The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-23 00:00:00

CHINES.

We have seen these machines in operation, and the
results more than equalled' the expectations which we
had formed of them. There are two machines ; one of
which, by far the simp'est and least expensive, performs
addition and subtraction only; by the other, any pro-
blem in multiplication and division can be accurately
solved. The results are unerringly accurate in both
cases. As the interior of the apparatus is not shown by
the patentee, we can only describe the external forms of
the machines, and state the effects produced. 'The adding
and subtracting apparatus is about one foot long, three
inches wide, and one inch deep. On the top are several
small dial plates movable en their centres, on which
dials figures are engraved. There is a small aper-
ture at the upper part of each dial, made in the
metal plate which covers the top, through which other
figures, engraved on a white ground, are seen. As the
dial's are moved round, these figures, which must be en-
graved on small rollers, also move, and at the end of. the
.operation' show the amount of the sums added or sub-
tracted. In a sum of addition, consisting of many rows
of figures, the operator, almost as fast as the figures are
called, brings them to the top of the different dials, which
indicate units,tens, hundreds, &c., and at the conclusion
of the operation the figures which remain express the
SUM of the whole. In subtraction, the dials are turned
in the reverse direction, after a small slide has been
drawn out ; the figures in like manner show the result.
The wonderful operation of this machine is shown most
strikingly when the fraction of a pound is subtracted from
ameven number. For example, when one halfpenny is
subtracted from 1,0001. all the figures change simulta-
neously, and exhibit the amount of 9991. 19s.
The multiplying and dividing apparatus is much more
complicated than the simple addition and subtraction
machine. It would be impossible, unless at great length,
to give an intelligible description of its mode of opera-
tion, but it was shown to be no less certain, stnd in the
working nearly as simple as the former. This machine
is circular ; it is about one foot in diameter and nearly
three inches deep. Its disc contains numbers of small
dials with apertures, similar , to those of the smaller ap-
paratus ; and in the centre there is a handle for the
operator to turn. As the handle is turned the figures
in the different small apertures are seen moving, and
after all the figures of the multiplier have been worked
separately, the product is exhibited by figures in. an
outer circle of the disc. The great use of these machines
is the certainty •f the calculations. Expert accountants
may possiblygo through the operations .as quick, but
some error may be committed which requires the repe-
tition of the pro.cess. They will serve, therefore, as a
useful check in making out complicated accounts. We
believe the inventor is about to take out a patent for the
invention on an improved scale.

INCENDIARY FIRES.
BIRMINGHAM, FRlDAY,—lnformation was received last
evening, at the Birmingham Fire-office, thnt the work of
incendiarism had commenced at Stratford-on-Avon, and
a considerable sensation was caused by rumours in refer-
ence to it.

The following bill has been issued by the Fire-office
Company :

."
ONE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD.
•:" BIRMINGHAM, OCT. 22; 1841.---:Whereas, on Wed-
nesday morning last, some evil-disposed persons set fire
to the farm premises of Mr. Ralph Smith, at Radbrook,
near Stratford-on-Avon, the Directors of the Birming-
ham Fire-office hereby offer a reward of 1001. t. any
person or persons who shall give such information as
will lead to the apprehension and conviction of the
offender or offenders.

" By order of the Court of Directors,

" JOHN SIMMONS, Secretary."
On Monday last the house of Richard Harvey, of Cas-
e Cary, was wilfully set on fire, and the whole, with its
contents, completely destroyed. A notorious character,
from the neighbourhood of Yeovil, who was seen near
the spot on the same day, is suspected of being concerned
in the diabolical transaction, and it is hoped that the
guilty parties will be speedily brought to justice.— Ifilts
Independent.

It is at all times a melancholy task in having to relate
the destruction of property by fire, and much more so
when caused wilfully, as there cannot be a doubt but the
one which we here narrate was. Early last Tuesday even-
ing one of the corn-stacks of John Clarke, Esq., a tenant
of his Grace the Duke of Portland, and who resides at
Kirkby, in Nottinghamshire, was observed to be taking
fire ;
.it progressed, communicated the destructive ele-
ment to adjoining stacks, and there being a smart, keen
wind, the whole of the capacious and well-filled yard,
containing thirty corn and hay stacks, was (excepting
two of hay) entirely consumed. The fire gained such
power that it bade defiance to engines, firemen, and every
ether aid. The house and premises providentially
escaped, although great fears were entertained for their
safety. The injury done is supposed to be 'over 3,0001.;
happily . the stacks were •• partly insured.--Doncaster
Gazette
A few nights since, an alarming fire 'took place on the
farm of Air. Duke, at Cantwick, near Little Hampton.
By the assistance of the labourers it was.confined to a
wheat rick, where it first broke out. Suspicion fell on a
labourer named Sim
mends that he had iniiliciOuSlY set
it on. fire, Mr. Duke having had some trifling dispute
with him. Simmends was taken into custody- and has
since confessed to committing the diabolical act.

•
Not one acre.Anit; of every ten under grain in the
West of Ireland bas as•yet been cut down—and the
.almost constant rains ,give a. dismal .foreboding of dis-
4resYlii that part of "the cowatry for the egisuipg whiter.
WatiVoyig Chronicle,