Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-08-12
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A1ADSpElEafT uAII tyAV

We have often seen illusions IN the En-
g''sh papers to new invention, whereby
cars were 10 be propelled on railways by
atmospheric pressure; but we have never,
until now, seen any thing like an explain.
alton of the mode in winch this power is
to be applied. A late London paper con.
talns an account OF some experiments made
with an engine constructed upon this plan,
in the presence OF many distinguished and
scientific gentlemen, from which we make
the following statement of its construction
and mode OF operation. The plan is very
simple: Midway between the rails of an
ordinary railway lies secure to the Sleep
ers continuous pipe Of suitable ameter;
let piston attached to a carriage for pas
sengers run in this pipe, and n stationary
steam engine exhaust the pipe before it.
Ii is clear tina; if the parts of the machine.
ware sufficiently perfect, the Atmospheric
pressure on the back Of the piston will
move the carriage and its load with ve-
locity resulting from the proportion be-
tween that pressure and the resistance to
be overcome. So rlr, the theory is an
indisputabe one OF naked science the
only question is whether machinery can
be constructed sufficiently perfect TO pro-
dure with certainty the theoretical eff CT.
The railway on which the experiment
was made, was slightly inclined, The rails
old and laid extremely uneven, the pipe
was cylinder, Of nine inches s, aud the air
pump 81 inches 10 diameter, worked by
steam engine Of sixteen horse power.
Throughout the entire length Of the
pipe there is Of necessity slit in its crown
to ailurd the reedful connection between
the piston and the carriage; this is open
cd as each train passes, and clos S imrne-
diateIy behind it. OF course some air
thus obtains admission, but it was found
upon experiment that this leakage of the
pipe is more than balanced by the action
| of the air pump; the latter exhausted half
mile OF pipes to IS inches OF mercury in
one minute and quarter, while the pipe
retiilcd from leakage in eight minutes
! -Four experiments were made, in each Of
which the carriage went down the plane
by It's own velocity, and was propelled by
the atmospheric pressure. The result, by
close and accurate measurement, was,
that on the frs: trial the carriage, filled
with persons, ran 1915 miles per hour, on
the second 20.6, on the third 25.7, and
ON the fourth a3.4. These experiments
would seem fully TO establish the fact that
this power may be successfully used for
the propulsion OF railway carriages. lis
advantages, as set forth by lis inventors,
Mossrs. Clegg and Samudn, are that the
weight Of locomotives, often very great,
is wholly saved, lighter and less costly
rails may be usAd, no collision Of trains
occur, and grea, swing may be #, ctcd
by the substitution Of stationary for loco.
motive engin's. The new invention has
not yet received the attention aud scru,i-
ny necessary 10 decide positively upon It's
fall imPorlonce.-N Y, Tribune.
PoMPEII.-" 4 modern belle indeed
would perhaps be puzzled 10 adorn herself
for ball at the toiIlette-table of Iompe-
ian lady; she nigh; mistake the large
and clumsey pins for skewers, and would
fancy that the small lonkng-gloss, oil
which the ancient dame proudly boosted
the possession, but iil.lenected her fair
| wv ohN NiNRNil iottiI bAt LNfGItbElGSs
the small jars of rouge, perfumes and cos
metics, which formed an essential part Of
the Pompeian toilette, are still preserved.
" In one case, among many curiosities,
were some pills, rather black and iattened,
bat still easily recognised: we saw also
an instrument, Of which the following fac,
is related a Partisan surgeon Of some
commence had expended much time and
skill in the inyenlion OF surgical inslru-
ment. 1t had been received by the faculty,
and he had obtained patent for it,
When travelling in Italy some years az.
terward, he was amazed to fine among
the relics Of Pompei the Identical instru-
ment--coustiucted perhaps with less care,
and flushed less nicely, but formed on
the same principle. "-Letfers from Italy.
BAYLE.-Bayle's application in his stu
dies was almost miraculous. From the
age of twenty to forty, no worked siead.-
ly fourteen hours day. The result OF
his studies wns to make him sceptic in
tho most EXTENDED sense OF the torn. -
J Posson Tire,