The opposite table shows the proper inclination for a descending trade upon the foregoing roads ; the effect produced by a horse upon them per day, on a level and upon the proper inclination; also the corresponding expenses per ton, per mile. The horses are reckoned to travel twelve miles loaded, and twelve empty, per diem; power and expense of horse, and weight of waggons as in page 104.

Since locomotion on railways became of such importance, nothing appears to escape investigation, nor attempts at amelioration. Anti-friction, or the diminishing of resistance is at all times essential, and in a great measure will be obtained by lubrication. An improvement in this useful auxiliary has been effected by Mr. Booth, of Liverpool, for which he obtained a patent, on the 14th of April, 1835. He has denominated it "the Patent Axle Grease, and Lubricating Fluid." These, according to the specification are chemical compounds of oil, tallow, or other grease, and water, effected by means of the admixture of soda or other alkaline substances in such proportions, that the compounds shall not be of a caustic or corrosive nature, when applied to iron or steel, but of an unctuous greasy quality, easily fusible with heat, and suitable for greasing the axle-bearings of carriage wheels, or the axles, spindles, and bearings of machinery in general. The proportions of the ingredients, and mode of compounding them, are stated to be as follow :

"For the axletrees of carriage wheels, a solution of the common washing soda of the shops, in the proportion of half a pound of the salt, to a gallon of pure water; to one gallon of this solution, add three pounds of good clean tallow, and six pounds of palm oil. Or, instead of the mixture of palm

oil and tallow, add ten pounds of palm oil, or eight pounds of firm tallow. The tallow and palm oil, or either of them, and the solution as described must be heated together in some convenient vessel, to about 200 deg., or 210 deg. of Fahrenheit and then the whole mass must be well stirred or mixed together, and continually agitated, until the composition be cooled down to 60 deg. or 70 deg., of Fahr., and have obtained the consistency of butter, in which state it is ready for use.

The patent lubricating fluid, for rubbing the parts of machinery in general, is thus made:To one gallon of the aforesaid solution of soda in water, add of rape oil, one gallon; and of tallow or palm oil, one quarter of a pound. Heat them together to about 210 deg. of Fahr., and then let the fluid composition be well stirred about, and agitated without intermission, until cooled down to 60 or 70 deg., when it will be of the consistence of cream. If it be desired thicker, a little addition of tallow or palm oil renders it so."

*Hebert, p. 574.

oil and tallow, add ten pounds of palm oil, or eight pounds of firm tallow. The tallow and palm oil, or either of them, and the solution as described must be heated together in some convenient vessel, to about 200 deg., or 210 deg. of Fahrenheit and then the whole mass must be well stirred or mixed together, and continually agitated, until the composition be cooled down to 60 deg. or 70 deg., of Fahr., and have obtained the consistency of butter, in which state it is ready for use.

The patent lubricating fluid, for rubbing the parts of machinery in general, is thus made:-To one gallon of the aforesaid solution of soda in water, add of rape oil, one gallon; and of tallow or palm oil, one quarter of a pound. Heat them together to about 210 deg. of Fahr., and then let the fluid composition be well stirred about, and agitated without intermission, until cooled down to 60 or 70 deg., when it will be of the consistence of cream. If it be desired thicker, a little addition of tallow or palm oil renders it so.'

*Hebert, p. 574.

CHAPTER VII.

EMBANKING.

Of attaining Elevations by Embankments and Viaducts-Their Advantages and Disadvantages-Victoria Bridge, on the Durham Junction RailwayCroft Skew-Bridge, on the Great North of England Railway-Ouseburn, and Willington Dene Viaducts, on the Newcastle-upon-Tyne and North Shields Railway-Quantity. Nature of Material, and Angle of Repose of Embankments-Batters of Slope explained-Foundations-Drainage-Imperfect method of forming Embankments-Remedy Proposed-Embanking in Layers-Mode of Expediting the Unloading of excavated Earth-Curvilinear form of Embankments-Embanking upon and adjoining MasonryMode of Counteracting the Pressure of Embankments, when passing over Tunnels or other Masonry-Obstructions in crossing Valleys-How avoided -Self-acting inclined Planes-Stationary Engine Planes-Endless RopesInclinations for Animal Power-Equalised Inclination-Expense of unloading excavated Earth-Expansion and Contraction of Soils-Deterioration of Earth-works-Preservatives for Earthen Mounds-Slopes-Draining slopes of Mounds-Wolverton Embankment, on the London and Birmingham Railway in a state of Combustion-Cause of its becoming Ignited-Earthwaggons-Side, and Revolving-waggons. &c. &c.

On undulating surfaces, there are often very formidable summits to be attained; there is also a diversity of opinion relative to their construction; whether they are more practicably surmounted by embanking, than by adopting the viaductal form.

It is almost superflous to say that embankments are preferable, where a depository is wanted for the produce of the cuttings. They are indeed to be