invention that now professes to do so, possessing these requisites, and without substituting a single disadvantage, has, at least, a fair claim to the unprejudiced inquiry of all who are interested in the subject. So many useless "improvements" are brought out, with a formidable array of certificates, (no plan too absurd to find its advocate or dupe,) that Steam Shipping Companies are worried to death by the importunities of the too sanguine inventor, and are compelled to pay no attention to any of them. The good and bad are classed together, from the great majority of the latter; and Steam Boat Proprietors are content rather to go on with the good old plan, than by trying those which have not stood a year or two's experience, "float like Pyrrho on a sea of speculation."

The present period of Steam Navigation is, perhaps, the most interesting of its history. We see this mighty power struggling, with a giant's strength, to release itself from the remaining fetters which prevent its universal dominion instead of wind, seeking to compass the globe, and unite all nations by one great chain of steam-boats. A sweeping revolution in the navigation of the world is fast rolling onward, taking its rise in the skill, capital, and enterprise of British merchants, so that the time may come when a sailingvessel of any size will be known only for its singularity, and the waters of no navigable sea or river in any of the nations of the earth remain untraversed by its means. Public attention has been already twice directed, by the valuable Reports of Committees, in 1834 and 1838, and is still alive, to the practicability of uniting, by steam power, our vast distant colonial possessions in nearer relations with Great Britain— an object of great and increasing importance.

Never, since the application of Steam to Navigation, has an invention of greater pretensions been offered to public notice; professing to do so much, and which, if performed, will leave so little for others to do. Under any circumstances, by either of the routes proposed, a regular and certain communication with India will scarcely be found to answer with the present system of steam navigation. The remedy now discovered professes to do as much as can be done to render practicable what is now doubtful.

It will be seen, by the evidence in the following observations, that a two years' constant working of this plan has proved, beyond all question, a saving of nearly one-third of fuel, by means so simple as to render it not more liable to derangement than the engine itself. A steamer to India, of 500 horses power, must carry 800 tons of coals, upon the old plan; but by using Symington's condensation, she need take only 600 tons, reckoning the saving, at the lowest amount, one-fourth, which it always exceeds. This allows her 150 tons more goods, taking into account the difference between the dead weight of coals and measurement. The gain by additional freight alone would be very great every voyage, independent of the considerable saving in fuel and boilers. It is stated in the following pages, that the condensation was applied (the first time it was tried) to the " City of Londonderry," and abandoned.* This fact having been recorded lately, as a precedent of its failure, application was

* It is desirable, in all cases, to distinguish the sources of evidence. I would observe, in reference to what is stated of the "City of Londonderry," what Gibbon said of his Mémoire Justificatif, " I spoke as a lawyer from my brief." The certificates and letters, from which the facts are taken, are in my possession.

made for the cause of its discontinuance. The information was refused; and, as no positive reason was assigned at the time the pipes were removed, conjecture only remains. That they were not removed for causes affecting the merits of the invention, its constant use for two years affords sufficient evidence. The inventor who is struggling through innumerable difficulties, to introduce what his genius instructs him is a valuable discovery, may be saved many disappointments by this example. However strong may be his conviction that his invention will perform its object, he must not apply it at his own expense, upon the chance of payment "if it answer to satisfaction." He will but pay for his own undoing. "Satisfaction," in agreements, is an unmeaning word; 'tis too wide a measure of contingent precaution, to place the inventor upon equal, or even on fair terms. He may refer to certificates and facts that it has performed all that was promised on the one part, and all that was expected on the other. No matter, "satisfaction” need not be governed by facts; it can never be ascertained, for what has no limits can never be defined. Proprietors of steam vessels cannot attend to the engineering department, however anxious to act justly; they are compelled to trust to reports, and are constantly deceived. Those who have little acquaintance with the history of great inventions, may fairly ask, would this plan have been discontinued had it performed what it professes? They will find, however, that it has ever been the case, that individuals will not, until compelled by their own interests, part with present money to secure future advantages. When a more far-seeing and clear-minded individual has adopted some new discovery, which mankind will be ever drawing from obscurity, others of the same occupations are then obliged to adopt it, to

enable them to compete with their neighbours. This was the case to a striking degree in Cornwall, on the introduction of Watt's inventions. It was the case with Steam Navigation, Railroads, Gas, and other valuable discoveries, and probably will always continue so; and those who estimate the value of an invention by a first trial, will not display quite so sound a judgment as Mr. Watt, who persevered in his great works because they were not perfect on their first application. If we run over the list of those surprising discoveries in Surgery, Medicine, and the useful arts, which give more value to existence, and learn the mass of bigotry in past times, and of prejudice in the present, with which they were first received, we shall gain some knowledge of the unceasing efforts necessary to overcome prejudice and the rivalry of contending interests, and find the truth of the observation of the admirable Burke, "We must keep up the top with continual agitation and lashing; the moment it ceases to spin, it is a dead bit of box."