DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1312#0027
14 THE GREAT EXHIBITION
CHAPTER III.
MACHINERY.
CANADIAN" EIRE-ENGINE—FRENCH EIRE-ENGINES—ENGLISH EIRE-ENGINES—INJECTING- APPA-
RATUS FOR PRESERVING WOOD—PROCESS OP INJECTION DESCRIBED—DR. BOUCHERIE'S PEAK—■
AGRICULTURAL MACHINES.
Although we have not heretofore devoted an entire chapter to " Machinery/7 still we
have on several occasions made mention of some of those most astonishing productions
of human ingenuity and contrivance which were so profusely displayed within the capa-
cious walls of the Crystal Palace. " Ample space and verge enough" was there for all that
was offered to the public admiration; and well did science and skill respond to the call
that was made upon them. The majestic locomotives, the giants of the Railway, we have
already had under consideration. We now propose to examine a few other specimens of
machinery which the manifold requirements of civilisation have elicited from the inventive
genius of mankind.—And first with respect to fire-engines. In the Canadian apartment
a fire-engine was exhibited, built by Messrs. Perry of Montreal, which merited especial
notice and commendation. Unlike the fire-engines of this country, it worked trans-
versely, instead of horizontally. It was also said to combine, with lightness and neatness,
greater power than any similar engine in Europe, whilst the simplicity of its construction
enabled it to be worked with fewer men and more ease. It was also equally suitable
for hot or cold climates, as these extremes meet in Canada. These were, by the builder,
said to be the principal merits of the engine, though its capabilities have been, as yet,
but partially tested; estimating these, however, by other engines built on a similar prin-
ciple, and at work in Canada, the following are considered to be within its range :—with
a cylinder of seven inches and a stroke of sixteen, it will lift a supply of water thirty feet,
and playing from the extremity of a fifty-feet hose, it will send a jet from a one-inch
nosel from 170 to 180 feet vertically, and 210 feet horizontally, or it will send two streams
each 150 feet vertically, and 170 feet horizontally. In the building of the engine exhi-
bited, every evidence of care had been bestowed, as it was generally understood in Canada
that it was the intention of the Fire Engine Company in Baltimore, United States, to
have sent their engine, which is of the same dimensions, and cost above one thousand
pounds, to be exhibited at the world's fair. In a spirit of generous rivalry, the Montreal
commissioners connected with the Exhibition came forward to support the Messrs. Perry
in their determination of sending their engine; and it is a subject of regret to the Cana-
dians that the United States should have held back from the competition. But notwith-
standing the merits which the engine might possess, the gaiety of its appearance, we think,
in some measure, tended to impress the mind with an idea of its unfitness to bear the
wear and tear of engines of British construction. This, however, does not in the slightest
degree affect the principle upon which it is built; that must remain the same, whether
good or bad. Perhaps the desire to catch the eye had something to do in influencing the
makers. But be this as it may, we are all aware that the practical mind of England is
apt to be offended rather than pleased with anything that trenches upon the province
of the toy manufacturer in regard to a machine of so momentous a character as a fire-
engine. It must, however, be remembered that in Canada the fire-engines are the pro-
perty of different volunteer companies, composed, in the various towns, of young men,
among whom great rivalry exists. Trials of the merits of their respective engines are so
frequent as to be with them a sort of relaxation and amusement, whilst in all fetes and
CHAPTER III.
MACHINERY.
CANADIAN" EIRE-ENGINE—FRENCH EIRE-ENGINES—ENGLISH EIRE-ENGINES—INJECTING- APPA-
RATUS FOR PRESERVING WOOD—PROCESS OP INJECTION DESCRIBED—DR. BOUCHERIE'S PEAK—■
AGRICULTURAL MACHINES.
Although we have not heretofore devoted an entire chapter to " Machinery/7 still we
have on several occasions made mention of some of those most astonishing productions
of human ingenuity and contrivance which were so profusely displayed within the capa-
cious walls of the Crystal Palace. " Ample space and verge enough" was there for all that
was offered to the public admiration; and well did science and skill respond to the call
that was made upon them. The majestic locomotives, the giants of the Railway, we have
already had under consideration. We now propose to examine a few other specimens of
machinery which the manifold requirements of civilisation have elicited from the inventive
genius of mankind.—And first with respect to fire-engines. In the Canadian apartment
a fire-engine was exhibited, built by Messrs. Perry of Montreal, which merited especial
notice and commendation. Unlike the fire-engines of this country, it worked trans-
versely, instead of horizontally. It was also said to combine, with lightness and neatness,
greater power than any similar engine in Europe, whilst the simplicity of its construction
enabled it to be worked with fewer men and more ease. It was also equally suitable
for hot or cold climates, as these extremes meet in Canada. These were, by the builder,
said to be the principal merits of the engine, though its capabilities have been, as yet,
but partially tested; estimating these, however, by other engines built on a similar prin-
ciple, and at work in Canada, the following are considered to be within its range :—with
a cylinder of seven inches and a stroke of sixteen, it will lift a supply of water thirty feet,
and playing from the extremity of a fifty-feet hose, it will send a jet from a one-inch
nosel from 170 to 180 feet vertically, and 210 feet horizontally, or it will send two streams
each 150 feet vertically, and 170 feet horizontally. In the building of the engine exhi-
bited, every evidence of care had been bestowed, as it was generally understood in Canada
that it was the intention of the Fire Engine Company in Baltimore, United States, to
have sent their engine, which is of the same dimensions, and cost above one thousand
pounds, to be exhibited at the world's fair. In a spirit of generous rivalry, the Montreal
commissioners connected with the Exhibition came forward to support the Messrs. Perry
in their determination of sending their engine; and it is a subject of regret to the Cana-
dians that the United States should have held back from the competition. But notwith-
standing the merits which the engine might possess, the gaiety of its appearance, we think,
in some measure, tended to impress the mind with an idea of its unfitness to bear the
wear and tear of engines of British construction. This, however, does not in the slightest
degree affect the principle upon which it is built; that must remain the same, whether
good or bad. Perhaps the desire to catch the eye had something to do in influencing the
makers. But be this as it may, we are all aware that the practical mind of England is
apt to be offended rather than pleased with anything that trenches upon the province
of the toy manufacturer in regard to a machine of so momentous a character as a fire-
engine. It must, however, be remembered that in Canada the fire-engines are the pro-
perty of different volunteer companies, composed, in the various towns, of young men,
among whom great rivalry exists. Trials of the merits of their respective engines are so
frequent as to be with them a sort of relaxation and amusement, whilst in all fetes and