A NEW AERIAL MACHINE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 452, 14 January 1869, Page 3

A NEW AERIAL MACHINE.

The gigantic aerial machine invented hy Mr Joseph M. Kaufmann, engineer, Glasgow, promises to be an entire success. It is fashioned in somewhat the form of a bird. The body is composed of the engine, which in the model is of nearly two horse-power ; and from this projects on either side a sustainer aerial plane. These are 14 feet long over the tips, and are composed of ribs of steel, which are covered with strong silk. The average speed at which these can be driven is about 150 strokes per minute, and they can be angled from three to thirty degrees, and the stroke can be increased from six inches to four feet. The machine is guided by a tail composed of three fans wrought by levers, which will be able to guide it in any direction in which it is wished to proceed. The model weighs nearly 1151bs. To set it in motion 10 or 121b of steam is required, which has to be increased considerably to obtain a high working pressure; and with this it is expected that a speed of 12 or 15 miles an hour will be obtained. In consequence of Mr Kaufman having to leave for London by the -end of the week to exhibit the model in the Crystal Palace it was found impossible t> secure a suitable place and. get everything in proper order to make an ascent; hut those who -saw the engine working—and

amongst them were many engineers—expressed themselves as thoroughly satisfied that it would answer the purpose in view. The machine is rnou. - ted on wheels, and is so constructed that it can run along the ground lita a locomotive. Once elevated into t! e air, the two front wheels act us flywheels, and in the event of am tiling going wrong, and a descent be nirde into the water, these can be speedi!) fitted up as paddles, the machine turned thus, as it were, into a steamer, the wings and aerial plans being disconnected. The machine which Mr Kaufmann intends to erect, and of which the above is a model, will be capable of carrying 40 passengers. The engines will be of 300 horse-power, and attached to it will be water-tight carriages, fitted up with sustainers to those on the engine. The weight of the machine 8,000 lbs., and will be driven, it is expected, at a speed of something like 80 miles an hour. Like the model it will be entirely constructed of steel and gun-metal. The boilers will be made of copper, and will be heated with hydro-carbon oil.

A sea captain trading regularly to the African coast was invited to meet a committee of a society for the evangelisation of Africa. Among numerous questions touching the habits and religion of the African races, he was asked, " Do the subjects of King Dahomey keep Sunday ?" " Keep Sunday!" he replied, " yes, and every other darned thing they can get their hands on."

During the last few years a Spaniard has realised a handsome fortune in the city of Mequinez, Morocco, by making delicious meat patties, large quantities of which were sent to all parts. Something having occurred to excite the suspicions of the police, they made a descent upon his bakery, atd found the body of a woman cut up in real butcher style, and in the cellar they discovered a large quantity of skulls. The Sultan sentenced him to be dragged through the streets and then cut to pieces while alive. A man in Scotland who had been ordered leeches for an injury, took them boiled with his gruel. The champion drinker of lager beer in Cleveland has accomplished 100 glasses in one day and invites anyone to beat it. It is calctlated that if a human being could make as much noise inproportion to his size as a locust, he could be heard to sing from London to St. Petersburg. It is a merciful provision of nature that he cannot. Shirking the Question". —Master: Whaur was the text the day ?—Jock : I dinna ken; I was ower lang o'gaun in.—Master: What was the conclusion ?—Jock : I dinna ken; 1 cam' out afore he was dune.—Master: What did he say about the middle o't, then ?—Jock : I dinna ken 5 I sleepit a'the time.

" Bob, you say you believe most diseases are contagious. How long have you entertained such notions ?" " Ever since I sat alongside of a blueeyed girl and caught palpitation of the heart." A transcendental preacher took for his text —" Feed my lambs." A plaiu farmer very quaintly remarked to him on coming out of the church, " A very good text, sir ; but you should take care not to put the hay so high in the rack that the lambs can't reach it!"