The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-24

NEW AND WONDERFUL MAcHME.-There Is
nothing which more strongly characterixes the
power of human ingenuity than the invention ana
construction Of superior piece Of mechanism.
The inventions Of Arkwright were Of this nature
BY the substitution Of mechanical power IN place
OF the mind, voliton, and muscular instinct OF the
operative, they have gradually changed the habits
and occupations Of great portion OF the human
race.
We saw Yesterday one of these new inventions,
which appears 10 us destined TO effect similar
changes in due course of time, although of much
more limited extent. II is machine for making
Tuscan braid--the material out of which, as our
readers are well aware the greater portion of the
hats worn by all classes Of our female population
arc made. The world is supplied with this nate
rial at present principally from Tuscany, where the
plat, or braid, is made by hand. Every peasant
girl may be seen with piece of this work before
her, as commonly as we used to find the Dutch
girls IN old times with their knitting before them.
Ihe plat Is made OF a straw of peculiar fneness,
which is grown for the purpose in the fertile valleys
OF the Arno. The straw is imported here in bum
dies of some six inches in length; and with these
little pieces the machine Of which we are speaking
performs its work-executing, with one hand to
drive and tend it, the work of sixteen operatives IN
one day
A bundle of these straws is deposited on the
frame. The machine singles them out rejects the
imperfect ones, raises them, spices, paits and cuts
them at the proper moment and carries OH, without
cessation, continuous braid OF very regular ana
uniform texture, and Of delcacy of workmanship
superior to that which has hitherto been accom-
pished by the most skillful fingers of Tuscany.
Elisha Fitzgerald, machinist Of IS Christie street,
is the inventor of this intelligent piece of work,
which is credtable, in the highest degree, to his
skill and patient ingenuity, and is worthy of close
attention, as superior piece of machinery, from
the ease and perfection of its movement, without
regard to its intrinsic value productive source
Of wealth. 1t works with very little friction, can
be moved by the hand of child, costs about two
hundred and fifty dollars, and has been patented in
the United States and in England and other parts
Of Europe. The use Of the invention in this coun-
try has already been sold by the inventor for what
appears to him large sum--several thousand dol
lars-but for price which will, in reality, bear but
small proportion to its actual value. He is now
going to Europe, and will doubtless be able TO dis
pose of his right better terms in that country,
where the merits of the invention will be more
readily appreciated.
Mr. Ellsworth former Commissioner of the Pat
ent Office-who, from much experience, could gen.
orally distinguish at once between genuine and spu-
rious inventions-spoke Of this, at the time Of the
application for the patent, in the highest terms.
And any one who sees it in operation, as we did
yesterday, cannot fail to be struck with the singular
excellence of the invention and to wish sim
cerely to Mr.. Fitzgerald, who is one of our own
fellow-citizens.
We are indebted to Mr.. Detheridge, Of 81 Mer-
chants Exchange, who is the agent for the appca-
ton Of this machine, for the opportunity Of seeing
it in operation.--N Y. En-. Post.