SO Y OP ARTS.
After two inspections of the exhibition of works of art and science at the Society of Arts rooms in the Adelphi, we pronounce, as has often been pronounced, that the room is decidedly too small and time arrangement of the articles exhibited bad. Why not put all the articles representing certain portions of industry and ingenuity in a particular spot ; classify- ing as it were the various objects instead of distributing them over the room, making it a work of labour for the visitor to find any required article connected with any particular branch of industry ? For instance, we were desirous of seeing the machinery for the production of tho aerated bread—not in the room although named in the catalogue. Mil- ler's bread machine itself, although exhibited, was placed in such a posi-
tion apart from other bread machines, and without a label, that no one
unacquainted with the machine could possibly find out where it was, or when found, what it was meant for. A lady asked us who was the re- tailer of an American carpet-sweeper ; we turned to our catalogue for the name, and found to our surprise a patent carriage drag. Nevertheless, the exhibition apart from such drawbacks, which can easily be remedied, has many features of interest, though not so much to us, seeing that a large portion of the exhibited articles have already been described in these pages. Our readers will, however, have a practical illustration of the value of our weekly notes, by a visit to the rooms in the Adelphi. There are several things which demand especial attention from their intrinsic value, independent of the excellence of workmanship
displayed in their manufacture. In the sanitary department, Mr. Jen- nings exhibits several pieces of furniture for personal convenience ; and the article numbered 312 is, without exception, the most useful in the exhibition. Indeed, all the objects sent by Mr. Jennings are chn- raoterized by simplicity and usefulness. We note also—
No, 18. Haste's patent valve for the prevention of boiler explosions is another valuable addition to our anti-accident machinery. No. 47. Patent buffer and draw spring is a decided improvement on the old-buffer.
NO. 60. Whitworth and Gibson's patent improved compensator and re- leasing railway signal. This signal indicates to the driver of an engine the
nearness of danger by the ringing of a bell set in motion by means of an in- clined plane adjusted close to the rails, at and near stations ; besides which the engine-man can cause the bell to ring, or indicate with the ordinary sig- nal post on any part of the line where the engine may stop.
No. 73. Is a patent apparatus for producing at one operation reverse moulds for casting printing surfaces—one of the most remarkable pieces of mechanism in the room.
No 84. Is an ingenious instrument for plaining hard substances. It will be found valuable to philosophical instrument makers.
No. 91. Is an excellent adjustiblc vice.
No. 120. Hewitt's patent royal feathering screw propeller. As an in- genious and beautiful piece of machinery, it is unequalled in the exhibition. No. 141. Mandalay 's breech-loading gun, is worth attention in these days of war excitement. No. 156. Hughes's patent roman type printing telegraph, though not very new in its effects, is of interest, from its connection with the Atlantic telegraph, and the quickness with which it prints messages. No. 199. Is not a good specimen of the invention—that of mother-of- pearl,Inlaid with metal by electrotyping. No. 224. Patent horse and cattle fastening, useful in case of fire. No. 246. Gas cooking stove, a very natty and useful adjunct to any room where an ordinary fire is not kept.
Nos. 267 and 268. Patent socket footings for houses, intended to super- sede concrete, wood, and other material used as footings for houses ; to our minds an invaluable invention, or rather adaptation of known materials.
No. 227. Is a beautiful specimen of fretwork,' by Perrin's hand saw mill. No. 299. A patent coal-vault plate, having two springs to prevent its moving when once in its place. We think the police should pay some atten- tion to coal plates, and the accidents arising from their being carelessly fast- ened or left unfastened.
No. 331. Is a secure letter box, ingenious and useful as a sure preveuti- live against robbery.
Our readers would do well to pay the exhibition a visit, if only to mark the progress of mechanics in these days of ours.
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