New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-10-17
The Fair Of the American Institute.

the exhibitions of the American Institute at It's
Fifteenth Anniversary: and though our examine
ton ives no. sufficiently close ss enable Us to speak
with perfect confidence of its merits compared
with the exhibitions of former years, We are sure
that any one who has one hour, even halt a
dozen, TO spare, cannot employ them more plea
sanity OF prohtably than in inspection of the
which are there exposed to public scrutiny. a de-
tailed description of them would be neither very
entertaining nor instructive; shall therefore
only speak generally of some of the prominent ar
ticles. The Fair has now been open for week,
and has during the whole time been thronged By
visitors from both the city and the country. In
the arrangements for the exhibition more strict
exclusion of all indifferent articles has been made
than at any previous fair there is therefore, much
less disorder and confusion arising from an accu-
mutation Of goods, and far more pleasing show,
as those which have been admitted are Of the best
quality and work manship.
The exhibition Of boats is quite full, and con-
tains several elegant articles. The Cimbria,
thirty foot race boat weighing only 1870 lbs, built
OF fourteen kinds of wood and containing 2458
is large, and many Of them are of superior work
manship, and contain decided improvements on
former Inventions The machine room is well
flled-containing large steam engine, with
horizontal piston, made at the Novelty Works for
the Delaware and H1dson Canal Company. The
machines for planning ifon-one OF which Is IN
operation-and model of the pile-drving ma
chine are worthy Of special attention Among the
new inventions the tide wheel seems fitted to
be of most general utility. 1t is urdersho water
wheel to be placed in any stream where there is a
decided current. By very simple arrang cement
with a chain and pulley it adjusts its own position
in accordance with the rise or fall of the water
No dam is therefore required, and the power of
the stream may be applied to any mechanical pur-
pose for which it is needed with slight expense.
There are several models of bridges with one of
which we were particularly struck. as it seemed
to afford, by means of arches springing each way
and by side braces of peculiar construction
greater frmness than any other model we have
ever seen. For railroad bridges it must be especi-
ally desirable.
Several chronometers are exhibited Of the finest
workmanship we have everseen The uniformity,
as well as the almost nfinitesmal amount, of their
variations is very remarkable table of variations
accompanies them which sufficiently proves this
Three or four hundredths of second was the high
est we noticed. beautiful transit instrumen Mt and
spleRdid Equatorial mounted Telescope, the first,
we believe, ever in this country, also
exhibited. Some very fine achromatc glasses for
have been presented and if they prove.
equal to the expectation of the makers they will
be most valuable addition to optical Instruments
There is also included asssmell clock, of most ex-
quisite and complicated work manship, calculated
to run 375 days after being once wound up. The
pendulum is large brass ball-some two inches
in diameter, which revolves in alternate directions
oy the torson of the silk thread by which it is sus
pended 1t is Curious and interesting article
There is, we are glad to see, strong competi-
ion in American silks. Specimens are exhibited
rom several different States, manufactured, in the
,kein and in cocoons. There are several very fine
parcels raised in the State Prison at Auburn and
great number from Railway There are many
beautiful specimens of embroidery and the de-
oartment of cloths, wooden and cotton, i. exceed
ngly well filled. There is curious woven hemp
nose for the conveyance of water, well worth
cooking at The Horticultural room is remarka-
,ly beautiful A great variety of Dnhlias and all
other flowers has been collected and most tasteful
v arranged. Fruits of all sorts and of superior
quality are included.
The furniture rooms are full of articles of ele-
CANT workmanship and of superior convenience
md utility. A life-preserving scttee-the bottom
itted with vessel filled with air-with stools
upon the same principle for the use Of
steamboats, and other vessels, is among the most
noticeable There is also curious chair, of which
one NAV make an ottoman, bed, an easy chair,
writing desk, chair for shaving and dressing, or
almost anv thing else that convenience or aziness
NAV dictate. Shoes of all shapes, perfumery CT
all scents, curtains, window shades and paper
hangings of the most splendid manufacture coth
inc of all sorts, and all articles which the ingeAui
tv and skill of man produce, call the attention
and demand the ad miration Of every lover Of beau
~ in the arts or utility in mechanics. We saw
also piece OF Fossil salt, from mine i'll Vir
ginia-manufa ctured specimens Of which ex-
hibited, surprising in wilderness and beauty any
we have SEEN either imported or from the springs
Of Western New York We understood from Dr.
FISHER that the mine from which this specimen
is obtained is of unlimited extent-capable of
furnishing thousands upon thousands of bushels
of superior quality. With suitable protection, for
a few wears it might be made mine of acealh to
the old Dominion; and yet she steadily opposes
the Protective system, and her Representatives