2 Observations of the Archdukes of Austria sessed by a large ship at sea over small vessels will readily conceive what would have been the issue of the conflict. Calm days are moreover but rare, and such a one must have been chosen to deprive the English fleet of part of its advantages. Lastly it would have been very difficult to cross with vessels without decks in stormy weather. From all these considerations it is obvious that a landing could not have been effected in England but by a kind of miracle-and then what immense difficulties would there have been to encounter in the country itself! Of this all who have ever seen England must be thoroughly convinced. If the motive of Napoleon in this enterprize was to ruin England, he completely failed, since the extraordinary armaments which he occasioned her to set on foot, proved fatal to him in Spain and Portugal. He seems himself to have been aware of the difficulties which opposed the execution of his plan, since he eagerly seized the opportunity of directing his forces against a quarter where he discovered, as he thought, a probability of success. There were several packets in the harbour; two sailed at noon with a favourable wind. We saw them depart with regret, while etiquette obliged us to wait for the yacht. At length about four o'clock she appeared in the roads; but the captain determined not to sail till the next morning, because the wind was stormy, and he had orders, as he said, to land us at Dover in the day-time. Oct. 22. A fine morning promised us a favourable passage. The white chalk cliffs of the English coast soon appeared in sight. At 10 in the morning we went on board the yacht, which is a very pretty little vessel. As it belongs to the Admiralty it is fitted up with elegance. It contains a sitting-room, a spacious eating-room, and a kitchen. The two former are wainscoted with mahogany, and adorned with gilding; and the furniture of the sitting room is of blue satin. At one end of this apartment is a beautiful stove of polished steel, aud at the other a lamp the light of which falls upon the steersman's compass. Two adjoining closets contain every convenience for persons afflicted with seasickness. A plentiful breakfast was provided in the eating-room, but nobody ventured to touch it for fear of sickness. At three o'clock we reached Dover road. The houses, which are almost all black give a dull appearance to the [Feb. 1, town. As it was low water we were The carriages that were in waiting We went to see the new citadel. The town is situated on the sea-shore at the entrance of a valley. The old castle of Dover lies to the east and the citadel to the west. We remarked the beauty of the bricks of the citadel. The captain of engineers, who accompanied us and was very attentive, informed us that coal-ashes are mixed with the clay of which the bricks are made-a fact which was afterwards confirmed to us in London. The chalk found here serves for making the lime employed in building. The view from the height is magnificent; the coasts of Boulogne and Calais are distinctly seen. Oct. 23. We started at nine o'clock. The post-horses are excellent, the roads magnificent, the drivers safe, and travelling extremely expeditious. The country is better cultivated than in France, which gives it an agreeable appearance though not beautiful in itself. The soil is chalky, mixed with silex. In front of almost all the houses is a small patch filled with flowers and southern plants that pass the winter in the open air and afford a favourable idea of the mildness of the climate. The wind-mills are numerous because there is but little water in these parts. A great number of villas of a peculiar and pleasing architecture, surrounded with small parks, meadows clothed with the most brilliant verdure, superb flocks, and fields encompassed with quick bedges and trees render the country truly charming. 1818.] during their Tour in England, in 1815 and 1816. Canterbury, 16 miles from Dover is the first stage. It is situated in a valley, and its beautiful cathedral rises ma jestically above the houses. As we wished not to stop we deferred inspecting it till our return. The post-house is at the same time an inn-a circumstance very common in England as well as in Germany. Pursuing our route, we were surprized at the great number of turnpikes where toll must be paid. They consist of two small houses the road between which is obstructed by a moveable bar; on either side is a narrow passage for pedestrians, and in the middle of the road is a machine for indicating the weight of carriages: the maintenance of these roads is undertaken by private individuals, who pay an advance to the state, and possess by act of parliament the privilege of levying the tolls, which are regulated according to the expense attending the repair of the road. These turnpike roads admit only two carriages abreast; on each side they have a path raised two or three feet for foot pas sengers. The roads are kept in good order with broken silex. Night overtook us at Dartford, and it was eight o'clock when we reached London. The house of the Duke of St. Albans, which was provided for our reception with every thing that can render life agreeable and comfortable is pleasantly situated in one of the best quarters in Westminster, near the promenades. On the following days till the 3d of November, we were engaged in visits of etiquette and others; in taking notes for the journey which we intended to make in the country, and for which we were not sufficiently prepared; and lastly in equipping ourselves in the English fashion, that we might run about the town with greater freedom. At eight in the morning of the 3rd of November, we quitted London. The suburbs of this capital are daily extending. Houses and whole streets are built upon speculation and almost immediately occupied. The country soon begins to rise, and the hills covered with villas and gardens are very picturesque. It is on the north side that you have the finest view of London when the weather is clear. The road which about a year ago passed over a steep hill, now scarcely ascends at all, a cut having been made in the hill, which shortens the way three quarters of a mile, and is much less fatiguing for the horses. Another road passes over this tunnel by means of abridge 60 or 70 feet high. The country is every where well cultivated. Silex and chalk abound in it. The latter is spread upon the fields to render the soil more friable. Chipping Barnet is the first stage and St. Alban's the second. At the latter place we stopped at the White Hart, a very good inn, where the traveller finds, as indeed he does all over England, very clean apartments, excellent fare, and a polite reception. The abbey of St. Albans is an edifice remarkable for its antiquity. The church, built of chalk, is situated on an eminence; its construction dates from three different periods, and is consequently very irregular. It is said to have been begun by the Anglo-Saxons. The architecture of the second period is Gothic, and the third was about the time of the Reformation. Henry VIH. and Elizabeth, when obliged to quit London. on account of the plague, held their courts of justice in this church. Here too is shown the tomb of the patron of England. On a slight eminence to the south of the town is the site of the ancient Roman city of Verulamium: some vestiges of its walls still exist. In a neighbouring valley, near a smail stream, is seen the silk-mill of Mr. WOOLAM. The machines employed here are on the same plan as those for spinning cotton. The silk goes through twelve preparations. All the machinery is set in motion by water. We discovered nothing very new in the manipulation, except two contrivances. By means of the one, if a thread of the spindle breaks, the machine stops of itself. By the other, the silk is wound more equally upon the bobbins than by the usual process. The proprietor of this manufactory, who employs 120 persons, has annexed to it a school for the children of the work-people. We arrived late in the evening at Beachwood, a fine mansion belonging to Sir JOHN SEBRIGHT. He is a great farmer, and explained to us in detail the agricultural system of the English and particularly the methods introduced by him on his own estate. The turnips grow to a great size at Beachwood. Sir John told us that be had once sent to his sister nineteen partridges inclosed in the hollow of one of those roots. [Here the illustrious travellers describe several agricultural inachines, which, though new to them, must 4 Observations on England by the Archdukes of Austria. be well known to the majority of our readers.] Sir John Sebright possesses a flock of a thousand sheep. They are of two kinds—merinos, and the native breed.— As he keeps them principally to fatten, he prefers the latter, which in this respect possesses many advantages over the merinos. We passed the evening very agreeably; the baronet's eldest daughter, who devotes much of her time to the study of chemistry, showed us an experiment of Wollaston's, which is now known, but was then new to us, and which consists in transforming a thimble into a small galvanic battery capable of heating a platinum wire red-hot. We saw so many things at Beachwood that it was impossible to make me morandums of them all; but Sir John promised to call upon us on our return to London, and to give us a supplement of notices of the greatest value to us.For the rest, he made such good use of the time we passed at his house, that we gained more knowledge of him than we could have possibly collected elsewhere in so short a space. He is the true model of the English gentleman: possessing extensive information acquired in his travels, and speaking French and German with equal fluency, he is capable of discussing a great variety of subjects, and always in an interesting manner. The mansion of the Duke of BEDFORD at Woburn, where we stopped on the 5th of November, is with its gardens and park one of the most superb establishments in England. All those things that constitute in general the most pleasing ornaments of English country-houses are here found in the highest perfection. The library is copious and selected with judgment. We received great pleasure from contemplating a great variety of fine paintings,especially by Vandyke, and many portraits, among which we distinguished that of Anna Boleyn by Holbein. In the entrance hall is a bust of Napoleon in Carrara marble. In walking through the gardens we were particularly struck with the beauty of a very spacious orangery. In the centre rise eight columns of white marble which surround an antique vase of very large dimensions, and adorned with figures in relievo, and several small vases also of white marble. In a niche is seen a copy of the Apollo Belvidere. At the end of the orangery is the entrance to a temple, supported by four columns of the Ionic order, erected in memory of the late Duke of Bedford, brother to the [Feb. 1, present possessor of the title. Within it contains a cabinet, the ceiling of which is gilt, and in which are placed the busts of Fox and of his friends, Gen. FITZPATRICK, and Lords LAUDERDALE, ROBERT SPENCER, GREY, HOLLAND, and HARVEY.* There is a Chinese house fitted up with Chinese and Japanese furniture and vases, and a menagerie which contains several very rare animals. We had never seen a park so full of deer as that of Woburn. Those hand some creatures are so tame as to come close under the windows of the mansion. The farm is half a mile from the principal habitations, and exhibits with all its buildings, the appearance of a small village. Here are found several things worthy of notice, among others a steamengine which sets in motion a threshing machine and two mills. The manner in which the motion is communicated is highly ingenious, but a clear idea of it cannot be given without a drawing. It was the late Duke who was a celebrated agriculturist, that erected all the buildings on this fine estate. On leaving Woburn the country is rather uniform though well cultivated; but as soon as you enter Leicestershire there is a change both in the aspect of the country and in the cultivation. Its situation is more elevated, and it is evident, from its consisting chiefly of meadows and pasturage, that the keeping of cattle is the principal occupation of the inhabitants. We were at Leicester on the 6th. The houses are built of brick of a very lively red and the roofs slated, which produces a very pleasing effect. WILSON's foundry was the first manufactory that we saw in this town. Here nothing is made but very fine work and machines. The horizontal wind-mills for which Wilson has obtained a patent are very beautiful.→ KELLY's knitting manufactory is considerable. There are fourteen large frames set in motion by a steam-engine. By this method the manufacturer is enabled to furnish for 14 shillings what formerly cost 40. The produce of this establishment is very great: it sells from 7 to 800 dozen pair of braces every week. Great part of these goods is exported to America. On the 7th we arrived at Beaudesert, a fine country-seat belonging to the Marquis of ANGLESEA. During our stay here we gained some insight into the way in which the wealthy English proprietors live May not this last be intended for HAR VEY CHRISTIAN COOMBL? 1818.] New Applications of Mr. Lester's Convertor. in the country. Nobody appears before 9 o'clock in the morning: at 10 the family assembles in the drawing-room to a copious breakfast of tea, coffee, bread and butter, toast, boiled eggs, cutlets, &c. Breakfast lasts an hour, after which the company separate, and each employs or amuses himself as he pleases till dinner, which is fixed for six or seven in the evening. Half an hour earlier they again meet in the library or drawingIn the morning gentlemen may appear in boots, but in the evening they are expected to be dressed as in town.The ladies also are full dressed. room. Dinner presents the best of every thing that a good kitchen is capable of affording. The plate is very handsome, frequently silver gilt. After the soup, cold punch is served. It is customary next to drink a glass of wine at the choice of the mistress of the house, and to her health: after which, every time you chuse to drink, it is usual to invite those whom you know or who happen to sit near you to drink with you. Each helps the rest from the dish that stands before him. After the dessert the ladies rise, the servants retire, and the claret begins to circulate from right to left. The company then rejoin the ladies in the library or the drawing-room. They enter into conversation, and each withdraws just when he' pleases. Riding, shooting, and hunting, are the principal amusements. The ladies frequently take part in the former. Foxhunting is a very dangerous sport, because it is necessary to follow on horseback, leaping hedges and ditches. The hare is hunted in the same manner. The dogs are admirably trained, and the guns, excellent. As all the opulent land-holders pass great part of the winter in the country, relations and neighbours assemble and form parties numerous enough to supply the place of those in town. The tone which pervades them is highly agreeable, free and easy, but decent; and there is a kind of simple and hearty hospitality and politeness which cannot fail to charm all who are capable of appreciating them. The private apartments are furnished and arranged with the utmost convenience. In these mansions you find every thing that can contribute to physi⚫ cal comfort, and the cultivation of the mind. The society of the females, who are in general very well informed, often indeed better than the gentlemen, affords all the resources that can be desired. If 5 you add to this the perfect liberty of HAVING promised in one of your former numbers to give you what infor mation I could collect relative to the adaptation of Mr. LESTER'S new meleave to inform you that it is applied to chanic power the Convertor, I now beg a crane at the West India Docks with the greatest advantage both as to secu rity and dispatch. Six men sitting upon benches about 20 inches high, with their feet set against stretchers similar to what the watermen use in their wherries, three men on each side with their feet opposite to each other, pulling alternately at a wooden bar like an auger handle, raise with facility a hogshead of sugar from 16 to 20 cwt. 40 feet high in 90 danger from a retrograde motion of the seconds, and this without any risk of weight. Thus all accidents are moved from the pale of probability by re the very nature and formation of the apparatus, producing a sure guard not in attention of man, by which much human the least dependant upon the uncertain life will be saved. It is clearly ascertained that many hundred persons in a year in the British Empire only lose their lives or limbs with cranes, handspikes, cidents may be prevented by the general and capstan bars, the whole of which acadoption of this wonderful invention.velocity, no more than the power of Although the weight is raised with this three men is applied at once, as the other three at the return of the stroke have a cessation of exertion. This alternate application of their force gives great relief to the labourer, and enables him to continue much longer at this work with less fatigue than by any other motion, and will in consequence when applied to ships' pumps render the most essential ultimately save from destruction many service to his Majesty's navy, as it will valuable ships' crews and cargoes. It apuseful not only to cranes of all kinds, but pears to be most happily and equally for working the capstan, windlasses, and working a ship into and out of harpumps, raising masts, yards, sails, &c. bour, and all other purposes which have hitherto been accomplished by the haul G Insufficiency of the Safety Lamp to prevent ing at a rope, as six men will evidently with this apparatus do the work of twelve who employ their force by pulling with their hands, and with perfect security. On the first introduction of this invention, I have been informed that some mechanists publicly asserted that the winch was the best motion with which man's force could be employed to work rotatory machinery. This assertion is now proved to be rashly made, either from envious motives, or for the want of true mechanical knowledge; as a given number of men can raise a much greater weight with the convertor than they can even move with the winches, notwithstanding only half of them exert their power at once, with this most important difference, that the weight is always locked; but if it overcomes them at the winches they are liable to be killed or severely wounded by the handles. It has now become self-evident that this invention will produce a complete revolution in the mechanical world, particularly with regard to hydraulic machines for raising water; for united to two fluted rollers it will supersede the use of pumps of every kind, of the very first importance to all mining concerns,as it works by two pulling lines at any indefinite distance; and it has already been demonstrated by Captain Brown's machine for proving iron cables, that a rod of iron one inch and a half in diameter, will support the enormous weight of eighty tons before it will break. Thus two rods of that diameter will support and raise a column of water from seventy to eighty tons weight, without the aid of piston rods, buckets, and valves of any kind. I need not describe to your philosophical readers the importance this will be of to the Cornish mine-owners, by doing away the great expense of power they now exhaust by friction with their ponderous engines, besides the wear and tear of buckets, valves, &c. The Convertor is also as applicable to raise coals and minerals of all descriptions, as no rope or chain is necessary from the top of the shaft to the whimsey from the wear of which many fatal accidents occur; two lines of iron rods pulling to and from are all that is required, and will last many years. The Convertor and barrel placed immediately over the shaft will always render the ascent from and the descent into the pit perfectly Secure, with this further great saving to the owner, that one powerful steam-engine upon one square mile of mine will be quite sufficient to raise the water, and [Feb. 1, draw up the coal, &c.; by which means the erection of a number of whimseys wilt be saved. It is also capable of another great advantage; two iron rods may be worked up the side of the shaft, giving motion to a Convertor in the mine, that would draw the coal, &c. to the bottom of the shaft, and entirely do away the necessity of using horses in the mine. This alone will give a vast saving to the workers of coal-mines, by which coal may be raised at much less expence, and consequently come cheaper to market. Many more important and new purposes will be accomplished by this interesting discovery too numerous for me even to surmise; but as they come into use I will transmit an account of them to be recorded in your truly valuable work which is so laudably adapted to the promotion of science. Yours, &c. A PHILOSOPHER. "An explosion of fire-damp took place on Friday last, in the Plain Pit, at Rainton Colliery in the county of Durham, by which six men, and twenty-one boys lost their lives."-Morning Chronicle, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1817. I feel it a duty on this melancholy occasion to endeavour to call the attention of your readers to the present imperfect system of ventilating coal mines; and it is the more necessary, on account of the unwarrantable and improper degree of confidence that is placed in the safety lamp, which appears to be considered rather as a substitute for ventilation, than as the means of improving it. The importance of the discovery of this instrument is certainly great: it is simple in its construction, and easy of application, and is highly creditable to the talents and industry of the inventor. But its value has been very much over-rated -it has been ranked as one of "the most valuable presents which philosophy has conferred upon the arts," and considered as 66 a perfect security from accident." Its security in an explosive mixture of gas, however, I do not pretend to question; as it is this very security that renders its use, or rather abuse, pregnant with danger. It is this security that increases the risk by tempting the proprietor to neglect ventilation, and the workman to pursue his labours in the midst of an explosive mixture of gas, where many unforeseen occurrences may happen to cause an explosion, the consequences of |