The then head of the Government was so much struck by the representations made to him of the value of the Society and of the advantage it would be to the Government, that he resolved in the House of Commons to grant 500l. a year in aid of its funds. This at once revived the members’ spirits; they started, as it were afresh; the Society became exceedingly popular, and there was no end of applications to be enrolled as members, both from ladies and gentlemen, and ever since then it has been one of the most, if not the most, popular societies of the day.
The old Raleigh Club, from which the Geographical Society originated, having done its duty, and most of its original members having succumbed to time, there was no longer any necessity for its existence; but as all scientific societies have their dining clubs, which meet on the days of the societies’ meetings, it was resolved to merge the Raleigh into the Geographical Club.
In the year 1824, John Wilson Croker, Esq., originated the Athenæum Club, for men distinguished in science, literature, and art, and asked me to become a member. I was only too happy to be associated with such a company as he collected together.
Sir Humphry Davy, in the year 1825, originated the Zoological Society, and asked me to join, which I did most willingly, and perhaps it has been the most popular and successful of any modern society of that kind. It commenced operations by purchasing the well-known Cross collection of Exeter ’Change, in which in my early days I took an especial delight; for, considering all things, it was a very wonderful collection, and it is difficult to understand how, in such a confined and unhealthy spot, it could have been maintained in such good condition. The only other exhibition of the kind in London was at the Tower; the collection of animals there consisted of presents from the sovereigns of different countries. These were afterwards lent to the Zoological Society, who established their museum in the Regent’s Park, and, taking it altogether, it is probably the finest and best maintained in the world.
[4] The blast-pipe, also, was one of the most important improvements. Previous to this invention it was necessary to employ bellows to keep up the fire in the boiler, and these were worked by the engine, so that a good deal of power was wasted in order to keep the furnace going, and the greater the speed, the greater the power necessary to work the bellows; moreover, the waste steam ejected from the cylinders was constantly puffing out in the faces of the drivers, so that they could not see clearly before them. This was a great annoyance, which they were most anxious to get rid of, but nobody seemed to know how. At last, either Stephenson, Hackworth, or Booth, or somebody else, whilst driving an engine, and being much annoyed by the blowing in their faces, said, “Confound the steam; let us send it up the chimney.” A pipe was accordingly made, connecting the cylinder with the chimney, so that the discharged steam might be ejected through it into the chimney. When this alteration was made, the engine was again tried, and to their astonishment they not only got rid of the annoyance of the steam, but the bellows were of no use, and the faster the engine went the more vigorous became the fire. Upon thinking over this coolly, the mystery was soon explained, for the hot steam being discharged into the comparatively cold chimney, a vacuum was produced, and the air rushed through the furnace to fill up the vacuum; the faster the engine went the greater the amount of steam sent up the chimney, and the more active the draught through the furnace. The bellows became wholly unnecessary, so much power was saved, and the nuisance of the escaping steam was entirely got rid of. This was really a great step towards in rendering the locomotive more effective; and it is very difficult to ascertain to whom the improvement is justly due.
CHAPTER V.
Travels in the North of Europe and Spain.
Having been very hard worked, and being in bad health, owing to my still suffering from the effects of my fall into the cofferdam of London Bridge, I felt the necessity for some relaxation. I therefore made my arrangements for a short continental tour, resolving to visit the north of Europe. Adhering to my original plan, I shall only mention those places and occurrences which, for particular reasons, I think, may possess some little interest, and shall pass over the ordinary descriptions of places and things which are now so well known as to be hackneyed. My journey, principally by sea, from London to St. Petersburg passed without incident, except that off the Island of Bornholm we met the Russian fleet, consisting of seven sail of the line. It was a fine sight, and the ships seemed well handled; but one line-of-battle ship in going about missed stays, and got into what the sailors term irons, that is to say, she would move neither way. Our sailors laughed heartily, and we could see by the signals made from the flag-ship that the admiral was very much annoyed.