1409. J. House, Market Lavington, Wiltshire-Imp. in machinery 1508.

or apparatus for crushing or reducing substances. 1411. E. Kolbenheyer, Vienna, Austria-An improved apparatus for making ices and cold beverages.

1413. W. Clark, 53, Chancery-lane - Imp. in lamps, and in apparatus for filling lamps with oil or fluid to be consumed. (A com.)

1437. W. E. Newton, 66, Chancery-lane-Imp. in coffee pots and 1547. A. B. Childs, 481, New Oxford-street-Imp. in wringing maboilers for culinary purposes, part of which improvements are also applicable for generating steam. (A com.)

1478. P. M. Parsons, Blackheath-Imp. in ordnance and other fire- 1301. G. F. Chantrell.
arms, and in tools for rifling the same.

1480. G. Hasletine, 100, Fleet-street-Imp. in churns. (A com.)
1484. A. A. Lamiable, 4, South-street, Finsbury-Imp. in cementing
cast and wrought iron to obtain cast steel.
1488. G. Davies, 1, Serle-street, Lincoln's-inn-Imp. in the manufac-
ture of ribs for umbrellas and parasols, part of which is ap-
plicable to the hardening of strips of steel generally. (A
com.)
1492. F. Stocken, Halkin-street, Grosvenor-place-Imp. in carriages.
1494. A. V. Newton, 66, Chancery-lane-Improved machinery ap-
plicable to the cutting of leather and other like uses. (A
com.)

Such a time of depression is the present. It commenced with the American failures and the monetary crisis of 1857, and continued with increasing severity till the beThe following subjects are suggested for dis-ginning of 1859, when the market showed symptoms of cussion :

recovery. But the French Emperor's declaration of war against Austria destroyed confidence and paralyzed com5. Whether arrangements can be made to enable Ex-mercial enterprise throughout Europe; and subsequently cursion Parties of Institutions in Union to visit the Inter- the American tariff deprived the English manufacturer of

further with advantage. Here, then, is an easy practical rule for the manufacturer's guidance. When he needs iron for any purpose that implies repeated workings of the metal, he only prepares disappointment for himself or his customers if he is induced to employ any but the best quality.

For the present purposes of Government it will be universally admitted (in words at least, if not in practice) that none but the best iron can safely be used. But there is another point of great practical importance, on which there seems to be a want of clear understanding between the Government and the contractors. The best iron may be so manufactured as to be endued with the different properties of either hardness or toughness as its distinguishing characteristic. The greatest degree of hardness of which iron is susceptible cannot co-exist with the greatest degree of toughness which, by a different mode of manipulation, might be given to the same piece of metal. Hard iron, even the very best, must to a certain extent be brittle. Tough iron gives up a portion of its hardness to retain its tenacity. If to samples of hard iron there is applied a test to prove their sharpness, they will probably be found defective. But it by no means follows that the iron thus rejected is necessarily of an inferior quality.

puddled bars is no longer one of manipulation only, but also of quality.

If scrap-iron is employed to any extent, it is hard to say what precautions would suffice to prevent use of the improper kinds. The supply of best scrap-iron is altogether insufficient to meet a large demand. Old rails -which are almost universally made of cinder-iron-may be had at 20s. less than the best scrap-iron, and 40s. or 45s. less than puddled bars. Cinder-iron is an element of weakness wherever it is introduced. It is not turned into good iron by being broken small, and it is only made worse by further working. It would be as hopeful to find the philosopher's stone and turn cinder-iron into gold as to work it into an efficient trust-worthy armour-plate. Among the many experiments which it is understood have been tried at the arsenals, there remains untried one which well deserves consideration, and may lead to important results. It is most desirable to ascertain the effect of armour-plates made of puddled bars; and the experiment involves no preliminary expense. At Portsmouth and elsewhere there are the hammers and machinery necessary for forging the plates; it only remains to secure puddled bars of the best quality, and on this point there is no fear of being deceived; for, however diffiIn the first instance then, to save time, money, and cult it may be to make the best puddle bars, the process disappointment, it should be made clear whether tough- by which they are tried is simple and intelligible. It is ness or hardness is the quality required. If, for example, merely necessary to strike them with a heavy hammer so it is intended to replace the cinder rails, which are split- as to bend the extremities, both when red-hot and when cold; ting, and crumbling away on many of our principal lines, it for iron destined to make plates should stand both these is plain that in constructing the new rail the surface opposite tests: not, indeed, because an armour-plate is part of it cannot be made too hard; but the lower part should ever to be made red-hot, but because the iron, if not of a be tough, in order to bear the prodigious strain to which, | quality to be pliable when heated, will not retain its both laterally and vertically, it is subjected. It is ac- toughness throughout the workings which it must undergo cordingly proposed to make the "head" as it is called, of before it is formed into a plate. "steely" iron, but the lower part of the rail of tough iron of good quality.* The same device has already been adopted for the best tires. The outside of the tire is made of a quality approaching to steel, but the inner portion nearest the wheel is of the best tough iron.

By the course proposed, the Government also would secure the advantage of comparing the expense and efficiency of its own hammered plates with the plates, both hammered and rolled, of its contractors: and moreover it would be much assisted in deciding the great In the iron for armour-plates it is understood that the practical question whether the State should turn manuhighest authorities, both practical and scientific, concur in facturer on its own account; that is to say, whether it opinion that toughness is the quality to be aimed at, and should buy the pig-iron, and then carry on all subsequent in that case the best " puddled bars" are the only proper operations at its own works. The security as to the quality material. If, indeed, it is desired to make a hard plate, of the iron, the very great economy of saving the conscrap-iron, which is cheaper than puddled bars, is well tractor's profit, and the independence of action which would adapted for the purpose. But it is a point of the greatest be obtained by such a plan if it were ably carried out, are importance the misapprehension of which would cause advantages of the utmost importance. But, on the other serious mischief--that only the best scrap-iron should be hand, the heavy preliminary expense, the long delay of employed. The term "scrap" has reference to form only, preparation, the possible loss and discredit of failure, are and it must not be assumed that fragments of good iron formidable objections. The one great difficulty, however, and fragments of bad are equalized in quality because is to find, at first and for every part of the operations, they are identified in name. The best scrap-iron consists competent management and competent superintendence of the fragments collected from the workshops of the of that management. It is said that the foundry at smiths and the boiler-makers, who do not use the inferior Woolwich was constructed on the most approved plan, qualities of iron. It is cheaper than the puddled bars, be- and was conducted by managers of zeal and ability; but cause it is the remnant of a manufacture which has already in one point there was a deficiency-there was a want of made its profit, and because it is applicable to only a knowledge of the pig-iron manufacture and of the trade. limited number of purposes. Between the best scrap-iron The managers bought ordinary iron, such as is sent into and the best puddled iron the difference is not in the the market for ordinary purposes, and they analyzed and original quality, but in that which has been imparted by tested, they broke and they twisted, and, finding none further manipulation: the scrap-iron, having already been that came up to their standard, they jumped to the hasty so frequently worked, becomes hard, and to a certain ex- conclusion that cast iron is unfit for ordnance.* Had they tent brittle, by the complicated process of the armour-called in the aid of competition, and invited iron-masters plate manufacture, throughout which the puddled iron retains its fibrous texture and its toughness.

But if under the name of scrap-iron are swept off the miscellaneous contents of the marine-stores, of unknown quality, varying from the best to the very worst, of unequal sizes, and coming to the welding-point at different temperatures; and, above all, if "old rails" are smuggled in under a new name, the question between scrap-iron and

It has been much disputed whether the two qualities of iron can be satisfactorily welded together, but the difficulty has been overcome, and there is no doubt but that an efficient and durable rail might be thus manufactured at a reasonable

cost.

to send specimens of iron specially manufactured for ordnance purposes, they would, it is believed in the "trade," have procured a material approaching nearer in toughness to wrought iron than would at present be thought possible, and at a cost which (whatever price may be put on the specially manufactured iron) would have been trifling in comparison with the expense of the wrought-iron ordnance.

The failure of this experiment-which seemed so hopeful, and which so nearly succeeded-naturally raises fears for another experiment of the same kind, but on a much

The American method of casting ordnance hollow is said to be well worth our own consideration.

larger scale, and of much greater difficulty and greater risk. The proposed plan offers a middle course. By hammering their own plates with such machinery as they have now at their disposal, the naval and military Boards will incur no loss if they afterwards abandon the design of manufacturing; and if, on the other hand, they persevere in it, they will gain by this previous essay the knowledge and the confidence to proceed. If a plan so vast as the establishment of Government manufactories of iron for all naval and military purposes is ever to be successfully executed, it can only be done by expanding it gradually, and making sure of one step before another is hazarded. Time is needed to find, and experience to form, the men who are to carry it out. If the experiment of hammering plates is attended with success, the Admiralty may be tempted to lay down mills for rolling them and for other operations; but till its managers become very dexterous and expert as iron masters, it would do well to avoid the operation of "puddling," and to continue to purchase puddled bars. In times of prosperity there is little of puddled iron in the market, as the manufacturer needs for his own use all that he makes, but at present the Government would have no trouble in procuring it; and, if the demand were likely to be permanent, forges would soon be constructed for the express purpose of providing the supply required.

appeared in the Times inviting tenders for supplying the Admiralty with "melting" iron. On application at the office it was found that tenders were wanted only for the supply of the iron of two specially-named firms! Probably no one is to blame for this absurdity. The board could not throw the matter open to real competition, for there was no one to take on himself the responsibility of deciding between the competitors; they could not send an order direct to the firms in question, as any private company would have done, for there was no one to take on himself the settlement of the price. Not to incur responsibility must of necessity be the limit of every subaltern's ambition. If he steps beyond this, if he attempts to benefit the public service beyond what is written, he has to encounter ridicule and obloquy from his equals, and is not always rewarded by encouragement from his superiors; he has no resource but to shelter himself behind precedent, and take refuge in unchangeable routine. The regulations which insist that samples for trial shall be paid for by the manufacturer, and many other galling pretensions which could be set up by no other customer, save in reality nothing to the public, and place the Government in a position of great disadvantage. Manufacturers complain that their work is in many cases submitted to incompetent judges, who decide without appeal; and delusive competition, established merely to avoid official responsibility, deprives the Government of all the advantages which a real competition would secure.

Till the State turns manufacturer, there remains to be solved the great problem how to secure from contractors an article of the best quality in exchange for the best The object to be attained is to confer on Government price. It is found by experience that the presence of a powers as nearly as possible approaching to the freedom of Government Inspector at the works is utterly insufficient action possessed by a private firm, without unduly relaxfor the purpose. A paragon of integrity and ability, pos- ing the restrictions which must be imposed on a public sessing all the knowledge of the most accomplished iron-office; and to place its relations with the market as far as master, and gifted with the eyes of Argus and the vigi- possible on the same easy footing as those of every other lance of Cerberus, without his taste for a sop, would be trader. All schemes which have been devised for this unequal to the task, unless he were endowed with powers purpose resolve themselves into the appointment of an of ubiquity; and, if at last the execution of the contract officer or a board, with varying devices for securing the is unsatisfactory, the Government is debarred from re- honesty and capacity of these new officials. The objecmonstrance or redress, as each step in the process has been tions to such a plan are many and weighty, and the time sanctioned by its own inspectors. It would be better to is not yet come when the Government could be induced substitute for the continuous inspection of a resident to adopt it, or indeed would be able to carry it through agent the occasional visits of a person higher in station and Parliament. But at least palliatives may be applied. authority, whose business it should be to come at irregular Heads of departments might do much by examining into intervals and without notice, to inspect the work and details which are not usually brought before their notice, the materials, and to transmit specimens of both to be sub- and by revising the rules of their respective offices with jected to the appropriate tests, both chemical and mechani-reference to purchases and contracts for iron. Without cal, and also to look over contracts and invoices, and satisfy forgetting that they are Ministers of the Crown, let them himself that the materials are in accordance with the consider what should be their course if they were the spirit of the contract. In this there can be nothing chairmen of great trading companies. Great companies, offensive to the manufacturer. This mode of inspection it is true, are often encumbered with many of the diffiexacts from him nothing more than the presence of a culties of routine which beset the offices of the State; resident agent was intended to secure. Inspection of any but to a different degree, or their business would come to kind implies want of confidence: there is no additional a standstill. Government may be assured that the imoffence in making the inspection an efficient one. Truth pediments with which it has surrounded itself are very has no aversion to daylight. Government, in this instance, repulsive-never else could so much unpopularity have has not shown itself one of those unreasonable customers attached to a customer whose credit is so good and paywho haggle for price, and expect impossibilities. It has ments so regular. ascertained that for its present purposes the best materials| are required. It has agreed to a price which amply covers the cost of the best materials; and assuredly it may claim the right-or rather is bound to acknowledge the duty of ascertaining that the best materials are actually employed.

If the present preparations for national defence are carried on, it is manifest that, either as manufacturer or consumer, and more probably both, Government will for some time to come have very extensive dealings with the iron-trade. But unfortunately the regulations of the public offices are ill suited to such a conjuncture. Strict rules are undoubtedly necessary to prevent public business being hindered by the caprice or dishonesty of contractors, and the endless intricacies of form and routine have been introduced as the best safeguards against corruption; but they impede the intercourse with the manufacturer, and they paralyse the action of official Boards to the most mischievous extent. Some time ago an advertisement

Above all, the Government wants agents who possess the information which every individual similarly situated would require for the protection of his interests. As a mode of providing such for the future, it might be advantageous to encourage some of the many intelligent officers in the service of the various departments to acquire a practical knowledge of the iron trade, to the extent of learning the products of the different districts, the properties and qualities of the various makes of iron, the theory of intermixing them with the best effect-in short, to gain a general acquaintance with the nature and management of the various processes of the manu facture. To this might easily be added the study of chemistry and mineralogy, so far as they bear on the production and working of iron. All this would be but superficial information, if they were to turn manufacturers on so slender a stock; but thus instructed they would be intelligent negociaters in all dealings with the iron-trade, and they would relieve their respective boards of the