Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/139

Rh wheel, on which is fixed a heart-shaped piece ot brass.

2. As the spinner should always be enabled to hold the thread at pleasure, and not let it in, till it be sufficiently twisted, Mr. A. observed that, the bobbing moving on a square, its motion was so impeded, that when it began to be filled with thread, it became immoveable, notwithstanding the action of the weight; and, when the thread was afterwards left at liberty, it started at once half an inch and upwards.

3. As, in the wheels of the common construction, and also in those of Mr. 's first improvement, the friction of the bobbin could be augmented only by stretching the common cord, which was not practicable, without making the wheel revolve with increasing difficulty, particularly when the bobbin was nearly filled; he was induced to make use of a single cord, the sole design of which is to turn the flyer; and, in case it should become slack, it may be contracted or shortened, without requiring any screw.

Farther, to regulate the friction of the bobbin, Mr. A. has fastened a neck of steel or brass to one end, which is kept steady by a vice, or by pincers, fixed to the sliding-bar (D. in the plate above described). Such vice is directed to be made either of two elastic springs, furnished with wooden tops; or wholly of wood boshed with leather, and provided with a spring, under the shoulder of the screw, to answer the same purpose. By tightening this screw to a greater or less degree, the friction may be most accurately regulated, without impeding the velocity of the whole; as no additional machinery obstructs the general motion. Mr., therefore, concludes that a wheel, on this improved plan, will be found to run more freely than those with a double cord; a circumstance of the greatest importance, to a person whose daily livelihood is obtained by spinning: nay, even a lady who sometimes spins for her diversion, was much pleased with his first invention, and thought it might save a person at least two hours in a day. He observes, that his contrivance may be added to old spinning wheels of every construction; and that it would not considerably increase the price of a new machine, made according to his plan.

Such are the advantages derived from Mr. A.'s mechanical ingenuity, which have, from experience, been ascertained in Yorkshire: it is therefore to be hoped, that so useful a domestic implement will speedily be introduced into other counties of Britain.  SPIRITS, a general name given to ardent liquors, obtained by distillation.

Spirits are divided into two classes, namely, foreign, and British; the former includes, , and : the latter comprehends , and the various species of malt-spirits, known under the name of British brandy, &c. But, previously to their being consumed, or even offered for sale, they are rectified, or repeatedly distilled with the addition of alkaline salts, so as to bring them to the requisite degree of proof; in which state 100 parts of pure spirit ought to consist of 55 parts of alkohol, or spirit of wine, and 45 of distilled water. As, however, such salts deprive the liquor of its natural vinous flavour, the latter is generally mixed with dulcified spirit of nitre, till it acquire a degree of  Rh