common or artificial leather.

each end of the cast-iron sole D,

The pieces E, at

in figs. 1 of plates

3 and 4, are of cast brass, and screwed to the castiron sole D, with a joint the same as above. In one of these pieces is the suction-cock F, and to the other is attached the air-vessel G, made of sheet-copper, joined at R, and attached to the piece E, by a screw. The exit-pipe H, in figs. 1 of plates 2 and 4, is attached to the under side of the casting E, by a swivel-screw. The valves I, in fig. 1, plate 4, are of brass, ground so as to be completely water-tight. The barrels K, in figs. 1 of plates 3 and 4, are of cast brass. The bushes L, in figs. 1 of plates 2, 3, and 4, are of the same material. The engine is set on four grasshopper springs M. The hind axle is kneed at the cistern. The shafts O, of the levers P, are of lancewood. The box S, in fig. 1, plates 2 and 4, is used for keeping wrenches, cord, &c. it has a false bottom, and the space T below it, is used for keeping the materials necessary for a fire-escape, viz. a chain-ladder of 80 feet, a large canvass bag, and two strong belts; in the fore part of the cistern A, and the box B above the cistern, the hose is kept: the directors and suction-pipes are carried in the side-boxes or pockets C ; the rest of the tools and materials are kept along with the above-mentioned articles, or strapped on the outside of the engine, in such situations as not to interfere with the working. Y is a bar for locking the shafts, to prevent them from interfering with the wheels, when the engine turns.

E, &

lates

Cast

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ates

ely

Having thus described a fire-engine, I shall now state why one of this size and construction seems best adapted to general purposes.

It has always appeared to me that an engine of six-inch barrels, is better suited for all ordinary purposes, than one either larger or smaller. When an engine is large, it not only requires a considerable number of men to work it, but it is not easily supplied with water; and, above all, it cannot be moved about with that celerity, on which, in a fire-engine-establishment, every thing depends. When the engine is brought into actual operation, the effect to be produced, depends less on the quantity of water thrown, than upon its being made actually to strike the burning materials-the force with which it does so and the steadiness with which the engine is worked. If the water be steadily directed upon the burning materials, the effect even of a small quantity is astonishing. A six-inch barrel

engine, at the rate of 24 strokes in a minute, will throw 41 gallons of water in that short space of time. Even more than 24 strokes may be made in a minute; but, when this rate of speed is much increased, the engine is liable to be damaged indeed I have seen an engine worked for a short time at the rate of 40 strokes a minute; such a practice, however, is highly reprehensible. One of the great objects to be attended to at a fire, is the safety and preservation of the fire-engines; for, if these give way while working, it is rarely possible to procure others without a fatal loss of time.

In engines of the size I have described, it is also an advantage not unworthy of consideration, that two of them may be had nearly for the price of one large one; so that, if one happens to be rendered unserviceable, the other may still be available.

I do not approve of small engines for the service of large towns. Much indeed has been said about the convenience of conveying them up stairs, and into places where the fire is raging; but I fear that those who have so strongly recommended them, have seldom made the experiment.

I have generally found that all the fresh air to be had in a burning apartment is required, to enable a man to lie on the floor, and direct the water from the hose, while the engine is being worked by those outside. It is generally too, at the commencement of a fire, and before it has broken through the windows, that air is most wanted, the apartment being filled with smoke; and it is only at this stage that small engines can with any effect be used; while in general, the difficulty of applying them from the want of air, and the inconvenience of conveying water into a burning apartment, at the same time that the occupants are employed in removing their property, are objections almost insurmountable. I have no doubt that small engines may, in particular instances, have been useful; but I apprehend most of these cases might have been as well provided against, by a few well-applied buckets of

water.

It seems to me, however, that the great argument

in favour of small engines, is the unwieldy size of which large engines are often made. If confined to six-inch barrel engines, I imagine this argument will lose its weight.

As simplicity is of vital importance, that end is better obtained by the adoption of one size of engine only, in place of having both large and small, which would but tend to render the subject more complicated.

In case it may appear that a very large stream of water may be required in some particular circumstances, I have only to state, that two engines can be made to work into a copper connecting-box, with valves inside; one hose may be attached to the opposite side of the box, and the whole of the water thrown by two engines, will thus pass through one branch-pipe or director. This, however, can scarcely be necessary, if the engines be brought up and put into action smartly, and the water made immediately to strike the burning materials. Indeed I always prefer two six-inch barrel engines to one, which throws twice that quantity of water; and, besides, by having two engines, the fire may be attacked in one or more points, as may be deemed advis

able.

The cistern is made of oak, not so much to resist the effects of wet and drought,-good Baltic fir answering this purpose fully as well, but in order that the iron work may get a proper hold, for which purpose, oak is better adapted than any other wood with which I am acquainted.

For the sake of lightness, the upper work and side-boxes are made of Baltic fir, strength in them being of less importance.

The sole is made of cast iron, it being cheaper than any other metal that could be applied to that purpose.

As the valve cannot be made without a rise for the plate to strike against, it will be observed, that there is a small step at each of the valves. The sole is carried through as high as this step, to admit of the water running off when the engine is done working. If constructed in a different manner, the water will lodge in the bottom, and produce much inconvenience in situations where the engine is exposed to frost.

The valve-covers are also of cast iron, fastened down with copper screws, a piece of artificial leather being placed between them, and the upper edges of the sole. Artificial leather, made of woollen cloth and caoutchouc, from its being more equal and compressible, is preferable to common leather for this purpose; common leather, although exactly levelled, may be of unequal firmness, and in that case it will yield unequally to the pressure, and be apt to render the joint twisted or leaky.

The pieces at each end of the sole, are of castbrass instead of sheet-copper, with soft - solder joints, which are very apt to give way.

The suction-cock is the same as a common stopcock, excepting only that it has three openings in the key in place of two. It admits the water in