Southern telegraph., 1837-04-18
From The Saratoga Sentinel.
HIGHLY IMPORTANT INVENTION

0iheF gentlemen, We called up1n Messrs.
Dlvenpor. g. Cork, oflhis village. on Sat
urday, with view Of examining the Iilec.
trO Magnetic Engine invented by the senior
partner.
The ingenuity, yet simplicity Of this con
struction, the rapidity Of its motion, toge-
ther with the grandear Of the thought lEal
We are witnessing the operation ofmachne-
ry propelled by that subtle and all-pervading
principle, Electricity, combined to render
It the most interesting. exhibition Rc have
ever Witnessed.
Although we shall say something on the
subject, it is impossible to describe this ma
chine by words alone, 50 as to give more
than faint idea Of it to the river.
HeonsIsts Of stationary magnetic circle,
formed OF disconnected segmenis. These
segmenisare permanently chargedmagnets,
the compelling poles Of which are placed
contiguous 10 each other. Within the cir
Gle stands the motive wheel, having pro-
lecting galvaeic magnets, which Teyolve as
near the circle as they can be brought with
out actual contact The galvanic magnets
are charged by battery, and when so
charged, magnetic attraction and repll en-
are bought into requisition in giving mo-
tion to the wheel-the poles ofthe galvanic
magnets being changed more than a thou
sand times per minute.
Having in its construction but one wheel
revolving with no friction except from its
own shaft, and from the wires connecting it
with the gaIvanic battery, the latter Of which
can scarcely be said to impede the motion
in any degree, the durability of this engine
must be almost without limit.
There is no danger to be apprehended
from fire or explosions; and we understand
it is the opinion of scientific gentlemen who
have examined il, that the expense Of run
ming this machine viii not amount to one
fourth as much as that Of steam engine Of
the same power.
From the time when the Greek phIoso-
pher supposed the magnet possessed a soul,
It's mysterious power has been regarded
with increasing interest and attention to the
present day. In addition to its utility in the
compass, thousands have labored 10 vain in
attempting, through its agency, rotary
motion. SO intense has been the appIica-
tion Of some to this subject that in the at
tempt they have even lost the clevating at
tribute OF our species, reason. Il was re-
served for Mr.. Davenport to succeed where
so many had failed. He commenced his
labor more.than three years ago, and prose-
cnted them under the most favorable cir.
cumstances, sustained by constitutional
perseverance and a clear conviction Of ulti-
mate success. He obtained his first rotary
motion in July, 1884, since which time be
MAS devoted his whole attention TO improve
ments in his machine. During this period,
i has passed through FIVE different modi6ca-
tons, and is now brought to such state cf
simplicity and perfection (haying apparent
ly the sewest possible number of parts) that
the proprietOrs consider no other important
alterations desirable, except in the proper
tions Of the different magnets, ia which they
are daily improving.
We were shown model in which the
motive wheel was 50 inches. in diameter
which elevated weight Of II pounds
And TO illustrate the facilities for increas
ling the power ofthis engine, another model
was exhibited to US with motive wheel d
eleven inches diameter, waich elevated :
, weighto Of So pounds. Although these mo
dcls have been for some time IN progress
, and we have occasionally becn permitted
I TO examine them, we have waited till the
, present period, when the practicability b
! obtaining rapid unlimited increase d
power seems to be placed beyond doubt
! before expressing an opinion, or calling at
tention to the subject.
: fihis engine answers the expectations
} ofthe inventor, (and we believe NJ one can
: assign a reason why it should nof,) it i
j destined 10 prodIcc the greatest revolution
/! in tho commercial andmecbanical interest;
D which the world has ever Witnessed. We
1 may consider the period as commencing
E when tho machinery in general will be pro
( PEELED by power concentraled upon the plaI
5 of this eRginei when the vessels ofall CON
mereiul ns lions will be guided to their poin
of destination and urged forward TO thei
: rcoqrse BY the same agent; trilmphaatll
J, cDntenling against winds and tides, will
& the silent subIinity Of unseen butifFesista
r ble power!
!. The prophetic ken Of science is happily
exhibited by Dt. Larlner IL lis l'reatisl
}. on the Steam Engine. His far urseeing gen
ius seems to have anticipated the invention
Of which VIC are speaking PHILOSOPHY,
s,id he, .s.lready directs her tiager at soul
ces Of nexhausiablo power in The phenom
ena of electricity and nagnciisin. and man
: causes combine 70 Justify the expectation
that We are on the era Of mechanical disco
vcries still greater than any which have Va
appeared; and that the steanr engine itse
with tho power conferred on i BY the Ia
mortal Wait, will dwindle INTO insignificanc
7. in comparison with the hidden powers
? nalure still Is be revealed; and the da
n will come whenthat machine, which Is no
cxienaing the blessings Of civilization toi
most remote skirts Of the globe, will eea
VI -. .4 ,..t.o ~ IN