1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: Class X.: Introduction

INTRODUCTION.

THE advance of physical science receives its illustration in a variety of directions among the objects collected together under this Class. The progress of experimental philosophy may be gathered, in a degree, from the perfection of the instruments it employs; for while it is certain that in some sciences much has been accomplished by the aid of rude and imperfect means, it is equally true that in others the perfection of the apparatus is essential to that of the knowledge sought to be established by deductions drawn from its indications. The delicacy of a balance is necessary to the accuracy of a chemical experiment, and therefore to that of the facts it is used to develop, as also is the achromatism of a microscope, or a photographic lens to the development of the optical images, and to the results sought to be obtained therefrom: chemistry, microscopical sciences, and photography, are consequently largely dependent for their progress upon the instruments by the use of which they are to proceed. The same cannot be said of surgical instruments, for in their use the operator may command success by his skill, notwithstanding the imperfections of his apparatus. Nevertheless, the present state of surgery, and the attention bestowed upon it, may be gathered from the inspection of the refined and com- plicate% apparatus offered for its advancement. As one of the results of the splendid and enduring system of knowledge, and of its pursuits — promulgated by Bacon in the "Novum Organon," the system since called Experimental Philosophy — objects in this Class wear a peculiar interest, representing the means employed by man for the establishment and development of inductive science.

This Class includes instruments employed for a variety of philosophical purposes; it also comprises musical, horological, and surgical instruments and apparatus. It may consequently be considered under three Sub-Classes. The first comprehends—

A. Instruments for the measurement of space, such as Transit Instruments, Quadrants, Sextants, Telescopes, Microscopes, Theodolites, etc.;

B. Instruments to measure the effects of mechanical and physical forces, as Dynamometers, Balances, Thermometers, etc.;

C. Instruments to illustrate the Laws of Mechanical and Physical Science;

D. Application of mechanical and physical science to useful purposes not included in any of the preceding or subsequent sections, such as instruments connected with Mechanics, Sound, Light, Heat, Magnetism, and Electricity; E. Comprehends Chemical and Pharmaceutical Apparatus.

The Sub-Class, Musical Instruments, comprises—

A. Wind Instruments, in wood and metal, as Flutes, Bassoons, Horns, Trumpets, etc.;

B. Stringed Instruments, as Harps, Guitars, etc.;

C. Keyed Instruments, with fixed tones, such as Organs, Pianofortes, Accordions;

D. Instruments of percussion, as Drums and Cymbals;

E. Automatic Instruments; and

F. Miscellaneous articles in connexion with musical instruments.

The Sub-Class, Horology, contains—

A. Great Clocks for Churches and Public Buildings in general, including Electric or Magneto-Electric Clocks;

B. Astronomical Clocks;

C. Clocks applied in registration.

D. Clocks showing different phenomena;

E. Clocks for ordinary purposes;

F. Clocks of an ornamental description;

G. Sundries applicable to clocks;

H. Marine Chronometers;

I. Pocket watches of various descriptions;

J. Watches for different markets.

The remaining Sub-Class, Surgical Instruments, includes a variety of apparatus adapted to the performance of operations in different parts of the human body, together with the philosophical apparatus employed by the surgeon in the investigation and treatment of disease. It also embraces the instruments employed in Veterinary Surgery.

The large astronomical telescope in the Nave, mounted upon a stand, having equatorial movements and complete adjustments, is an interesting member of this Class. It is a refracting instrument, and possesses an object-glass nearly 12 inches in diameter. Telescopes of a smaller calibre, and adapted for different purposes, are also exhibited near it. But the general arrangement of the objects representative of this Class is to be sought in the Central North Gallery. This gallery is reached by ascending the stairs near the North Transept. On entering it, and proceeding past the articles in glass, which are also placed here, the commencement of this Class is met with at Area I. 22. From this point it extends to the western termination of this gallery. The interspace between the North and South Central Galleries is also devoted to it, and a portion of the South Central Gallery, from M. 3 to M. 8, contains various articles included in this Class. Proceeding westward, in the Central North Gallery, musical instruments are first encountered, including a variety of organs, harps, pianos, etc. Succeeding to these are philosophical instruments, electric telegraphs, daguerreotype apparatus, and specimens of photography: beyond are globes and astronomical apparatus. In the South Central Gallery are watches and clocks. A part of the North Gallery, devoted to surgical instruments, and occupying the space between F. 15 and F. 21, also belongs to this Class.

The science of horology is illustrated on the great as well as on the small scale in the large clocks and the minute chronometers exhibited in this Class. The large electric clock, the hands of which are seen projecting over the south entrance of the Transept, is an interesting example of the application of the force of electromagnetism to move mechanical arrangements for the measurement of time. A small galvanic battery keeps this large instrument, and several other clocks in the Building, in regular movement. The ribs of the Transept have been made to represent the dial, and show the hours from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. Other electric clocks on a smaller scale are shown, and exhibit various ingenious arrangements intended to effect the same end. Self- registering, astronomical, and other clocks arc likewise exhibited. In some of the large clocks for churches and public buildings, onQ of which is in the Nave, and others are at the termination of the Galleries, new principles of suspension and compensation of the pendulum and of escapement are introduced. Much ingenuity has often been expended upon clocks with a view of communicating to them the power of indicating, in addition to ordinary time, that of different places, and of different periodical occurrences, as the rise and fall of the tide, the day of the month, etc. Several of these clocks are shown, and particularly one which occupied its patient constructor thirty-four years in its manufacture. The watches and chronometers exhibited have also their peculiar claims to attention. The escapements of some of the latter are in part new, and appear to promise favourable results. Several different specimens of watches, adapted for different markets, afford a curious illustration of the variation of natural tastes—the variety of methods in which compensation for the changes resulting from variations of temperature is obtained both in chronometers and in astronomical and other clocks. Extremely small watches, as specimens of minute workmanship, are exhibited. The parts of watches and clocks are likewise included in this Class.

The philosophical instruments exhibited comprise a large number connected with the display of the phenomena of heat and electricity: the aneroid barometer, in which the mercurial column is dispensed with, and various forms of the ordinary barometer are among them. Electric communications are now effected by a variety of apparatus of greater or less facility of application. Printing electric telegraphs, in which a message is recorded by this agency, upon a chemically-prepared paper, appear in various forms with the ordinary needle telegraph. The methods of electric insulation for telegraph uses are also exhibited. Among these will be regarded with interest the wires adapted for submarine communication between this country and the Continent. The magnetic and electric machines, with electro-magnets of great power, are also interesting.

British manufacturers have for some time been making great efforts with a view of producing good optical glass, and a skilful method of working it into the forms desired for optical purposes. These efforts have been so highly successful that the glass produced in England is not unfrequently exported and again re-imported as foreign glass at a much higher price. The production of lenses has also greatly improved; and achromatic glasses of considerable size, as well as of a smaller kind, are made with success in this country. Microscopes, telescopes, and the minor philosophical instruments, are now of excellent quality and highly-wrought character.

Photography is included in this Class, both on plates of silver and glass, and on paper. The most beautiful specimens of sun-drawn pictures are exhibited. Daguerreotypes of every kind, plain and coloured, " enamelled," and " crayon,"—improvements of recent introduction, and applied to a variety of purposes,—are found here. The largest daguerreotype probably yet produced, a group of sculpture, is placed in this Class. The talbotypes are also very beautiful, and present a charming evidence of the fidelity and artistic effects capable of being produced by the pencil of Nature. Photographic apparatus of various kinds, together with the results of curious photographic experiments, illustrative of the distinct existence of luminous and actinic rays in the solar beam, are also represented.

A great variety of miscellaneous philosophical apparatus, for popular illustration, and for the purposes of the experimentalist, is also displayed, and must attract notice. The musical instruments exhibited include several powerful organs. That over the West Entrance possesses 80 stops. The organ over the Eastern Entrance exhibits a new and pleasing arrangement of pipes, and possesses a powerful set of stops. The organ over the South Transept Entrance is devoid of a case, and exhibits the internal mechanism; it possesses a powerful reed stop, and other stops. Pianos, harps, seraphines, of new modes of construction, and decorated in a remarkable manner, are likewise found here. The instruments of the surgeon have a purely professional value, and will be sought by those interested in that pursuit.

Regarding this Class as representing the culminating point of mechanical skill, it forms an appropriate conclusion to those devoted to machinery generally. Delicacy and precision of workmanship are absolute requisite in the industry occupied in producing philosophical apparatus. It will be found, on inspection, that the genius of this country, so remarkably developed in mechanics applied to commercial purposes, is not less successful in its application to the higher pursuits of experimental and practical philosophy.— R. E.

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