The Sun.
London, England, 1833-04-13 00:00:00

SCIENCE.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF PRACTICAL

The great accession of works of art and science,
and of natural curiosities, which this gallery has
re-
ceived since it was first opened, proves that the
projectors were not wrong in their expectation of
the " co-operation and voluntary aid of the intellec-
tual public." Within a very short period there has
been added to the articles originally exhibited in
the gallery, a number of others equally deserving of
attention, and forming, altog, net., an exhibition,
which, whether for the rational amusement, 0,
poetical information it affords, is c.-rtainly unrivalled.
In steam-enginery we find a series of working, or
of sectional models, in which the progie-s of inven-
tion and improvement may he gradually traced, from
the first crude notion of Hero, to the more studied
anti matured efforts of the genius of Warts; and
still carried onward by the multiplicate mechanical
talent of the present day.
Flom the production of steam power we turn to
its application, as exemplified by models of steam
boats, some of which are propelled through a canal
and basins raised in the area of the gallery—by mo-
dels of locomotive engines both for railways and for
common roads—by its substitution, in the steam-
gun, for gunpowder as a projectile force—by models
of the method of draining mines, and by various
other applications of a minor order. Of all these
the steam-gun is the most astonishing, perhaps be-
cause it is the most novel engine. The boats in the
canal are also intended to contrast the newly in-
vented nodes of propulsion with each other, and
with the common wheel. At present, the oblique
paddle of Mr. Jacob Perkins is the only one in ope-
ration, but we understand that the safety paddle in-
vented by Mr. Stevens is also to be exhibited in a
similar way ; and we can imagine no greater advan-
tage that could accrue, not only to those who but
too frequently sactifice their fortunes and the most
efficient portion of their existence in the prosecution
of such mechanical improvements, but also to the
whole community, than that of the means being af-
forded of fairly contrasting the effects of all feasible
inventions of a similar nature.

When there are so many objects of exceeding
interest, it is difficult to make such a selection as
might be said to comprise the most valuable. We
shall, therefore, only mention a few of the more
recently introduced. _ .

Saxton's Locomotive Pulley, is a contrivance to
augment the speed of carriages. The model ex-
hibited is caused to move sixteen times faster than
the rope by which it is drawn or propelled. The
inventor states it to be applicable, on suspension
railways, to the conveyance of letters, passengers,
or light goods, at the rate of 120 miles an hour.
It is possessed of efficient contrivances for stopping
arid starting the carriage, and for keeping it con-
stantly under safe control.
New Mode of Baking and Distilling.—This
model is a facsimile of the ovens erected at the
manufactory of the Metropolitan Patent Bread Com-
pany, at Pimlico, by Mr. Robert Hicks, the in-
ventor. The whole method is demonstrated by
actual experiment, and the visiter is enabled to see,
on a Lilliputian scale, the process of baking and
distilling spirit from the vapour yielded by the bread,
which, from its economy, and above all, for the
wholesome article of food it produces, promises ere
long to become general throughout the country.
A Mousein a Diving Bell illustrates very inge-
niously the principle and application of an apparatus
which posse,ses many and very superior advantages
over every other contrivance for exploring " Davy
Jones's Locker," as the sailor calls it, or, as the poet
would say, the " vasty deep."
We have already exceeded the usual limits of a
notice of this description, yet we cannot refrain
from directing the attention of our readers to a few
of the many capital paintings with which the upper
gallery is adorned. These are the Susannah and
the Infant Bacchus of Adr. V. Werff—the Marri-
age of Sr. Katherine, by Aspino—a Portrait, by
Rembrandt—a Morland—St. Peter in the Porch,
and Sr. Augustin, by Spagnoletti—the Galley
Slave and the Negro Boy, by Merrillo—lllustrations
of Natural History, by .Daniell—and the Paphian
Bower, by Martin. The " Concord of Sweet
Sounds," produced by Tait's musical glasses, and
Signor Ventura's harp-ventura, which are played
in concert, will be sure to attract the notice of every
visiter; nor will airy f rget the martial accompanh-
mt or to the steam-gun of Dartainvillt's mechanical
trumpets. We may justly say to all who would
combine the most interesting information with de-
lightful amusement—go visit the National Gallery
of Practical Science.