The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-11-13
Editorial correspondence.

DEAR ECHo,-After pleasant run through
the Sound, on the commodious and well-ar-
ranged steamer C. Vanderbilt, we are safely
landed in the city of Gotham, where the dust
flies to such an extraordinary extent, that it
reminds us of the accounts which we have read
of the simoons of the Great African Desert-of-
ten covering people from sight; but they are not
generally buried so deep here, but that they
manage to make their appearance, though In
such a doleful state that it would be very diff
fcult matter for them to shake off all the dust
against the rulers of the city They have
curious legend here of a class Of people that
used to exist, called street sweepers. Their
business, as the legend runs, was to keep the
streets clean But that must have been long
time ago.
| Politics and election returns, seem to occupy
a great part of the attention of the New Workers
at present The result of the election, so far as
heard from, seems to be favorable to the Demo-
Gratis
Having received an invitation, yesterday
visited the extensive Touring establishment Of
Messrs Hecker & Brother, which were thrown
open for the reception of visitors, on the occa-
sion of their having received from the Great
Exhibition in London, the Prize Medal for the
best -four, as also premiums from the Fair Of the
American Institute. Perhaps succinct sketch
of the Mills will not be uninteresting. The
Croton Mills were established in 1S43, by Heck
er & Brother, chiefly with the design Of supply
ing their own bakery with fresh ground and
reliable flour, large quantity of which was
needed, and ultimately to furnish other city
bakers The business soon outgrew the origi
nal idea, and at this time very large trade is
carried on by them with different sections of
the country. On Il lot adjoining the mib fire.
proof granary has seen erected, divided into ten
compartments, and capable Of holding between
forty and fifty thousand bushels. With the at
tention of one man, five thousand bushels per
: day can be tranferred from one compartment
into any of the others, or into any part of the
5 mill where the grain may be wantcd-the elo-
D vators carrying it fifteen feet higher than the
G roof Exclusive of the basement and attic, the
mill is five stories high each story and the attic
S being supplied with a Croton pipe and hose, af-
fording the readiest means Of extinguishing fire.
b All the stories requiring it are heated by sys-
# TEN of steam pipes, supplied from the exhaust,
n and governed by stop-cocks. Any desired tenn
: perature may be enjoyed at all times, as the
II mill is running day and night. Gas has recent
ly been introduced into all the apartments where
stationary lights are required. These combined
arrangements serve to diminish very materially
f the chances of accidents from fire. The engine
and boiler are compactly situated in the base.
i ment, on the eastern side of the MILL on which
e side is placed the greater part of the machinery
It from basement to attic. The coal vaults, capa-
" bic of holding 600 tons, are a few feet from
IS the engine room. The first floor includes the
m salesroom and place Of transitory storage on
" the west side, hostway and office in the center.
e On the east side is " the husk," or stone ioor
= carrying five run of stone. At the base Of the
J. husk is ''conveyer," receiving the meal as it
comes in a heated state Immediately from the
a stone, conveys it to the elevators, which carry
ID it to the fifth loft, where it is again conveyed
G to and fro considerable distance, for cooling,
before it reaches the bolts, for separation into
Of fine, super-fne, and middlings, and cleaning
e from the bran. The second floor is devoted to
i, packing -four into bags and barrels, and stor-
ing it till wanted On the third floor are de-
is posted and put up the various products from
wheat, such as middlings, shipstuf and bran,
and ground grain of other descriptions, forming
ct food for horses, &C., part of this floor is oc-
m cuped by Farina machinery, including room
Is for the packing of Farina, Wheaton Grits, SamT
le and Iominy. Extensive boiling chests occupy
n the eastern side of this floor. portion of the
X fourth floor is occupied as work shop by the
n millwright and his assistants. The machinery
re of the hosting apparatus is also placed here on
r. the eastern side, in front On the west side
running up into the next story, S the principal
Farina machinery. In the centre, in the rear
as is the 'Printery,' where on an Adams steam
NJ press. the eighth and quarter barrel bags are
,r printed, well as circulars and the papers fol