Washington telegraph., 1855-09-26
Music by Steam.


4 Yankee genius has succeeded in bar
Messing steam to musical instrument in
such way as to secure perfect execution
The name of the he-inventor is j. c. Stoddard.
of Worcester. The following description
will give some IDEA of the possibilities Of tie
invention.
The instrument is OF simple construct ION.
and when once thoroughly put together, will
seldom if ever get out Of repair 1t con-
sists cf horizontal steam chest or cylinder,
some six feet in length, and from four to six
feet in diameter, which is fed with steam
from the boiler in the establishment where
it is located. Upon the top of this cylinder
is series Of valve chambers placed at equal
distances from each other into which the
steam is admitted without obstruction
Each valve chamber contains double me-
tallic valve, with 10 packing, yet it its so
closely upon its seat as to allow 10 steam to
escape. To each of these valves is connect
cd very small piston-rod or stem, which
passes through the chamber, and Is operated
upon by machinery without Were it not
for this steam the valve would he simply a
double balance valve, and remain stationary
wherever placed. the pressure of steam be-
ing equal on all sides; but part Of one
end of the valve being carried outside of
tho chamber, gives it the self-closinc power,
which is tie incest part of the whole
invention. and perhaps the best paten;able
feature. With slight pressure against
these rods the valve is opened, and when
the valve is removed it closes as quick as
steam can act. which IS not much behind
electricity.
Directly over each Of these valves is pac-
ed Il common alarm whistle, constructed
similar to those used upon locomotives, ex-
cept that it admits of being lowered, to fiat
ten or sharpen the tone These Whistles
are made OF different sizes. 50 as to pro-
dnce the desired tone corresponding with
each note, etc. This completes the machine
with the exception of a cylinder similar to
those usa in common hand organ or mu-
sic box. containing cogs, which. when prop
erly arranged, will, when tuned by hand or
Otherwise, operate upon the valves in such
a manner as to play any tune desired by
simply changing the position of the cogs,
which are intended to be movable
One of these instruments can be heard
from 10 to % miles on water, and every
note will be perfect and full. We heard
the inventor play Rosalie' on It, and it look
cd Ike getting of tall notes mechanically
This invention is so completely under the
control of the operator, that, were it arrang-
ed with key. board SIMILAR to a piano, it
would obey the slightest touch, and child
could play slow or quick tunes, every note
of which might be heard several miles.
1t is the design of the inventor to place
these Instruments upon locomotives and
steamboats,. 1t would appear rather novel
to John Bull TO hear I anllec Doodle from
one OF our ocean steamers as she was about
to enter British port, (say 30 miles and
it would remind Yankee of his jack knife
TO hear Sweet Home from the same yes
sci on its return to New York or Boston
This invention. if it meets the expectations
of most of those who have seen it, VIII alter
the tone of public demonstration on impor-
tant occasions very essentially