid the foundation, Mr. Wyatt remarks, for that facility and universality of manufacture which so eminently distinguish her in the present day. It is partly owing to this state of continued exertion that in 1819, on the occasion of the fifth exposition, France is still found on the high road to honour and distinction. The leading features of this exhibition was the improvement which had been effected in the manufacture of metal work, and the superb and numerous specimens contributed. The exertions of Daniel Koechlin, the Thomson of French calicoprinting; of Raymond of Lyons, the inventor of the process for fixing Prussian blue in silk dyeing; and others, also marked the character of the period which had intervened. Jacquard reappears at this exhibition, gaining a prize more worthy of his great abilities; 360 medals of different kinds, and 17 erosses of the Legion of Honour, were given to 377 out of 1,662 competitors. The exposition of 1823 was attended by fewer contributors; but still progress was manifested in the products brought forward, and the exhibition was signalized by the appearance of the first suspension-bridge by Seguin, Freres. In 1827, when the seventh exposition took place, great improvements in the arrangement and classification of the various branches of industry were introduced by M. Payen, the learned chymist. The influence of the application of steam as a motive-power began now to make itself sensibly felt; and while in evenness and regularity of finish the goods contributed showed a manifest advance, the prices at which it was found possible to deliver them in the market greatly extended the home consumption, and laid the foundation for a considerable export trade. The manufacture of merino had enormously increased, 15,000,000f. worth being annually disposed of, while the shawi, silk, tulle, and blonde trades had also expanded in an equally magic manner. Vast improvements had taken place in the productions of silk; and the application of ma chinery to making paper in endless lengths, enabled the superior French taste in the matter of paper-hangings to rival, and ultimately monopolize, the favour with which, up to about this time, the English productions had been regarded. The brilliant re sults of the experiments of Vicat placed the scientific study of natural and artificial cements on a new footing; and improvements in plate-glass manufacture, and the revival of the processes of painting and staining that material, added another element to the resources of ecclesiastical decoration. The eighth exposition, that of 1834, showed a steady progression in almost every variety of manufacture in silk, cotton-printing, flaxspinning, in tools, and chymical productions of every kind especially. Among the novelties introduced may be mentioned paperhangings printed from cylinders at Mulhausen, the revival of the arts of enamel and "niello," the re-creation of the art of wood-engraving, and great exeellence in marqueterie and ornamental cabinet and inlaid work. The number of exhibitors amounted to 2,447, of whom 697 were rewarded with medals, 23 with decorations of the Legion of Hononr, and the merits of 1,785 were recognized by the central jury, over which M. Dupin presided. The ninth exposition, in 1839, was accompanied by a declaration of the central jury, showing how much the French trade had increased, the growing demand on the part of the public for vast quantities of goods at the lowest price, and the adoption by manufacturers of the principle of "large sales and small profits." The declaration stated that the principal points regarded by the jury were" 1st, inventions and improvements, classed according to the importance of their results as affecting manufacture; 2nd, the extent of the factories, and their typographical situation; 3rd, the actual and commercial quality of the goods; 4th, cheapness attained by increased facilities of production." The adoption of this eminent popular business theory was mainly dependent on four causes,-1st, on the improvements effected in machines, substituting the mechanical for the human hand; 2nd, on the progress of popular education; -municipal libraries, communal and drawing schools, local museums, free exhibitions of works of art, and the liberal rewards and aid given to students, had for years been laying the foundation for that cultivation of the intelligence of the lower orders which in the present day has elevated the mind of the French artisan to nearly a par with that of the universal artist; 3rd, on a better comprehension of the theory of commercial as connected with political and social economy; and 4th, on the interest which these periodical exhibitions of industry, and the publication of admirable critiques upon them, had excited in the public mind. The exhibition of 1839 exhibited many features of interest and novelty. The jury dwelt with admiration on the native silk, and the native nitre, the marbles of the Pyrenees, the lithographic stones discovered in France, the introduction of stearine, the fine wool, and the various qualities of ironstone. The progress attained in different kinds of machinery, in the processes of manufacture of steel, glass of every description, and leather, were reported as remarkable, while, " in the dissemination of the elements of beauty through graphic representations, the arts of lithography and engraving on wood were allowed to have materially aided in popularizing fine art, and, by spreading abroad reproductions of models of form, to have assisted in adding the charm of elegant design to almost every department of industry susceptible of the happy combination of grace and utility." No less than 4,381 exhibitors contributed, of whom 878 gained rewards. The tenth exhibition, in 1844, was certainly, Mr. Wyatt observes, “the culminating point of the series, revealing the successful results of the influence of long-continued peace and peaceful government on the industry and producing powers of France. In every possible department of manufacture, from the most elaborate to the most simple, specimens of great beauty and utilitarian perfection manifested the ingenuity of a people cultivated by long study and habit in the highest degree to appreciate excellence as consumers, and at the same time fully equal to the task of supplying it as producers." Baron Thenard, president of the central jury, in addressing the King on this occasion, enumerated in succession a number of the most important points in which notable improvements had been made. He dwelt on the progress of steam navigation, distilla. tion of salt water, on the perfection of iron casting, on the application of new systems of warming and ventilation, and of electrometallurgy, on the manufacture of the best flint glass for astronomical purposes, of pyrolignous acid, of sulphate of soda, of muriate of potass, of artificial manures; of white lead, of sulphuric acid, of dyes and pigments, of silk and sugar; on the admirable arrangement of lighthouses; and on the increase in the supply, from national resources, of raw silk, of wool, sugar, and of flax; but most earnestly of all did he commend to his sovereign's attention, "the amazing advance which had been made in the construction, not only of machines, but of those mighty engines by which machines themselves are made-by which the stubborn iron is moulded to the will of man, with an ease of operation as far exceeding his uncertain efforts in regularity and precision, as in force and almost limitless power." In addition to these, in all those handicrafts, which rise from the indus trial almost into the department of the fine arts-that in silver, and bronze working, in jewellery, ornamental modelling and designing, in every fabric and material, France in 1844 exhibited such a display as no other country could have possibly brought together; and the benefit, derivable to her citizens and to the world from an inspection of this gorgeous collection of her products, must have been one of the greatest it has ever been the happy privilege of any one country to bestow upon the industry and producing powers of the world at large. No fewer than 3,960 manufacturers exhibited, of whom the merits of as many as 3,255 were more or less recognized by the jury. The general characteristics of the exposi tion of 1849 having been described under the first head, Mr. Wyatt does not here dwell further upon them, but merely indicates a few of those peculiarities which distinguished it from all preceding expositions. In the first place, it is the largest, the number of contributors amounting to 4,494 and the central jury 64. In the second place, it is the first at which live stock and agricultural produce has been admitted to compete for prizes. Mr. Wyatt expresses his regret that the admission of products from other countries, proposed by M. Buffet, was unfortunately rejected; but he finds some excuse for this short-sighted policy in the fact, that the manufacturers of France were still "smartng under the protracted misery of actual and threatening civil war, and the effects of sudden commercial stagnation." The third and last of the sections into which the report is divided, refers to the official arrangements for carrying out an exposition every five years. As to the funds whence the money should be drawn to defray the expenses, it appears that in 1791 a law was passed, declaring― "that the profits arising from fees paid on the granting of patents should be appropriated to the encouragement of national industry;" and from that source a considerable portion of the necessary sum has been derived. Previous to 1834, it appears from a decree signed by Louis Philippe, granting a supplementary credit of 90,000 francs, that these profits had been allowed to accumulate until they had arrived at a sufficient amount to more than cover the whole expenses of the exposition of that year. 1844, to no more than 3,2381. The actual worth of the gold medal is but 500f. (204.), that of the silver medal but 30f. (17.4s. 2d.) "The distribution," he adds, 66 always taking place in public, under circumstances of extraordinary éclat, the hand of the Sovereign conferring the medals, the publicity and the local reputation attendant on success make, to active and zealous manufacturers, the attainment of one of these distinctions the object of extraordinary efforts, of years of unremitting exertion, and the pride and glory of their existence as citizens.”—Abridged from the Times. SPECIFICATIONS OF ENGLISH PATENTS ENROLLED DURING THE WEEK ENDING 14TH OF NOVEMBER, 1849. ROBERT SUTCLIFFE, Idle, Bradford, York, cotton spinner. For improvements in machinery for spinning cotton, silk, and other fibrous substances. Patent dated May 8, 1849. These improvements refer to certain modes of constructing and mounting flyers in spinning machines. 1. The first of these modes consists in slipping them over small steel spindles, screwed at the top ends, and securing them in position with nuts. Each spindle is supported, and free to revolve, in a central cavity in the top end of a stud, attached to a rail, and is prevented from jumping out by a collar screwed thereon. A rising and falling motion is communicated to the rail, as in the ordinary machines, while above it, is a fixed rail which supports a pulley connected to a tube slipped over the stud, and free to revolve thereon. The bobbin is passed over the tube, and made to rotate by a driving band passing round the pulley. The thread board is attached to the stud, so that it may partake of its rising and falling motion. The thread is passed through one of the eyes of the flyer, and attached to the bobbin previous to its being made to revolve. Or, 2. The flyer instead of being slipped over a spindle, which revolves in a stud, is made with a tube or socket whereby it is supported, and free to revolve on a collar cut for that purpose on the top of the stud, and retained in position by caps or pins. Claims.-1. The application of flyers attached to spindles, supported by and revolving in studs in combination with caps, or pins, or any mechanical equivalent, to keep the spindles in their places in the studs. 2. The application of flyers made with holes or sockets, whereby they are supported and revolve on studs in combination with caps or pins, or any mechanical equivalent to keep the flyers in their places on the studs. GEORGE EDMOND DONISTHORPE, and JOHN WHITEHEAD, of Leeds, manufacturers. For improvements in preparing, combing, and hackling fibrous matters. Patent dated May 8, 1849. 1. The patentees describe, first, an improved drawing machine which consists of two endless bands, placed one above the other, which revolve at certain regular intervals of time, and carry the fibrous material between another pair of endless bands, which revolve continuously at an increased velocity. Supposing the fibres to be about 6 inches long, then the first pair of bands are made to travel at a surface speed of one-eighth of an inch at each partial revolution, while, during the same space of time, the second pair are caused to move with a surface speed of from 50 to 60 of an inch; whereby the material will be drawn out in small quantities, which are received on a rotary brush, suitably supported at the delivery end of the second pair of bands. 2. A combing machine is next described : The fibrous material is urged by a pair of feed rollers between two brushes, when a portion of it is seized hold of by a comb, which being fixed on the end of a bent arm, supported inside the main cylinder, and worked by a cam, is caused to protrude beyond the circumference of the cylinder when it arrives opposite to it. The teeth of the comb are finer and shorter than usual, and between them the fibres are pushed down by the action of the top brush. As the cylinder revolves, the comb, moving at a slower pace, is gradually drawn within the circumference, by the continued action of the cam, and thereby caused to come in contact with a coarse comb fixed to the periphery of the cylinder, to which the fibrous material is transferred. Behind the fixed comb is a brush fixed on one end of a lever, the other end of which is acted on by a fixed cam, so as to come in contact with the ends of the fibres and give them support when they arrive in front of an endless band of combs, supported at the end of the machine opposite to the feed roller. The material is carried conjointly by the two combs for a short distance, and deposited, as they receded from each other, in a rotary comb, which conveys it to a pair of rollers, which deliver it in slivers. 3. The patentees describe, lastly, a hackling machine, which is constructed with a number of hackling surfaces, each succeeding one lower than the preceding, and with an inclined trough for guiding the strick of fibrous material, in order that the points of action may gradually penetrate deeper into it. No claims are made in this specification, and it is left to the reader to judge for himself what is new and what is old in the "improvements" mentioned in the title. The specification is, therefore, not such a valid specification as the law requires. SAMUEL WILKES, Wednesbury_Heath, Wolverhampton, brass-founder. For improvements in the manufacture of knobs, handles, and spindles for the same, for doors, and other purposes, and improvements in locks. Patent dated May 8, 1849. Mr. Wilkes describes, and claims-1. A method of making the sand core for casting knobs in one piece (instead of in halves, and uniting them by some adhesive material), on a hollow perforated tube, to allow the air to escape, with the lower part supported on a guard, whereby it will be correctly held in the sand mould, and thereby obviate the necessity of the hole in the crown-as is at present the case; which hole has afterwards to be plugged and soldered. The crown is made with a nib, to facilitate its being held in the lathe during the process of turning; and the knobs may be cast in pairs, if desired. 2. A method of making recesses in three or more surfaces of the spindle, in order to obtain greater nicety of adjustment in respect to length. 3. A method of attaching a shield to the bolt of a lock, so that when it is doublelocked from the inside, it shall cover the outside key-hole. GEORGE HENRY DODGE, Manchester, manufacturer. For certain improvements in machinery for spinning and doubling cotton yarns and other fibrous materials, and in machinery or apparatus for winding, reeling, balling, and spooling such substances when spun. Patent dated May 10, 1849. Mr. Dodge describes, and claims, 1. A novel construction of clutch-wheel, having a flange with a single detent upon it, and its application to the production of a copping motion. 2. The application of a scroll cam, acted upon by the clutch-wheel, which communicates motion to a second scroll cam that transmits it, through a rack and pinion, to the scroll shaft, and thence, by means of scroll cams, chains, and their appurtenances, to the copping rail. 3. A method of causing the copping rail to make the upward traverse with an accelerated speed. 4. A mode of causing the copping rail to makes a sudden rise or lift when near the nose of the cop. 5. The throwing the clutch wheel out of action by means of a strap fork acting upon a lever, which removes a click spring in order to prevent the machine stopping. 6. The application of a ratchet wheel to the balance wheel, for regulating the downward motion of the copping rail. 7. The application of worm wheel and sector, or quadrant, on the doffing shaft, to produce the doffing movement of the copping rail when required. 8. Diminishing the distance between the spindles of throstle machines, in order that the alternation of the copping and guide rails, in proportion to each other, may be regulated and governed. 9. The application of a waste roller. 11. Maintaining the tension of yarns in machines for winding, reeling, balling, or spooling, by a metallic drum, or fetter, fixed to a hinge attached to the guide rail; an arrangement of guide wire near the nose of the cop, and a hinge socket, or sliding joint, in the foot of the spindle. CHARLOTTE SMITH, wife of Jabez Smith, of Bedford. For improvements in certain articles of wearing apparel. Patent dated May 14, 1849. Mrs. Smith describes, 1. Certain improvements in stays and corsets, by which they can be more easily and quickly fastened and unfastened, tightened or loosened, and may be also made to fit the person with the utmost exactness without injurious pressure on any part. 2. A half boot or covering for the foot and lower part of the leg, to which the patentee gives the name of " Soccopedes Elasticus," from its possessing greater adaptability to the natural varieties in the shape of the foot and leg than any covering for these parts heretofore in use. The peculiar features of this article are, that the top part is made of one piece of some looped fabric, with an edging or bordering of elastic braiding; and that the top part is widened by a peculiar operation towards the heel, and lowered in front. 3. An improvement in travelling coats, cloaks, wrappers, &c., which consists in incorporating with them a back-piece of airtight cloth, which may be inflated at pleasure by the wearer. 4. The application of the method of widening at the heel (mentioned under the second head) to the manufacture of stockings and socks of all descriptions. 5. A new fabric for outer garments, called thePiuma Cloth," which is manufactured from the coarse description of silk known in India by the name of Tusseh, or Tussar Silk, and is at once extremely light and perfectly water-repellent. And, 6. In certain improvements in gentlemen's coats. SAMUEL ALLPORT, of Birmingham, gunmaker. For a certain improved method of making or manufacturing a certain part or parts of looms used in weaving. Patent dated May 14, 1849. Claims.-1. The piercing of a number of sets of mail holes at one operation by means of the tools represented in figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 2. The cutting out of a number of sets of mail holes at one operation by means of the tools represented in figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. 3. The piercing and cutting out of a number of mails at one operation by means of the tools represented in figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. 4. The striking or bevelling a number of mails at one operation by means of the tools represented in figs. 17, 18, and 19. And 5. The modes of securing the punches and beds used in the manufacture of mails in their respective holders. We shall give a particular description of these different tools, with engravings, in our next RECENT AMERICAN PATENT. (From the Franklin Journal.) FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE PIANOFORTE ACTION. John H. Low. The patentee says,-" The improvements which I have made consist, first, in a peculiar construction of that end of the hammer lever in which the fulcrum or pivot is placed, so that when the hammer is at its greatest height, or in contact with the strings, the point where the power is communicated from the key-lever, and the fulcrum or pivot on which the hammer-lever turns, shall be in a horizontal line, or nearly so, in connection with an opening or notch between these two points, sufficient to admit the head of the jack or fly by which the power is communicated, allowing the jack or fly to work off by its own regular motion, produced by being firmly attached to the key-lever, and describing a circle, of which the fulcrum of the key-lever is the centre. Secondly, in forming a rest, to prevent the jack or fly from moving more than is necessary to allow the hammer to fall upon the back catch, thereby avoiding the noise that is sometimes produced by the rebounding of the fly upon the surface, where it should slide smoothly." Claim. "What I claim as combined together, and with the hammer and fly, is the projection and peculiar recess, with its abutment or block.' |