A Catechism of the Steam Engine

A Catechism of the Steam Engine, in its various applications to mines, mills, steam navigation, railways, and agriculture, is by John Bourne. The pages are laid out as questions and answers; one asks By what circumstance is the velocity of vibration of a pendulous body determined, and the reply is By the length of the suspending rod only, or, more correctly, by the distance between the centre of suspension and the centre of oscillation. The preface to the fourth edition says that for some years past a new edition of this work has been called for.

A question asks Will you describe Harvey and West's pump valve, and the text says that the pump valves of deep mines are a perpetual source of expense and trouble. The questions also include one on the chimney being carried away by shot or otherwise. A reply says that in some cases of collision, the funnel is carried away and lost overboard, and that such cases are among the most difficult for which a remedy can be sought.