Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-14
ART, SCIENCE, AND MECHANICS.

Amongst the more recent inventions patented by
acurers is that of Mr. Summer6eid at the gassworks,
Birmingham HEATH for what termed chromatc glass
or gass-faced grooved bricks. BY Mr.. Summerfeld's
process red other clay be combined with glass,
and this will durability, entire resistance to mos
ure and give ornamental appearance to the building
The form of the brick ALSO by of groove at the
side and end made add greatly the strength of
the erection the joints by this being brought close
together and the mortar acts doWe from the shape
OF the groove.
The progress in the manufacture Of paper mache since
its Introduction into this country has been most remark
able company was started in this line in Boston two
years ago. when the art in its infancy, and they
doing immense business and sending articles from
their extensive establishment oil the Union. They
now have large factories in Roxbury in constant
ration and another factory Of great size is soon to De
erected.
The process of rendering wood ncombustble may be
eectually performed by soaking it in strong solution
of alum and the suphate of "copper" about pound Of
alum and of the suphae of copper being sufficient
for one hundred gallons of water. These substances
dissolved in quantity of hot water then mixed with the
water in the vessel in which the wood is to be stepped
The timber to be rendered reproof be kept under
the liquor by stones any other mode of sinking it. All
that is required is watertght vessel Of sufficient dmcn
sions hold enough Of liquor to the TIMBER which
should be allowed to steep for four five days After
this it is and suffered dry thoroughly before
being used.
It is estimated that one hundred pounds white zinc
paint will cover when applied in three coats, on new
work. much surface 1863 lbs. pure white lead The
white zacs when exposed to coal, gas blge water
and suphureeus yapors retain their original brancy
and wheness Apartments just painted with zinc paint
may be slept in with mpunity whereas according to the
best authority, should be used for sleeping
apartments for two three months after being painted
with lead.
The plan of building houses with the gravel concrete
mixture Of lime, stone and grave-s exciting consider
able attention. under the present high prices of lumber
and brick. 1t is comparatively thing although in
Ohio and other Western States it has been pratsed for
fifteen and twenty years The only question about 1t is
that of cheapness, for Of its durability there be
doubt. The building in process Of construction on
this plan in Waltham, Massachusetts, by the Boston
Match Company said to have thus far saved the entire
/ cost Of brick.
At saIone at the Polytechnic Institution q
curious illustration given of the capabilities Of pho
Biography in experienced hands, Two Photographs were
exhibited the largest and the other the smallest
produced by the process. The first portrait the
full sse Of life, and the last copy Of the front sheet
Of the Times surface scarcely exceeding two inches
by three Both pictures exceedingly perfect the
portrait being pleasing and far correct than
those usually produced, while the copy, notwithstanding
its exceeding mnuteness, could be read without the
sistance Of magnifyng glass
Antonio Meucci OF Clifton Staten Island has invented
fshingrod the object of which is for the rod itself
to catch and haul the fish up when it bites the bait
The rod has its small tapering part the point OF
which the line passes into the water secured on kind
of swivel joint, connected to spring in such
that when the fish bites the bait and pulls the line
with very small force small catch trigger is libe-
rated the rod and the outer end is thrown up project
ing the hook into the ash and lifting up both line and fish
Daniel Halliday Of Ellington, Connecticut has invent
ed and put in successful operation adjusting wind
mill which frs its sails at the proper time stops
when the wind is too high and starts upon its steady
round again when it returns to the appropriate degree
force It has been in operation six months without re
curing hand to regulate the sails has fifteen days
and nights consecutyely without stopping has drawn
water from well twenty-eight feet deep and one hun
dred distant forcing it into reservoir in the
part of barn in sufficient quantities for farm and gar
den irrigation, and cost but $50.
correspondent Of the Gardeners Chronicle says
Every one finds great difficulty in keeping garden seats
more than year without constant painting. QUITS
percha thiny laid on and turned round the sides
Il nailed will last forever"