On the Application of Mineral Colours to Stuffs, by M. HAUSSMAN.-Being myself a manufacturer of printed goods, and having some knowledge of chemistry, I succeeded, as long as forty-six years ago, in fixing the colour of Prussian-blue on cotton stuffs, and in changing olive colours, the mordant of which is alumine and oxyd of iron, into very beautiful greens, by immersion into a colour-vat, slightly acidulated, and charged with Prussian-blue. These kind of goods, dyed in Prussian-blue, then into olive transformed into green, were at that time a considerable article of trade. By using processes similar to those which I employed for cottons, I obtained the same shades and colours on samples of silk; and for these last ten years, I have been able to fix Prussianblue on wool, and to produce with it on woollen cloth the same colours as on cotton and silk. I have even often had satisfactory results. The nitric solution of red oxyd of mercury, precipitated on a sample of cotton cloth, has given me a very fine yellow: a like colour was produced by the precipitation, by ammonia, of a solution of gold; but this turned brown by keeping, probably by the loss of part of its oxygen. Suspecting that this salt of gold might prove fulminating, I dried the cloth with great precaution, but nothing of the kind occurred. The oxyd of silver fixed on the cloth gradually became more and more dark, and therefore produced nothing beautiful. Cassius's purple precipitate of gold gave me curious results; for having been able to obtain it in a solution of a very fine purple tint, I obtained two samples on silk and on cotton, of common violet, lilac, and grey, which could be only destroyed by combustion, and the ashes of which gilded silver in the cold. I have also tried to fix upon stuffs the sulphurets of arsenic, antimony, and mercury; but as these experiments produced nothing satisfactory, particularly for cotton prints, I gave them up, which I did with the less regret, as I could obtain nearly the same colours by the use of weld and quercitron joined to madder and cochineal. Many of these yield in nothing to the finest chromate of lead colours, the pattern-printing of which still presents some difficulties, which, however, may probably be surmounted.An. de Chimie.

VOL. III. NO. IX.

The Apograph. This is a new-invented instrument for copying drawings, &c. so called by the learned who have seen it. It is so constructed, that drawings of any kind may be copied by it upon paper, copper, or any other substance capable of receiving an impression, upon a scale either extended, reduced, or the same as the original. The arts, we understand, furnish no instance of an instrument resembling this, either in its appearance or operation, save what is called the pantograph; and even from this machine it differs materially. The beam in the former is suspended vertically from an universal joint, whereas the beam of the latter is supported on an horizontal plane. There is also a counterpoise added to the apograph above the centre of motion, which relieves the hand almost entirely of the weight it would otherwise have to sustain when the beam is out of the vertical position. A Mr. Smith, of Ayr, is the inventor.

Cleaning of Medals.-Professor Lancellotti, of Naples, in order to remove from ancient silver medals the rust that covers, and often renders them illegible, first lays the medal in oxidated acid of salts, afterwards in a solution of salammoniac for a short time; and then rubs it with a piece of linen until all the rust disappears.

Useful Discovery.-It is not generally known that soap and water rubbed upon a hone, as a substitute for oil, is peculiarly effective, and gives a much smoother and finer edge to a razor than can be produced by oil. It is suggested that this is also a better material for setting surgical instruments than oil.

New Saddles.-Mr. S. Fletcher, of Walsall, has taken out a patent for improvements on saddles, saddle straps, saddle-girths, and saddle-cloths. The object is to render saddle-girths elastic by the addition of springs; which is effected by attaching one end of the usual strap to a worm spring: when the body of the horse contracts, the elasticity of the spring keeps the saddle firmly secured to the horse's back. The worm spring is formed and tempered so as to allow the strap to which it is attached to draw out in a small degree, by the action of a power or weight equal to twenty-five or thirty pounds; and its resistance is such, that not less than fifty

3 N

or sixty pounds so suspended, will closely compress it.

New Musical Instrument.-A poor blind man, of the name of James Watson, of Edinburgh, has invented and brought to perfection a musical instrument, which unites the power of two violoncellos; it has a range of sixtyfour semi-tones, and more could be added, if necessary: upon this instrument he displays a remarkable degree of practical dexterity.

New Madder Lake.-Mr. Field, after more than seven years' labour and a thousand experiments, has prepared a Lake from Madder, which in point of brilliancy and strength, both for oil and water colours, has, till within a short time, had nothing comparable to it in the arts; it is also of a very durable nature. Sir Josh. Reynolds was known to say that he would give a thousand guineas for such a desideratum.

Cast-iron Tombstones.-At Vienna it is common to cast slabs for the lids of tombs. Moveable types are inserted in the moulds to trace the inscription, and a basso relievo of emblematic design mostly adorns the tablet. The poet Körner is thus interred; and the design on his monument represents a lyre and a sword: he fell, like Kleist, fighting for a country, which his lyric and dramatic verses had delighted and illustrated. Marble slabs are in this country very costly; it is probable that tombstones of cast-iron could be substituted with economy, and with increased grace and elegance of sepulchral architecture.

NEW PATENTS.

T. ALLINGHAM, of Chelsea, for a Lamp, intended to be called "The Economical and Universal Lamp," constructed by Means of the Flame of the Wick being kept in a constant and equal Degree of Contiguity to the Oil, so as to consume, in Proportion to the Light it gives, a less Quantity of Oil than other Lamps, and also to give a continued Light of almost unvaried Brilliancy.

This lamp consists of a cylindrical or globular glass, open at the top; at the bottom is a chamber, of smaller diameter, to contain the oil. At this end of the glass is a shank or stem, made for the purpose of its being inserted in a stand, by which means the glass or lamp is supported; which stand may be made of any material capable of being formed for the purpose. A float of Savannah cedar, or any other light wood, or of

cork, or of any other floating substance, such being painted, varnished, or japanned, to preserve it from the oil, must be made so as to contain and support the wick at the top of the oil, having a groove, cut deep enough round the edge thereof, or in any other way, to allow sufficient wick to be wound or placed therein or thereon to last three months, more or less. And in the centre, or other part or parts of this float, may be fixed a tube or tubes, made of brass or other metal, about one inch in length, more or less, and the diameter therein according to the number of threads required, from two to any number. The wick is to be wound in the groove of or round the float, and the end inserted into the tube at the bottom, and brought out at the top, leaving about one-eighth of an inch, or more, for lighting. As the oil is consumed, the float of course will lower in the cylindrical glass; but as the float constantly swims on the oil, the burning-wick at the top of the tube in the float, is invariably kept in an equal and uniform degree of nearness to the oil by which it is supplied, whereby a constant light, of almost invariable brilliancy, will be produced while any oil remains; whereas in other lamps, in proportion as the oil is consumed, the light from the wick being removed to a great distance from the oil, diminishes in splendour, unless frequently trimmed and replenished. The wick forming part of this invention, is carded with cylinder or perpetual cards, and spun, by mull-frames, to the size of eight hanks to the pound, with not more twist in it than wefts the cotton-wool, and it must be picked perfectly clean. Three threads of this twist are sufficient for the nightlamp, but common cotton wick may be used, though the light will not then be quite so good.

C. HILTON, of Darwin, near. Blackburn, for a Process for improving and finishing manufactured Piece Goods.

This invention consists in applying a pulp, such as is obtained by grinding cotton or linen, to improve the appearance of cotton or linen manufactured piece goods, which is accomplished as follows:-The goods being already prepared, as heretofore practised by the trade, they are introduced on an even surface, of about three yards in length, formed by small rollers, and the pulp applied, and permitted to filtre itself into and on the manufactured piece goods, which are made to pass over the

said surface at the rate of about twelve yards in a minute, for the purpose of allowing the water to escape, and the pulp to form itself; after which it is pressed between two rollers of metal, or other suitable materials, situated at the end of the rollers, and driven by gear, the top roller being covered with a felt or flannel, and supplied with a stream of clean water, to prevent the pulp from adhering to the roller, which it would otherwise do. It is to be observed, that the pulp, previous to its being applied, should be kept in a state of agitation, and be considerably diluted with water, more or less, according to the fineness or coarseness of the goods; the proper degree of which dilution must be left to the discretion and judgment of the workmen the diluted pulp is made to flow evenly on the surface of the cloth, by passing through a box with several divisions in it. This invention consists principally in applying such pulp as is obtained by grinding cotton or linen to cotton or linen manufactured piece goods, or a mixture of the same, instead of, or

in addition to, the stiffening them with starch.

J. HEARD, of Birmingham, for an invention of certain improvements in Cooking Apparatus.

This invention consists in the construction of a stove or fire-place for the purposes of baking, boiling, roasting, &c. as well as for heating the apartment, with a very small consumption of fuel, and is as well adapted to ships as to dwelling-houses. It is intended to be insulated, or stand in the middle of a room without brickwork; the frame or case is of cast or sheet-iron, or other plates of metal, screwed or riveted together, and standing on feet to admit a current of air passing under it. The patentee considers the essential part of his invention to be in that construction of his apparatus which affords the portability of form, the facility of dismemberment, and the means of removing it in detail from place to place, and which allows it to be fitted together, without the aid of tools, or the necessity of brickwork.

Sir W. Congreve, of Cecil-street, bart. and J. N. Colquhoun, of Woolwich, Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery; for certain improvements in the art of killing and capturing of whales, and other animals, to which such means are applicable. June 7, 1821.

J. Vallance, of Brighton, for improvements on a patent granted to him on the 20th of June last, for a method and apparatus for freeing rooms and buildings (whether public or private) from the distressing heat sometimes experienced in them, and of keeping them constantly cool, or of a pleasant temperature, whether they are crowded to excess or empty, and also whether

GRANTED.

the weather be hot or cold; and the said John Vallance hath invented or discovered improvements relative thereto, and in some cases with, and in some cases without, a gas or gasses extended, or additional applications of the principles. June 19, 1821.

C. Newman, of Brighton, for an improvement in the construction of the body and carriage of a stage or other coach, by placing a certain proportion of the outside passengers in the centre of the carriage, and a proportion of the luggage under the same, producing thereby safety the coach, and convenience to the passengers. July 17, 1821.

BIOGRAPHY.

Of all empire that of genius is the most powerful, the most extensive, the most durable. The names of conquerors are scarcely remarked, after the effect of their innovations is passed; but the works of genius are revered through every age, and time only adds to our value of productions which even his relentless scythe refuses to consign to oblivion. Madame de Stael was one of the extraordinary characters that give an epoch to the age in which they appear. Of all female writers she is the most eloquent, the most impassioned; the most profoundly skilled in the movements of the heart. The little jealousies, and petty sneers that talent in her sex too generally excites, are now buried in the unenvied stillness of the grave; and it only remains for posterity to do as much justice to her amiable qualities, as to the greatness of her acquirements. In this point of view, as throwing light on her private character, which has already been exhibited in so touching a point of view in her Memoirs written by her kinswoman Madame Necker de Saussure, this "Ten Years' Exile" will not be perused without interest, though in so mere an outline as to exhibit little of the masterly powers of the author's hand. Still there are reflections and sentiments scattered throughout that scarcely any other writer could have supplied; and it is to these sentiments and reflections the volume owes all its chief value; for the political part of it will excite at this period no other emotion than that of a conviction of the transitory nature of public feeling. He whom she reproaches as the unjust cause of her exile, and all her sorrows, has now paid the same debt of nature which has deprived society of any further effusions from her pen; and the Exile of St. Helena, and the impassioned Corinna of her own story, are alike at rest. Madame de Stael's remarks on Russia and on the state of literature in Pe. tersburgh will be found particularly interesting, concise as they necessarily are. Her manner of mentioning her father likewise, always new, always affecting, sufficiently proves the reality of her affection for him-the sincerity of her grief. Perhaps a more perfect model of filial love never existed than in Madame de Stael, and it is reasonable to suppose that the idolizing daughter of a man of M. Necker's acknowledged moral worth, possessed qualities of the heart fully equal to those of the mind, for the early cultivation of which she was so indebted to his

paternal fondness. It is a great disappointment to the English reader that Madame de Stael's manuscript breaks off abruptly, just when we are expecting her to land in England,

the country which, as her son emphatically remarks, was at that time the hope of all who were suffering for the cause of liberty. Here was a fine opportunity for book-making, by a continuation of the original. That it terminates precisely where it does, is a sufficient evidence of its genuineness; another proof is afforded in the minuteness with which the author describes her feelings, under the dread of imprisonment, and the nicety she shews in analyzing the contradictions in her character, which made her alternately brave danger, and tremble at the prospect of it. Perhaps in her fears of "treasons, stratagems, and spies" against her, she labours under the influence occasionally of nervous irritability, and she reminds us in that respect of our mad countryman Dennis, who became so possessed with an idea of his own importance from having written a political pamphlet, that he was tormented with the fear lest the French nation shouid make his being given up to its resentment one of the conditions of peace; but in genius like Madame de Stael's, the errors of judgment which may be traced to physical peculiarities of temperament, are not merely excusable, but even become interesting to the enquiring observer, who loves to trace the influence of mental pursuits on bodily habits.

BOTANY.

An Illustration of the Genus Cinchona. By A. B. Lambert, Esq. F.R.S. 4to. 11. 10s.

EDUCATION.

The Original Rhythmical Grammar of the English Language, &c. &c.

This Grammar, adapted for the use of all schools where the English language is taught, exhibits in the most plain and simple manner the system of Steel's Prosodia Rationalis. The author's theoretical and practical knowledge of grammar and elocution has peculiarly fitted him for the task which he has undertaken, and enabled him to mature a plan for reading and speaking the English language very superior to those at present in use. His leading design is to shew that all the principles of elocution may be presented to the eye in the same manner as the notes of music; there being distinct and simple marks for all the accidents of articulated language, which are so applied as to be very easily comprehended. This mode of speaking has the peculiar advantage of affording any number of readers the power of pronouncing the same speech or lines all alike, much in the way that musical notes enable different artists to perform a musical composition in a uniform manner. The advantages of such a system are numerous, and every public speaker may avail himself of it to convey to posterity the mode, tone, and accentuation of his delivery, as well as the language in which he speaks. Had the orators of Greece and Rome used such a method to convey their mode of delivery, as well as the language and subject of their orations to poste