kind as those marked O.), which are tightly fixed on the centres of the roofs of the coppers Nos. 3 to 7, and stand within the domes last described. The vapor described above (0) to have reached the copper No. 3, becomes condensed in the wash contained therein. The vapor generated in this copper passes through the double tube Q into the dome which encloses it, and so in succession, through the several tubes and domes above, until it reaches the dome on the roof of the copper No. 7, where it finally passes off into R. A LARGE PIPE, which conveys it to S. A WORM TUB, or REFRIGERATOR (of which an elevation or outside view only is given in the drawing), through T. A WORM contained therein; and runs it off as alcohol, at the bottom thereof into U. A SPIRIT RECEIVER. (For the plan of the coppers containing the domes P, and double tubes Q, above described, as well as the reversed double tubes V, and the safety pipes W, both hereafter described, vide fig. 4, and the explanations of it given below). V. FIVE REVERSED OF DESCENDING DOUBLE TUBES OF PIPES (constructed on the same principle as those already described, but of smaller diameter), which are suspended, reversed, from the roofs of the several coppers from No. 7, down water from the surface, in proportion as the pipe a furnishes cold water. c. A PIPE AND COCK placed in the bottom of the copper No. 8, for the purpose of entirely drawing off, at pleasure, the water which may have been employed for additional condensation. d. A PIPE AND COCK by which a stream of water may be thrown into the vessel D, and thence conveyed, by the valve or plug F, and pipes I or H, into the lowest vessels, either to be used as an occasional condensing power, or for the purpose of washing the still. e. A PIPE AND COCK, by which a stream of clear water may be thrown into the uppermost of the domes P, and thence descend through the other domes below, in order to cleanse them from impurities. B. 8, Plan of the copper B. 8, as shown in section in fig. 1. D. Plan of the exterior vessel D, fig. 1. spirit pipe T, fig. 1.) B. PLAN OF THE COPPERS OR BOILERS from B, No. 4 to 7, as shown in section in fig. 1. H. PLAN OF THE PIPES H, fig. 1, through which the liquor flows from copper to copper from No. 7 to No. 2, as it is displaced by the discharge from vessel D. to No. 3, both inclusive. Of these reversed (Referred to above, after the explanation of the tubes the four uppermost pass through the domes P, to which they are tightly fixed; and they serve to return to the lower domes in succession, the phlegms, or such results of the vapor, in a liquid form, as may have been condensed in its passage upwards through these several domes. These phlegms, or condensed liquids, are partially redistilled in their progress; and the remainder pass through the fifth, or lowest, of these reversed tubes, into the copper No. 3, where they become mixed with the wash contained therein, and are again distilled with it. W. FOUR SAFETY PIPES, fixed in the roofs of the several coppers, Nos. 4, 5, 6, and 7, which are intended to carry off such vapor as may rise from the wash in those coppers, and terminate in X. A PIPE, which passes on to the worm-tub or refrigerator S, and by a separate worm Y. of two or three coils only, runs off the small portion of spirit it produces into the spirit receiver U. Z. A PIPE communicating between coppers No. 1 and 2, having its upper end carried about four inches above the level of the liquor in copper No. 2, in order to admit of the increase of its volume by the condensation of the vapor which passes into it from the copper No. 1 by the tubes O. It also serves to return from copper No. 2 to the lower part of No. 1 whatever liquor may pass up the tubes O, by any sudden or excessive action of the fire FIGURE II. a. A PIPE AND COCK for the supply of cold water into the copper No. 8, for the purpose of additional condensation when the spirit is required of high proof. b. A WASTE PIPE, fixed near the top of the uppermost copper No. 8, to carry off the heated P. PLAN OF THE DOMES or semispherical vessels P, fig. 1, fixed in the centre of each copper Q. PLAN OF THE DOUBLE ASCENDING TUBES OR PIPES Q, fig. 1, fixed upon the centre of the domes P. V. PLAN OF THE DOUBLE REVersed, or DeSCENDING TUBES OR PIPES V, fig. 1, through which the liquor produced by condensation of the vapor in its passage through the domes, falls back into copper No. 3. W. PLAN OF THE SAFETY PIPES W, fig. 1, fixed upon the roofs of the coppers from No. 4 upwards, for the purpose of carrying off the little vapor generated in those coppers. FIGURE IV. (Referred to above, after the explanation of the double tubes or pipes O, fig. 1.) B. PLAN OF THE TWO COPPERS OR BOILERS B, Nos. 2 and 3, as shown in section in fig. 1. O. PLAN OF THE FIVE DOUBLE TUBES OR PIPES (), fig. 1, standing within the coppers Nos. 2 and 3 respectively, but fixed tightly upon the roofs of the coppers Nos. 1 and 2; through which the vapor passes from copper No. 1 to No. 2, and from No. 2 to No. 3. H and Z. PLAN OF THE PIPES H and Z, fig. 1, passing through the roofs of the coppers Nos. I and 2. The pipe II extends from the liquor level in copper No. 3 to nearly the bottom of No. 2, and the pipe Z extends from about four inches above the liquor level in No. 2 to nearly the bot tom of the lowest copper; as shown in section which makes a half revolution of the still, and is in fig. 1. generally made of cast iron. FIGURE V. In this figure the various water pipes, described in fig. No. 2, are not shown; as they Presents in perspective, on an increased scale, could only be represented in a very indistinct one of the tubes Ò or Q, fig. 1. FIGURE VI. Presents a front elevation of the still, as fixed, exhibiting the mode of putting together the different compartments, constituting the several coppers B, No. 1 to 8, in fig. 1, which are secured by flanches and bolts. A. THE FIRE-PLACE OR FURNACE as shown in section in fig. 1. D. THE EXTERior of the Vessel D, fig. 1. F. THE PLUG OR VALVE F, fig. 1, with its pipe conveying the wash from the vessel D to the copper No. 7. G. THE LEVER AND FULCRUM G, fig. 1, by which the valve or plug F is raised, to discharge the contents of the vessel D into the copper No. 7. C. MANHOLE OR OPENING C, fig. 1, for the purposes there described. This figure only represents that in the copper No. 7; the remainder are shown in fig. 7. I. EXTERIOR PIPE I, fig. 1, for the purpose of drawing off the wash from one copper to another. This figure only represents that communicating from copper No. 2 to No. 1; the remainder are shown in fig. 7. K. SMALL TRIAL OR GAUGE COCK, K, fig. 1, to show when the wash is charged to the proper height, and to admit air when the liquor is drawn off. This figure only exhibits that in copper 1; those in Nos. 2, and 3, are shown in fig. 7. L. SMALL PROOF COCK, L, fig. 1, to determine, by the application of a light, when all the spirit has distilled froin the wash in copper No. 1. M. A DISCHARGE PIPE AND COCK, M, fig. 1. for the purpose of discharging the wash above the crown or highest part of the copper. N. A SECOND DISCHARGE PIPE AND COCK, N, fig. 1, for the purpose of discharging the wash entirely. FIGURE VII. Presents a back elevation of the still, as fixed, exhibiting the manner in which the several remaining pipes I, manholes C, and cocks K, referred to, but not shown in fig. No. 6, are arranged; the repetition of the description being considered unnecessary. The lowest manhole in this drawing is of a form different from the others; being on a scale to admit a person inside the vessel for the purpose of cleaning the bottom, the only part exposed to the action of the fire. The upper ones are of sufficient dimension to admit a person's arm to clean the coppers. But when the diameter exceeds materially that of the present view (which is in the original four feet two inches) it is necessary to have large manholes, the same as that in the lowest copper, to admit a person into them all. The command of all the pipes, cocks, and manholes is arrived at by means of a spiral staircase, way. For the same reason the discharge pipes M and N are not repeated; and the chimney is omitted, which would have given the figure an additional appearance of confusion; and is not necessary to make it intelligible. The foregoing explanations have the advantage of being perfectly clear and intelligible, a quality not common to descriptions of a mechanical nature; which are usually more adapted to the comprehension of scientific, than to the understanding of ordinary readers. Although in the description of the different parts of the apparatus, the separate uses of each are well defined, the general effect of the whole combination is left unexplained. It may therefore be necessary to give an idea of the principles on which the advantages to be derived from it are founded. The eight coppers, placed one upon the other, of which the seven lowest are intended to hold the wash, and the upper one to receive water,— distil in the following manner : The first three, of which the second and third alone are intersected by the double pipes, distil almost at the same time. The lowest, only, being submitted to the immediate action of the fire, is, consequently, the first whose wash enters into a boiling state. The vapor penetrates int> the second, passing through the wash which is contained in it, by means of the above mentioned pipes, and is there condensed, yielding up its caloric to that liquid, which is thereby quickly brought into a boiling state; the vapor which proceeds from the wash in the second boiler passes into the third, producing the same effects as in the preceding. The new vapor, necessarily stronger than the first, rises and passes into the fourth, where it is received under a semispherical dome (or calotte), which prevents it from communicating directly with the cold wash contained in that copper. On arriving in this dome it is easily conceived that the most watery portion of the vapor is there condensed, giving up its caloric, which contributes to heat the wash that surrounds the dome. The most spirituous part, which passes into the dome of the fifth copper, experiences the same effect on coming in contact with a cold body. The same operation takes place from one dome to another up to the last. As the vapor which rises is exposed to a cold temperature it is condensed, ceding its caloric; and it is after a succession of sufficient condensations, that the spirit is divested of all weak and watery particles, which, thus liquefied, return from one dome to another, being partially re-distilled in their progress, according to their degree of gravity, until the least spirituous reaches the third copper, there to undergo a new distillation. been observed that the upper copper is reserved to contain cold water; it is by this means, and by renewing this water, keeping it in a higher or lower temperature, according to circumstances, that the distiller can obtain the spirit at the strength he desires. It has To explain by what physical law the watery vapor is forced to return from dome to dome to the third copper, and is there found totally separated from the alcohol, which arrives at the worm pure and free from any empyreuma, we shall call to mind what all chemists and distillers are, doubtless, aware of. It is known that water cannot boil under a heat of 212° of Fahrenheit; while alcohol boils at about 173°. It is evident, therefore, that whenever the watery and alcoholic vapors rise, and are successively received in one or more atmospheres of from 174° to 190° or 200°, the watery vapor becomes separated from the alcoholic, and is condensed; and the last, only, passes out, and is received at the desired strength; care being taken to regulate properly the temperature of the water contained in the uppermost copper, which is traversed by the strongest and most alcoholic vapor before it passes into the worm. before they pass into the third copper. À third distillation takes place in that copper before it passes under the correcting influence of the succeeding vessels. Thus he effects one distillation by fire, which is immediately succeeded by two vapor distillations; and, subsequently, by five purifying processes, which divest the spirit of all its impurities; and it comes over, at one operation, of the strength of thirty-five per cent. over proof, according to Sikes's hydrometer, used by the Excise and English distillers; which is equivalent to bubble seventeen or eighteen in the commerce of the West India Planter, and about 870 of the specific gravity of chemists. The strength at which M. Saintmarc brings over his spirit by a still of eight compartments, is limited to thirty-five or forty per cent. over proof; that being the highest degree generally required for purposes of commerce. But, by the addition of two or three more coppers or compartments to his still, he would succeed in obtaining, by one operation, the pure alcohol of the chemist, of the gravity of 820 or 825. By It may be affirmed that the advantages of this apparatus are the greatest that have, as yet, been obtained. There is a great economy in fuel, as well from the small surface exposed to the action It has been observed, that only the first charge of the fire, and productive employment of every of the lowest copper is entirely distilled by the portion of the caloric, as by the simplicity and direct action of the fire; and that is the only rapidity of the operation. To the saving of fuel portion of a distillation, however prolonged, we shall shortly advert more particularly. It which is exposed to the injury of burning. will be perceived that a large portion of the making the first charge of the lowest copper spirit is distilled by vapor; and it is, conse- water, instead of wash, even this small risk will quently, much purer than that obtained by the be totally avoided; since the wash, when once ordinary apparatus. It is to the immediate heated, comes down invariably into the lowest contact with the fire of the material to be dis- copper in a boiling state; and during the short tilled, that distillers owe the greater portion of time that it remains there, being kept in a conthose injurious flavors and qualities with which stant state of ebullition, it is not subject to the spirits are frequently impregnated. Those bad disadvantage of burning. flavors are acquired chiefly by the length of time that the wash remains exposed on the bottom of the still; for during the period requisite to bring it up from the cold state to that of ebullition, at which distillation commences, deposits of the heavier particles contained in the wash are made on the bottom, which, being rather absorbents than conductors, prevent that constant and uniform transmission of caloric which is essential to good and pure distillation. It is in the earlier stages of the application of fire that this effect is mainly produced; for, as the wash approaches a state of ebullition, the struggles, to reach the surface, of those parts of the wash which are impregnated with caloric, and consequently decreased in gravity, and which, in the first instance, are sluggish in their motion, gradually bring the mass into a state of ebullition, which counteracts the tendency to burn, or otherwise acquire injurious flavor. Once arrrived at the boiling point, the risk of this evil is almost entirely removed. But as, on the common principle of distillation, the still is every time charged with cold wash, so every distillation is equally exposed to the recurrence of the evil. It is one of the peculiar merits of M. Saintmarc's still to have effectually provided against this disadvantage. In his apparatus, only the first charge of the lowest copper is entirely distilled by the direct action of the fire. The aqueous and alcoholic vapors, which rise together, on arriving in the second copper, become mixed with the wash contained in it and are re-distilled We speak of the shortness of the time during which the wash remains in the lowest copper. As soon as the whole of the spirit has distilled from the lowest copper, which is proved by the application of a light to the small proof cock L, fig. 6, already described, the wash is discharged from that copper and the cock I, communicating from copper No. 2 to No. 1, is immediately opened, which discharges the whole contents of No. 2 into No. 1, without at all suspending the distillation. In order to replace the wash drawn from copper No. 2, that contained in the vessel D is discharged, by raising the valve or plug F by means of the lever and fulcrum G, which displaces the same quantity down the pipes H, until the copper No. 2 is replenished. A fresh charge of wash is then drawn by the pipe E into the vessel D, ready for the next supply. It is easy to conceive, that, when the first copper has furnished all the alcohol it contains, the wash of the second is chiefly distilled; and, therefore, when brought down into the lowest copper, in a state of perfect ebullition, and thus far advanced in the process, it remains for so short a time in contact with the fire, that it not only does not acquire any bad taste in consequence, but its perfect distillation is completed within fifteen or twenty minutes; the depth o the liquor being no more than ten or twelve inches. The process may thus be carried on ad infinitum, or so long as wash is furnished to feed the still. The supply displaced from the third to the second copper has been already stated to De partly distilled; and the quantities contained in the copper with the domes have acquired a considerable degree of heat; graduated from a little below the boiling point in copper No. 4, down to 160° or 170° in copper No. 7. In imbibing the caloric brought by the vapor through the domes, which is continually renewed, the wash in the fourth and succeeding coppers becomes the first agent which contributes to divest the alcohol of the watery parts that rise with it. It is among the advantages of this apparatus, that the continual and regular supply of wash, and the gradually advancing heat which it acquires in the manner just described, are calculated to prevent the occurrence of those accidents which arise in distilleries, chiefly from the mismanagement of the workmen employed: we mean by explosion or collapsion. When a large quantity of liquid, of a turbid and heavy nature, is collected in a body, and subjected to the action of a powerful fire, it happens, not unfrequently, that, before it arrives at the boiling point, it forms a strong head, which fills the space in the upper part of the still, and passes even down the worm; and, on some occasions, has caused an explosion of the still. The same result would follow the want of a proper outlet for the vapor. But the accident which more frequently occurs is collapsion. When a charge is worked off in the common still, it has frequently happened, that whilst it remains filled with vapor, a new charge of cold wash is thrown in for distillation, or of water for cleansing, without the precaution of opening the man-hole, or other aperture in the breast of the still, to admit air. A sudden condensation follows the admission of the cold liquor; and, a vacuum being formed, the still immediately collapses. Against both these accidents, M. Saintmarc's still affords complete protection. If the wash acquire a head, which is only likely to happen with the first charge of the lowest copper, (and that may be prevented by using water for the first charge, as before stated), it can never penetrate further than the second copper; and is immediately returned by the pipe Z into the lower copper again. The pipes O and Q are ample security for the free passage of vapor which has to pass up them; and the safety-pipes W equally secure the coppers on which they stand, against all possibility of injury from the generation of vapor upon the surface of the wash in those coppers. Against the risk of collapsion the same security seems to exist. The liquor brought down into the lowest copper being always at the boiling point, and that in the vessels above graduated below that point, the descent from vessel to vessel is accomplished without any material change in the temperature, which is acting upon the vapor within the domes; and, consequently, without, in any important degree, changing the course of condensation which is going forward. From this observation, in its strict sense, must be excepted the copper, No. 7; where a supply of wash being introduced from the vessel D, of a temperature considerably lower than that already existing in the copper, an additional condensing power is acting in that copper for a few minutes; and the product in spirit, during that period, will be somewhat diminished in quantity, but of higher strength. One of the effects of discharging the wash from the vessel D into the bottom of the copper No. 7 is that, to a certain extent, an equalisation of temperature takes place, by the admixture of the two bodies, in the act of displacing, by the pipe H, a quantity equal to that admitted from above. The more immediate object of fixing the vessel D round the uppermost compartment of the still, rather than as a detached vessel, is also to encrease the temperature of its contents, by contact, during the period occupied in working off a charge below, with a body at a much higher degree than the wash which it contains. By the union of these two advantages, the diminution of temperature in copper No. 7, only produces a slight effect, as already observed; and nothing like a vacuum is, or can be, formed in consequence; which is further provided against by the connexion of the dome in copper No. 7, with those both below and above: and, through the latter, with the large pipe leading to the worm-tub. We have been thus particular in detailing these parts of the case, as it is of high importance in distilleries to be independent both of ignorance and carelessness on these points. The first impression on our minds, on a view of the drawing of the still, was that it was complex in its nature and construction, and must be difficult to manage. It requires, however, but little attention to discover that such is not the case. On the contrary, it is entirely self-acting as to all its interior arrangements, and so simple and unerring in its principle and operation, that any person, whether previously conversant with distillation or not, will be quite competent to its management, with a few days' practice; a point of great importance, where the indifference or ignorance of the parties employed to work the stills (as is the case, particularly in the West Indies), renders all complexity unadvisable. The mere stirring of a fire, and the turning of two or three cocks, is the utmost extent of attention required to conduct its operations. The construction of the still has been already spoken of, in the description of its various parts; and care seems to have been taken, in this respect, to meet all reasonable emergencies. The diameter of the still being small, in proportion to its powers, as compared with the common stills in use; and each compartment being separately manufactured, and finally put together by flanches and bolts, M. Saintmarc generally makes a spare lower compartment, precisely adapted to the higher part, which goes with the still; and especially to the West Indies. It does not appear that this still will be of less duration than any other in use, or require more repairs than the most simple ones. On the contrary, the lowest copper is the only one which is submitted to any severe action; and if, either by lapse of time or constant use, or by any accident, to which carelessness equally exposes stills of all sorts, the bottom should be injured, a period of two or three days would suffice for taking away the lower compartment, fixing the spare new one, and replacing the still in its position ready for work, as sound and perfect as when quite new. This must be of great importance to a West India planter, who, if the same thing were to happen with a common still, at the beginning of a crop, would, in all probability, be deprived of the means of working during the whole season; as the consequence of such an accident to a common still is, generally, the necessity for a new one; so difficult and expensive is the repair. In like manner the principle of the construction of this still affords easy access to any copper or compartment, in the event of a little repair being necessary. But it would appear to be little liable to derangement in its upper compartments; the only action there being an equable and quiet transmission of vapor upwards, and of wash downwards; neither of them calculated to injure the interior works. A question suggested itself to us, as to the power of introducing into the lower compartment of M. Saintmarc's still, the machinery employed in most malt distilleries, for disturbing the heavier ingredients in the wash, which may settle on the bottom. We have already shown that such a case may be prevented here; but, supposing our view of the non-liability of the wash to be burnt should be erroneous, there does not appear any difficulty in introducing the chains, or other proper machinery, for that purpose. In the common still it is fixed vertically, through the upper part of the still, and worked through a stuffing box. In this it would also be required to be worked through a stuffing box, but horizontally, through the side of the lowest copper, by the aid of a pair of bevil wheels in the interior. A series of experiments and calculations have been made for the purpose of demonstrating the powers of M. Saintmarc's still, and proving the allegations with regard to its saving of fuel, water, and many other points of economy, advanced in its favor. These experiments and statements are of a sufficiently interesting character to induce us to add them to the preceding observations, as they are calculated to carry conviction to the mind, from the plain and simple manner in which they are advanced. They are made in a way likely to attract notice; the powers of the patent still being placed in juxtaposition or contrast, with those of the common still. As far as our means extend of judging of the correctness of the statement with regard to the powers of the old still, we should be inclined to think them not unfairly put. The data on which some of them rest are admitted by chemists, having been proved by the experiments of some of the ablest men in that branch of science, both in this country and in France. The deductions, therefore, are easy on those parts of the case. With regard to many points, such as cost and number of apparatus and vessels, space required, savings, and other considerations of a commercial nature, and some other points, they are not susceptible of check by any but practical persons. It is of course, well known, that the ordinary process of distillation consists of three operations, and is usually performed in two stills of different dimensions; the larger one called a wash still, being that in which the first operation takes place, of distilling the wash, the vapor proceeding from which, being of a weak nature, the product is an imperfect body, of about half the strength of proof spirit, and technically called low wine. This product is then conveyed to the smaller still called the low wine still, where it is subjected to a second distillation, from which results a spirit. A portion, however, of this latter product is separated from the remainder, it being of a weak and impure character; it is denominated feints by the excise laws and by the distillers, and is either submitted to a third distillation per se, or is mixed with the wash of the next distillation; being, however, generally separately distilled. These constitute three distinct operations. By M. Saintmarc's still, all this is effected at one operation; the weaker vapor, which constitutes the low wine of the first, and the feints of the second, distillation, on the old plan, being strengthened and purified by the subsequent processes to which it is subjected in the higher parts of his still; and all the weak part of the vapor, which, if passed into the worm, and there condensed, would be in the state of low wines or feints, being condensed within the still, long before it reaches the summit, and returned into the lowest coppers. This is the basis of one of the important savings of the still. On the old plan, the vapor generated by the first distillation is passed off immediately to the refrigerator or worm-tub, and there condensed; the vapor of the second distillation, the result of a new application of fuel, is again sent to the worm-tub and there condensed; and the third distillation, by the aid of a third fire, is again treated in the same way. M. Saintmarc makes the first application of fuel to his still effect all these objects. The vapor of the first copper heats the second; that of the second heats the third; that, again, passes through the several upper compartments, disttributing a portion of its caloric to the wash in each of them, thus preparing them for distillation, in which process the vapor has the benefit of those condensing powers which each body of wash contains, for the separation, by liquefaction, of its aqueous or weaker, from its alcoholic or stronger, portions. The advantages here described are demonstrated by experiments, showing the actual powers of a still on this principle, as compared with those of the two stills in use on the old plan, of equal powers of production; in which are shown the relative areas or superficies of each exposed to the action of the fire; the generation of vapor on both plans; and the quantity of water employed in condensing that vapor. A still on M. Saintmarc's principle, contain-, ing 560 imperial gallons of wash, in seven coppers of eighty gallons each, estimated to work off thirty charges of one copper, amounting to 2400 gallons, will produce (supposing the wash to be attenuated sixty degrees, and, consequently, capable of yielding twelve per cent. of proof spirit on the wash), 213 gallons of spirit at thirty-five per cent. over proof, equal to 288 gallons at proof in a day of twelve hours. A common still of the total contents of about 1700 imperial gallons (to contain a charge of 1200 gallons of wash), will |