Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-07-31
PHILADELPHIA July IL, 1927.
MAHOGANY

! ntcence and grandeur of appearance by any OF the
known productions of the earth of its class, and
could the largest of the oak, which species Is
ally styled the king of the forest, ne exhibited in
competition, II would dwindle TO insignihcanCe in
The comparison; the enormous size and height OF
the trnnk, the uncommon spread ol The branches,
thu space OF ground occupied by the root, al o.
ge'her convey to the mind the idea, that it was
designed by Nature, fO the use of race, of more
colossal proportion than the present; the ingenuity
and perseverance of man has, however, obviated
all the difficulties. and induced the almost apparent
impossibilny OF appTomis,ng 10 his use, tree,
which, il would appear, has, by nature, been made
OF too great size be brought within HE power.
Commerce has also made mahogany, from being an
article scarcely known, 10 be of necessity
throughout Europe, and great part of An erica.
This tree belongs 10 The class Decandria Mohogy-
MIA, and IN botany is described 80 Swetenia meet,
tubulosun. 10 den,slum, Caps. iignosa, YaIris,
Sem mbricata, marsine meubranaceo'
1t becomes almost impossible TO give the more
minute circumstances attending the growth of this
valuable and much used tree, It's progress 10
maturity Is scarcely percepuble within the lie OF
man; but as far as our limited Jbserva ion will
allow US TO form an opinion, no. less than ave-
rage period of two hundred years can be allowed
as the time OF it's coming full growth, ct for
cutting.
Various and differing are he conjectures relative
10 the first use and discovery of this beautiful God,
nor Is 1t within the limits OF such sk=, Oh this
to remark upon their accuracy we, therefore,
Ject all accounts that appear speculative, and
tlne ourselves to such authenticated. Its
first discovery was therefore by The carpenter on
board of one Of Sir Walter Raeigb's vessels when
lie put into some harbour iD the Island of Trinidad,
In the year 1898, no, having occasion TO go on
shore TO cut some pieces of timber, required for
work to be done on the ship that he belonged to,
Brought on board quantity of this wood which,
on being worked, iron the state, exhibited to
The establishment of all who il, that beautiful
natural variety OF appearance which no ingenuity
of art can equal.
The first use to which Mahogany was ppIied in
England, arose from circumstance purely acci-
dental, and was appropriated TO the making of
box for holding candles. DR.. Gibbons an emf
neat physician, in the latter end of the seven eenth
or beginning of the 18Th century, had a brother,
w est India captain, who brought over some pJanks
OF this wood ballast, but was not aware of
lie value. As The Doctor was then building
house in King>street, Convent Garden, his brother
thought they might be OF service 10 him, but the
carpenters finding the wood too hard fer their tools
they were laid aside for time useless Soon
after, Mrs Gibbons waning candle box the
Doctor called on his cabinet maker TO make one of
some wood that lay in his garden. Wsl!sston, the
cabinet Maker, on cutting 1t up, also complained
that il was too hard; the Doctor said he must get
stronger tools. The candle box was however made
and highly approved OF, insomuch that the Doctor
then insisted on having a bureau made of the same
wood, which accordingly done, when The fine
colour, beautiful polish, &C. were so pleasing that
becomes an object OF curiosity, and he invited
all his friends 10 come and it; among them was
the Duchess Of Buckingham Her Grace begged
some of the -ame wood from Doctor Gibbons and
employed Wallaston TO make her a bureau also, on
which the fame of mahogany and Mr. XVallaston
much Tased and furniture of this SORT soon be-
came general. Thus, from Circumstance in Itself
20 trivial, has emana'ed extensive branch of
commerce Honduras almanac
Mr.. John NJ. Cooper OF GuilIhal, Vermont.
has invented machine which displays q eat power
He has exhibited model which was a cylinder
inches in length and inches in diameter, with
a crank fastened to gudgeon at each end The
over Of men was sufficient TO make il throw
continued column of wafer three-fourths of an
inch thick, 20 tees horizonta line and more
than 90 feet on peTpe ,dcuiar The principles are
said 10 be pscuIaD l. - called the Rotatiye
Pisten;" but It really contains piston aud no
valYesi but has the appearance OF wheel, form
ing vacuum side and 4 strong compress
On he other. What is most remarkable il.
that it il said to take in, at each revolution, a
volume OF wafer greater than the whole size of
The machine. Il exhibited to Gov. Clinton,
and many other gentlemen; aud it is said TO be the
general opinion that it will take the place OF all
pumps and ire engines. A mandatory has been
established 10 that village on a pretty extensive
scale; and sgsnt has been SEN to Europe, 10 in
lrodnce It into England, France, &c.
Since riting Tie above, we have seen one oil
these machines, which, we understand, may be tx.
amineI 10 morrow al the Exchange
nv Y Daily Ado.
The North America, a new Steamboat, has
commenced running between N York and 4 lbany
She is intended to run through IN ten hours. On
trying her speed few days since she wen, ten
miles in thirty -four minutes
The following voyages have been perform ed
from New Orleans Louisville $50 miles against