¡829.]

PUBLIC CHARITIES OF PHILADELPHIA.

brightly illumined by the sun, and the clouds and vapours for several days afterwards, continued to run in streams and stretch across the sky.

51

high as the North Star, and the whole northern section of the Sky below the Polar Star in a state of bright illumination, rapid motion, and extreme agitation.

I now come to the third and last scene, and which These displays continued for nearly an hour, and unwas by far the most grand, and one of the most interest- til about half past twelve o'clock. There were some ing spectacles I ever beheld. I have before described slight displays afterwards, but by one o'clock, the the position, extent, and appearance of the arch of the gleaming and motion had ceased; the pillars had subAurora. Immediately under this arch, and apparently sided, the brightness of the arch had greatly diminished, extending from the horizon to the under part of the and the bright cloud which had been under the arch arch, there was, as on Monday night, a dark thick cloud. the whole time, appeared to be rising and moving slowIn this arch, and immediately under it on the upper partly to the eastward. It appeared to me that during the of the dark cloud, where the arch and cloud seemed to greater part, if not the whole of the time, there had touch each other, were several bright spots, from which been a considerable quantity of vapour or mist, along a bright light seemed to issue, and to rise occasionally, the horizon; and for some distance above it in the but not to any great height, nor in any great quantity, northern section of the sky, and after the light and until after eleven o'clock. About eleven o'clock, a movements of the Aurora had apparently ceased, the dark thick cloud from the northwest, passed over or in sky became more clear, and the stars in that quarter front of the principal part of the arch, and as it passed became much brighter. along the arch, there appeared to be a considerable agitation in the cloud, or immediately behind the cloud, and about the arch, as if produced by the meeting or collision of different currents of wind. About this time I first perceived some gleaming of light a small distance above the cloud, or the thickest part of it, and a slight quivering motion in several places not far above the cloud, altogether different from any thing I had seen on Monday night.

It has been said that the Aurora was visible in the same place about day light on Wednesday morning. As I supposed it had entirely ceased, and I retired about one o'clock, I saw nothing of it after that time. This Aurora Borealis appears to have been seen as far south and west as Washington and Pittsburg, and to have been seen all over the northern and eastern section of the United States, where the weather permitted, and it was most probably visible, and might have been seen, Shortly after eleven o'clock, there appeared several all over the northern section of this continent, unless bright spots near the extremities of the arch on the line prevented by the state of the weather, It has been where the arch and cloud seemed to touch each other, stated in some of the papers that a noise was heard by and one remarkably bright spot near the eastern extre- some person in Connecticut, which he ascribed to the mity of the arch, and from which a large quantity of Aurora. Captain Parryd Captain Franklin, were bright light of a circular form seemed to issue and to specially charged by the British government to investirise to a considerable height above the arch. About gate the cause of the Aurora, and particularly to ascerhalf past eleven o'clock a number of other spots of tain whether it produced a noise. Captain Franklin inbright light appeared at various distances from one an- formed me the other day, on his passage through New other all along the arch, and from each of them a large York, that the Aurora had been seen by him and his quantity of bright light of a circular form seemed to issue party about three hundred and forty-eight times, and and to extend to a considerable height above the arch that they had never heard the slightest noise. Captain through layers of dark clouds of different degrees of Parry, in his Journals, states, that it had been seen by density. The height, magnitude, and brightness of him and his crew a great number of times, probably, at these columns, or continued streams of light, varied least, as often as seen by Captain Franklin and his party considerably. Sometimes those in and over the centre and that it had never produced the slightest noise on of the arch-and at other times, those in and over the any occasion. If this testimony be not sufficient to aflimbs of the arch, appeared to be the highest, largest, ford just ground for belief, that it does not produce a and brightest. About the time when these columns or noise, it would be difficult to conceive what proof continued streams of bright light had first risen to a would be sufficient. considerable height, strong gleams of light appeared in the sky above these columns or streams. These gleams of light resembled the gleam produced by throwing suddenly a strong light upon an object capable of reflecting it, and instantly withdrawing the light or the source of it. These gleams all appeared to move upwards, as if the source of them were below, and their motion was extremely rapid. There appeared at the same time to be a rapid quivering motion, produced possibly by the agitation of the clouds or vapour on which the light seemed to strike. This quivering motion and gleaming bore some resemblance to what is usually called sheet lightning, or the appearance of the flash of lightning in a cloud at a great distance; and it also seemed to me to bear some resemblance to the effect produced by the light of the moon, or of a lamp, or of any luminous body shining from a small elevation obliquely on the water, when slightly agitated; but it did not exactly resemble either of those things.

This gleaming and quivering sometimes commenced over the centre, sometimes over the limbs, and sometimes extended beyond the extremities of the arch, and rose almost as high as the North Star. On those occasions, the scene became grand beyond description. Near the horizon a bright arch resting on a dark cloud; on this cloud and arch, a colonnade of pillars of bright light, extending the whole length of the arch, and rising perpendicularly through clouds and vapours far above it. Above the arch and beyond its extremities, bright gleams of light ascending in rapid motion as

The Aurora Borealis has ever been considered a sub

ject of deep interest, and few subjects have given rise to a greater number of unsatisfactory theories. C. B.

PUBLIC CHARITIES.

Extracts from Essays on the Public Charities of Philadelphia. Respectfully addressed to the serious consideration of the benevolent, who have “hearts to feel and hands to bestow.-Dec. 29, 1828.- No. II.

In order to ascertain with something like precision the correctness of the idea I have long entertained, of the scarcity of female employment, and the deleterious consequences, as to the happiness and morals of society, of the paltry rate of female wages, I addressed the following letter to the Secretary of the Female Hospitable Society, who has had the best opportunities of forming correct opinions on the subject.

Mrs. Margaret Silver,

MADAM,-Does or does not a large portion of the distress among the poor arise from the low rate of female wages?

2. What do you believe the highest wages a seam. stress can earn, who works at home on government work, or for tailors?

3. What is about the average?

4. Is the Female Hospitable Society able to furnish employment to all who require it?

5. If not, what proportion of those who request work, receive it? Yours, very respectfully, MATHEW CAREY.

Philadelphia, Nov. 7, 1828.

Respected Sir,

(REPLY.)

"In answer to your first question, the Managers of the Female Hospitable Society state, that, in their opinion, a very large proportion of the distress amongst the industrious poor does originate in the low prices of women's wages, and the uncertainty of constant employment.

Second Question. The managers believe and know the most wages that can be earned by the closest application to work, either from government, societies, or tailors, will not average more than from one dollar to one dollar and a quarter per week.

Third. This Society never has been able to give work to one fourth of those who apply, even in the most flourishing state of its funds. Now, not more than one in ten receive any. This Society has 107 subscribers, at two dollars per annum, who paid last year. Some pains have been taken to ascertain that two-thirds of these belong, some to three, some to four, and all to two other charitable institutions. We also had 204 dollars from a sermon, bread money, and other donations. We hope Mr. Carey will not deem it foreign to the subject, to observe further, that the moral poor, either men or women, when out of work, especially if they have families, become cast down, out of heart, and discouraged. THEY ARE RELUCTANT TO BE A PUBLIC

CHARGE, AND THUS SUFFER THE MOST SEVERE PRIVA-
TIONS RATHER THAN DISCLOSE THEIR DISTRESS, OR DO
VIOLENCE TO THE BEST FEELINGS OF THEIR NATURE

gree of zeal in the commencement of all undertakings, and as there are many persons in the city who never refuse their subscription to any benevolent object, 100, 200, or 300 subscribers are procured, and the society goes into operation. It is uncommon to make efforts afterwards, when the original zeal abates-and very few subscribers offer voluntarily, unless for objects of paramount claims. Even if new efforts are made, they are generally attended with little success. Every year, death, removals, or resignations, thin the numbers--and, I feel persuaded, that at the present hour, the number of subscribers to all the charitable institutions in the city is not one-quarter of what it was at their commencement.

The Female Hospitable Society consisted originally of 700 subscribers. In 1827, there were only about 107. The Provident Society in 1823, consisted of 1015 subscribers. In 1827, there were but about 600 subscriptions received, including arrearages. The withdrawals from other Societies are much in the same proportion. Their chief support arises from stocks purchased by donations and bequests of liberal minded citizens.Without this resource, the most of them would sink into insignificance. Thus, of 452 dollars, received by the Northern Dispensary last year, $270, or sixty per cent. arose from the bequest of one individual, James Wills.

Institutions for the Promotion of Education.

BY OPEN COMPLAINT. To persons of this description, The Infant School Society of the city of Philadelphia, these private charitable societies are a source of support was established in May 1827. It is under the manage and comfort, and really mediums of moral good. ment of a board of Ladies, of whom Mrs. Perrit is PreWe most earnestly hope Mr. C. will combat the erro-sident, and Miss Sparhawk, Secretary. The number of neous idea which obtains so much at present, that these subscribers is about 380. The annual subscriptions last charities increase pauperism: on the contrary we do as-year were $720. Life subscriptions 800 dollars. Dosure you, Sir, we feel clear in stating, that in the twenty nations 928 dollars. Liberal as these contributions are, years we have been active in this society, we can prove they are very inadequate to the support of the number we have been instrumental by timcly aid, (or, to use their of schools which would be requisite for the purpose of own phrase, 'a little help at a pinch,') in keeping hun-carrying into full operation the benevolent object in dreds out of the Alms-House, thereby preserving that principle of honest industry, which is the mutual bond of civil society, and the everlasting barrier between virtue and vice.

We remain, Sir, respectfully,
MARY A. SNYDER, Governess F. H. Soc.
Mr. M. Carey.
MARGARET SILVER, Secr'y."

This letter demands the most serious consideration of the public, as it fully establishes the magnitude of the error which prevails with respect to benevolent institutions, which error, I repeat, operates most perniciously on the poor--and I trust it will call forth the effective support of the wealthy and humane for institutions which have so direct an effect to prevent demoralization, and mitigate human suffering, many of which institutions are in a languishing state for want of that support.

tract:

view. Some of the subscribers have already withdrawn from the Society. The life subscriptions are invested as a permanent fund-and without further aid, the Society will have to depend on the annual subscriptions, about 700 dollars; and interest of life subscriptions.-There are now three schools under the care of the Society-one in Thirteenth street; one in College Avenue, and one for coloured infants at No. 60 Gaskill street.

Since the above Society was established, two others have been organized, one for the Northern Liberties and Kensington, the other for Southwark. The former has three schools, and the latter, one. Thus in the short space of sixteen or eighteen months, there have been established seven of those precious asylums, wherein there are from 7 to 900 children preserved from the turpitude and baseness almost inseparable from prowling the streets, at that period of life when the seeds are sown which continue to germinate through life.

I also wrote to Dr. M. Anderson, who is in extensive practice in Southwark, from whose reply I annex an ex-in the wide range taken by beneficence in this city, in It may be continually asserted that there is no object to society, in proportion to the expenditure, as by these which so much substantial, permanent good can be done infant schools. They call loudly for the support of the opulent.

"To your query, 'Does or does not a large portion of the distress of the lower order of the working class arise from the low rate of female wages? I state that the answer from all parts of our city and districts, must be in the affirmative. It is very clear, that when women were paid 25 cents for making a shirt, and so in proportion for every other article of their work, they could purchase more and live better than they now can, when, as I am told, they receive only 12 cents for a shirt, and so in proportion for every other article."

It may not be amiss to cast a glance at the mode in which these societies generally start into existence. A few persons of public spirit discover a want of an institution for some particular object--and exert themselves to procure the co-operation of others of similar views. A constitution is formed-efforts are made to procure subscribers--and as there is generally a considerable de

dren, instituted in 1796, consists of eighteen ladies, of The Society for the free instruction of female chilthe Society of Friends, who employ two teachers, for the instruction of about 70 children. Their income last year was about 800 dollars.

The Philadelphia Society for the establishment and support of Charity Schools, received last year from 85 subscribers 196 dollars. The total income of the year was 2656 dollars. This institution is in a most flourishing condition, and reflects the highest honour on the city of Philadelphia, and on its liberal founders. It holds in real estate and capital stock 37,110 dollars; 15,415 dollars of the former, and 21,695 dollars of the latter. There are 450 scholars, male and female, under its care.

1829.]

PUBLIC CHARITIES OF PHILADELPHIA.

The Abolition Society has a fund for the education of coloured people, to which there are 15 subscribers. The annual subscription is five dollars. The receipts of last year were 341 dollars, of which 75 dollars were received from subscribers, and the remaining 266 dollars for rent, dividends on stock, interest on bonds, &c. &c.

The Pennsylvania Society for the promotion of Public Schools consists of 93 members. The annual subscription is two dollars. Its receipts for the last year were 150 dollars. It has no funds.

"The Philadelphia Union Society for the education of poor female children," is incorporated, and has a school for the purpose. As its resources are by no means commensurate with its benevolence, it is obliged to limit its attentions to fifty scholars. The subscription is generally one dollar. The annual subscriptions are not sufficient to defray more than half the expense. The remainder is borne by the interest on some legacies.

The Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb is supported chiefly by the state, which maintains fortyone of its pupils. The whole number there at present is 68, of whom three are supported by the state of New Jersey, two by Maryland, and there are besides 22, of whom 13 are paid for by their friends. The subscription is two dollars per annum. There are 170 subscribers, who paid last year 340 dollars. The receipts of the year, (including legacies to the amount of near five thousand dollars; the contribution of the state; and the payment by the states of New Jersey and Maryland) were 13,208 dollars.

53

serably falsified by the actual state of things. The whole number of paying subscribers to the three dispensaries, is only about one hundred and eighty! Were it not for the interest on donations and bequests, their utility would be reduced within very narrow limits, particularly that of the northern and southern.

There are 105 annual subscribers to the Philadelphia Dispensary, whose subscriptions last year, at five dollars each, amounted to 525 dollars. The gross receipts were 1817 dollars, of which nearly 1300 dollars were for interest, dividends, and house rent. There were 2962 patients under the care of the institution last year, of whom 2756 recovered; 32 were relieved; 68 died; and some were dismissed.

The number of annual subscribers to the Northern Dispensary, as stated in their report, dated Dec. 25, 1827, is 117. But, strange to say, it appears that only about forty-two of them had paid their subscriptions, three dollars per annum. The total of the receipts was 452 dollars, of which 126 was for annual subscriptions; 270 dollars the income of the legacy of James Wills-and the remainder for interest. It thus appears that this valuable institution, but for the bequest of Wills, quite a recent transaction, would have been obliged to limit its operations to the expenditure of 182 dollars, in one of the richest cities of the Union! The whole number of persons under the care of the institution last year, was 1040; of whom 986 recovered; 16 died; relieved and removed, 19; remaining under care, 19.

But the case of the Southern Dispensary is still more There are 220 subscriber's to the Apprentices' Libra- a subject of regret and wonder, as the persons in Southry. The subscription is two dollars per annum. The wark in want of the succour conferred by a dispensary, receipts from annual subscribers last year were 344 dol- are far more numerous than in the Northern Liberties. lars the total receipt 361 dollars. It is really painful to cast an eye on the statement. The amount of annual subscriptions received last year was only 107 dollars! James Wills's legacy produced 270 dollars. There is in the statement an item of accounts 182 dollars. The entire income of a dispensary, located in a place abounding in persons demanding its assistance, was only 559 dollars! The whole number of patients attended by the physicians last year, was 1017. The number this year, from the long continuance of fevers and agues, in the western part of the district, must be considerably greater. I have been informed that there were, at one time this fall, great numbers of persons lying sick in that part of the district, in some cases whole families, not one of them able to assist another. Whether any corresponding increase has taken place in the funds of the institution, I am unable to say.

Although the Institution for the support of Public Lancasterian Schools does not, strictly speaking, fall within my plan-I think it may not be amiss to devote a few lines to its details. It was organized in 1818.There are at present 17 schools, 8 in the city, and 9 in the adjacent districts. About 30,000 children have been educated in them. The average number, at one time, is about 4000. The cost to the city and county averages about four dollars each per annum. The boys are received between the ages of 6 and 14-the girls between 5 and 13. The institution is governed by directors and controllers chosen annually by the City Councils and the corporate authorities in the districts, who serve without compensation.

Nov. 10, 1828,

No. III.

Societies for Reformation.

HAMILTON.

The Society for the support of the House of Refuge consists of 302 annual subscribers. The subscription is two dollars per annum. The receipts for annual subscriptions last year were 577 dollars; from life subscribers 1150 dollars; from donations 907 dollars. From the state treasury 5000 dollars; and from the county treasury 5000 dollars.

The Magdalen Society appears to have had in 1826 ninety subscribers. The number who paid their subscriptions last year was 66, at two dollars, 132 dollars.

The subscription to the Society for discouraging the use of Ardent Spirits is only one dollar. The number who have paid this year is seventy-four, $74!!!

Societies for the Relief of Physical Wants. Among the charities that stand pre-eminent, are the dispensaries for relief of the sick poor. In a wealthy city with a population of probably 130,000 people, embracing a large portion of the poorer class of society, it might be reasonably supposed, that there would be at least a thousand annual contributors to these institutions; and that the annual contributions would be 3, 4, or 5000 dollars. Such a calculation, however plausible, is mi

The directors of the Northern and Southern Dispensaries have not been wanting in the performance of the duty they owe those institutions, by repeated strong appeals to the beneficence and charity of their fellow citizens. They have answered no purpose.

The object of the Dorcas Societies, to furnish clothing to the destitute, is highly laudable. They literally comply with the precept "to clothe the naked." The Southern Dorcas Society distributed last year 701 garments, principally to the aged, to the sick, and to children, in want of covering to shield them from the inclemency of the weather. This Society, which ought to consist of at least 500 members, has only 60, although the annual contribution is but half a dollar! Their receipts of last year were about 100 dollars!-of which one half was from the benevolent Robert Barclay, of London, per Mrs. Chew and Dr. Parke! Besides their cash receipts, several charitable ladies and gentlemen furnished them with articles of clothing.

The subscription to the Female Episcopal Society is one dollar per annum-the number of subscribers is 145. The total receipts of last year were 217 dollars.

This gentleman, a native of Philadelphia, but long settled in England, has contributed one hundred pounds sterling annually, above fifteen years, towards the support of the charitable institutions in this city, most of which have occasionally partaken of his bounty.

The Association for the care of coloured orphans was instituted in the year 1822, and consists of thirty-five ladies, chiefly, if not wholly, of the Friends' Society.Their receipts last year were 709 dollars; of which 211 dollars were for annual subscriptions; the remainder

was from donations and interest.

The receipts of the Orphan Society of Philadelphia, last year, were 3546 dollars; of which 549 dollars were for annual subscriptions. The remainder arose from

dividends on stock, donations, life subscriptions, and from work done by the orphans. There are 104 chil. dren of both sexes in the house.

The Abolition Society consists of 130 members. The subscription is two dollars a year. The amount received for annual subscriptions last year was 248 dollars. - Total receipts 919 dollars.

The Clothing Association is composed of twenty-six ladies, who meet at each others' houses once a fortnight, to make up clothing principally for destitute children. The subscription is two dollars per annum.

The Roman Catholic Orphan Society of St. Joseph was instituted in 1808, and has educated and apprenticed about 100 children. There were originally 300 subscribers; of whom some few have commuted and become life subscribers. Only five subscribers paid last year! The total receipts of the year were 1298 dollars, arising chiefly from interest and property recovered. There are thirty children in the house at present.

ples adopted by the most distinguished British engineers in the plan and location of such works.

With them there is some difference of opinion as to the relative cost of transportation by locomotive engines and by horses, and the problem is complicated by the necessity of incurring an increased expense in the construction of rail-ways on which locomotive machinery is proposed. There is, however, and ought to be, but one opinion as respects graduation.

55

It is to these aids, to the cheapness of stationary power, where a business of considerable extent can be commanded, and to the capability which locomotive engines possess within certain degrees of graduation, of being made to produce, at all times, their maximum of useful effect, either in power or in velocity, that the rail road system must look for the largest development of its advantages and resources. That it never can be advantageous to overcome considerable ascents by graduated rail roads, on which horse power is proposed, the following considerations abundantly prove.

This is, that if horse power is to be employed, that graduation should be adopted on a rail road as nearly as practicable, which is best suited to the anticipated The force exerted by a horse transporting a weight on trade; or in other words, which will render necessary a common road in overcoming an ascent, is of two the same number of horses to transport, each way, with kinds; that necessary to overcome the friction of the equal facility, the anticipated tonnage. If any facility road-way, and that expended in lifting his load. It is beyond this point is afforded in one direction, it neces-only in economising the first of these forces, that the sarily, and to the same extent, operates as a difficulty in rail-way is made a labour-saving machine. The last the way of transportation in the opposite direction. must always remain the same on an inclined plane of every kind, and continues a fixed quantity at the same angle of ascent on a country road, a McAdamized turnpike, or the most perfectly constructed rail road. Though therefore in the case of a level turnpike, its substitution by a rail-way has the effect of reducing the power requisite to produce a given effect to the tenth or twelfth part of what was previously required, yet the result arrived at is widely different, if an ascent be admitted in the rail-way, which would be scarcely sensible in a turnpike, and at any rate be attended with no serious disadvantage. The important bearing of this subject, and its susceptibility of being settled with precision, will form an excuse for some further investigation.

On the Stockton and Darlington rail-way, it has been found by experiments with the Dynamometer, that a descent of one-eighth of an inch per running yard, or of eighteen feet per mile, is that on which it requires the same muscular effort of a horse to descend at a given | rate with loaded wagons, or to return with empty. The wagons in these experiments were reduced to their minimum weight, and constituted about twenty-five per centum of the whole load. This of course forms the extreme point of advisable graduation in a rail-road. As the inequality between the ascending and descending traffic of a rail road becomes diminished, the road-way should in the same ratio approach to a level.

It will be agreed that the extent to which rail roads could be introduced in most countries would be but small, were the ascent they could overcome, limited by the graduation which would accord with these positions; and the ground over which they could be located, would be in general that on which a canal would be preferable. Accordingly public attention had been but very little drawn to them in England until within a few years past. The application of locomotive machinery in the beautiful experiment of the Stockton and Darlington rail-way, and the introduction of inclined planes and stationary power on other lines of rail-way, have enlarged the scope and capability of rail-ways to a degree which some years since could not have been predicted without incurring the reproach of an overshare of enthusiasm. (A)

(A) The expensiveness of horse power for raising trains of wagons on the inclined planes of rail-ways, may be appreciated by the reflection, that if one pound suspended over a sheave will keep in motion two hundred pounds when started, on a level rail road; a horse can with equal facility draw two hundred pounds, or raise one: or what is in other words the same proposition; that as great an expenditure of power is required to raise a given tonnage one mile, as to transport it two hundred

miles.

Fixed steam engines, where a trade is sufficient to justify powerful machinery, and to keep it constantly employed, diminish in a very large proportion, the cost of overcoming ascents. Was the business of a rail road considerable enough, they would likewise present a far cheaper power than either locomotive engines or horses, for overcoming the resistance produced by friction. In but one instance, however, that of the Hetton Colliery rail-way, have they been recommended exclusively of other power, by considerations of economy. The enormous ba siness of this rail road, and the regularity to which ithas been found possible to reduce it, render them for every service on the line, the most economical, and on other, considerations, the most advisable power. A very different case is presented on a rail-way, on which the trade would be but limited and uncertain.For the inclined planes of such a road, fixed engines would be smaller-of course their attendance more expensive in proportion, than that of larger engines-and

Differences of opinion are entertained among professional men as to the power of a horse. The standard fixed by Mr. Watt, in his estimates of steam power is certainly too high, and while some late writers have estimated the power of a good horse travelling eight hours per day at the rate of 24 miles per hour, as equal to raising 125 pounds suspended over a pulley, others have reduced his power of traction to 112 pounds.However this may be, the experiments of Messrs. Wood & Stephenson, with the Dynamometer, have ascertained with certainty the force requisite to overcome friction on well constructed rail roads. The conclusion at which they have arrived after a series of well conducted experiments, under favourable circumstances, but such as are attainable in practice, is-that one pound suspended over a pulley will keep in motion 200 pounds on a level rail-way.

This fact is all that is necessary to determine the precise diminution of useful effect in forces of any kind, exerted on inclined planes, compared with that produced on levels. To ascertain the precise weight which can be kept in equilibrio on a plane, by a given weight suspended over a pulley, we have only to multiply this they must be kept in readiness to raise trains of wagons, at an annual expense not a great deal less than would be required to keep them constantly at work. Under these circumstances the toll at lifts to indemnify the proprietors of the rail-way, must on a ton of property be nearly in an inverse ratio with the business of the road.

Locomotive engines in this case will generally constitute the most advisable power, provided the ascent and descent of the rail-way can be overcome by such a rise and fall per mile as will admit of the engine urging on its load by the mere adhesion of its wheels. A considerable deduction, it is true, is to be made from their useful effect on account of the weight of the engine itself. But this is found to be more than counterbalanced by the expense of attendance, and of dormant power in fixed engines not steadily employed; and compared with horse power they not only present a great gain in point of economy, but the important advantage of exerting at all times their full force, on the steeper parts of the road in overcoming its greater inclination, on more gentle ascents, or on descents, in urging forward the load with increased velocity.