[From the Chinese Courier.] the sides and falls to the ground, while the sheet of||well manured. I have not made any experiment CHINESE MANUFACTURES IN METAL.-Among the thin lead remains between the tiles. These sheets with this grass, on any other soils than those above most curious of the Chinese manufactures in metal are trimmed upon the edges, and soldered together specified, but I know it grows much more luxuriis the far famed gong, the composition of which is by another person, to form pieces of the proper size antly on alluvial bottom, and rotten lime stone lands. said to be tin and copper in certain proportions, to for the chest linings. Mr. Magoffin is certainly mistaken when he sup. which in some cases a small quantity of silver is poses this grass is found indigenous only in the added. The secret of annealing the alloy in such a GAMA GRASS.-The following account of this ex. western prairies. He furnished me with a few seeds way as to admit of its being hammered was discov-traordinary Grass, appears in the last Fayetteville of his own raising. I also procured some from Mr. ered some years since in France, where gongs are (N. C.) Observer. We do not know whether in this Ellison, of South Carolina, which grew in Fairfield now manufactured. Owing to some peculiarity in the composition, the metal in the state we see it is region the "Gama Grass" would thrive, but its District, and some from Gen. Owen, which grew spontaneously on his plantation in Bladen county in uncommonly short and brittle, and this property for yield is so prodigious that it may be worth the trial. this State, on the alluvial soil of Cape Fear.* many years defied the ingenuity of the workmen who Sampson County, July 20, 1833. They are all planted near each other; and are, attempted to hammer it. It was at length found that MR. HALE: When we were together, a short time unquestionably, the same species of grass. There is by heating the metal to a red heat, and plunging it since, I promised to send you some account and de-not the least difference between that found in this into cold water, it was rendered malleable, and when scription of the Gama Grass, with the result of such State, and that from South Carolina. That sent the process of hammering was completed, it was only experiments as I made with it. me by Mr. Magoffin, from Alabama, is a little diffe. necessary to suffer it to cool gradually, in order to The first notice I saw of this Grass, was by Dr. rent in color, being of a pale hue, and of a little finer restore its brittleness. The sonorous quality of the|| Hardeman, of Missouri; whose account of its won- texture. gong is well known, and it has been introduced with||derful production, and valuable properties, may be This grass is, without doubt, the Tripsacum' of success on board ships to be used in foggy weather, found in the 8th vol, of the American Farmer, page botanists. In Elliott's Botany of South Carolina and when a bell is scarcely audible. The Chinese pro. 244. I considered the calculations he made of re.||Georgia, vol. 2d, page 552, two varieties are de. hibit the exportation, as well as that of all military sults, visionary, and had forgotten it. scribed: implements whatever, The gong constitutes an in. It, however, attracted the attention of Mr. James "1st. Dactyloides-Root perennial-Stem 4 to 5 dispensable instrument in the frightful discords of a Magoffin, of Alabama, who procured some seed, feet long-Leaves large, 3 feet long, 1 1.2 inches Chinese orchestra, and is always a symbol of official and has, now, been cultivating it several years.-wide-Flowers, in terminal spikes-Spikes nume. rank preceding the mandarins when going from place The result of his experiments may be seen in the rous-Very rare-have only seen it growing on the to place with their attendants. 13th vol. of the American Farmer, pages 50, 143,||margin of the Ogeechee river-Flowers from May and 215. Also, in the 4th vol. of the Southern Ag to July." riculturalist, pages 312 and 475. "2d. Monostachyon-Root perennial-Stem. 3 to Further experiments with this grass are detailed 5 feet long-Leaves 1 to 3 feet long, 1 inch wideby Mr. William Ellison, in the 4th vol. of the South-Spike, solitary-Flowers in terminal spikes-Grows ern Agriculturalist, page 404, and 5th vol. of the abundantly on the Sea Islands, (particularly on Paris Among the ancient Chinese, a sonorous metal of same work, page 5. To these several communica- Island) and along the margin of the salt watersomewhat similar composition was used for making tions, I would refer such of your readers as have Flowers from August to October." a peculiar kind of bell which was struck in religious those works, for a better and more particular de. ceremonies, and for constructing small figures of di-scription of the grass, than I can give them. vinities, spear heads, &c. These may sometimes be The combined results of the experiments of these met with in the shops where antiques and old China gentlemen show, that the quantity af hay which this are sold, though most frequently the specimens offer-grass yields, is far greater than any hitherto tried.-Grass obvious to common observers : ed for sale as such are mere modern imitations. the quality of the hay is equal to any other; and that, It grows in tufts or bunches, measuring about two Many of the castings in brass and composition metal both when green and when cured, it is greedily eaten feet across and three in height, which tufts are comare curious, and even beautiful. The forms of the||by stock of all kinds. Mr. Magoffin informs us, he||posed of numerous branches, springing from a comcensers used for holding burning sandal wood, and has actually made at the rate of ninety tons of green mon root, which is tuberous in its form for about odoriferous matches are sometimes exceedingly hay per acre in one year-equal to between 20 and three inches, and terminates in many small, but graceful and always curious. Specimens are occa- 30 tons of cured hay. Dr. Hardeman states, that a strong radicles. These branches, in their origin, sionally met with which are delicately inlaid with single root, covering a circle, the diameter of which form the common root, and have a peculiar arrange. arabesque devices in silver, others gilt and elaborately was two feet, yielded at one cutting 52 lbs. of green ment; being produced from two opposite sides of the embossed, for which the most extravagant prices are hay, which when dried weighed 20 lbs.; and conse-tuberous portion only, and departing from it at an demanded. To these vessels which the Chinese call quently, that an acre of ground, filled with roots angle in opposite directions, gives to this part of the fun-heang belong as pendants, jars of the same ma-equally productive, would yield more than 270 tons plant a flat shape. terial similarly decorated, which contain the brazen of hay. However exorbitant these accounts may ap implements used for spreading the ashes which are pear at first, the high standing of these gentlemen preserved in the censers, and into which the bamboo leaves no room to doubt their accuracy. My own stems of the matches are stuck when lighted. One of experiments induce me to believe, that under cirthese is an indispensible article in the furniture of cumstances, in all regards favorable, they may be an altar, and of the little shrines which may be seen realized. at gates of houses and streets, in boats and in the principal apartments of all Chinese dwellings. In boats, flat and inferior gongs are used for the purposes of saluting, and in the shops at Canton may be seen instruments of every kind, from the small disc of a few inches, used by beggars, to those of two feet in diameter. A composition is used for casting large medals covered with mystic characters, which are suspended from the necks of children to protect them from evil influences, in which the Chinese place implicit faith. They are usually shaped like the common coin, or cash, and are from one to three or four inches in di ameter. Of the immense value of this grass to us, in a hot climate, and on sandy soil, no doubts can exist. I have ascertained the following facts with certainty, that it grows spontaneously and luxuriantly, in our country, on alluvial bottom and rotten limestone lands. I have planted it in a poor sandy loam, on a clay foundation, (such as is the general quality of the stiff pine lands of our country) and on a sand hill, originally as barren and as arid as the deserts Brass is extensively manufactured for purposes si- of Arabia. These soils, well manured, produce it milar to those for which it is used by Europeans. abundantly. Even the long drought of 1832, (which, The economical propensities of the native work- with me, continued from 23d May to 1st August, men induce them, however, to put more zinc into with the exception of one slight rain on the 9th of their brass than is necessary, and the metal is July) did not materially affect its growth. It may thereby rendered less tenacious, and of an inferior be cut as early as the 1st of May, and the cutting color. The pans in which the extract of opium used repeated every thirty days, until frost. It ought to for smoking is made, are large polished brass hemi- be planted in drills three feet apart, and two feet spheres, which are chosen in preference to iron or space between the roots. An acre will then contin. The rolled brass and copper used here is im-tain 7,350 roots. A single root of the second year's ported from Europe, the Chinese inventions for the purpose being exceedingly imperfect. The so-called bronze of China is little else than brass, the surface of which is colored by means of an acid. Few specimens of an alloy answering to bronze are to be found, and those chiefly of ancient date. For any practical purpose, there is no difference between these two varieties. They are found grow. ing together. The following characteristics will render this The leaves which (previous to the period of flow. ering) all issue from the root, are of a deep green color, from two to three feet long, and from one to one and a half inches wide, are shaped like a blade of fodder, but are sawed or rough on the edges, par. ticularly towards the point. The leaves commence in a sheath, at the bottom, which encloses and covers the origin of several other interior leaves.About the last of May, a number of flower stems shoot up from different parts of the buuch, and grow from 3 to 7 feet high, and terminate in one, two, or more finger-like appendages (called by botanists spikes.) The upper end of the spike resembles a sin. gle spike of the tassel of Indian corn, and has a blossom (farina) on it. The seeds, which vary from 3 to 6 inches on each spike, are embedded immediately below this tassel, and when flowering, each has a single tag, of a purple color, resembling the silk of Indian corn. The tassel drops as soon as it has shed its pollen, and then the seeds ripen, one by one, and drop off. The seeds are embedded on op. posite sides, of the stem, and attached together, after the manner of the rattles of a rattle snake. The flower stem is jointed and clothed with leaves, much shorter than those which proceed from the growth, (on the dry sand hill,) at three cuttings, has root, the sheaths of which embrace the stem, to withthis year already yielded 7 1-2 lbs. of green hay, and in a short space of the next joint. It is channeled will without doubt yield at least as much more be-on alternate sides, like a stalk of corn. When full fore frost. At that rate, an acre of pure sand hill, grown, it puts out branches at nearly every joint, well manured, would yield 55 tous of green hay, which terminate and produce seeds like the main equal to about 18 tons of cured hay, of a quality as stem. good as the best blade fodder. I have been thus particular in my description, to Immense quantities of lead are used in China for In January last, I drilled some seed, in drills two enable persons to search out this grass. I am satisthe interior casing of tea-chests. The sheet lead is fee: apart, with seed dropped at intervals of six in.fied it will be a source of much wealth and comfort very much thinner than that of Europe, and the ches, intended for transplanting next Fall. The in our pine country particulariy. It is certainly the node in which it is made is extremely curious. The whole ground is now covered with a mass of grass spontaneous product of our own State. I know it workman has before him a flat earthen tile of about 2 1.2 feet high. On the 10th of this month I cut and grows in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Bladen 18 inches square, neatly covered with brown paper, weighed the product of one drill 35 feet long. It counties, and have been informed it is found in and another of the same kind placed above it, the yielded 25 lbs. of green hay, which, when cured, Craven and Orange, and may, probably, on any of papered surfaces of the tiles being in contact. When produced 8 lbs. of delightful forage. At this rate, our alluvial bottoms. about to cast a sheet of lead, a sort of slip or check an acre would yield 15,750 lbs. of green hay at one is placed between the tiles to regulate the thickness, cutting. It may yet be cut three times more, and * A well known writer in the Newbern Specta. and the workman sitting on his haunches on the up. consequently, the product would be 63,000 lbs. of tor of the 19th instant, (H. C. B.) states that during per tile, adroitly lifts the edge sufficiently to enable green hay, from seed planted in Janaary last. The the last year he found the Gama grass on the shore him to dash a quantity of the melted lead between product of old roots is from two to three fold.-of the Neuse river, and that a gentleman in Flori. the two; he then suffers it to descend with the weight These seeds are planted on pine land, with a poor da assured him he had found it in that Territory,of his body; the superfluous metal is forced out at "sandy loam on the surface, with a clay foundation—"[ Editor of the Observer.] 527 Now is the time to search for it. It is in bloom, only representation of a spinal marrow. and more readily identified by the peculiarity of the this state it perfectly resembles the brain of an adult seed. When not in bloom, it very much resembles fish, thus assuming, in transitu, the form that in the NOVELTY WORKS, some other grasses which are different in their na-fish is permanent. In a short time, however, the Engines, Boilere, Railroad and Mill Work, Lathes, Presses, Near Dry Dock, New-York. ture, and not so valuable. I might add much more structure is become more complex, the parts more ers, which are warranted, for safety and economy, to be supe THOMAS B. STILLMAN, Manufacturer of Steam regarding it, but again refer your readers to the es- distinct, the spinal marrow better marked; it is now rior to any thing of the kind heretofore used. The fullest and other Machinery. Also, Dr. Nott's Patent Tubular Boilsays above referred to. Very respectfully, yours, the brain of a reptile. The change continues; by assurance is given that work shall be done well, and on reaa singular motion certain parts (corpora quadrigemi-solicited. [N. B. Such Farmers as can afford to pay the cost now pass towards the lower; the former is their facturers of Railroad Rope, having removed their establ shna) which hitherto appeared on the upper surface, sonable terms. A share of public patronage is respectfully of the American Farmer, and Southern Agricultu- permanent situation in fishes and reptiles, the latter ment to Hudson, under the rame of Durfee & May, offer to ralist, or New York Farmer, and neglect to sub-in birds and mammalia. This is another advance supply Rope of any required length (without splice) for inTOWNSEND & DURFEE, of Palmyra, Manu scribe for them, or one of them, do not deserve in the scale, but more remains yet to be done.clined planes of Railroads at the shortest notice, and deliver the benefit of any improvement or discovery in Ag. The complication of the organ increases; cavities, the quality of Rope, the public are referred to J B. Jervis, Eng. riculture.] them in any of the principal cities in the United States. As to termed ventricles, are formed, which do not exist M. & H. R. R. Co, Albany or James Archibald, Engineer New Process of extracting Cream.-It is consi-in either fishes, reptiles, or birds; curiously organ. Hudson and Delaware Canal and Railroad Company, Carbodered a great object by the farmers to extract from it is now the brain of the mammalia. milk the greatest quantity of cream in the least pos- and final change alone seems wanting, that which ized parts, such as the corpora striata, are added, dale, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. sible space of time. To effect the separation of Its last Hudson, Columbia County, New-York, cream from serum, which chemists suppose to be shall render it the brain of MAN. January 29, 1833. combined merely in a state of mechanical mixture, man, considered merely as an animal, is, by his orit is well known, by those conversant in dairy ma-that, in the growth of a single individual, nature nagement, that some metallic substances more reaganization, superior to every other being ;-and dily act than others, and it is notorious that, in al. exhausts, as it were, the structure of all other animost all the great diaries, the milk is suffered to But we have not yet done with the human brain stand in lead, copper, or brass vessels, in which a M. Serres has made the still more singular obsermals before she arrives at this her chef-d'œuvre. larger quantity of cream is thrown up, than in either wooden or earthen pans. As the dairy-man obtains vation, that in the advance towards the perfect brain additional profit, in proportion to the quantity of of the Caucasian, or highest variety of the human cream which is thrown up, so it is to his interest to species, this organ not only goes through the animal keep it in these vessels as long as he can until the transmigrations we have mentioned, but successivewhole of the cream is separated, by which addition-y represents the characters with which it is found in al standing it often acidifies, and will consequently dissolve the metal with greater facility. With respect to the lead taken up in solution in the cream, sufficient instances of its noxious effects have been pointed out by Mr. Parkes in his chemical essays.Mr. Booth, who has resumed the subject of inquiry, has proved that in a very great variety of cases, which have come before his notice, not only lead but Nay, farther, the face partakes in these alterations. the Negro, Malay, American, and Mongolian nations. One of the earliest points in which ossification commences, is in the lower jaw. This bone is, conseknown, it never loses in the Negro. During the soft quently, completed sooner than the other bones of the pliant state of the bones of the skull, the oblong form head, and acquires a predominance which, as is well which they naturally assume, approaches nearly the even copper sometimes exists to a considerable extent in butter. medical writers respecting the wholesomness or un-infant, the position of the eyes rather towards the May not the conflicting opinions of permanent shape of the American. At birth, the flattened face, and broad smooth forehead of the wholesomeness of butter have been founded upon side of the head, and the widening space between, observations of its purity, or accidental or mischie. vous contaminations collected from vessels used in represent the Mongolian form; while it is only as the process of making it? It would appear that, al. the child advances towards maturity that the oval though new to this country, the practice has for some of the true Caucasian become perfectly developed. face, the arched forehead, and the marked features time been adopted in America, of introducing spel. ter into the milk for the purpose of facilitating the separation of the cream, and with much advantage -[Athenæum.] and success; but more latterly the application of zinc vessels to the purpose of extracting cream has produced results to an extent hitherto unattainable, whilst none of the serious effects before described] can arise from the use of this metal. A very ingenious apparatus has been constructed for this pur. pose by Mr. Keyser, who has brought the manufac. ture of articles from malleable zinc to a high degree of perfection, one of which is deposited for exhibi. tion at the National Gallery of Practical Science, and in which vessel, the separation of the cream is still further facilitated by the application of heat, by which means it is that the celebrated clotted Devonshire cream is procured. Into the basin containing the milk is introduced a plate of perforated zinc, the area of which is equal to the bottom of the basin: in the course of a few hours, all the cream will have been separated, and will be of that consistence, that it may be lifted off by the fingers and thumb. In these vessels, the increase of the quantity of cream is 12 1-2 per cent., and of the butter upwards of 11 per cent. The advantages are not, however, limited to this increase of quantity, as, in this process, ten or eleven minutes churning is sufficient to make butter, which, in the ordinary process, requires ninety minutes, whilst a butter similar to that prepared in Devonshire may be made simply by the brisk agitation of the cream without recourse to a churn. It may be observed that analysis proves the serum of milk, which has been submitted to this process, is more or less impregnated with the solu. ble salts of zinc, and which, from their emetic and] astringent quality in a state of moderate concentration, might be considered noxious, if introduced into the animal economy, but is equally fitted for the support of pigs, who thrive and grow rapidly fat upon it. [London New Monthly Mag.] FOR SALE, ATLANTIC JOURNAL AND FRIEND OF KNOW. Formation of the Brain.-The brain of man excels Philadelphia, begun in the spring of 1832, with wood cuts, &c LEDGE-A Quarterly Journal, by Professor Rafinesque, of that of any other animal in complexity of organiza-dedicate i to Historical and Natural Sciences, Botany, Agricul. tion and fullness of development. But this is only ture, &c. at one dollar per annum. attained by slow and gradual steps. Examined at the earliest period that it is cognizable to the senses, it appears a simple fold of nervous matter, with difficulty distinguishable into three parts, while a little tail-like prolongation towards the hinder part is the MATHEMATICAL & OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS. No. 53 South street, one door north of the Union Hotel, Balti- EWIN & HEARTTE, at the sign of the Quadrant, more, beg leave to inform their friends and the public, espe To Ewin & Heartte.-Agreeably to your request made some months since, 1 now offer you my opinion of the Instruments made at your establishment, for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. This opinion would have been given at a much earlier peiiou, but was intentionally delayed, in order to afford a longer time for the trial of the Instruments, so that I could speak with the greater confidence of their merits, if such they should be found to possess. It is with much pleasure I can now state that notwithstanding the Instruments in the service procured from our northern clties are considered good, I have a decided preference for those manufactured by you. Or the whole number manufactured for the Department of Construction, to wit: five Levels, and five of the Compasses, not one has required any repairs within the last twelve months, except 1.om the occasional imperfection of a screw, or from accidents, to which all Instruments are liable They possess a firmness and stability, and at the same time a neatness and beauty of execution, which reflect much credit on the artists engaged in their construction. I can with confidence recommend them as being worthy the notice of Companies engaged in Internal improvements, who may require Instruments of superior workmanship. Superintendent of Construction of the Baltimore and Ohio I have examined with care several Engineers' instruments of your Manufacture, particularly Spirit levels, and surveyor's Compasses; and take pleasure in expressing my opinion of the excellence of the workmanship. The parts of the levels appeared well proportioned to secure facility in use, and accuracy and permanency in adjustments. These instruments seemed to ne to possess all the modern improvement of construction, of which so many have been made within these few years; and I have no doubt but they will give every satisfaction when used in the field. WILLIAM HOWARD. U. S. Civil Engineer. To Messrs Ewin and Heartte-As you have asked me to give Civil Engineer in the service of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail B. H LATROBE, road Company. introduced, but are too lengthy. We should be happy to A number of other letters are in our possession and might be submit them upon application, to any persons desirous of perusing the same. At Philadelphia, on 28th ult., William Hitchcock, youngest son of Lieut. John G. Reynolds, of the U. S. Marine Corps. At Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday morning last, in the 61st year of his age, Captain Robert Parrott, long a highly respcé ed citizen of that place. At Belgrade, Washington County, N. C., on the 4th instant, Mrs. MARY PETTEGREW, aged 84 years, 7 months and 20 days. This venerable and estimable lady was the consort of the Rev. Charles Pettegrew, first Bishop elect of the Protestant Episcopal Church of North Carolina. Obituary.-It becomes our painful task to record the death of another of our most eminent physicians. Dr. JAMES M. STAUGHTON died yesterday about 5 o'clock, after a lingering illness of three weeks. He came among us but a few years since an entire stranger. His high professional character soon pointed him out as a proper person to discharge the responsible duties of a professor in our medical college, and it is but justice to say that he filled his station with great credit to himself and much honor to the institution. He has been cut off in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness. In his death society has sustained a heavy loss, and the poor have in particular been deprived of a most active and efficient triend, who was ever ready to administer to their necessities. Throughout his his protracted illness and suffering, he was sustained by that hope which alone can rob death of its sting and the grave of its victory.-(Cincinnati Gazette, Aug. 8.] Builder of a superior style of Passenger Cars for Railroads, RAILROAD COMPANIES would do well to examine these Cars; a specimen of which may be seen on that part of the New-York and Harlem Railroad, now in operation. RAILROAD CAR WHEELS AND BOXES, Also. AXLES furnished and fitted to wheels complete, 250 do. of Edge Ralls of 36 lbs. per yard, with the requlalte chairs, keys and pins. The above will be sold free of duty, to State Governmenta, ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING The subscriber manufactures all kinds of Instruments in hie profession, warranted equal, if not superior, in principles of construction and workmanship to any imported or manufacured in the United States; several of which are entirely new: among which are an Improved Compass, with a Te.escope attached, by which angles can be taken with or without the use of the needle, with perfect accuracy-also, a Railroad Goujemtr, with two Telescopes-and a Levelling Instrument, with a Goniometer attached, particularly adapted to Railroad purpo WM. J. YOUNG, Mathematical Instrument Maker, No. 9 Dock street, Philadelphia. In reply to thy Inquiries respecting the instruments manufacturell by thee, now in use or the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Iheerfully furnish thee with the following information. The whole number of Levels now in possession of the department of construction of thy make is seven. The whole number of the "Improved Compass" is eight. These are all ex. clusive of the number in the service of the Engineer and Graluation Department. Both Levels and Compasses are in good repair. They have in fact needed but little repairs, except from acc.dents to which all instruments of the kind are liable I have found that thy patterns for the levels and compasses have been preferred by my assistants generally, to any others in use, and the Improved Compass is superior to any other de Brewer, to Miss Ann Tredwell, daughter of Benjanin Tredwell.cription of Goniometer that we have yet tried in laying the rails This instrument, more recently improved with a reversing telescope, in place of the vane sights, leaves the engineer scarcely any thing to desire is the formation or convenience of the Compass. It is indeed the most completely adapted to later Pawtuck-seen, and I cannot but believe it will be preferred to all others al angles of any simple and cheay instrument that I have yet will be as highly appreciated for common surveying. now in use for laying of rails--and in fact, when known, I think Respectfully thy friend, JAMES P. STABLER, Superintendant of Construction of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Philadelphia, February, 1633. Young's "Patent Improved Compass," I can safely say I be Having for the last two years made constant use of Mr. ieve It to be much superior to any other instrument of the kind, ow in use, and as such most cheerfully recommend it to Egineers and Surveyors. E. H. GILL, Civil Engineer. Germantown, February, 1823. For a year past I have used instruments made by Mr. W.J. Young, of 'hiladelphia, in which he has combined the properies of a Theodolite with the common Level. eers as preferable to any others for that purpose. AMERICAN RAILROAD JOURNAL, AND ADVOCATE OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT No. 35 WALL STREET, NEW-YORK, AT THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. CONTENTS : Boston and Worcester Railroad; Tonawanda Rail- 530 .531 Machine for making Drawings of Landscapes (with an List of New English Patents; Patent for Improvements Literary Notices.... Foreign Intelligence Summary. .533 [VOLUME II.-No. 34. That period may, by some, be thought far, be of more importance to Virginia than all very far off, but they may rest assured that it her previous public works, as it will at once is not so far distant as is that of the commence-show them that of which they could, in no ment of the Erie Canal, 1817. other way, be fully convinced, the superiority The location of this road may be considered of railroads over canals. It is now a short road, an uncommonly favorable one, as, with a sin-but it will not long be so. It will be continued gle exception of less than one-eighth of a mile, northward to Richmond, to Fredericksburg, with 1150 feet radius, there will be no less a to Washington, and by that time a road will radius than about 1500 feet, and its maximum have been completed from New-York to Washinclination is only 30, and its average only 12 ington,-thus forming an entire line of railroad 537 feet per mile. It is to be constructed with an from New-York to the Roanoke river, a dis340 edge rail, of a new form, with a greater bearing tance of 450 miles, which may, aye, and will, 541 surface than the Liverpool and Manchester, and within seven years, be travelled in less than 48 rails that will weigh 40 lbs. to the yard, and hours, or two days. The Roanoke, however, Meteorological Record; Marriages and Deaths, &c...541 the chairs 15 lbs. each, laid upon large cedar will not be the southern termination of this sleepers, placed transversely upon ruble stone, railroad. South Carolina has done nobly, and AMERICAN RAILROAD JOURNAL, &c. in longitudinal trenches of different depths, ac-will do more. She will extend her road to cording as the frost penetrates the earth. Columbia, Camden, and Cheraw. Georgia will The Report of the Chief Engineer, which not remain long an idle spectator. She is, inaccompanies this letter, will be found in Rail-deed, already awake. A meeting has already 242. page road Journal, Vol. I, been held, with a view of devising measures to construct a railroad from Athens to the South Miscellany.. Poetry; Advertisements ... NEW-YORK, AUGUST 24, 1833. 542 .543 The stock of the Tonawanda Railroad, which Carolina railroad at Augusta. North Carolina, designed, we believe, to be constructed from too, will do her part towards continuing the Rochester, through Le Roy and Batavia, to Atti-line. Another effort has recently been made ca, in Genesee county, N. Y., was taken a few in North Carolina, and such men as WILLIAM the remaining seventeen will soon be put under days since in a few hours after the books were GASTON, have come forward in aid of the cause was taken. opened, although when previously opened for and snrely such leaders as GASTON, in a cause contract, and probably the whole route will be the same purpose a few months since, no stock of so much importance to every landholder and completed next year. The Boston and Worbusiness in the State, as that of railroads, will cester road will, in a few years, have an imThis circumstance would be sufficient, if fur-not be in want of followers. mense travel. This is, probably, only the com-ther evidence were necessary, to show the pre-road will therefore be completed, within seven A line of rail. mencement of a long line of railroad, which will sent feeling of capitalists relative to the impor-years from this date, from New-York to eventually reach far into the western country. tance of Railroads. Railroad stock, in judicious Athens, Georgia. There will, also, be comWe cannot doubt but that the enterprize which locations, will, ere long, be equal, if not supe-pleted within the same period of time, moze has already commenced three very important rior, to any other investment. lines of Railroad-the Providence, the Lowell, and the Worcester-will push this one on, and than 3000 miles of other railroad within the United States, in addition to what is now in use, which will open to our Atlantic cities new sources of business and wealth, and to the interior increased facilities for the transportation of produce and merchandize, and cause a state of prosperity scarce to be imagined by those who are only in the habit of contemplating events as they transpire. PETERSBURGH RAILROAD.-This road has surmount all the difficulties, great even as they been completed to Blakely, and the Company's are, in order to compete with New-York for a cars have passed several trips through the part of the trade of the west. With a Railroad entire line. The inclined plane from the deto Albany, suitable for locomotive engines, so pot at Blakely to the river, (only a few hundred constructed as to be used in winter, Boston feet) is also nearly completed. Thus we see a would take no trifling share of the western pro- Railroad in successful operation in the "Old duce direct, instead of by the circuitous route of Dominion." It is fair a beginning for Virginia, New-York. There would be so much time and its infiuence will be felt to the extreme The ground was broken on the 14th inst. for saved, no changing from car to barge, and then parts of the State. It will cause the worn out the New-York, Providence, and Boston Railto sloop or other vessel, as now. The cars plantations and deserted mansions of lower road, in presence of the Governors of Connecfrom the far west would continue directly Virginia to be again inhabited-again the seat of ticut and Rhode-Island, and about 1500 ladies through, and deposit their load where they prosperity and hospitality-and it will, we he-and gentlemen, who partook of a dinner proare to be used of shipped. sitate not to repeat what we have before said,llvided by the Company. Mr. Sullivan in further reply to Mercator.|| But Mercator accuses me of "coining" fence will remain, but that the rail, by not [Communicated for the American Railroad expressions for him, and then calling them giving way under the wheel, will not as at Journal.] absurd. This would indeed be very absurd. present oppose additional resistance to the MR. EDITOR,-It may be some excuse I perceive that, in writing a hasty reply, it moving power. for the protracted length of this discussion, was addressed rather to the spirit, than the I will only add, in conclusion, that there is that it is defensive. letter, of his animadversion. I certainly did a manifest advantage in a fictitious signature. In offering a specification to your columns, not intend to misrepresent him, in return for It permits a writer to be unphilosophical I intended to euregister a very obvious de- his courtesy in coupling common lime mortar without injury to the reputation of his under. vice among the many useful things in which and cellar air with my very different location ||standing. He may assert absurdities withthey already abound: and I am led to per- and purpose. out responsibility. He may pervert the mean. ceive it to be of some importance by the opin He had just been speaking of pitch as last-ing of the writer assailed, and give him the ion of one of our most eminent Engineers, ing but a short time under water, and why? trouble of following wherever he may please Maj. Wilson, as expressed in his report on because either worn off or penetrated by it. to lead. Or if the assailed party is absent, the proposed railroad between Philadelphia He then speaks of lime, water lime, and ro- or too much engaged to reply, an unfavora and Baltimore, that timber is the best mate-man cement-all three as being conductors of ble impression of his improvement may be rial for our country to use at this period. water by capillary attraction. And I per- unjustly made. If a writer gives his signature, it is a proof of his sincerity and good intentions: both parties are then on a footing, and each will be responsible for his arguments and senti. ments. I am respectfully, yours, J. L. SULLIVAN. Hence it must be important to protect or ceive, as he says, that I coupled pitch with I think an editor of a scientific journal defend the most exposed parts of the struc-Roman cement, as being absurdly said by him should make this distinction: Anonymous ture against causes of carly decay--the ef- to be conductors of water. disquisitions may be received, but not markfects of the weather. It is true this was an inadvertency, which ed attacks of any invention with which a The question is whether Hydraulic and required to be set right, but does not require name is associated, because in this way you Roman cement are pervious to water, when that I should retract my opinion of the ab-close your columns against those who, in their practically and skilfully applied? surdity of attributing the opposite properties confidence of this degree of protection, comIt is not indeed a matter of quite so much in Roman cement of being a conductor, and mit their views of usefulness to your channel importance as the cement of the Union, yet a defence against water. If he had said it of communication with the public. though relating to one of its bonds, commer-also of pitch, it would not have been more so. cial roads. As to pitch, Mercator says, (page 498, 4th The question Mercator has raised how-paragraph,) "He well knows that a coating ever relates only to one of my expedients, of pitch is impervious to water." offered to notice in your paper of the 6th Of course he knows it is adhesive, and the July that of surrounding the posts or piles inference is certainly very rational, that, if when used to support a railway, at the sur-applied hot to the dry surface of a post, it face of the ground and a little above and be- would keep off water. low it, with fragments of stone cemented together and to the post. The other relates to the protection of the upper surface of the bearing timber by a resinous coating, to fill cracks and keep off the rain; and by hardening the surface under the iron-way by driven nails, preventing the rails from indenting the timber, and making lodgements for wa er. The former is called in question on the ground that lime, hydraulic lime, and Roman cement, will not keep off the water, but be a conductor of it to the wood. Is it a On the Construction of Curves for Arches. By VAN DE GRAAFF. [For the American Railroad Journal.] And if in order to keep off the heat also, a cemented mass of stone surrounds it, can it be correctly denied that this part of the post will be defended effectually? There is, perhaps, in the whole art of buildBut he doubts whether pitch in this situa-ing, no subject which requires the exercise of tion would last longer than on a ship's bottom, tion of arches in equilibrio. And those who more mathematical learning, than the construcand yet it is not pervious to water. are unacquainted with the principles of statics, perishable material? Is it not principally car- cannot but see with surprize the great devia. bon; and is not charcoal imperishable? tion from a state of equilibrium produced by a If lime is mixt with it, the effect is to neutra-small variation in the curvature of an arch. lize the acid of the wood, and check the de- An example of this important fact may be given cay of the surface. I believe this part of the in the curves of a common and semi-cubical post thus defended, instead of being the earparabola: for to equilibrate the former, an uniform vertical pressure is required through The former I did not contemplate using. liest, would be found the last to decay. the whole length, and yet, with regard to the unless in combination with tar or pitch. He It appears to me there are three conditions latter, an infinite pressure is required at the rests his assertion that the last mentioned cc-of timber, in which their duration may be ve- crown to produce equilibrium. So great is the ments, commonly considered impervious, will, ry long: perfect dryness--constant immer-difference in the condition of equilibrium in when made into balls and placed in a dish sion in water-and by the effect of great those two curves; and hence is shown the imof water, absorb it by capillary attraction, heat (as steam) and of poison, as corrosive portance of having judicious curvatures in the and therefore transmit it to the post. sublimate, according to late experiments in arches of aqueducts and bridges. The absorption of water by the balls of England, destroying the vitality of the albucement mentioned may be accounted for inminous principle within. the supposition that they do not undergo any But all that an architect or engineer can pressure, and when the water contained in do, perhaps on a large scale, is to prevent them evaporates, they are left with intersti-partial and premature decay where exposed ces among the particles, which are of course to concurrent causes thereof. filled with air, and which gives place to the water as high as they are immersed, and it is very possible they may exhibit its wetness higher. In the construction of flat arches the oval is usually taken as a substitute for the true ellipse; and, therefore, when such arches are equilibrated upon the supposition of an elliptical curve, it is necessary that the oval should coincide very nearly with it. The ovals usually constructed with three centres are without the true semi-ellipse at the should, for that reason, not be used in the conflanks, which are the weakest points; and they struction of arches, unless the span be very small. However, as the use of three centres has the advantage of simplicity, and may do for small spans, I will give a method of describing such an oval, which will meet the true ellipse at the flanks, and differ less from it at The instance of dry rot alluded to in a ship at Baltimore is quite a different case, proving only that when a merchant, instead of keeping his ship's frame cool with salt, shuts But if Mercator's discovery, that these ce- in with varnish the natural dampness of the ments are conductors of water, is sound, we juices of the wood, and, in a hot situation, he must ask him to account on some new prin- should expect premature decay, or dry rot. ciple for their preventing the passage of wa. I hope, Sir, your readers will recollect that ter when practically applied? If it will I proposed no permanent impossible preser-all other points, than by the method now in comreach wood through it, why not stone, and vation, but, by a very easy precaution, to pro of the whole investigation. Take the rise of mon use. It is not necessary to give a detail why not every surface of stone in a lock long the duration of timber railroads perhaps the arch as unity, and let a denote the semiwall? If it does not transmit water thus, there three or four times as many years as they transverse, R the radius of the smaller arc, is no reason to suppose it will when proper- would otherwise last. But that I do not re-whose centre is in the transverse, R' that of the ly worked and applied around posts. commend timber in preference to stone, when greater arc, whose centre is in the conjugate His objection to pitch was that its dura-at command. Duration is of consequence, axis. Compute the value of R from the fol tion on a ship's bottom does not exceed three not only as regards the cost, repairs and re.lowing cubic : months. Although I do not subscribe to this, novation, but as relates to the interruption of yet, were it so, it is accounted for by the ac. tion to which it is in that situation subjected. We know that even copper sheathing will wear out. the route, and the tolls that can be afforded. R3 R2x 2a |