The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-11-02
pn1roR1sL CORRESPONDENCE.
Bosros, October IS, 1855,

in dense crOWu w survey WV NV ~
ful inventions, and curious machines which
had been copgregated together Here
among tbs noisy machinery, for the Society
under whose auspices the exhibitor is made
have the use Of 40 horse power Steam En-
CINE, to work the various machines we
passed several pleasant and profitable hours,
examining as well as we were able, the null
titude Of beautiful objects and labor.saying
inventions, which are gathered here as sam
pies Of the skill and industry Of the meehan.
les and artizans Of New Eugland.
The exhibition occupies three stories Of
the immense six story block, neat to the
United States Court House, on Green street,
corner Of Bowdoin Square, and is divided IN
three sections, the first or basement, being
devoted to the exhibition Of the more pom
derous machines; the second, to the lighter
kinds Of machinery. and the third story to
the display Of beauty, taste, and works Of
art.
The upper room, which is the frst entered,
we find its walls covered with specimens Of
embroidery, drawing, needle.work, daguer-
reotypes, shelLwork, baskets Of sea-mOss,
&C., set in elegant frames, and four or five
tables stretching from one end Of the room
to the other, covered with an immense va
riety Of curious and useful articles very
tastefully disposed. From such q prOfusiOn,
il is no more possible to select the most
important, curious or beautiful, than it is to
notice oil.
II is impossible to notice only such as
seemed to attract more general attention, or
such as seemed worthy Of notice. A work
Ing model Of Mr.. Richardson's Atmospheric
Telegraph" showing how the mail-bags will
be carried in 1856 or soon after, was the
object Of great interest. The old lady who
watched to see the letters pass on the tele-
graphic wires, had an indistinct idea Of what
u Telegraph should be when perfected, and
in her simplicity supposed it had been done.
Richardson's Atmospheric Telegraph had
not then been invented bu, now il is an in.
vention, and the old lady may yet see her
expectations realized.
Perhaps tho mos, popular corner Of the
exhibition is that OF Mr.. Ring, the glass
blower, who exhibits magnificent walking
beam steam engine in actual operation, boil
er, cylinder, and all, Of glass. The rain
bow colOrs Of the fly wheel, as it whirls on
its crystal axis, are enough to excite the en-
w Of the butterflies. Here the whole oper-
alton Of the wonderful power which is trans
forming the world, is made perfectly trans
parent. Here is very exteneive orni;hOlo,
~, wholly in glass, and almost any bird
may be blown and bought on the spot.
OF the various articles OF furniture we
noticed one piece which struck US as being
very desirable AMI useful invention. 1t is
called PlimplOn's Secretary Bedstead and
Toilet table, and forms the only perfect and
unobjeciionable parlor beds;ead in the world.
When put up il looks exactly like an ele.
gan, secretary. Ye, with very little
outlay Of strength, "a child eau do ~ !, is
thrown into two pieces Of furniture, an ele-
CANT wash stand and double French bed
stead, bed all nicely made and looking as
il no possibility could put il into any other
form. Where a saving Of room is desirable
these beds,eads would be extremely con.
venient.
One ofihe mos, Interesting and important
OF all the machines on exhibition is the rope
making machine Of Mr.. Woodwork, which
is evidently destined to put an end to the
extension Of rope walks.
Descending 10 the second floor, We come
TO the priaciPal display Of machinery and
labOrsavihg inventions. Here is truly a
busy scene. A line Of shailing carrying a
great number Of pulleys, large and small,
impar,s motion directly or by counter-shafs
10 pumps, printing presses, looms, cOrdage
machines, marble machines, wood cutters
and saws, planes, mor,icing machines, mills,
&C., &c.
Gears elegant and simple machine for
cutting irregular forms, such as hand rails,
table legs, picture frames, &C., is perhaps
as wonderful as any for the difficult, and
beautiful results which il accOmplishes by
the simples, means: Another very differ
en-, bu, kindred machine, is iha, Of Milton
Roberts 3 Hiram +. Pierce, Of Belfast, Me-,
for cutting prismatic forms, equally sublime,
in its way. Il turns bed.pos,s with four
eigh, or twelve sides, and any amour, VI
ornamental curvature, with wonderful
despatch. A blind mortising machine, BY
II. b. Smith, Of Lowell, performs the feat
Of working Two chisels into the same narrow
and oblique mor,ise, so as 10 lake out the
chips between them.
In the lower room, there are 10 DO seen
in addition to the more ponderous machines
such as Force Pumps, Engines, Iron Safes,
Soap Stone Stoves, Fire Places, and other
articles Of greater weight, all Of them with
a minute description had we space to give
10 il. The exhibition is really, though got
up. we are told, in haste, and by an associa-
ton We, in its infancy, is mos, credi,able 10
i,s originaiors, and will attract large share
of The public curiosity while !, Is open
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