Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 12.djvu/33

 Rh The description was not accompanied by a drawing, but the sketch here given (Fig. (j), probably resembles his contrivance very closely.

Steam is generated in the boiler D, and thence is led into the vessel A, already nearly filled with water. It drives the water in a jet out through a pipe, F or F' . The vessel A is then shut off from the



boiler and again filled "by suction" after the steam has condensed through the pipe G, and the operation is repeated, the vessel B being used alternately with A.

The instruments of Porta and of De Caus were "steam fountains," and were applied, if used at all, merely for ornamental uses.

That of the Marquis of Worcester was used for the purpose of elevating water for practical purposes at Vauxhall, near London. It was still earlier used at the home of Worcester, Raglan Castle, where the openings cut in the wall for its reception are still to be seen, as in Fig. 7.

14. The separate boiler, as here used, constitutes a very important improvement upon the preceding forms of apparatus, although the idea was original with Porta.

The "water-commanding engine," as its inventor called it, was, therefore, the first instance in the history of the steam-engine in which the inventor is known to have "reduced his invention to practice."

It is evident, however, that the invention, important as it was, does not entitle the marquis to the honor claimed for him by many authorities of being the inventor of the steam-engine. Somerset was simply one of those whose works collectively make the steam-engine.

''The Period of Application of the Early Type of Steam-Engine. Morland, Savery, and Desaguliers.''—14. The