NON-PATENT CHARCOAL RESPIRATORS. SIR,-The paper read by Dr. Stenhouse on the properties of charcoal, would lead us to the conclusion that it is a desirable thing to find efficient means of living safely in pestilent localities. Without doubting the utility of his respirator, under certain circumstances, like Davy's or Stephenson's safety lamp, or the glass masks formerly worn by alchemists and the preparers of poisons, or the magnetic masks of needle-grinders, I demur strongly to his views of living surrounded by walls and ceilings of charcoal, in hermetically sealed dwellings, with breathing air supplied through charcoal interstices. For hospital emergencies his suggestions are useful, both for patients, and physicians, and surgeons, and not merely for respirators, but as applications to putrid and offensive wounds it would be well worth the experiment whether the charcoal absorbent would not promote the more rapid growth of healthy flesh, keeping a cleaner wound.

But I hold that all mere palliatives of evils are worse than the evils they are supposed to obviate. Improved fire-escapes are a premium on the continuance of dangerous combustible dwellings, and insurances are another; and the possibility of so contriving a dwelling as to live unharmed in miasma, is a premium to people to disregard drainage. For one house that would be efficiently and accurately constructed, fifty would be badly done, and people would dwell in a condition of false security. The house cracking, or the mask falling off, would induce poisoning, and the fire-escape might not be at hand when required Palliatives ought only to be used in cases of necessity, but wise laws should provide for removing the necessity.

Providence has created the world for different persons. The ground best adapted for the growth of vegetables is precisely that least adapted for human dwellings. The clay soil that grows the best wheat is the most difficult to drain and make dry for humanity to dwell on; and of all localities swamps are the worst.

Proceedings of Institutions.

BIRMINGHAM.-The Polytechnic Institution, whose lectures partake much more of a literary than scientific character, has, as usual, had its weekly lecture-the subject, The Life of Dr. Arnold." The lecturer, the Rev. W. Dale, in illustration of his subject, pointed out that though the career of Arnold was distinguished by little which was exciting, it nevertheless was an excellent study for mankind generally, however humble their natural abilities, or whatever position they occupied in life. Arnold's high estimate of the duties of life, and admiration of earnest working-his strange admixture of the Conservative element with reforming principles-his earnest piety-afforded excellent opportunities for illustration, which were taken advantage of, and judiciously used, by the lecturer, who alluded also to his sedulous devotion to his duties of Head Master of Rugby School, the fame he had brought to that establishment-his patient suffering, under abuse and reproach-until, finally, the reward came in his appointment to a professorship at Oxford. These various topics, entered into and improved, supplied a useful and instructive lecture. The proceedings were closed with a vote of thanks to the lecturer.

BROMLEY.-The eight annual Report of the Literary We are incessantly agitated with the question of Institute congratulates the subscribers on the sound state drainage of the Thames marshes, whereon ignorant of the affairs of the institute, which have gradually but people, pressed by circumstances, have built dwellings, satisfactorily progressed from the date of its formation. while they ought only to have grown cabbages and other The register shows that in the years 1851, 1852, and succulent vegetation. The Greenwich market gardens, 1853, the number of members was 157, 165, and 171, in a gradual process of conversion from a useful to a mis- respectively; the number of volumes in the library 1692, chievous purpose, are a sample of our continuous folly-1815, and 1848, and the number of issues 2059, 2211, our penny wise and pound foolish propensities. Had and 1861. The diminution in the number of issues was Queen Elizabeth, years ago, made an Act of Parliament to thought to arise from the want of a supply of recent pubthe effect that "Whereas there be a kind of people lications. The members have therefore been solicited to thronging to this our good city of London, who, not finding make a voluntary increase in the amount of their subscriplodging, do lye about in the garden grounds on the opposite tions, such increase to be devoted exclusively to the purside of the river, and there from time to time build up chase of books, under the arrangement made with some huts and sheds to cover them, which gradually become of the leading publishers by the Society of Arts. The permanent dwellings, to the deterioration of such persons negociations for the erection of a building suitable to the as dwell in them, and to the loss of useful garden ground, common purposes of a town hall and a literary institute for the supply of wholesome vegetables to our good citizens have not been successful. During the year the library of London; and whereas such people do thus generate fund has been augmented by small money donations, and many fevers and epidemics, and other diseases, which do the general fund by the sum of 121. 7s. 6d., the proceeds spread abroad and even attack those persons dwelling in of three gratuitous lectures on Eastern subjects, delivered healthy localities; and whereas it is unjust that the inno- by S. E. Rolland, Esq. cent should thus suffer for the guilty, it is hereby enacted that henceforth all owners of garden ground not fitted for human dwellings by reason of want of drainage and damp atmosphere, who shall erect or permit to be erected any dwellings thereon, shall be held guilty of crime and misdemeanour, and the dwellings shall be pulled down, and the inhabitants of them treated as squatters and vagabonds, and to be dealt with according to law."

Had such an act been passed we should not now be in the position of, and subject to, a similar class of evils with New Orleans, with dwellings below the water level. People should have been forced to dwell on the heights, and drainage would have been certain; and the greater extension of the metropolis would long ago have enforced the necessity of improved means of metropolitan transit; and Londoners might have walked in the season to eat

LIVERPOOL.-A new step has been taken in the Upper School of the Collegiate Institution towards the furtherance of higher mercantile education, by the appointment of Mr. T. C. Archer to give systematic instruction in economic natural history. Mr. Archer is well known as the arranger of the collection of Liverpool imports for the Great Exhibition of 1851, and as the Liverpool agent of the Crystal Palace Company. His present course, at the Collegiate Institution, relates to Vegetable Physiology in its connection with commercial products.

LONDON.-On Wednesday evening, the 15th inst, the members and friends of the Domestic Mission Reading Room, at the Chapel-street branch of this institution, held their Fifth Annual Social Meeting. Upwards of 150 persons were present; and, after tea, the Rev. Wm. Vidier, being called on to preside, requested the singing

stampa manliness and straightforwardness on the English people." The lecturer said, that on account of Wellington's long life and the number of volumes which required perusal in order to see his whole career, he believed the mass of the people had formed but a very inadequate idea of his greatness. We knew, perhaps, more of many of the heroes of Greece and Rome than we did of the man with whose career the prosperity of England was so intimately connected. The military genius of Wellington was far better known than his greatness as a man. His despatches might be appealed to as showing his inner life. Here his very feelings and thoughts were exposed to the review of the world;-and. as a comment on his actions, they showed his heart to be as pure as his hand was brave. The lecturer said, he would not dwell on Wellington's wars, because in that we could only admire him, while, in his character as a man, we could imitate him, and there was no one, from the peer to the peasant, who might not in moments of despondency and depression take comfort in the image of the great Duke struggling against accumulated difficulties, and be stirred up to fresh exertions in the path of duty and honour by his example.

class to open the proceedings of the evening by the spirited and appropriate song of "Old England." The chairman then gave an admirable address on the advantages attending a steady pursuit of knowledge. He said it was a mistake to fancy that the mere elementary requirements of reading and writing were in themselves knowledge; they were but as the keys to open the door to the vast stores of knowledge that lay in the world behind. He advised the members to eschew desultory reading, and to choose each for himself some one partilar branch of study, and master that before proceeding to take up any other. Above all, he cautioned them not to neglect the daily reading of that Holy Book, the precepts in which would be found most conducive to the present and future welfare of every human being. The Secretary followed, on the importance of early acquiring a taste for reading. He spoke of what a companionable thing a good book was of the many active hours it would help to cheer and enlighten-of the many tried and tempted hours it would help to overcome-of the many idle hours it would help to banish-and of the many lonely or sorrowing hours it would help to bless. He took a more hopeful view of the light reading so much inveighed against at the present day, looking upon it rather as indicative of the infantage of study, and, like the sweet-tute states, that the number of annual subscribers is 56, STOURBRIDGE.-The last report of the Mechanics' Instimeats of childhood, would ultimately give way before the and of quarterly 135; being a decrease in the year of 4 more wholesome cravings of the man. The Secretary and 10 respectively. Seven lectures were delivered during also gave a slight review of the proceedings of the the year. There are three classes in connection with the reading-room during the past year, which showed that Institute,-French, Music, and Discussion,-all of which whilst 100 new volumes had been added to the library, have been most successful. During the last six months, their finances still showed a halance on the right side. a Penny Savings Bank has been established, and the He also spoke with affectionate interest of some of the former members, who had gone with the great tide of report states, that even in that short time the number of emigration to pitch their moving tent" in what he The expenditure has been £144 16s. 10d., and the income depositors amounts to 300, and the total of deposits to £112. hoped would prove to them a happy land. Above twenty £156 is. 24d, leaving a balance in the treasurer's hands other speeches, readings, and recitations, from different of £11 4s. 4d. The liabilities are £75 18s. 5d., and the members, then followed, interspersed at intervals by singing from the class and from individuals; and the assets, £67 5s. 3., showing a total adverse balance of meeting terminated only too rapidly for the much-interested audience, who had themselves contributed all the essentials to their own pleasant, and it is hoped profitable, evening's enjoyment. By adopting the Society of Arts' plan of limiting each person to ten minutes, and by a little judicious arrangement beforehand of the list of agenda, it is remarkable what a pleasant evening may be spent.

£8 13s. 2d.

Miscellanea.

PROPOSED MERCANTILE AND MARITIME COLLEGE.-NINE months ago we had occasion to state that a meeting had been held in the city, at which it was resolved that an endeavour which might supply sound and extensive information on all should be made to establish a mercantile and maritime college, branches of practical science, and afford the means of acquiring a knowledge of the principles which govern the various relations of commerce. A subscription list was opened, and a few members of the committee appointed at the meeting to devise means for accomplishing the object agreed to subscribe £2,000, in sums varying from £50 to £500. The committee communicated with the various city companies, considering that the primary design of these corporate foundations was to foster the trade and commerce of the city; but, thinking that companies, towards preliminary expenses, the committee asked their supas public trustees, could not be expected to contribute largely port only in the even of the ultimate establishment of the college. We regret to earn that out of the 90 city companies only two or three took any notice of the application, and the answers of these were very unfavourable.-Times.

NOTTINGHAM. The annual meeting of the members of the Mechanics' Institute was held on the 24th of January last, the President, J. E. Denison, Esq., M.P., in the chair. From the report read by the Hon. Secretary (Mr. E. Renals) it appeared that the number of members was 1166, being an increase upon the year of 38. Of this number 128 are connected with the classes. The volumes in the library reach 5,590; and in the course of 1853 there were 42,515 issues of volumes to the members. Lectures had been delivered fortnightly in the large lecture hall, to which members of the different operatives' libraries in the town were admitted free. The audiences, on several occasions, were very numerous. The receipts for the year exceeded £900, £200 of which was applied towards the reconstruction of the organ, with the view of rendering it more efficient and attractive at the popular concerts. The admission of members of the different operatives' libraries to the course of lectures has been productive of the best feeling on the part of the working-wrapper one penny stamp; a similar parcel sent to India, and to classes, and is a step towards bringing them into close contact with the institution. Sir Robert Peel icctured in the large hall of the institution on the 7th inst. The attendance was respectable and numerous. balance in favour of the Midland Asssociation was £30 11s. 5d.

The net

SEVENOAKS.-On Thursday, Feb. 16th, a lecture was delivered by the Rev. G. Davis, of Seal, "On the Duk of Wellington, not as a warrior, but as a model of the English character, showing how much he has contributed to

AUSTRALIAN POSTAGE GRIEVANCE.-A pamphlet, bookcatalogue, or any unstamped paper. weighing under two ounces, may be sent to the United States of America on affixing to the

Australia, full letter postage, viz., four shillings, is required. most British colonies, requires six penny stamps, but if sent to shillings. Newspapers, however, that favoured species of literaAmerican postage, one penny versus Australian postage, four ture,-between Australia and England at a charge of one penny. Such an anomaly should never exist in a country which prides it elf on the wisdom of its legislation. Why political information should have such an undue advantage over general literature is incomprehensible,-it is an absurdity for which the iterary world in general, and the book-trade in particular, have to suffer. If the English government has any desire to retain ts Australian dependencies, a rapid and cheap postal communi

London Inst., 7.—Dr. A. W. Hofmann, “On Organic 2638. W. Anderson, jun., and A. W. Murphy, Glasgow-Ayrshire Chemistry."

319. J. Taggart, Massachusetts, U.S.-Machine for excavating earth. 2940. 9th February, 1854.

1916. John Atherton, of Preston, and James Abbott, of Accrington-1954.
Improvements in and applicable to machines for winding
yarn or thread, called "winding machines," used in the
manufacture of cotton and other fibrous substances.
1917. Peter Foxcroft, of Salford-Improvements in machinery or
apparatus for" doubling" cotton and other fibrous materials.
1918. George Richardson, of the Eastern Counties Railway, Shore-
ditch-Improvements in railway signals, and in the means
of preventing accidents upon railways, and in the apparatus
connected therewith.

1968. George Culverhouse, of 72, English street, IIull-Improve-
ments in manufacturing compost or manure.
2038. Albert Nagles, of Ghent-Improvements in machinery or
apparatus for washing, bleaching, dunging, and dyeing woven 3017.
fabrics.

No. 67. Vol. II.] JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTS.

[MARCH 3, 1854.

"To breed from, the Assamese select cocoons from those

Journal of the Society of Arts. which have been begun in the largest number on the

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1854.

NOTICE TO INSTITUTIONS. The Council have much pleasure in informing Institutions in Union, that Her Majesty's Treasury has, at their instance, ordered copies of the Report on the "Organisation of the Permanent Civil Service," by Sir Stafford Northcote and Sir C. E. Trevelyan, to be forwarded to those Institutions.

same day-generally the second or third day after cocoons have begun to be formed-those that contain males being distinguished by a more pointed end. These cocoons are put in a closed basket, and hung up in the house out of reach of rats and insects. When the moths come forth they are allowed to move about in the basket for twentyfour hours; after which the females (known only by the larger bodies) are tied to long reeds or canes, twenty or twenty-five to each, and these are hung up in the house. The eggs that have been laid the first three days, amounting to about two hundred, are alone kept; they are tied in a piece of cloth, and suspended to the roof until a few begin to hatch; these eggs are white, and the size of turnip seed. When a few of the worms are hatched, the cloths are put on small bamboo platters hung up in the house, in which they are fed with tender leaves

INTRODUCTION OF SILKWORMS FROM ASSAM After the second moulting they are removed to bunches

INTO MALTA AND ITALY.

of leaves suspended above the ground; under them, upon the ground, a mat is laid to receive them when they fall; when they have ceased feeding they are thrown into baskets full of dry leaves, amongst which they form their cocoons, two or three being often found joined together.

66

According to an account given by Mr. Thomas Hugon in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, there appear to be different descriptions of worms found in Assam, which the natives have been long in the habit of rearing for the sake of the silk they afford, viz., the Bom- The caterpillar is at first about a quarter of an inch in byx mori, the well known mulberry worm; the eria, the length, and appears nearly black; as it increases in size mooga, the kontkuri, the deo mooga, and the haumpott once, it becomes of an orange colour, with six black spots on all of which are described and treated of by Mr. Hugon. each of the twelve rings which form its body. The The five last are indigenous, but the first, though it has head, claws, and holders are black. After the second been long introduced into the country, is supposed moulting they change to an orange colour, that of the to have been brought with the mulberry tree from body gradually beco.nes lighter, in some approaching to Bengal. The Eria (Bombyx Cynthia, or Phalana Cynthia), white, in others to green, and the black spots gradually the worm referred to in Colonel Sir William Reid's letter become the colour of the body. After the fourth and as lately brought to Malta by Mr. Piddington, with a view last moulting, the colour is a dirty white or a dark green; to its introduction into Italy, is stated by Mr. Hugon to the white caterpillars invariably spin red silk, the green differ from the mulberry worm and moth in many respects, ones white. On attaining its full size the worm is about though, "like it, however, it goes through four different three and a half inches long. Unlike the mooga catermoultings, but its sickness in doing it lasts only twenty-pillar, its colours are uniform and dull, the breathing four hours; the last stage takes eight days, the others four. holes are marked by a black mark; the moles have beThe duration of its life varies according to seasons: in come the colour of the body, they have increased to long summer it is shorter, and the produce both greater and fleshy points, without the sharp prickles the mooga worm better; at this season, from its birth to the time it begins has; the body has a few short hairs, hardly perceptible. its cocoon, twenty to twenty-four days expire, in fifteen more the moth comes forth, the eggs are laid in three days, and in five they are hatched, making the total duration of a breed forty-three to forty-seven days: in winter it is nearly two months. The number of breeds in the year are reckoned at seven.

"This worm is, like the mulberry worm, reared entirely within doors: it is fed principally on the hera or palmachristi (Ricinus communis) leaves; it eats the mulberry leaf also, but is said to prefer the former. When the palma-christi leaves fail, they are also fed on those of several other trees known in this part of Assam by the following names:-1. Kossool. 2. Hindoo gass. 3. Meekeerdal. 4. Okonnee. 5. Gomarree. 6. Litta Pakoree. 7. Borzonolly.

"The worms thrive best and produce most when entirely fed on the palma-christi: it is the only plant which is cultivated purposely for it. There is hardly one ryut who has not a small patch of it near his house or on the hedges of his fields. It requires little or no culture; the ground is turned up a little with the hoe and the seeds thrown in without ploughing: whilst the plant is young it is weeded once or twice, but it is afterwards left to itself. The plant is renewed every three years. On the leaves of Nos. 1 and 2, worms can be reared entirely, but they do not thrive well upon it; many die even after having begun the cocoons, and the few of these that are got are small and yield but little. These and the others are only used in the fourth or fifth stage, when they are considered to answer quite as well as the palma-christi leaves. The kossool (No. 1) alone can be given alternately with the palma-christi. The whole of these trees are found in the forests, but not cultivated.

"In four days the cocoons are complete; after the selection for the next breed is made, they are exposed to the sun for two or three days to destroy the vitality of the chrysalis. The hill tribes settled in the plains are very fond of eating the chrysalis-they perforate the cocoons the third day to get them; they do the same with the mooga, and sell few cocoons imperforated.

The cocoons are put over a slow fire in as qlution of potash, when the silk comes easily off; they are taken out and the water slightly pressed out: they are taken then one by one, loosened at one end, and the cocoon put over the thumb of the left hand, with the right they draw it out nearly the thickness of twine, reducing any inequality by rubbing it between the index and thumb; in this way new cocoons are joined on. The thread is allowed to accumulate in heaps of a quarter of a seer: it is afterwards exposed to the sun or near the fire to dry; it is then made into skeins, with two sticks tied at one end, and opening like a pair of compasses: it is then ready to be wove, unless it has to be dyed." After describing the process of dying the silk, Mr. Hugon goes on to say:

The thread is wove as cotton. The different prices of the cloths and their use will be found in an annexed table; their cloths are mostly used for house consumption, a few are bartered with the Bhotias and other hill tribes. Large quantities were formerly exported to Lassa by merchants, known in Derung as the 'Kampa Bhotias ;' the quantity they used to take away was very considerable, but in the latter year of the Assam rajah's rule, from the disorganised state of the country, the number of merchants gradually decreased. Three years ago only two came, after a long interval; one of them died, and