The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-20 00:00:00

GUTTA PERCHA WORKS.
We lately visited the extensive works belonging to
the Gutta Percha Company, in Wharf-road, City-
road, and confess that we were delighted and asto-
nished. The premises in which the business of the
company is carried on cover a large area of ground.
Several floors of the building are devoted to the
operations of the workmen, amounting
..to nearly 170
individuals, including a sprinkling of stout, hearty-
looking boys. The basement is occupied by two
steam-engines, without whose presence the works
would be by no means complete. These groan from
" early morn till dewy eve' in turning lathes in the
engineering department, in kneading the gutta percha,
cutting out soles and heels for boots and shoes, rolling
out driving-bands of every dimension, and heating
the steam-chests, by which the gutta percha is ren-
dered pliable and fit for the hands of the workmen.
On the principal floor there are several powerful
hydraulic presses, used in the process of manufacture;
and we had the good fortune to witness the produc-
tion •
of a complete dessert service of the most chaste
and elegant pattern, and in imitation of gnarled oak.
The subjects of adornment were brought out in high
relief, and after undergoing the process of varnish-
ing, were surprisingly beautiful, light, and incapable
of being fractured or broken by a fall or a blow. Some
of these sets were of the vine-leaf pattern, in close imi-
tation to nature. These things were pressed out with
some rapidity, but not without great manual labour,
notwithstanding the aid of the powerful presses alluded
to. Inkstands of the most beautiful character, were
also fashioned in a short time; indeed, ;all "sorts of
ornaments, elaborated with the most ingenious de-
vices, were made during our stay. We observed a
vast deal of ornamental work, intended to supersede
the labour of the carver. There were frames of large
dimensions ready for the reception of pictures. We
were particularly struck with the appearance of one
intended for a large pier-glass. The foliage was of
the most sumptuous workmanship, and possessed a
sharpness and finish which the hand of man could
scarcely accomplish. A design for a bible cover was
exhibited. The subject harmonised with the nature
of the book it was intended to enclose, and was in
bold relief. It is believed that gutta percha will, in a
short time, be in general use among bookbinders, not
only in the shape of massive covers, but to supersede
the present cotton binding, which has so pretty an
appearance, but is not of that lasting character as to
induce persons to adopt it in cases where strength
and durability are required. In other portions of
the factory workmen were employed in making
instruments used by surgeons, to be employed in cases
of a delicate nature; others were finishing off the nu-
merous objects just turned out of the moulds. Amongst
the articles of curiosity we observed several yards of
gutta percha rendered exceedingly thin by machi-
nery, and intended for ladies' dresses ; it was of a
light pink colour, by no means displeasing to the eye,
and possessed of great strength. By the aid of deli-
cate machinery the gutta percha was run out into
thread, to be used in the manufacture of ladies' work-
bags, fishing-nets, and for a hundred other purposes.
Large tubing, and some with an inconceivably small
bore, was run out to lengths of various dimensions.
Waggon and cart harness, of enormous strengtbtcotm;
bined with lightness, we observed hanging up in the
establishment, besides gentlemen's riding whips, and
thongs of every kind. Greatly as we were delighted
with all these things, we had yet another treat to
come, which infinitely surpassed anything we had
een. We were shown several specimens of enormous
pannelling. in imitation of ancient oak, on which the
carving of the original design was brought up with
remarkable fidelity. Considering that gutta percha
is an indestructible material, we have little hesitation
in stating, that the mansions of the nobility will soon
be decorated with ornamental work produced by this
new system of multiplying objects produced by the
ancients to their glory and eternal honour. The gutta
percha works are under the direction of Mr. Frederick
Moore, a gentleman of great intelligence and me-
chanical knowledge, and we advise all persons, who
have a few occasional hours of leisure, to pay a visit
to Wharf-road, and examine this really wonderful_
museum of curiosities. The utmost facility is afforded
:o visitors.— Weekly Dispatch.

It is stated as a fact, that since the late insurrection
in Paris, there has been a large importation of human
teeth into this country, which have been taken from the
corpses of the insurgents and their opponents slain
during the battles of the barricades, the object of the
importation being to supply the makers of artificial
teeth with materials for their business, (to us, at least) a
disgusting practice, and fraught, we conceive, with dan-
ger to those who wear them, inasmuch as it is quite pos-
sible they may convey any disease with which their
original possessors were affected to their subsequent
wearers. We therefore consider that the newly improved
Mineral Teeth, just produced by Mr. Moggridge, the
Dentist, of Old Burlington-street, which most accurately
represents the human teeth in that peculiar bony
enamel ewaY has,lpearly
as to give the
ampapneaagreadn cbey
colouring herintgor tinting them so
opaque and semi-transparent effect of the real tooth.
Those, therefore, who require such things, need never
fear their detection under any circumstances,
are free from any of the dangers we before while they
at the same time they are perfectly
orrodible and free
from any smell or taste.

DItEADFIL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—CIIELTENZIAM,
MONDAY.—An inquest has been held at the Compasses
Inn here, near the Great Western Railway station, on
the bodies of three railway labourers, viz., Joel Witte,
aged 32, William Bull, 24; and John Newman, 32, who
were killed on Friday afternoon by a train passing over
them at 'latherley bridge, near this town. The men
were engaged in laying ballast upon the line of the
Bristol and Birmingham Railway, jointly used
by the Midland and Great Western Railway Com-
panies (being constructed on the double broad and nar-
row gauge), when a luggage train of 54 waggons came
down from Cheltenham, and while these men, and one or
two others, were absorbed in counting the carriages, an
up train came up on the broad gauge unnoticed by them,
and, passing over them, killed three men on the spot,
dreadfully mutilating two others, named Wilks and Ford..
The coroner (Mr. Lovegrove) having addressed the jury
on the nature of the injury, witnesses were examined as
to the manner in which the accident occurred. The
catastrophe having been proved to result from tb e care-
lessness of the men killed, the jury returned a yl_rdiet of
" Accidental death,"