Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-27
Sttll 10 Goes,

Some of our readers will remember bu-
mgrous description Of a perpetual motion"
machine, which was published nearly four
wears since, and went the rounds OF the pa
pers. The machine was invented by MIR.
James e.. Hendrickson, of Freehold, Mon
mouth county, New Jersey. The power was
yery slight, being obtained by the use Of
arms and balls attached to a cylinder, and so
contrivei as 10 keep the extra weight always
on one side, and give the cylinder consta t
inclination to turn round. Mr.. uendrickson
was a very plain countryman, who had whit
tied away for forty years at this machine,
amid the ,jeers and scof5 of neighbors and
acquainta aces, and who was OF course not q
little proud OF his success. His Invention
soon attracted the attention OF the curl
Gus, and he was invited TO exhibit it at
Rgritan, \. j. The occasion WAS large
gathering OF people during the progress of
an Agricultural Fair The incredulity of
his owe countrymen, however, was more
than a match for him. lie was surrounded
/ by set of people who contended that the
motion he claimed was an impoSsibiiiiy, and
that be wasan impOster. Poor Hendrlckson
was no orator, and his ASSISTANTS were cla-
morous and loud spoken, but he pointed sl-
cntly to his machine, which WAS enclosed IN
glass, and when the philosopher said that his
claim was ridiculous. and shat machine
could not 20 "Uf ITSELF" lie could only re-
ply, But it does 81" One would have
supposed that the TACT should have been
Sufficient to upset the old theory, bat the
jersey Blues were as stubborn as the noted
| disputant whose speech upon such an occa-
! sion, 80 much the worse tor the facts" Is
now famous 10 history, aud they chung to
their theory, in the face OF the denonstra-
ton.
They went farther, and in spite of prose-
cutlon, arrested Mr.. lIendrickson tor trick
cry and juggling, under the act for suppress
sing juggling and immortality, charging him
with moving his machine by a concealed
spring lie was accordingly tried for this
offence before Justice Bodle, OF keyp IT.
Mechanics, engineers, shipwright-, and all
the experts OF jersey, gave testimony as to
the impoSsibiligy of such an invention as he
claimed, and tneir belief that hidden
spring, or some piece of ingenious roguery,
was contained in the cylinder. At last the
axe was applied, and the machine split in
pieces when, L.! there was no concealed
spring-no roguery-andth the machine, despite
the philosophers, had gone of itself" The
uen of science guIped down their disap
pointment. and disappeared from the court
room, and poor Hendrickson and the irag-
ments of his machine were kindly discharg-
ed with the verdict, mo cause If action
The scene, when he returned TO bis bone that
night with the bru ken relics of his discovery
in his hands, and gazing upon them IN sad
disapf continent, must have been worthy OF
the canvas of master painter.
Since that trial we bad lost sight Of him;
but two or three days ago he came into the
Office with the same patient, thoughtful face,
and holding 10 his hand the old invention IN
"A new dress lie has made it this time of
! brass ribs, 80 that there is nothing conceal
! ed. and no place for coucealment; and IN
spite of the Jersey prosecutors, 1t will go!--
| lie has attached TO il a simple clock, and
this machine furnishes the motive power
| How far this power can be extended, II Is
not Cor Us to say; but We must believe our
eyes and we once more assert that the ma
chine will "go of Itself" .-JOur- Of Com.