6 er. BREAD. has not been distinctly ascertained. Very loaves or rolls, and baked in an oven, which great care is necessary in making bread of is not too much heated. The salt serves to leaven, and in general such bread does not make the flour retain more water, and makes get properly fermented, or it acquires an the dough lighter; it makes the bread keep acid taste, from having too much leaven longer also, and corrects some of the bad mingled with it, or from the fermentation qualities of spoiled wheat. The London being allowed to proceed too far; and it ha- bakers, it is asserted, also, put alum into the ving been found that yeast answers all the bread, which contributes to its whiteness purposes of leaven, it is very generally em- and lightness, but is thought to render the ployed in most parts of Europe. In some bread less wholesome. The quantity of places, however, as on board ship, and in this drug is increased as the flour is bad, warm climates, where no beer is made, lea- and from four to eight ounces to a sack are ven is still generally in use. Yeast is found used. We cannot close this article, withto make the dough rise more rapidly than out recommending to such of our readers as leaven, and therefore makes the bread light- have an opportunity, to investigate closely the chemical changes which go on in the It is obvious that making bread is a most process of bread making, analyzing the delicate operation, requiring definite pro- dough at the different stages, for at present portions of water, flour, and yeast, or leaven; there is no very correct knowledge on the the dough, also, must be kept at a certain subject.-The Chemist. temperature, or, if too hot, the fermentation goes on too rapidly and if too cold, will not go on at all: the oven, too, must be of one certain temperature, or it would not proper ly bake the bread. It is also to be observed that different kinds of flour require different quantities of water, and do not all ferment for the trade of Philadelphia. In a year of alike. To regulate all these nice points, chant busy less than usual, with a view of pecuniary distress, when almost every merthe baker has no instruments, and nothing decreasing his stock, and lessening his liabut his experience to guide him. He trusts to his sensations; throws a little flour in bilities; in such a year the state tolls ahis oven, and observes if it blackens or mounting to nearly a MILLION Of Dollars, burns; plunges his hand into the water, or that we have an increase of buyers much a large increase on former years, shows feels the dough; and so nice does his tact become, that what no philosopher could, permore than sufficient to make up the dehaps, tell by the most accurate of his instru- ficiency occasioned by their not purchacing ments. the journeyman baker, or the house- as largely as during previous years. Philawife, decides at once: and, perhaps of all delphia, with her extensive coal trade, and the batches of bread baked in this metropo- easy access, by her canals and rail roads, to lis, not one out of ten thousand is spoiled. is designed, ere long, to be the first comthe waters of the Valley of the Mississippi, It must not, therefore, be supposed, instru- mercial mart in the U. States. Steam on ments are of no use; thermometers, to mea- the Delaware will neutralize the natural sure the heat of the bakehouse, and pyrom-advantages of New York. In steam ships, eters, to measure the heat of ovens, have lished in the Pittsburg Gazette, we perceive OUR CITY.-By a tabular statement, pubthat the tolls on the public works for the fiscal year, ending October 31 st, 1838, amount to $989,317 42. This speaks well been employed with advantage. No instru- from our coal, and the acknowledged superiments however, can supply the want of skill ority of our shipwrights, we have a decided and practice; and, where these are, instru- advantage over any part in the United ments such as we have mentioned may be dispensed with. States. Why does not the Committee on this subject some months ago, report? Do The method of making household bread insured to them before they subscribe, or our capitalists require a certain per cent. is said to be this:-To a peck of flour they are they thinking? If so, would it not be add a handful of salt, a pint of yeast, and well for them to remember that our trade three quarts of water. The whole being may be lost, perhaps forever, whilst they kneaded in a bowl or trough will rise in are making up their minds. Philadelphia about an hour; it is afterwards moulded in- requires mere enterprise, but not such wild, to loaves, and put into the oven. To make destructive, speculative enterprise as would French bread, ten eggs, a pound and a half lead her merchants to subscribe to the of fresh butter, and a pint of yeast is added Grand Atlantic Rocky Mountain and Pa to half a bushel of fine flour; the whole is cific Rail Road and Canal Company," but tempered with new milk, pretty hot, and an enterprise sufficient to encourage every being left for half an hour, it is made into undertake manifestly beneficial to her trade. SIR,-Allow me to offer you a plate, with a description of Mr. M'Kinneys Patent Swinging Cradle, which has met with general approbation among those who have used it. You may at first sight be inclined to laugh at the idea of a Self Rocking Cradle, but I trust after you have examined its construction and mode of operation, you will be induced to give the following specification a place in your valuable Publication. Yours, &c. W. BE IT KNOWN THAT I, JOHN M'KINNEY, of Chester, in the county of Butler, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful improvement, in the application of the power of the PENDULUM CLOCK, to a machine called, A SWINGING CRADLE, and that the following is a full and exact description of the construction and operation of said machine, as invented by me. A, is the cradle, serving as a pendulum weight-B, B, are the pendulum wires, three feet long, by which the cradle is suspended-C, C, are pivot hooks in the middle arch, to which the pendulum wires are attached by loops on the ends of the wires-D, a platform, on whcih the box is set that contains the wheelsE, box containing the wheels-F, F, axle of the pallets or verge with cranks at each end by which the power is applied-G, G, cords from the barrel of the main wheel to which the weight is attached, passing over pullies to the centre posts, down which the weight passes through a cavity of three inches diameter-H, H, center posts, six inches diameter, with a cavity of three inches diameter down, which the weights pass-I, I, I arches running length-wise to support a tester. This piece of furniture, the SWINGING CRADLE, may be made in various forms to suit the fancy of individuals. The form here presented is that of a Fancy Bedstead-the height is four feet-The length is two feet eight inches-the width is one foot eight inches-supported by cross pieces framed into the posts, having in front an arch both for convenience and good appearance. The works consist of three wheels the main wheel is cast iron, 4 inches in diameter, containing 72 cogs, with a barrel on the axle, 2 1-2 inches in diameter, on which the weight cords are wound. The axle of this wheel projects, so as to receive a crank key, such as is used to wind an eight day clock-the barrel being fixed on the axle in the same manner as that of the clock. The counter wheel is three inches diameter, (of cast iron) containing 48 cogs, with a pinion on the axle, containing 12 cogs which receive the cogs of the main wheel. The crown wheel of brass, 3 inches diameter, with 24 teeth also, having a pinion on its axle, containing 8 cogs, which receive the cogs of the counter wheels. The axle of the wheels are 3 5-8 inches in length, from shoulder to shoulder and of sufficient strength to receive the power "No The axle to which the pallet or verge is at- maker must not go beyond his last." tached, should be of cast steel, 29 inches long, thing like leather," is a proverb to cry up and 1-2 in diameter-on the ends of this axle one's craft Galigula got his name from a are the cranks, which ply on the wires by shoe, and the Baron of Bradwardine his which the cradle is suspended. The weight arms from a bootjack, his motto being, attached to each card is 18 pounds. The "draw, and draw off." whole machine is on the principle of the penThere are greater names among shoedulum clock, with this difference only, that makers. Thomas Holcroft made a good it is composed of three wheels instead of a boot, and a better play, and many of his dragreater number. The pallet or verge of a matic pieces are still performed. Gifford suitable size to escape over 6 teeth. What was an indifferent cobbler, but a very sharp I claim as new, and as my own iuvention or writer. The life of the veteran hireling of discovery in the above described machine, the Quarterly Review, written by himself, and for the use of which I ask an exclusive is a most interesting piece of biography. privilege, is the application of the power of the pendulum clock to that purpose, Linnæus was very near being a shoemaker, for to this his father designed to apprentice him. George Fox, the founder of CRISPIAN ANECDOTES.-Our neighbour a shoemaker, and so did the mystical writer, the society of Friends followed the trade of who ministers to our understanding, in the Jacob Boehmen. Dr. Carey, the learned way of boots and shoes, would be edified with a book with the above title. They and Dr. Morrison, the accomplished Chiprofessor of Sanscrit, &c. was a cordwainer; would find in it sufficient to reconcile them to the craft they follow, should the profits wooden shoes. Robert Bloomfield, a very nese scholar, was a clogger, or maker of have failed to do that. the man, and who describes himself as "No tenth transmitter of a foolish race." Sa The patrons of the craft which has been pleasing rural poet, was a shoemaker. called gentle, were, as Swift says, "two vage, whose name expressed something of brothers, saints by trade," named Crispian and Crispianus. They were borne in Rome and martyred in Soissons. They supported was placed with a shoemaker. But he themselves by the trade while living, and afterwards took to making books, to little their relics performed sundry miracles after profit. their death. St. Crispin's day is the 25th of October. "This day is called the feast of Crispian, He that out-lives this day and comes safe home In Paris there are two religious societies with the title of Freres Cordonniers, or brother shoemakers. They work for a common stock, and distribute the surplus to the poor, But of all Souters, the most lively is that Shoemakers are called in the law Cord- The landlord's laugh was ready chorus." wainers or Cord vanners, from Cordova, from whence comes the leather called Cordovan. the immortality of the soul, Mr. Drew, was The ingenious author of an able work on A company was incorporated in 1410, as the "Cordwainers' and Cobblers' Company." him, while at work, used to write it down a shoemaker, who, as a thought occurred to Their hall is in London, and over the front with a pencil on a strip of paper and string are the cordwainers' arms; over the win- it upon a wax end near by. After his daily dow is a bas-relief of one of the Fates spin- task was completed, these strips were overning the thread of life. hauled and the ideas thus recorded, put toIn 1813, J. F. Rees, published "the art gether in proper style and connection. and mystery of a Cordwainer, an essay on Roger Sherman, a name venerated by boot and shoe making." The craft has fur-patriots, and a man who, as Jefferson said, nished its supply of proverbs, "As tight as was never wrong, was a shoemaker, and to a bristle,” is used to denote a nice fit; No his knowledge of his business, the country sutor ultra crepidam was the saying of Adelles to a shoemaker, who after detecting tection of an imposition in the over charges was indebted, during the revolution for default in a painted shoe, criticised some of contractors for shoes furnished the army, thing else it means in English, "The shoe-Star. a Importance of knowledge to the of doing what he had done before, blindly Mechanic. and without interest, a thousand times. He Let us imagine for a moment the learns to profit by the experience of others condition of an individual, who has not ad- and ventures upon untried paths. Difficulvanced beyond the merest elements of know-ties, which before would have stopped him ledge, who understands nothing of the prin- at the outset, receive a ready solution ciples even of his own art, and inquire what from some luminous principle of science. change will be wrought in his feelings, He gains new knowledge and new skill, and his hopes and happiness, in all that make can improve the quality of his manufacture up the character, by the gradual inpouring while he shortens the process, and dimenof knowledge. He has now the capacity ishes his on labour. Then labo ur becomes of thought, but it is a barren faculty, never sweet to him: it is accompanied by the con= nourished by the food of the mind, and never ciousness of increasing power; it is leading rising above the poor objects of sense. La-him forward to a higher place among his bour and rest, the hope of mere animal en- fellow men. Relaxation, too, is sweet to joyment, or the fear of want, the care of him, as it enables him to add to his intellectproviding covering and food, make up the ual stores, and to mature, by undisturbed whole sum of his existence. Such a man meditation, the plans and conceptions of the may be industrious, but he cannot love la- hour of labour. His home has acquired a bour, for it is not relieved by the excitement new charm: for he has become a man of of improving or changingt he processes of his thought, and feels and enjoys the peace and art, nor cheered by the hope of a better con- seclusion of that sacred retreat; and he dition. When released from labour, he carries thither the honest complacency does not rejoice for mere idleness is not en- which is the companion of well earned sucjoyment: and he has no book, no lesson of cess. There, too, bright visions of the fuscience, no play of the mind, no interesting ture sphere open upon him, and excite a pursuit, to give a zest to the hour of leisure. kindly feeling towards those who share in Home as few charms for him; he has little his prosperity. Thus his mind and heart taste for the quiet, and social converse, and expand together. He has become an inexchange of feeling and thought, the inno- telligent being, and while he has learnt to cent enjoyments that ought to dwell there. esteem himself, he has also learnt to live Society has little to interest him, for he has no longer for himself alone. Society opens no sympathy for the pleasures or pursuits, like a new world to him, he looks upon his the cares or troubles of others, to whom he fellow creatures with interest and sympathy cannot feel nor perceive his bonds of relation- and feels that he has a place in their affecship. All of life is but a poor boon for such tions and respect Temptations assail him a man; and happy for himself and for man- in vain. He is armed by high and pure kind, if the few ties that hold him to this thoughts. He takes a wider view of his negative existence be not broken. Happy relations with the beings about and above for him if that best and surest friend of him. He welcomes every generous virtue man, that messenger of good news from that adorns and dignifies the human characHeaven to the poorest wretch on earth, Re-ter. He delights in the exercise of reasonligion, bringing the fear of God, appear to he glories in the consciousness and the hope save him. Without her to support, should of immortality. temptation assail him, what an easy victim would he fall to vice or crime ! How little G. B. EMERSON. would be necessary to overturn his ill-bal- The expense of transporting convicts anced principles, and throw him grovelling from Great Britain for the last ten years, in intemperence, or send him abroad on the was more than 18,000,000! More than the ocean or the highway, an enemy to him- rascals are worth. self and his kind! A Montgolfier, or fire balloon, of extra But let the light of science fall upon that man; open to him the fountain of knowledge a few principles of philosophy enter his ordinary dimensions, so as to ascend with mind, and awaken the dormant power of several aeronauts. is now being manufactur thought; he begins to look upon his art ed under the immediate superintendence of with an altered eye. It ceases to be a dark Mr. H. Green, (a brother of the celebrated mechanical process, which he cannot under-æronaut,) and will shortly ascend A mastand; he regards it as an object of inquiry chine on this principal was some time since and begins to penetrate the reasons, and destroyed by the populace at the Surry Zooacquire a new mastery over his own instru- logical Gardens, in consequence of their He finds other and better modes being disappointed in its ascent. ments. 10 THE MECHANIC'S PLEASURES. The Mechanic's Pleasures. ((not cause to spring up." In this he agreed well with the laird of Dumbiedikes, who is Ours is not the country where one may known to have said on his death-bed to his sneer at the "mechanic." Demagogues son and heir: "Jock. when ye hae naething know this; and the same agitators who else to do, ye may be aye sticking in a tree; would spurn the "unwashed artificer," if it wilt be growing, Jock, when ye're sleepmet in some old despotic realm, find it to be ing." I 66 their true policy to flatter and cajole him Arthur has a garden also. His rule is, here. This is no part of my business. first for use; next for show." So he has respect honest labour, though it be in the most of his ground in substantial vegetables black man who saws my wood; and, so far for the table; but a very goodly portion, as I can learn, my ancestors have been I assure you, in choice flowers. Why should working men so long that "the memory of he not? God has given the poor man these man runneth not to the contrary." Though gems of the earth with a bounteous profuthe motto of William of Wickham is no sion; and Ellen Kip and little Tom wil love longer good English, it is good sense still-Arthur and one another all the better for MANNER MAKETH MAN. Wherever the de-dwelling among the lustre and fragrance of meanour and life of a man are good, let me tulips and violets. get as near to him as he will allow, that I In these bright spring evenings, I take a may take his hand, though it be as black walk about the time that this little houseand hardened as his anvil. hold comes together after work. No tavern 66 I am ready to maintain that the American has yet become Ellen's rival; her husband mechanic has no reason to envy any man on spends not only his nights, but his evenings earth. Happy, happy men!" as an old at home. Or, if he goes abroad, it is in the poet says, "if they could appreciate their old-fashioned way: I mean he takes his own felicity!" wife and his boy along. At this hour I am Has the mechanic no pleasures? Let us always sure of witnessing another of the see: and in order to see better, let me use mechanic's pleasures. Arthur and Ellen some illustrations, There is a shop near are natives of a state where young folks are my lodgings; and I never yet saw the shop taught to sing they have already begun to in which there was not something to be bring up little Tom in the same way. They learned. In this one there is evidence carry a tune in several parts; for Arthur is enough that working men may have cheap no mean performer on the violin, and Ellen and abundant pleasures. Without going so sings a soprano part to her husband's base. far as to state; what I believe firmly, that to The neighbours are beginning to find their the industrious man labour is pleasure, I way out, since the spring weather unclosed beg leave to introduce ARTHUR KIP. This doors and windows, and there are some signs young man is a plain cooper, and lives on of a little musical association. the extremety of a street which I pass daily. Some of the best musical talent in AmeriHe is in his shop as early as his earliest ca is among our mechanics; and it is sad neighbour, yet I sometimes see him busy a that they are so slow to discover the exquigood half hour before he is in his shop. site satisfaction which they might derive What is Arthur about in the grey of the from this innocent recreation. It soothes morning? I will tell you. He has been the troubled mind; it breaks the thread of setting out rows of elms around the whole vexing thoughts; it prepares the affections border of his little lot. For you must know for every good impression; it affords a that he is content to live in a very uncom- healthful excitement; it knits families tofortable house, in order to forward his busi-gether by gentlest bands; and it makes a ness and prepare his grounds, so as to "make paradise of home. a fair start," as he calls it. He has told me What,mechanic is there who may not that he was induced to do this by a maxim command these pleasures? What plcaof an ancient king: "Prepare thy work sures of the bar-room, the circus, the gamwithout, and make it fit for thyself in the ing-table, the theatre, are equal to these in field, and afterwards build thy house." purity and genuine in content? I am sure It does one good to see Arthur among his I shall have the right answer—if not from trees; he sings cheerily over his spade and mechanics, at least from their wives. hatchet, long before the sun is up, "These saplings," says he," will be noble branching trees over the heads of my children; and if GEORGE BROWN is a shoemaker in this little Tom should be a rich man thirty years village. He grew up from a pale apprenhence, he will have a grove which all the tice, into a still paler journeyman, with litmoney of the aristocrats in England could tle prospect of long life. After being sever- . * * * * * * * |