Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-09-04

however, did not remain satisfied
with this experiment. He has dis
covered a method, which We cOnsi.
der equal in value to his new engine,
by WHICH he can convey the benefit
of his original principle to steam en-
gines of the old construction and
this has recently been succeeded. we
are told. by most extraordinary
discovery, that the same heat may
be made to perform its part more
than once, in the active operations
of The engine.
| "Great as the invention is, yet
we are disposed to think that the APP
pIication Of The principle TO old steam
engines is not less important. when
we consider the enormous capital
which is at present embodied in Great
Britain in the substantial form OF
steam engines. and the admirable e.
legance and skill with which these
noble machines impel and regulate
the vast population of wheels and
pinions over which they reign, We
feel AS If some vast innovation were
proposed Hpon our established nsages,
by the introduction of Mr.. Perkins
engine. The very idea that these
Potpntates of the mechanical world
should be displaced from their thrones
| that their strong holds should be
dismantled their palaces demolish-
ed, and their whole affairs placed
under a more economical manage
| ment. is somewhat startling to those
who dread change. and admire insti
tutions that both work and wear
well. Mr.. Perkins, however. has
saved them from such a degradation.
He has allowed them to retain all
their honors and privileges, and pro-
poses only TO invigorate them with
fresh influence and power.
"Tn this new system, the old en-
gines with their boilers. are retained
unalrered. The furnaces are alone
| removed. Mr.. Perkins constructs
a generator consisting of three hori-
znntaI tubes of gun metal, connected
, together. filled with water, and sup
piled with wafer from forcing
pump as in his own engine. This
generator is exposed to heat in an
analogous manner, SO that, by means
of loaded valve, which opens and
shuts, the red nod fluid may be con-
strained till forced out OF the genera.
tor into the water, in the boilers of
B ,Iton and Watt. BY this means,
as much low pressure steam OF 'nnr
pounds or the square inch, may be
generated by one bushei of Goals, as
could be produced in the old e"gire
by nine bushels. This most impor-
tsnt result was obtained by actual
experiment.
"Since these great improvements
have been effected, Mr.. Perkins has
made discovery, that seems, IN is
practical Importance, to surpass them
all. lie now entirely dispenses with
the use of the condenser. and works
the engine against the atmosphere a
lone and by methods with which we
are not acquainted, and which indeed
it would mol be prudent for him to
disclose at present, he is is enabled
to arrest the heat after it has per-
formed its mechanical functions, and
actually pump it back to the genera
tor, to unite with fresh portion of
water, and renew its useful labours.
In an operation like this. consider
able portion Of the heat must still be
lost, but the wonder is that any
should be saved and We venture to
say, that the most sanguine specuia
tor Oh the omnipotence OF the steam
engine, never dared even to imagine
the possibility OF such an invention.
eve are well aware, that in an.
nouncing this discovery, we are ex-
posing ourselves to the criticisms OF
those whose belief is naturally limit
ed by their own experience but it is
satisfactory to know, that Captain
Basil Hall, (whose account OF Mr..
Perkins discoye cries and inventions,
delivered before the Roy al Society of
Edinburg. gave such universal salts
faction has been intrusted with Mr..
Perkins discovery, & that he speaks
confidently of the soundness of ITS
principles. as well as the practicable
ty of its application.
oAGter the 10th June. Mr.. Per-