tom of the trough wet; this is a very useful precaution; the friction is greatly diminished, and the swiftness is greatly increased by that means. In rainy weather the trees move much faster than in dry. We were assured that when the trough was every where in its most perfect condition, the weather wet, and the trees very large, the descent was sometimes made in as short a time as three minutes. The trees thus brought down into the lake of Lucerne, are formed into rafts, and floated down the very rapid stream of the Reuss, by which the lake discharges its waters first into the Aar, and then into the Rhine. By this conveyance, which is all of it in streams of great rapidity, the trees sometimes reach Basle in a few days after they have left Lucerne; and there the immediate concern of the Alpnach Company terminated. They still continue to be navigated down the Rhine in rafts to Holland, and are afloat in the German Ocean in less than a month from having descended from the side of Pilatus, a very inland mountain, not less than a thousand miles distant. The late Emperor of France had made a contract for all the timber thus brought down. On the Manufacture of Gas obtained from Pit Coal, and on its relative value to Oil Gas. With some Remarks affecting the proposed Gas Establishment for the Town of Dundee.-By Mr. JOHN NELSON, Civil Engineer, Glasgow. [Communicated by the Author.] THE subjects embraced in this report are chiefly practical. In the erection of new works, the principles of which are not fully developed, it is always safer to adhere to practice than to trust to speculations, which frequently disappoint our expectations. Accordingly, besides what practice I have had, I have availed myself of the experience of my brother in the Gas Works here, and of others employed in conducting several of the works in England. We shall therefore be able to guard against several errors and defects that have hitherto occurred in the construction of gas apparatus, (which can only be discovered in a course of trial,) and to take advantage of any improvements that from time to time have been made in its structure; and, moreover, to adopt any other methods for facilitating the manufac As introductory to these views, and in concurrence with some of your queries, when at Dundee, I shall make a few remarks regarding various complaints that have been made against gas establishments, and the means of preventing, as much as possible the inconveniences complained of. Complaints against Gas Works. A gas establishment must from its nature be subject to an impression which pretty generally prevails against public works of whatever description, being set down in a genteel neighbourhood. But this feeling ought not to be stronger here, than against our founderies, our spinning manufactories, and many other mechanical and chemical operations necessary in promoting the To Gild without Gold.-Put an ounce of sal ammoniac, and half an ounce of mercury in a crucible; cover it, and lute it well, for fear the mercury should escape. Put the crucible on a slow fire for half an hour, and then increase the heat till the crucible is red hot. When this is the case, throw the composition into cold water, and when it is cold it will be as hard as a stone. Break and grind it, and dissolve it in gum water, and wherever you lay a coat of this it will look like gilt. To make a Paper which will not take fire.-Pound a quantity of alum in a mortar, add to it a small quantity of gunpowder, and dissolve the whole in three times its weight of water over a slow fire. Dip paper twice or thrice in this solution while it is warm, and then hang it up to dry. This paper is incombustible. To stain Hair.-A solution of muriate of gold diluted with water, stains hair of a brown or auburn colour, and this colour is as permanent as the hair. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. O., A Friend to the Circulation of Knowledge, G. M., Spectator, and X. Q., have been received. Chemicus is informed that we have not forgot our promise; and a series of Articles have been prepared, which would have already begun to make their appearance, had we not hitherto been prevented by want of room. If L. M'L. will take the trouble to call at our Publisher's, he will find an answer to his last. Mr. Buchanan of Paisley will please send us his address, and we will write him on the subject of his communication. Communications from intelligent Mechanics will be very acceptable, in whatever style they may be written, if they contain a full account of the invention or improvement, which is the subject of their notice. Published every Saturday, by W. R. M'PHUN, 155, Trongate, Glasgow, to whom Communications (post paid) must be addressed. CURLL, PRINTER. THE RAMSHORN CHURCH. THIS elegant structure, with an engraving of which (taken from the plan, which was obligingly lent us by Mr. BROOM) we adorn our present Number, is likely to be, we think, the greatest ornament our City has for some time received. We understand that the Magistrates have purchased up nearly the whole of the lairs in front of the building, so that there is every probability the street will be widened there, at any rate, whether the projected opening be carried through to the High-Street or not. If the latter project can be effected, it will be a most, valuable improvements and will add infinitely to the appearance of the New Church. ely to the app The following is the inscription on the plate placed below the foundaThe follow tion stone: on stone www Inscription on the Plate. The Ramshorn Church, In the year 1824, Rebuilt, Enlarged, and Improved, An Edifice elegant, yet simple and chaste; And better adapted, in its construction, for the celebration of the By the favour of Almighty God, The Honourable WILLIAM SMITH, Lord Provost of Glasgow, On the third day of September, Anno Domini MDCCCXXIV, Most Gracious Sovereign, GEORGE the Fourth, of the Magistrates, and the Representatives of the Corporations of the City, Merchants' and Trades' Houses, and Ramshorn Kirk Session. Bailies, James A. Anderson, Esq., James Browne, Esq., William Hamilton, James Esq., William Lang, Esq., William Knox, Esq. Mungo Nutter Campbell, Esq. Dean of Guild. William M'Tyer, Esq. Convener of the Trades' House. Laurence Craigie, jun, Esq. Bailie of the River and Frith of Clyde. Lain William Mitchell, Esq. Principal Bailie of Gorbals. John Morison, Esq. Bailie of Provan. Which Undertaking May the Supreme God Bless and Prosper. On the reverse of the Plate. To whose care the Erection of the Building is entrusted. Bailie Browne; Bailie Mitchell; Archibald Lawson, Esq.; Andrew James Cleland, Esq. Superintendent. Messrs. Alexander Broom and John Galloway, Contractors. Clergymen of this Church, and Population of the City at the time of their induction. Parishes formed from the original Parish of Glasgow, after the Ia 1560, 1st Parish, Inner High, Sir Alexander Lauder, Minister. 1592, 2d Parish, Tron, Mr. John Bell, Minister. 1622, 3d Parish, Black Friars, Mr. Robert Wilkie, Minister. 1720, 6th Parish, Ramshorn, Mr. John Anderson, Minister. P. 8. The Barony Parish was disjoined from the Parish of Glasgow in 1595. Mr. Alexander Rowat was the first Minister. POPULAR METHOD OF SOLVING QUESTIONS IN ASTRONOMY. No. I. Introductory Remarks. By going through certain processes with instruments, we are enabled, upon the principles of geometry, to obtain the distances, not only of inaccessible objects upon earth, but even those of the heavenly bodies themselves, much more accurately than is generally believed. It is, however, little to be wondered at that the possibility of finding the distances of the sun, moon, and planets, any way near the truth, should be so much questioned and even denied, when we consider the abstruse and intricate manner in which the generality of treatises upon that subject are written. To obviate the difficulties thence arising, and render the whole fami |