The Express.
London, England, 1857-10-06 00:00:00

THE POLYTECHNIC

On Saturday night there wee a private exhibition
of various novelties which have been eddied to the multiform
attractions of this well•known mteldliehment. These addi-
tion are of a very miscellaneous character, lunging from a
series of magnificent dissolving views to a coalthence for
carrying pens and ink in the pocket. M. Osinont's n•
sera* pen holder, the little implement referred to,
4 en exceedingly Ingenious invention. In an ordi-
nary-looking penholder a =all tube is introduced,
terminating in an open mouth, which is placed is
clam proximity to the slit of the pen. This tube is filled by
turning the seal at the top of the holder ; and thee, if the
seal is turned ilia other way, the ink will immediately flow
into the pen, which may thus be kept replenished for • eon-
'Movable tines without having recourse to the inkstand. The
as at inventkm, ye rather set of inventions, exhibited were of
br pear impeetance, their object being to ripply

W leng-eladdiented means of communiattlen between
the rust got the driver of railway trains. The
investor. Mr. W. H. Myers, of 202, Wkitschapel-road, has in
het 'reggae,/ a mob et signalling which may be adapted to
every conceivable requirement of the railway service. Mr.
Myers's speeraths is • pneumatic one. He proposes to place
• pipe under melt carriage, the ends to be connected by
flexible tubing, wide!' may be instantly attached to each other
or disconnected. In the guard's compartment he would then
place a force-pump, and thus, by a stroke or two of the piston
the guard would be enabled to convey • signs] to the driver.
In each compartment of the peasenger carriages he reposes to
place • simple contrivance, by which a red disk in the day-
time or • lamp at night might be displayed on the roof of the
carriage. This it le expected would immediately attract the
notice of the guard, who in his turn would immediately
direct the driver to stop. Mr. Myers has another very im-
portant contrivance, by which the station-master would be
enabled to signal an approaching train in a manner which
it would be imposeible for the persons in charge of it
to overlook. He proposes to attach both to the engine
and to the break a small shaft, which would almost
touch the Mil. The station-master by means of •
sliding apparatus similar to that already in use fee
another purpcee, would be able to Interpol at any
convenient &steno, a small spring which would otithe these
shafts, and they would immediately turn en the engine
whistle, and set in motion in the guard's coupes tenant •
bell &thrum, or, if preferred, • rattle. A number of move•
able splines would be carried with each train, and in the
event of • break-down they could be screwed on to the lino
in the rear of the train which had tbua came to • eland-still.
This simple invention would not only be much more effective
than the fog signals now in use, but it would render unneces-
sary the very dangerous prom-roe which have to be gone
through in ruder to manufacture the explosive signals now in
use. Mr. Myer. ha. some minor suggestions well deeming
the attention of railway directories.
The next invention shown was Stevens's bread-making
machine, the object of which is to render onneceowary any
handling oif the dough by the baker. Mr. Stevens, it may
be added, has demonstrated that the London public requires its
daily bread of • whiteners which can scarcely be secured
without adulteration, and at a prix below that at which it
can fairly be produced. Whether pure bread, however, would
sot be a cheaper article in the end, its use both diminishing
the doctor's bill and rendering unnecemery the relishre
which am required to assist the deglutition of the adultemttli
ahimy rut,bieh which too often does duty for "the staff of
life." is a question which Mr. Stevens's coatroom would
pniteibly answer in the affirmative. At all events, the com-
pany, having had an opportunity of fur once tasting it, ap-
peared to be unanimously converted to the view. of Dr. Hawaii
and the other opponents of food adulteration.
After this, • new series of diseulcong views was shown,
illustrating the momentous events taking place in British
1 odia. Them were fourteen or fifteen in all, and some addi-
tions were likewise promised. Thom exhibited were all ad-
mirably executed, and did great credit to Meson, Hine, Clare,
Knott, Peering and Frey, from whosepencil. they had
Wood. They were aro...quoit., by a very unrevealing ler-
thre ham Mr. Jas. Malcom. We trust that the enterprise
which hes been displayed by the management will nut only
said thetruction and entertainment to the public, but yield
a Meng return for the are and capital expended.

EXPENSE OP THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION IN
BILWAsT.—The erg of the late eommlasion of inquiry will
mount to e handsome little total, taken at the most mode-
rate estimate. The two comodrionees, at flee groom each
per day, for rater sitting days, will net 160 guinese-
-16111. ; • government reporter, at two guineas per day,
331. 12a., and for, my, twenty-live days in transcribing his
notes, 621. 10s. ; two counsel (Meows. Tarsal and Fr tsar),
three guineas each per day, 1001. 16c; two attorneys (Mears.
CY Rorke and Rue), at the same Egan, 1001. 16s. Total,
4561. 12e. This expense will, of course, be paid by govern-
ment. On the town will fall, however, half the ezpenos of
the additional constabulary drafted to Belfast to supper
riots that had no longer an erratum, end who aro to be
Wilted upon us, we supose, =oil ths nth of 1* comes
mod @Oz.-4~ eOildw.