The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-29
WHAT Is TALKED ABOUT.

WHAT 40 IAAA ED A4OUVs
The new Administration are evidently re-
solved to wrest golden opinions from all sorts
Of well-judging men. The appointment, the
week before last, Of THoM As EwBANx, Esq
to the Office Of Commissioner Of Patents, is
one which has already called forth from the
daily papers, without respect to political par
ties, very warm expressions Of appreciation.
Mr. Ewbank has resided for over thirty years
in this city, where he has an extensive circle
Of attached and admiring friends, while his
inventions and writings have spread his re-
putation among scientific men over the whole
extent Of our country. He commenced BUSH
ness here in Robert Futon's factory in Jer-
sey City, which he hired Of Fulton's nephew;
he afterwards removed his establishment TO
John street, New York, where he carried on
for series Of years the manufacture Of lead
pipe, and other branches connected with it.
In 1882, he patented his invention Of the
timed leaden pipe, which became an extern
sive and indispensable article Of manufacture
on the introduction Of the Croton water into
New York. He had the satisfaction Of know
ing that he had largely contributed to the
health and convenience of his fellow citizens,
although others managed to step in and reap
most Of the pecuniary rewards Of his ingenui-
ty. Twelve years ago he gave up business,
with the view Of devotng himself wholly to
scientific and literary pursuits. He was for
many years prominent member Of the Me-
chanics' Institute Of New York, and has
communicated many valuable articles to the
Journal Of the Franklin Institute, and other
periodicals Of like nature. In 1912, he
published his wel-known work, "a Descrip-
tive and Historical Account Of Hydraulic and
other Machines for raising Water, IA closely
printed octave Of about 600 pages, contain
ing mine Of information en- this and kindred
topics, which has gained him an enviable
name throughout this country and England,
and been the means Of saving many from
severe loss and disappointment, through vast
ing their energies on contrivances which have
been tried and found wanting ages ago. In
the winter of 1856, he made voyage,
for the purpose Of visiting some relatives, to
Rio Janeiro. During the ten months Of his
absence he kept an accurate Journal of every
thing that attracted his attention. We had
the pleasure, shortly after his return, Of in
speeding the original manuscript, which is
profusely illustrated with pen and ink sketch
es Of objects and scenes taken on the spot.
He has since written it out for publication /;
and we trust that his new official duties will
not prevent him from soon giving it to the
world. Some opinion Of the closeness OF OBJ
servation, and Of the skill in seizing on points
Of interest or righteousness which character
ize it, may be formed from the extracts
which we were permitted to give from it in
the Literary World for August 9Th and 10Th,
ls4s. For some months before leaving for
Rio, Mr.. Ewbank had been engaged from
time to time in making experiments on the
form, thickness, material, &c., Of paddle
wheels, with the hope Of being able to add
to their efficiency. These experiments he
resumed in 1s4s, and he published an ac-
count OF them and their results in the begin
ming Of the current year (see Lit. World !,
Jan. 90, lS49). He then made application
to government for national steamer, on
which to test the merits of his invention. His
request met with a favorable reception; but
there was at the time no suitable vessel UNI
employed, and the embarrassments conse-
quent on the change Of administration have
caused it to be postponed hitherto. The
means no doubt will now soon be afforded Of
making the trial, and of demonstrating to
the world the excellence and simplicity Of an
invention which it is thought by many will
have the effect Of bringing us virtually two
days nearer to Europe. We repeat, in con-
clusion, that the present administration have
given new and gratifying proof Of the wise
deliberation with which they are making APP
pointments to office, in comforting the post
Of Commissioner Of Patents on man so well
qualified, both by his profound knowledge
and by his upright and amiable character,
for the proper performance Gifts delicate and
responsible duties. The question has been
asked, To whom is the credit Of this excel
lent appointment due9 We do not know
with whom it originated; but we are as
sured, from source on which we can rely,
that President Taylor was in favor Of it from
the first. He expressed it as his decided
opinion that the office should be filled by a
man of science and a practical mechanic !;
and having seen Mr.. Ewbank's work on
Hydraulics, he considered shat he was the
man to whom It should be Literary
World, Nay "a.