The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-10-16
AUNTON VIRGINIA. WEDNESDAY MORNING. OCTOBER 16 1867
The AutOmtOn Horse-A Wonderful Tnyop-

The AutOmtOn H0rse--A Wonderful Inyon.
ton.
The following description of new invcn.
ton now on exhibition at the great ''show''
in Paris we clip from private letter pub
lished in the Charleston Courier Of the 18th
II was fortunate enough to be present yes
terday evening at a private view of this won
derful invention. The throng at the exposi-
ton is so dense in the day time that any at
tempt to work it during the expedition hours
was impossible. Through the kindness of
NJ. de NJ: whose acquaintance made in
1858 when he was attache at Washington |
formed one ofs fifty. persons provided with
special permits. On entering, groups of the
great Gardes made me think the Emperor
was present. but did not see him until the
middle Of the exhibition. saw among the
curious, Masmyth, of hammer celebrity, and
Whitworth, arm in arm with Howe, of sewing
machine noteriety.
"The iro horse bears no resemblance to it's
equine namesake. Imagine trunkshaped
box about seven feet long, and wide enough
for man to saddle, and about five feet high;
the whole concern mounted on FIVE wheels /;
the wheels concealed, however, under the
machine. 1t is covered with leather, and
has saddle, ouly the saddle is very high in
front back, SO that there is no chance of
being endorsed. In front is a steering APP
paratus of the simplest kind-two silk cords
just before the saddle steel bar, which
regulates the speed Ifyou pull is up, you
start the machine pull it higher up, increase
the speed if you depress it, you slow until
point is reached, when the apparatus stops.
1.-The inventor, quite a young man, COM
menced winding up the machine with what
seemed to me to be a crank motion, and as I
distinctly heard the click of the rachel, [
therefore supposed it was worked by coil
spring, but l have reasons since to think that
l was mistaken. suppose it took two
minutes to wind it when he mounted it, and
started it by pulling up the steel bar It
moved gradually off, SO that for the first
minute could walk along side of it, but pre-
sently it started at the speed ola fast horse,
and in moment more was lost, going round
the curve Of the circle.
Il suppose you know the grand exposition
of series of concentric rings, each one de-
voted to peculiar branch of industry. The
one the machine was running on was the !
Nansero Qurctre, section del Mecaniques, |
and as among the largest, measuring some
yards, more than an English mile It seemed |
to me to be incredible that he should have
performed the circuit in two minutes and
twelve seconds. A hearty clapping of hands
greeted the machine as it came careering on,
and gradually stopping without any apparent
trouble.
Il noticed the emperor, generally taciturn,
loud in his applause, clapping his hands as
ustily as did, and | was assured by NJ. de NJ.
that he had never seen his majesty on any
occasion before show the least sign of com
mendation. The inventor then said that he
would put it up to its speed, but to do that he
must give the machine start He then
wheeled round, and just like jockey starting
horse, got it up to its maximum; as he pas
sed us he seemed to be flying. The circuit
was made in fifty seconds. A new salvo of
applause met him as he brought the machine
to where the emperor was standing, and l
must say felt some just emotion when the
emperor took the Legion of Honor from his
button hole and place it on the young inven-
tors breast.
en- told me that its endurance, if I may
use the term, was extraordinary; that at its
highest speed it would keep on goingfor four
hours | was leds to believe that the me-
chanical power was secondary in it, and that
a galvanic bettery was the real motive power.
It is rumored that battery Of constantly in
creasing elements sustains the motion Any
how. the secrets we'll kept the Emperor having,
with the inventor, the only knowledge Of it.
NJ. also told me that at Vincennes battery of
artillery was to be moved with it instead of
horses.
II may add that saw four persons mount
it moved much more rapidly than would
carriage. An interesting experiment was
made as to its capability Of going over rough
country Several loads of dirt were short on
the floor, and it passed over it with apparent
ease. One thing remarked was that there
was perpendicular play in the wheels, and
that as a difficulty was surmounted, one
wheel would be higher than the other, whilst
the body was on the same plane.
II think that it has been placed purpose
ly in retired part in the exposition, and |
learned this morning that the secretary Of
war has had it removed from the exhibition.
'sThe invenaor's name is Victor de Nardea.