The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-20 00:00:00

EVENING, NOVEMBER 20, 1851.

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.
On Tuesday (Sir William Cubitt, President, in the
chair,) the paper read was "A Description of a
new Metallic Manometer, and other Instruments
for Measuring Pressures and Temperatures,"
by M. Eugene Bourdon, of Paris. In the
course of manufacturing a coiled copper worm
for a still, one side becoming flattened by
accident, internal pressure by a force pump
was applied, to restore the cylindrical form, and to the
astonishment of the author, as the pressure increased,
the coiled tube unwound itself, until it became nearly
straight. This induced further experiments, which
resulted in the production of the various instruments
described in the paper, and exhibited to the meeting.
The transverse section of the coil was that of a
flattened tube, which when acted upon internally by
the pressure of steam, or any other fluid, bad a ten-
dency to uncoil itself, as the density increased, and
to return to its original form, on the pressure being
removed. If it was exposed to external pressure, or
a partial vacuum was created within it, the tendency
of the tube was to coil itself up into a smaller dia-
meter. In the former case, as the tube uncoiled itself,
its sides became more convex, and its capacity became
greater; and, in the latter instance, the capacity
diminished as the sides collapsed and approached
each other. It was on this relation, between the capa-
city of the tube, or the amount of convexity of the
sides, and the diameter of the coil, that the action of
the instrument depended. If a fiat band of metal was
bent round the circle, its transverse form remained
unaltered, but if a semi-cylindrical, or gutter-shaped
band, was bent into a circular coil, its convexity was
diminished ; and if the circle formed by it was of
small diameter, the band became almost flat in the
transverse direction. It being then a law of general
application, that a surface which was curved in two
directions, could not have ifs curvature increased
in one direction, without its curvature being dimi-
nished in the other direction, and vice versa, the
action of the instruments in measuring pressure or
temperature was easily understood.
The variation in the thickness, or capacity of a
curved flattened tube, was shown by filling the tube
with a liquid, and attaching to the centre of its ex-
ternal periphery, a small glass tube; when every
change of curvature produced a corresponding motion
in the liquid in the tube ; for as the tube was straight-
ened its capacity increased, and as it curled up again
it diminished.
The change in the thickness, or capacity of the
tube being proportional to the variation of its radius
of curvature, it was found, by experiment, that the
motion of the extremities of the tube was in propor-
tion to the pressure applied, so that the indications
were equal for equal increments of pressure; this fact
greatly facilitated the construction of the indicating
instruments.
The simplest form exhibited, was that of the steam
pressure gauge, in which rather more than one con-
volution of flattened tube was employed; one end
being attached to a stop-cock, in connexion with the
boiler, and the other extremity carrying an index
pointer, which traversed a scale graduated to given
pressures per square inch; on the steam being ad-
mitted, the tube uncoiled, and the pointer indicated
the amount of pressure to which it was subjected.
When a greater range of motion was required, the
lever, instead of being placed on the axis of the index,
carried a toothed segment, which, working into a
pinion on the spindle of the index, increased the ex-
tent of indication. This arrangement was adapted
for barometers, in the construction of which the air
was exhausted from the flattened tube, which was
then hermetically sealed. The pressure of the at-
mosphere acted on the exterior, and was balanced by
the elasticity of the tube, which varied in curvature
with every variation on the pressure of the atmo-
sphere.

Many ingenious modifications of the principle, and
adaptations of it to various purposes, were described.
The construction of thermometers, by a spiral flat-
tened tube, was extremely novel and good ; that also
of a pyrometer, for measuring high temperatures,lwas
equally clever. The steam-engine indicator became
a very simple instrument, avoiding the error which
was to be allowed for the friction of the piston of the
ordinary instrument.
The instruments were stated to be very generally
adopted in France, where the Government inspectors
of steam-engines used pressure gauges on this prin-
ciple in verifying the accuracy of all the other in-
struments they found attached to the engines under
inspection. At the French Exposition of 1849, M.
Bourdon received a gold medal, and at the Great
Exhibition in Hyde-park he was rewarded by a
council medal.

Mr: POLE, Assoc. Inst. C.E., exhibited and ex-
plained an instrument of his invention, called the
"Prismatic' Clinometer," for measuring angles of
elevation and depression. It was an application to
vertical angles, of the principle of Captain Mater's
Prismatic Compass, in which the angle is read by a
prism, at the same time that the sights are directed
to the object. The advantages of Mr. Pole's instru-
ment were, its portability, it being only about three
inches diameter and three-quatters of an inob thick ;
—its simplicity, durability, and safety in carriage ;
the convenience and facility with which it could be
used ;—and its accuracy. The various applications of
the instrument were explained, and also a modifica-
tion of its construction, by which it could be com-
bined with the Prismatic Compass, and a new com-
pound instrument thereby produced, which would be
exceedingly useful in topographical investigations.
Mr. C. MLY, M. Inst. C.E., directed the attention
of the meeting to some specimens of iron ore, now
being extensively raised, in the neighbourhood of
Middlesbro'•on-Tees, by which as great a revolution
would, probably, be caused in the iron trade of the
North of England, as the discovery of the black band
ore in Scotland had produced some years since. This
ore was found in a bed of 15 feet to 18 feet in thick-
ness, close to the surface, amidst cheap fuel, and
within a few miles of a seaport, and as it contained
from 33 to 35 per cent. of iron, its advantages
were already so fully estimated, by the proprietors of
some iron-works, where there were eleven blast fur-
naces, that they had ceased working their former
mines, and conveyed this ore a distance of fifty-five
miles, by railway, with advantage to the quantity and
quality of the iron produced.
The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday eveeing,
November 25, when the following paper will be read;
"On the Application of Machinery to the Manufac-
ture of Rotating Chambered-Breech Fire-arms," by
Colonel S. Colt, U. S , America.

AMBER-TIPPED CIGARS.—The enjoyment of the
more refined votaries of the " Indian weed" has been mate-
rially enhanced by a neat invention, recently patented. By
means of this ingenious process of fixing a thin coat of
amber on the ends of cigars, cigar smoking assumes quite
a new character. No longer the tobacco-chewing, mouth-
fouling, spitting operation that it has hitherto been ; it may
now be conducted with all 'possible cleanliness, neatness,
and comfort, the empyrumatic oil and tobacco juice being
kept out of the mouth, whilst the pure flavour of the leaf is
preserved in full perfection. This invention must quite su-
persede the cigar tube, which, though it served to keep the
mouth clean, altogether spoiled the flavour of the cigar.

A MAN AND HIS WIFE SUFFOCATED BY A CHAR-
COAL PI/I.E.—On Sunday morning last, a gardner named
Deeks, living at flawkwell, near Rochford, and his wife met
their deaths under the following melancholy circumstance :
They had recently added a bed-room to their dwelling, and
the new wall not being dry, on Saturday night, induced also
by the coldness of the weather, they incautiously made a
fire with charcoal in the apartment in which they slept. On
the following morning they were found by their only child,
a daughter ten years of age, in their bed lifeless. Deceased,
we understand, were about thirty years of ;age.—Essex
Herald.

DEATH IN MILLEANIC PaisoN.—Yesterday an in-
quest was held by Mr. Bedford, at the above-named prison,
to inquire into the death of Maria Clarke, aged 22. It will
be remembered that this female was convicted and sentenced
to death at the last Suffolk assizes, for having murdered her
illegitimate child, by burying it alive in a field. Subse-
quently a number of benevolent persons prepared a petition
to the Home Secretary, praying that her life might be spared.
Sir George Grey having taken a favourable view of the case,
the sentence was commuted to transportation for life; and
on the 18th of September last the convict was sent to the
Penitentiary, Millbank, preparatory to her final removal from
this country. Here her conduct was marked by great pro-
priety. In the course of October, having till that period
been employed in the laundry, she was seized with a fit of
illness, which continued till the early part of the ensuing
month, when she was removed into the infirmary, where she
received the greatest kindness and attention. Medical aid,
however, proved unavailing, and she died on Sunday last
from a severe attack of dysentery. It having appeared in
the course of the investigation that the female prisoners were
employed in the laundry from six o'clock in the morning till
half-past seven in the evening, several of the jurors
expressed their opinion that ouch labour was too severe,
unless sufficient time was allowed for healthy exercise. A
verdict of " Natural death from dysentery" was returned.
DEATH of Silt JOHN COPE, BART.—We have to
record the demise of this baronet, so well known as an ad-
mirer of the sports of the field. He expired on the 18th inst.
at Bramshill Park, Hants. The deceased baronet was the
second son of William Cope, Esq., of Brigden Place, Kent, by
the daughter of Benjamin Greenwood, Esq., of St. Mary's
Cray. The deceased gentleman, who was patron of one living,
succeeded his brother in 1812. The first baronet was twice
High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
and represented the borough of Banbury in Parliament. The
deceased is succeeded by his son. Sir John Cope kept an
excellent pack of hounds in the county of Hants, and was
remarkable for his advocacy of the sports of the field. The
Queen, on the occasion of her visit to the Duke of
Wellington, at Strathfieldsaye, 1814, called upon Sir
John Cope at Bramshill, but the lion. Baronet was absent
from home.

DEATH OF THE DOWAGER LADY SALTOUN.--ThiS
venerable Lady expired a few days since, at her residence in
the metropolis, at the advanced age of 92. Her Ladyship
was mother of the present Lord Saltoun, so distinguished for
his services as a military commaader, and was the daughter
of Simon Fraser, Esq., an East India Director.
DEATH OF LORD MACKEIZIE.--The demise of J.
H. Mackenzie, EF.q., lately a senator of the College of Jus-
tiee, took place on Monday evening, at Belleville, near
Edinburgh, his Lordship's private residence. Mr. Macken-
zie, who was a son of the author of the " Man of Feel-
ing," and other works of high mute, was called to the
bar in 1799.
General Marchand, one of the most distinguishes
Generals of the Empire, died on the 12th instant, at _
chateau of St. holier, near Grancble, in the .96th year of
agth_

HEALTHOF LONDON DURING THE WEEK.
(From the Registrar-General's Report.)
The effect of the increased cold in the weather is
now perceptible in the weekly returns of mortality.
In October, the number of deaths registered in Lon-
it fell to 861
don did not in any week exceed 981, and in the fourth
; while the weekly mean temperature
during the greater part of the month was more than
52 degrees. In the week ending Nov. 8, the mean
temperature was only 40 degrees ; last week it was
40 2 ; and contemporaneously with this fall the
deaths rose in the former week to 989, and in the
last to 1,022.
In corresponding weeks of the ten years 1841.50,
the average number of deaths was 992, which a cor-
rection for increase of population becomes 1,091. The
1,022 deaths registered in the week ending last Sa-
turday show a decrease of 69 on the estimated amount.
Last week the number of deaths ascribed to diseases
of the zymotic or epidemic class was 236, showing
no important difference from the usual amount
at this season. Eighteen young s,
five adults of 15 years and upwards, were person and
carried
off by small-pox. In four of the 23 cases it is stated
that the patients had received vaccination. On the
14th November,!at 6, George-street, Grosvenor-square,
the daughter of a stableman, aged 3 years, died of
" variola confluens (6 weeks),'ulcers in various parts,
irritative fever, asthenia." On the medical certificate
it is stated that the deceased had not been vaccinated,
and assistance was not sought till the pustules had
desquamated universally." Mr. Jay, the registrar,
adds that "this is an instance of the prejudiceagainst
vaccination which prevails in too many instances I
among the poorer classes."
The three cases following occurred respectively on
the 4th, 6th, and 10th November in the Small pox
Hospital :
An itinerant musician, aged 27 years, who had
been vaccinated (when young) in Parma, and had
one indistinct cicatrix, died of "small-pox, confluent,
modified, with low fever (19 days)."
A draper from Lambeth, aged 18 years, who had
been viccinated when young, at Salisbury, and had
had "two excellent cicatrices," died of "small-pox
confluent, with delirium, diorama, gangrene (34
days)."

A clerk from Chelsea, aged 19 years, " small•
pox, confluent, unprotected (11 days.).
In the preceding week the deaths caused by scar-
latina were 59 ; last week exhibited a decline in this
disease, the number being reduced to 43. It seems
to prevail considerably in the district of Stepney,
where seven deaths were registered. The daughter
of a journeyman bricklayer, aged one year, died at
2, Thomas-street, Grosvenor-square, of " scarlatina,
cyanche maligns (11 days)." The ventilation of the
house is described as defective. On the 12 November,
at 67, Eagle-street, Red Lion-square, the son of a
bootmaker, aged 2 years, died of "scarlatina (6
days)." Mr. Goodhugh, the registrar, adds that the
family in which this death occurred was mentioned
in the report for the week ending Nov. Bth, and the
house which they occupied was then described. The
child now registered is the second that has died of
the same disease ; their illness, probably having been
produced or aggravated by the foul state of the pre-
mises. The father of the children states that he has
spoken to the landlord several times, but without re-
ceiving any attention. It is generally admitted that
nearly all the houses on t he north side of Eagle-
street are in a very defective condition as regards
drainage. The houses, which are let out in single
rooms, are in a dirty state, while the ventilation is
very insufficient.
In the sub-district of Hackney-road, at 40, Tur-
vibe-street, the son of a beerseller, aged one year, died
of " scarlatina" (8 days), convulsions (8 hours). Mr.
Murray reports that " the house stands in a close and
crowded neighbourhood, immediately opposite two
gully-holes, the exhalations from which are very
offensive.
In Ratcliff, at 3, Bere-street, on 6th and 7th Nov.,
the daughter and son of a tobacco-piper maker, aged
10 months and 4 years respectively, died of scarlatina
anginosa, after 5 days' illness; and at 14, China-
walk, Lambeth, the son of a painter and glazier, aged
one year, died of " scarlatina maligna (14 days) ;"
two other members of the family having been carried
off by the same disease within 14 days.
At 17, Seven-step-alley, Aldgate, the son of a
tailor, aged 20 months, died of "pertussis, asphyxia."
The surgeon of the parish and medical attendant of
this case writes on his certificate that "the place
where the child died is unfit for human habitation,
and fatal to all children."
Last week measles was fatal to 15 children, hoop-
ing-cough to 22, crop to 10, diarrhwa to 26 persons,
dysentery to 4, influenza to 2, purpura to 1, and
scurvy to 1, remittent fever to 3, puerperal fever to 5
(besides 4 other cases of women dying after child-
birth), rheumatic fever to 3, and erysipelas to 16.
Four children died of syphilis.
The fatal cases enumerated under typhus amount to
58, exactly the same number as in the previous week.
The son of a carpenter, aged 4 years, died at 29,
Colonnade, Bloomsbury, of typhus, after 15 days'
illness. Mr. Yardley, the registrar, mentions that
" the yard at the back of this house is very small, and
there is a privy in it which is very offensive at times.
A drain leading from the privy passes immediately
under the cistern which supplies the house with water.
and which is consequently impregnated with the
stench. The unhealthy character of the dwellings in
the Colonnade has attracted the attention of the
parochial authorities, who are taking steps to im-
prove it."
On the Lower-common, Putney, a traveller, aged
52 years, died on the 9th November of "typhoid
fever, aggravated by intemperance and exposure to
damp and cold on an open common (14 days), effu-
sion on the brain (12 hours)." Mr. Miller, the re-
gistrar, adds—" The medical officer informed me that
the removal of this patient to the union infirmary
was repeatedly urged to no purpose; he would not be
removed from the tent away from his tribe."
Amongst other causes of death, 123 persons, of
whom 105 were in middle life, died of phtbisis or
consumption, 66 of bronchitis, 68 of pneumonia, 18
of asthma, 4of pleurisy, 3 of laryngitis. Two lives
were destroyed by intemperance; a child died in 7
hours of " irritation of the air passages caused by
swallawing a piece of walnut; and on the 12th Nov.,
in Bethnal green, a gas-stoker, aged 45 years died,
according to the verdict of a coroner's jury, from
"the deleterious effects of mussels eaten on the pre-
vious night. •

THE HON. R. J. WALKER.—We are glad to learn
that Mr. "Walker, late secretary to the Treasury in the
United States, whose admirable report on free trade and
protective duties exercised so much influence in bringing
about the last modifications of the American tariff, has been
invited to a public dinner at the Albion Hotel, on Tuesday
next, the 25th instant. We understand that the directors of
the Chamber of Commerce and of the Commercial Associa-
tion have cordially and zealously joined in promoting this
tribute of respect t• a gentleman, whose able exposition of
sound principles of commerce and finance have entitled him
to the esteem and admiration of all free-traders.—lllan-
chester Guardian.

OUR RELATIONS WITH BRAZIL.—On Wednesday
last, a deputation from the Manchester Commercial Asso-
ciation, consisting of Messrs. T. H. de Castro, S. Jordan, and
W. Harding, had an interview with Lord Palmerston, at the
Foreign.oflice, on the subject of the relations between this
country and Brazil. The interview lasted upwards of an
hour; and its result was reported by the deputation at a
meeting of the directors of the association, held on Monday
last.—Manchester Guardian.
The boa constrictor which swallowed and disgorged
the blanket at the Zoological Gardens was brought to Eng-
land by Captain Fulton, of her Majesty's ship Hercules, from
St. Lucia, West Indies, and presented by him to the pro-
prietors. It was seven weeks on board without tasting food,
though repeatedly offered.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION..--A valuable assortment
of articles illustrative of the raw produce and manufactures
of Sweden has just been presented by the Government of that
oountry to the Royal Commission, and will prove an im-
portant addition to the trade collection now in process of
formation at the Crystal Palace.

CONCERT OF BLIND CHILDR .EN —Yesterday the
largechildren
assembly
of Schoolladi e fors
andth e
gentlemen,
performingentertainedi a
e m i‘
a
lection of sacred music from Handel, Mozart, endels-
sso hn, &c., with a view to aid the funds of the institution.
The pieces were given with remarkable taste and precision,
and it was stated that many of the pupils are qualifying
themselves to become organists of chapels and churches.
REPRESENTATION OF NORWICH.—The rumour runs
here that John Henry Gurney, Esq., of Easton Hall, near
Norwich, will become a candidate for the representation of
that city at the ensuing general election. Mr. Gurney's opi-
nions are liberal.
The parishioners of St. Michael, Cornhill, have
presented the Rev. Thomas Bennett, M.A., a purse of 70
guineas, as a token of their esteem for the great increase
which has taken place in the congregation at St. Michael on
a Sunday evening, since his appointment to the lectureship
of the parish.
The Rev. James Aspinall, Rector of Altborpe,
Lincolnshire, has, at the request of his parishioners, given
them a lecture, the result of his experience of the Crystal
Palace. So general was the interest felt in the subject, that
Mr. Aspinall was solicited to repeat his lecture twice in his
own parish, and has now delivered it, with extemporaneous
additions and recollections, at four or five other neighbouring
places.

In the advices from Berlin yesterdayit appears
that the loan of about 2,000,000/. starling authonsed by the
Prussian Chambers during their last session is to be raised
for the construction of the Eastern Railway. It was thought
lirkaer3ly, it would be chiefly obtained in London, but the con-
t opinion prevails here since the credit of Piussia seems
to render such a step unnecessary.
OPLNING OF THE NEW COURTS OF LAW AT ST.
GEORGE'S HALT., LivEnrooL.—We understand that at a
meeting of the St. George's Hall and Courts of Law Com-
mittee, held on Saturday, it was resolved to open the new
courts of law at the approaching assizes. The commission
will be opened on Saturday, the 6ih of December.—Liverpool
Mercury.
SOLICITORSHIP OF THE TREASURY.—It will be Me-
ful to the public to be informed that the office of Solicitor for
the Affairs of her Majesty's Treasury, which has for
some
has time been located at Uwydyr House, Whitehall, h
been removed back to the Treasury-chambers.

LEGAL REFINEMENT.—A coroner's jury having
eat on the body of a young lady who hung herself in conse-
uence of disappointment in love, returned a verdict—
Died ay to yiaitatio ut Cupid.