The Sun.
London, England, 1837-11-23 00:00:00

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(From the Scotsnzan.)
A model to illustrate the nature and powers of this ma-
chine, was exhibited on Wednesday evening, at a very full
meeting of the Society of Arts, Sir John Graham Dalyell
in the chair. It consists of a wooden chest about five feet
long, three feet wide, three feet deep at the one end, and
one foot at the other. The width and depth in this model
are those which would probably be found suitable in a
working machine ; but it will be understood that the length
in the machine may be a hundred or a thousand miles, and
is limited to five feet in the model merely for conve-
nience. Thirty copper wires extend from end to end of
the chest, and are kept apart from each other. At
one end (which, for distinction's sake, we shall call the
south end) they are fastened to a horizontal line of
wooden keys, precisely similar to those of a piano-
forte ; at the other, or north end, they terminate close to
thirty small apertures equally distributed in six rows of five
each, over a screen of three feet square which forms the
end of the chest. Under these apertures on the outside,
ar ainted in black paint upon a white ground, the 26 let-
ter of the alphabet, with the necessary points, the colon,
semicolon, and full point, and an asterisk to denote the ter-
mination of a word. The letters occupy spaces about an inch
square. The wooden keys at the other end have also the
letters of the alphabet painted on them in the usual order.
The wires serve merely for communication, and we shall
now describe the apparatus by which they work.
This consists at the south end of a pair of plates, zinc
and copper, forming a galvanic trough, placed under the
keys ; and at the north end of thirty steel magnets, about
four inches long, placed close behind the letters painted on
the screen. The magnets move horizontally on axes, and
are poised within a flat ring of copper wire, formed of the
ends of the communicating wires. On their north ends
they carry small square bits of black paper, which project
in front of the screen, and serve as opercula or covers to
conceal the letters. When any wire is put in communica-
tion with the trough at the south end, the galvanic influence
is instantly transmitted to the north end ; and in accord-
ance with a well-known law discovered by Oersted, the
magnet at the end of that wire instantly turns round to the
right or left, bearing with it the operculum of black paper,
and unveiling a letter. When the key A, for instance, is
pressed down with the finger at the south end, the wire at.
tacked to it is immediately put in communication with the
trough ; and at the same instant the letter A at the north end
is unveiled, by the magnet turning to the right, and with-
drawing the operculum. When the finger is removed
from the key, it springs back to its place : the communica-
tion with the trough ceases ; the magnet resumes its posi-
tion, and the letter is again covered.
Thus by pressing down with the finger, in suc-
cession, the keys corresponding to any word or name,
we have the letters forming that word or name exhi-
bited at the other end—the name Victoria for in-
stance, which was the maiden effort of the Telegraph on
Wednesday evening. In the same way, we may transmit
a communication of any length, using an asterisk or cross,
to mark the division of one word from another, and the
comma, semicolon, or full point, to mark breaks in a sen-
tence, or its close. No proper experiment was made while
we were present, to determine the time necessary for this
species of communication ; but we have reason to believe,
that the letters might be exhibited almost as rapidly as a
compositor could set them up in types. Even one-half or
one-third of this speed, however, would answer perfectly
well.

Galvanism, it is well known, requires a complete circuit
for its operation. You must not only carry a wire to
the place you mean to communicate with, but you
must bring it back again to the trough. Aware of
this, our first impression was, that each letter and mark
would require two wires, and the machine in these cir-
cumstances having sixty wires instead of thirty, its
bulk and the complication of its parts would have been
much increased. This difficulty has been obviated, how-
ever, by a simple and happy contrivance. Instead of the
Return wires extending from the magnet back to the
keys, they are cut short at the distance of three inches
from the magnet, and all join a transverse copper rod, from
which a single wire passes back to the trough, and serves
for the whole letters. The telegraph in this way, requires
only 31 wires. We may also mention, that the communi-
cation between the keys and the trough is made by a
long narrow basin filled with mercury, into which the
end of the wire is plunged when the key is pressed down
with the finger.

The Telegraph, thus constructed, operates with ease
and accuracy, as many gentlemen can witness. The
term model, which we have employed, is in some re-
spects a misnomer. It is the actual machine, with all
its essential parts, and merely circumscribed as to
length by the necessity of keeping it in a room of
limited dimensions. While many are laying claim to the
invention, to Mr. Alexander belongs the honour of first fol-
lowing out the principle into all its details, meeting every
difficulty, completing a definite plan, and showing it in
operation. About twenty gentlemen, including some of
the most eminent men of science in Edinburgh, have sub-
scribed a memorial stating their high opinion of the merits
of the invention, and expressing their readiness to act as a
Committee for conducting experiments upon a greater scale,
in order fully to test its practicability. This ought to be
a public concern. A machine which would repeat in
Edinburgh words spoken in London, three or four minutes
after they were uttered, and continue the communication for
any length of time, by night or by day, and with the ra-
pidity which has been described—such a machine reveals a
new power, whose stupendous effects upon society no effort
of the most vigorous imagination can anticipate.

POLAND.—A letter from Posen, of 2d Nov., con-
tains the following particulars relative to the proceedings
of the Czar :—" Two new ukases, which have appeared in
Poland, merit public attention, and show how the reform-
ing spirit of the Emperor Nicholas visibly approaches that
of the Emperor Paul, his father. The first of the ukases
is a supplement of that of the month of January, which
prohibited all employes, civil or military, or of whatever
grade, to rear spectacles, and extends this rigorous mea-
sure to all inhabitants of the Russian empire whatever who
have not attained the age of 40. At that age a Russian
subject may be permitted to wear spectacles or eye-glasses,
but woe to him who before the age of 40 shall dare to have
bad eyes, or pretend to be short-sighted ; such is the will
of the Czar, Autocrat of all the Russias. The other ukase
prescribes the length of the rods with which school-boy s
are to be chastised."—French Paper.
According to a letter from Vienna of the sth inst.,
the proceedings against Count Joseph Esterhazy have
taken a turn in his favour, the man ho is said to have ill-
treated having deposed that his wounds arose from the
Count's horse, which reared on being seized by the bridle,
and struck him with his fore-feet. It is, therefore, expected
that the Count will be fully acquitted.
It is utterly without foundation that the honour of a
baronetcy was. bestowed upon Alderman Wood in conse-
quence of certain pecuniary transactions between him and
the late Duke of Kent. It was conferred upon him solely
on account of his honourable conduct, and long tried and
consistent character.

It gives us sincere pleasure to announce that on
Monday last, her Grace the Ducheess of Roxburgh was safely
delivered of a daughter at Floors. This event was hailed with
much delight and satisfaction by all classes of the towns-
people.—Kelso Chronicle.
Restiaux, an active officer of the E division, on
Saturday last observed two notorious women, in St. Giles's,
newly " togged " from head to foot, and having previously seen
them in rags, and knowing them to he thieves, he suspected
that all was not right, on which he made inquiries, and ascer-
tained that a gentleman had been robbed, in a house where they
were in the habit of visiting, of a valuable gold watch, &c., six
sovereigns, and other property. He traced the property to
the prisoners, and took them into custody, when Mr. Patter-
son, of Brunswick-square, attended at the station-house, and
charged them, and they were locked up. Yesterday they
were placed at the bar at Hatton-garden, when the prosecutor
did not attend, and they were discharged. The prisoners are
desperate characters, and hare been repeatedly in custody for
hocussing and robbery.
On Saturday evening, about half-past six o'clock,
the revenue cutter Rob Roy was discovered in flames in Ports-
mouth harbour. The alarm which prevailed was great in the
extreme, and, on the signal being forwarded, the boats' crews
of every ship stationed near put off to assist in extinguishing
the flames. Before the hour of eight the whole of the aft part
of the Rob Roy was enveloped in flames, alongside of which
was the receiving-ship Success, but she was fortunately cut
adrift, and escaped without injury. By the great exertions of
the officers and seamen, as well as several others, the fire was
totally extinguished before nine o'clock, and the damage con-
fined to the Rob Roy, which is not to such an extent as was
at first anticipated. Fortunately, by the timely assistance re-
ceived, a repetition of the awful occurrences which took place
at Spithead about three weeks back, more especially in the
crowded state of the harbour at present, has been avoided.
The inestimable Mr. Pickwick, and the inestima-
ble Sam Weller, having arrived at the ancient and independ-
ent borough of Eatanawill, the following conversation took
place :-
66 Ab," said Mr. Pickwick, " Do they seem devoted to their
party, Sam ?"
Never see such dewotion in my life, Sir."
" Energetic, eh ?" said Mr. Pickwick.
" Uncommon," replied Sam ; I never see men cat and
drink so much afore. I wonder they a'nt afeer'd o' bustin."
" That's the mistaken kindness of the gentry here," said
Mr. Pickwick. . _

Werry likely," replied Sam, briefly.
The glories of Eatanswill have been eclipsed—the doings of
her devoted denizens have been outdone : that ancient borough,
covetous of good eating, and jealous of innovation, must bow
to Kippen, Denny, and Falkirk. In those three places Tory
devotion has reached its acme : nowhere have more brightly
shone the piety of the knife and fork—the religion of boiled
and baked.—Stirling Observer.

FIRE FROM GAS.

(From the Paisley Advertiser.)

We shall first state the simplest way we know of for
making the fire available, in the way of rendering few
alterations necessary, and of securing an easy return to
coal fires, if gas do not please, or of using coal fire and gas
fire alternately, according to the seasons, or to other circum-
stances. We shall suppose, then, that the fire is required in
an ordinary Carron grate, in the usual fire-place, and will
merely premise, that in this case, the vent requires to be
closed up :

I. Top Plate.—Procure a piece of sheet iron of a shape
and size to fit the mouth of the grate. The front of this
top plate may be supported on the upper bar of the grate,
and the back in various ways familiar to tradesmen. In
the centre of this plate cut a circular hole of a size to admit
the cylinder that is to be used.
11. Supply of Gas.—Lead a gas pipe to the hearth
stone, below the grate, bend its end upwards to pass
through between two of the bottom bars, let it project two
or three inches above the bottom of the grate, and pointing
towards the centre of the hole in the top plate. A conve-
nient way of leading gas to the spot wanted, is by a flexible
tube. If the end of the tube be properly supported by a
candlestick or other bearer, it can either be pointed into
the cylinder to produce fire, or set on the mantelpiece to
give light. In this way, too, the gas cylinder, instead of
being placed in a grate, may be set in an ornamental metal
pillar, (or by itself without one,) and placed occasionally in
any part of the room to which the flexible tube will extend.
111. Gas Cylinder.—Procure a piece of sheet-iron stove-
pipe, or cylinder, of a diameter from three to eight inches
(four or five will probably be found a good size for a room
fifteen feet square), and of a length about half an inch
more than the distance from the top-plate to the bottom of
the grate, which in most cases will be from eight to ten
inches. Cover one end of the cylinder with a piece of fine
iron wire gauze, such as is used for Davy's patent safety
lamp. This wire gauze is secured in its place by a small
iron ring or hoop, tightly circumscribing the cylinder ; put
this cylinder down through the hole in the top-plate, and it
will rest on the bottom of the grate, while the gas-pipe will
project into it ready to discharge gas. Open the stop-
cock, apply a light to the gas—not where it issues from the
socket or burner, but on the top of the wire-gauze, and the
fire is obtained. If too little gas go into the cylinder, it
will not kindle, if too much, the flame will burn white in-
stead of blue, and not give heat in proportion to the extra
consumpt of gas.
IV. Use of Lime.—When lime shell is slaked, or re-
duced to powder by the application of water, and passed
through a sieve, a number of little balls, of the size of
small marbles, will be found around the heap. Ten or a
dozen of these pieces laid on the wire gauze, soon assume a
bright red colour, and give a more cheerful appearance than
the fire would otherwise have. These pieces last many
days, getting a little smaller daily, and can be renewed at
pleasure.
V. Easy return to Coal Fires.—Should the gas fire not
produce a sufficient heat -for very cold weather, or should
it on trial not please, the vent may be unstopped, the top
plate and gas cylinder removed and set aside in one minute,
and the grate is ready for a coal fire as before.
VI. Gas Consumed and Effects Produced.—With a cy-
linder of 3i inches diameter, the gas consumed hourly will
be six or seven cubic feet—equal to six or seven single jet
burners burning four inches high. This, at the price of
gas here at present (Bs. 6d. per 1,000 feet), will be between
a halfpenny and three farthings an hour. A cubic foot of
gas with a cylinder of the size above mentioned will, in a
tin vessel five inches in diameter, and three inches deep,
boil a quart of water in ten minutes. Whether that quan-
tity of gas would produce the same effect, if burned in half
or quarter of the above time, we have had no means of
ascertaining.

VII. Increase of Heat.—lf an iron cylinder eight or
ten inches long, or more, of a diameter sufficient to cir-
cumscribe the iron ring that keeps the wire gauze in its
place, be put on the top of the fire, it causes it to burn
more vividly, on the same principle, no doubt, as steam-
boat funnels or stalk-vents create a draught. More gas,
we presume, is thereby consumed, but we cannot say bow
much.

VIII. Disadvantages of Gas Fire.—l . From paragraph
VI. it may be inferred, that fire from gas is dearer than
from coal, and this will be deemed a fundamental objection.
2. The quantity above mentioned does not produce so
great a heat as a moderate coal fire. 3. It has not so
cheerful an appearance, the bright bars and " bleezing
ingle" being a-wanting. 4. It gives out a slight sulphur),
smell, similar to what is felt when a shovel full of hot cin-
ders arc left for a little while in the centre of a room, and
thereby requires the upper half of a window or two to be
left a little way down. 5. It may not be deemed advisable
to trust the warming of the house or the cooking of the
victuals to a fire over which others have so much controul.
A lightening of the pressure at the gas works might leave
the dinners of hundreds only half cooked at the hour when
they should be eaten.

IX. Advantages of Gas Fire.—l. All the trouble atten-
dant on the kindling of a coal fire, on the supplying
it with coals, and the removal of ashes, is avoided. 2. The
annoyance of having carpets, furniture, pictures, books, &c.
covered with dust every time a poker is applied to a coal
fire, is avoided. 3. In cases where chimneys cannot be
made to draw or vent well, this affords a decided remedy.
4. In rooms where there are no fire places it must be
found exceedingly useful. 5. In cases where fire is speedily
wanted, this has the superiority, inasmuch as it can be
obtained at its full strength instantaneously, and a kettle
may be boiled, or a beefsteak cooked by it, before a coal
fire could be got properly kindled. 6. In summer, when
victuals must be cooked, but when fire heat is oppressive,
this will prove advantageous, because it need not be lighted
till the moment it is wanted, and extinguished when the
required purposes are served. Admitting of being thus
carefully husbanded, the disadvantages of its high price
will in some measure be diminished.

X. Conclusion.—We have thus stated how the gas fire
is to be most easily made available in a way that subjects
the experimenter to little expense of fitting up, and admits
of an easy return to coal fires. We hare stated its cost
as nearly as we can, and have summed up its most promi-
nent advantages and disadvantages, so far as these have yet
appeared, and we now leave the subject in the hands of the
public to adopt or reject this new species of fire as they shall
see cause.

An act of very gross treachery has lately been com-
mitted by two American Generals, Jessup and Powell, on the
native Indians. The chief of the latter, Powell, as he is
called, was anxious to conclude a peace, and he appointed for
that purpose " a talk" with these American officers of their
army at Fort Peyton, on the Ist ult. The talk was agreed
to, and Powell, with fifty of his chosen warriors and negrocs
attended, not suspecting any trap ; in the midst of the council,
however, they were all surrounded by a strong body of troops
and taken prisoners.

The obsequies of the late deeply-regretted Earl of
Egremont took place yesterday at Petworth-park, Suseex.
Lord Munster and the present Lord Egremont were chief
mourners. Major-General Wyndham, Sir Charles Burrell,
Mr. Percy Burrell, Rev. C. Boultbee, and other branches of
the late Earl's family,:also assisted at the ceremony, which was
performed in the presence of the numerous tenantry of the
deceased nobleman. Owing to the funeral of the venerable
Earl, the fox-hounds of General Wyndham will not meet this
week.

There is in the possession of a person residing
near Monk Bar, in York, a cock, of the golden pheasant
breed, which last year changed his speckled nppearance for
a pure white. This year, however, the feathers of the cock
are of their original colour. A somewhat similar occurrence
is, we perceive, related by a correspondent of the Farmer's
Magazine for the present month.

MR. GISBORNE AND MR. BAGSHAWE.—In
consequence of some remarks made by Mr. Gisborne, at the
dinner at Buxton, on Tory oppression, in which he said that
some leading Tories had been guilty of disgraceful conduct
in relation to the licensing system, W. J. Bagshawe, Esq.
referred to the subject at the Chesterfield dinner, and chal-
lenged Mr. Gisborne to substantiate any case in which the
magistrates had been influenced by political feeling in granting
licences. Mr. Gisborne therefore addressed a letter to Mr.
Bagshawe on the subject, denying that what he said had allu-
sion to the magistrates. and saying that the documents and
signatures to which he did allude were in his possession, and
open for Mr. Bagshawe's inspection. Mr. Bagshawe declared
himself individually satisfied with the disclaimer, but inti-
mated that Mr. Gisborne's letter was not ingenuous. Mr. Gis-
borne considered this to be an insinuation which he could not
allow to be made, and required satisfaction. In reply, Mr.
Bagshawe said he meant nu insinuation, and added, " I feel,
on consideration, that I was not warranted in stating to you
that I should publish your letter, in order that the public
might judge whether it would be characterised as ingenuous. "
With this Mr. Gisborne has declared himself satisfied.—
Sheffield Independent.
HANOVER, Nov. 2.—Yesterday an agreement was
signed here, the object of which is to afford mutual facility in
the commercial relations between the Prussian commercial
league and the States of Hanover, Brunswick, and Oldenburg.
Two agents are here at the present moment to negociate the
formal accession of Lippe Buckeburg to Hanover. Lippe-Des-
mold and the Hessian County of Schaumburg cannot now
maintain themselves much longer in their present insulated

position.
On Wednesday week, a singular but rather alarming
event occurred at Harrietfield, a short distance from this town.
Almost immediately after the servants, consisting of three men
and three women, bad dined, they were seized with a severe
vomiting, and other symptoms, as if they had partaken of poison.
Medical assistance was immediately procured, when the painful
sensations in the stomach were greatly abated. It is not known
what bad occasioned the above dangerous symptoms, but it is
conjectured it must have been some portion of a mixture for
cleaning boot tops, which had been pi epared the day before,
getting into some of the vessels in which the food had been
prepared. We are happy to add that the sufferers have nearly
or all recovered from their disagreeable mishap,....Ke/so Chron. I