The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-07


10 nothing less Understood, BY the uuscientifc
world than this The project has frequently
been proposed of sending letters and ANAL
packages through tubes, by the impulse Of air
and gas pumped in at one end of the line, or
pumped out at the other. The project Is utter
ly impracticable, because the power that would
almost burst tube two miles long, at one end,
would hardly be felt at the other. Such is the
loss by friction. Yet here is forty miles and
half of wire surface proposed, attended with
all the friction.
We have not stated the mathematical formula,
which would be decisive of this question, because
the calculation would not generally be under
stood-but have commented on the article az it
is written.
But we are informed that one or two engines
of the kind have been in operation in New York
for some time. Well, why are we not furnished
with an exact statement Of the amount of work
or force they exert in twenty-four hours, and
the quantity Of fuel This if we'll attested
would be worth forty articles in periodicals..
We are told, indeed, in general teIms, that they
are engines Of 80 many horse power. But how
much power they really exert, and how much
fuel they consume, we are not told. And this
we regard with distrust
We have seen nothing yet that appears TO be
a formidable rival TO steam. But there is no
doubt great room for Improvement in that.
About half the fuel now consumed 10 wasted, or
rather half the heat generated goes out of the
chimneys and IL thus lost. So about half the
power actually generated is wasted in the at.
tempt to apply it. We think that probably the
best application of steam power yet discovered
is to be found in HoRNBLowER's engine II
was invented almost Immediately after WATTs'
WATTS formed partnership with Bolton; and
their wealth enabled them oexcude HORN
BLOWERS engine from use Besides, then there
was, no idea thbt steam could be profitaby and
more modern times. HoRNBLowER's is double
engine, one high, the other low pressure. The
steam is worked through the high and let of
into the low pressure engine at pressure quite
|
engine is used exclusively. The merit ofHoRN.
BLowKR's plan is that it combines the advan-
tages of high and low pressure. We think the
argument is conclusive. But we are informed
the experiment has not been successful. We
must think this results from defect in the ma
chimes themselves, for no satisfactory account
has ever reached us of the causes of such fail.
ure.
H- We learn from the Republic that DR..
GARDsEE has been again ARE tied, (this time
for forgery0 and committed to prison in default
of $4,000 bail The bail before required, on
his arrest for dcfrauding the government, was
$4,000, which lie gave 1t is said this latter
proceeding results from the testimony of a num-
Der of Mexicans, concerning the papers preseu.
ted in support of his claim.
We do not desire TO prejudice judicial pro-
ceeding. But this case threatens to assume the
rank of great public atrocity DR.. GARDINER,
it seems, received nearly half million of dol.
lars, for indemnify for alleged losses in Mexico.
He got this money from fund Of only about
three millions, and to the exclusion of many
other claimants This was done through a
board of commissioners, three in number, and
men of high standing. And there were mum
Der of attorneys of distinction engaged for Dr.
\ GARDINER, and, as unconradicted report says
they received for fees about four. fiflhs of the
whole sum realized. Under its present aspect
this case is one of the most discreditable thai
has ever occurred in this country. And it in
wolves the reputation of number of distin
guished men.
We have heard it suggested that the govern.
ment has delayed this last proceeding until after
the Presidential nomination. And that now
since Mr. EVANS, one of the commissioners,
supported General ScoTT-the case will be
prosecuted with diligence. However that may
be, the country will now expect full develop
ment of the facts.
Il The Country In danger