‘No wonder that I frightened you, my lad,’ he observed with a smile. After informing me that he was about to proceed on leave—with the intention of undergoing a course of medical treatment to cure him of his dangerous propensity to walk in his sleep—he presented me with five pounds by way of solatium; and further gratified me by saying, that having ascertained I was of good character and well educated, he had that day placed me in orders as having been appointed lance-corporal. ‘Always behave yourself, my lad, and I shan’t forget you,’ said the colonel; and I left his quarters perfectly overjoyed with my good-luck, scarcely believing that the pleasant, affable, kindly gentleman with whom I had conversed was the hectoring, bullying commander, who was the terror of his regiment.
The colonel faithfully kept his word to me. When he rejoined the corps, completely cured of his complaint, I was promoted rapidly; and eight years subsequently, through the influence of my patron, General Morgan, I was gazetted as quartermaster of my regiment.
OCCASIONAL NOTES.
SMALL MOTORS.
The advantages of mechanical power have never been more appreciated than at the present time, when trade depression enforces economy in every industry and branch of production. Attention has accordingly been keenly directed of late towards that class of prime movers known as ‘small motors,’ deriving their power either from some central supply, or themselves generating the motive energy. A wide field undoubtedly lies open to such motive force, not merely in the domestic operations—pumping water for house-supply, driving, sewing, and culinary machinery—but also in such industrial work as cutting, chopping, grinding, churning, and sawing; in addition to the numberless requirements of the smaller manufactories and workshops.
Gas-engines have already reached a high stage of perfection, and in towns where gas can be procured at a moderate cost, large numbers of these motors are actively and advantageously employed in the various operations just enumerated. The production of the gas at one central source, prior to its distribution, is, it may be remarked, on economical grounds, a very perfect arrangement, for the loss incidental to a series of small producers is avoided. A similar law holds true of steam, it being well known that a number of small engines driven from one large boiler give a considerably higher duty than if each engine had its own small boiler.
The employment of water-pressure has of late received considerable impulse; and in large cities, systems of high-pressure supply are now laid down. The power is supplied from accumulators worked by pumping-engines at central stations, and a pressure of one thousand pounds per square inch is not unfrequently maintained in the mains. For lifts and hydraulic hoists, this system of transmitting power has been eminently successful; for other purposes, it has not as yet realised the expectations of its introducers, mainly, it is asserted, from difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory motor which shall transform the pressure into motion.
Cost of production has as yet debarred electricity from competing commercially as a transmitter of power; viewing, however, the extraordinary progress recently made, it would be rash to assert how much further a comparatively near future may not bring us, if we would read the future by the past.
Recently, a vacuum-engine has been produced, which attracted considerable attention at the Inventions Exhibition, and from what has been achieved in a very short time, promises well. Amongst the advantages claimed for this engine is the fact that once started, no further attention is requisite for many hours. By an ingenious use of gun-metal in the cylinder, valves, &c., lubrication is rendered unnecessary; whilst, by means of a hopper boiler, the furnace is self-feeding. Explosion is, of course, impossible, the engine working below atmospheric pressure.
This engine has been employed in small electric-light installations; and from its regular motion and the ease with which it is managed, is undoubtedly eminently adapted for this class of work; whilst the smallness of its coal-consumption and the high duty attained have procured the highest awards at the hands of all juries who have examined it.