both of the rail and of the wheel, by this friction, has been so considerable, as to render new wheels and new rails, at certain parts of the line, necessary every three or

four years.

The present invention is, therefore, designed to remedy this evil, and consists in adapting a separate shaft or axle to each of the running wheels, in the manner exhibited in plate IX. Fig. 1, is a horizontal view of the frame or carriage of a railway waggon, having the improvement attached. Figs. 2 and 3, are vertical views of the same, taken on the inner side of the frame. Fig. 4, is an end view of the carriage, and one pair of the wheels.

It is proposed to affix to the outer extremity of each axle, a, the running wheel, b, and to the inner extremity of the said axle a ball or spherical knob, c. That part of the axle which is nearest to the wheel turns in a long slot or recess, in the bearing, d; the ball, c, at the reverse end of the axle, turns in a socket in the opposite bearing. By these means, the wheels run independently of each other, and consequently any difference of extent which their peripheries may be made to pass over, will not cause them to rub or slide upon the rail.

As it is impossible to keep the line of rail perfectly level, they being subject to sink or bend by the pressure of the heavy weights carried upon them, whenever any one of the wheels happens to pass over a hollow place in the rail, the long slot allows the axle and its wheel to fall (as at A. fig. 3,) the ball and socket joint at the reverse end giving it play. By these means the flange of the wheel, which is on the outer side of its periphery, is kept always against the outer side of the rail, tending to keep the rails together, and preventing the possibility of the wheel running off, as it might otherwise do if raised up from the rail.

The patentee concludes his specification, by saying that though he has described a ball and socket joint at the smaller end of the axle, yet he does not mean to confine himself to the ball and socket strictly, as several other modes of constructing a loose joint will perhaps nearly as well answer the purpose; but he claims especially the double axles, and the mode of giving them play, by the loose joint at one end of its bearing, and the slot at the other.

[Inrolled, March, 1826.]

TO JOHN BURRIDGE, of Nelson Square, Blackfriars Road, in the County of Surry, Merchant, for his Invention of certain Improvements in Brick Houses, or other Materials, for the better Ventilation of Houses and other Buildings.

[Sealed 9th June, 1825.]

THE specification commences by saying, that it has been proved beyond all doubt, that much of the valuable timber, used in the erection of houses and other buildings, becomes affected by dry rot, from the want of proper ventilation, and that many attempts have been made to produce an efficacious ventilation of the timbers, but hitherto without success. The patentee, therefore, proposes to prevent dry rot in timbers, by making the walls of buildings, with air channels through them in different directions, so as to expose the ends of the joists, and other wood-work, to the action of the atmospheric air.

In order to accomplish this object, without increasing the expence of building, it is proposed to form bricks

with bevels, or rebates at their angles, or flutes in their sides, by which means, when the walls of the buildings are erecting, the bricks may be so put together, as to produce, with the greatest facility, channels of any desired figure, and running in any suitable direction, through which channels the air is intended to pass to the timbers, and it is considered that by these means the dry-rot will be effectually prevented.

These improved bricks are to be made of the same materials and dimensions as ordinary bricks, but small portions, at their angles and elsewhere, are to be removed, that is bevelled or rebated edges are to be formed by taking off an inch or an inch and a half, from one or two of the angles, in an oblique direction or otherwise, as circumstances may require.

Several different forms of bricks are shewn, in Plate X., but the patentee does not mean to confine himself precisely to these forms, as others may perhaps be found eligible under some circumstances: these bricks are therefore exhibited, rather as illustrative of the proposed mode of building, than as definite forms of bricks claimed under the patent.

Fig. 1, is a brick bevelled all round its upper edges; fig. 2, is bevelled on the sides, and fig. 3, at its ends only; fig. 4, has a piece removed, in an oblique direction from its end; fig. 5, is cut with a rebate and bevel at its end, and fig. 6. has a rebate, formed lengthwise in its upper edge, and a bevel also. These rebates and bevels may, as before said, be otherwise contrived to suit particular situations. Fig. 7, has a groove formed across it, and fig. 8, has two grooves; these grooves may be semicircular, as shewn, or square, or any other figure as may be desired.