Buildings of such size, for the making of paper, would strike with astonishment the people of most countries. They are a natural and necesssry class of buildings to us, who have so many books and newspapers. Yet we are sometimes surprised when we meet with striking evidence of something which we before believed or knew; and many of us would wonder if we should witness the immense quantities of this or some other articles of manufacture, yearly, or even weekly thrown out by our busy machines, in obedience to the demands of our people. The time may come when a man of taste, and a Christian, may look with greater satisfaction on this and other branches of art subservient to the mind: but, while we admire the science and skill displayed in the invention, construction and applica. tion of machinery, and reflect with pleasure on the general diffusion of education, and believe that some of the noblest truths and holiest sentiments will soon be impressed on some of the sheets spread before us, and laid before the eyes of our countrymen, for their pleasure and profit, we have the pain to anticipate, that a large part of the material is to be worse than wasted, by receiving a stamp from the false, degrading and even detestable characters of some of the meanest and worst men on the face of the earth! How discouraging to think of the numerous impediments to private happiness and national improvement, which are created by the prevailing bad taste of the present day!

The large paper-manufactory represented in our print, is situated on the bank of Connecticut river, in the state of that name, at one of the several points on that stream where boat-navigation is interrupted by rapids or little falls, and continued by an artificial channel, or canal, with locks. It is within the limits of Windsor; and the place is known as the Windsor Locks. Steamboats, and flat-bottomed boats, those used in navigating the Connecticut, from Hartford far up into New Hampshire, can come up to this manufactory, and receive or deliver articles directly at the doors: a very important advantage, where such an amount of bulky goods is to be brought and carried away. A railroad also passes the spot, and affords it peculiar facilities. The manufactory belongs to Messrs. Persse & Brooks, of New York, one of the houses

dealing in paper, which form s large and respectable a branch of amo g the various producing and commercial classes of this city.

The waters of the Connecticut not only afford to this manufactory the facili ties for transportation above alluded to, but also the power for moving the heavy and various machinery kept at work within. This is of so complex a character, that it will be difficult to communicate to the reader anything more than some general ideas, in the short space which we now must allot to the subject. According to our custom, however, we shall hope to recur to it in future; and then perhaps, with the aid of illustrations, we may convey some more definite ideas of the ingenious processes and machines employed in this important branch of manufacture.

Paper is a substance formed of small vegetable fibres, depo-ited from water in sheets or layers, and held together by the drying of a little glue or gum with which they are mingled. It differs from cloth in not being woven; and from felt in the difference of its fibres, and the cause of its cohesion. Felt is made of wool by beating. The fibres are brought closely together by this operation, and then cannot easily be separated. The microscope has recently brought the cause to light, showing that each fibre of wool is furnished with teeth, like a saw, pointing one way, which hold the fibres in their places after long beating.

Paper has been made of a great variety of materials, chiefly vegetable fibres; and that of the finest and most beautiful qual ity may be fabricated, it is said, not only of straw, but of the wood, roots, bark and leaves of the hardest and roughest trees. It is said, indeed, that the clippings of iron-wire have been converted into paper in England. But the expense of reducing to a fine pulp, or of purifying or of bleaching, renders most substances useless; and the cheapest material in this country is old linen. Hence, as every housekeeper knows, arises the demand for linen rags, and the argument against the waste even of a shied of any garment. Cotton, however, is far more in use among us; and the supply of linen rags is insignificant: so that our papermakes have to look to foreigners for their supply; and most of our papermills are furnished from Italy and Sicily.

To those who have seen the multitudes of poor whose old clothing thus finds its way to our printing offices and bookshelves, the association of ideas may not be the most pleasing. It would be well if our intellectual and moral imports were as thoroughly cleansed before they come before the eyes of the public.

Rags are brought to New York and other por's in large bales, and sold at about a penny a pound. They are soon thrown into a large receiver in a manufactory, exposed to water and a complex cutting machine, which cuts and tears them in thousands of pieces. Sand, dust and other impurities are effectually separated and taken away by the water; and then certain chemical substances are added, chiefly chloride of lime, by which the color is taken out, and the mass whitened. This process, however. is not resorted to in making brown paper, or other coarse wrapping paper. These usually retain the color of the refuse hemp, tow or straw of which they are made.

Much of the labor in paper making was formerly done by hand; and the most fatiguing as well as delicate and difficult part was that of forming the sheets. After the rags had been carefully sorted, washed, torn, cut and carded, till they were reduced almost to invisible particles, men stood by the tubs containing the pulp, which is about as thin as gruel, and dipped into it square frames holding wire gauze stretched across, of the proper size and fineness for the sort of paper to be made. These were dipped into the fluid, lifted out horizon'ally, and held till the water had partly drained off. The frame was then inverted, and the film of pulp laid upon a blanket, and covered with another blanket by an attendant. This operation was repeated, until a heap was raised, which was squeezed down by a press, by which the paper was rendered both drier and firmer; and then the sheets were hung upon strings or rods to complete the drying, while some of the finer kinds of paper were hot-pressed. But various circumstances were apt to vary the quality of paper, even when made of the same materials. A change of workmen. less attention at one time than at another, or something else, often interfered with that uniformity which is so essential to a handsome book.

But all parts of the manufacture have been rendered much easier, more rapid

and more successful, by various improvements since devised. The preparation of the rags and making of the pulp however, are less observable and less interesting to a spectator, than the machinery applied after the pulp has been prepared, and the pleasing and surprising eff cts. which it produces. These latter operations are not performed in tubs, nor are the machines shut up in boxes, but brought to light and spread out before the eye. The first thing the observer sees of this part of the operation, is a wide and shallow stream, like milk, slowly flowing over a fine net work of wire, laid flat, and moved forward by two cylinders, round which it is extended. This fluid is the pulp, which forms a thin coat upon the net work, the water draining off through the wire, and having a deli cate sheet, barely strong enough to be drawn off at some distance between two cylinders, which press it, and deliver it to another cylinder, hollow and warmed by steam, by which it is dried.

ICE PRODUCED BY A RED HOT PROCESS.-A platina crucible is made and maintained red hot over a large spirit lamp. Some sulphurous acid is poured into it. This acid, though, at common temperatures one of the most volatile of known bodies, possesses the singular property of remaining fixed in the red hot crucible, and not a drop of it evaporates; in fact, it is not in contact with the crucible, but has an atmosphere of its own interposed. A few drops of water are now added to the sulphurous acid in the red hot crucible. The diluted acid gets into immediate contact with the heated metal-instantly flashes off, and such is the rapidity and energy of the evaporation, that the water remains behind, and is found frozen into a lump of ice in a red hot crucible!' from which, seizing the moment before it again melts, it may be thrown out before the eyes of the astonished observer!

This is, indeed, a 'a piece of natural magic. It is certainly one of the most singularly beautiful experiments imaginable. It was recently devised by M. Provostayae, of France, to illustrate the repellent power of heat radiating from bodies at a high temperature, and of the rapid abstraction of heat produced by evaporation.-SEL.

Have the courage to take a good paper, and pay for it in advance.-SEL.

French Learned Societies.

1. The Institute, or Royal Academy. Created in 1795. It originally consisted of three academies. It was re-constituted in 1803, and divided into four great classes, which are, in effect, so many distinct Societies. They are,

1. The Royal Academy of Sciences. This is composed of eleven sections, embracing 62 members: viz. Geometry, 6 members; Mechanics, 6; Astronomy, 6; Geography and Navigation, 3; Philosophy, 6; Chemistry, 6; Mineralogy, 6; Botany, 6; Rural Economy and the Veterinary Art, 6; Anatomy and Zoology, 6; Medicine and Surgery, 6. This academy distributes prizes on Statistics, Experimental Philosophy and Mechanics; for improvements, and useful works or discoveries made in the course of the year. This Academy holds its sittings every Monday, from three to five.

2. Sometimes called the Ancient French Academy. It has 40 members, who are employed on French literature, and the French language. It is charged with the compilation of a dictionary in the French language, and the examination of literary and historical works. This academy disposes of an annual priz of 1500 francs, for the best production ou a subject proposed the preceding year, and other prizes, one for the work most useful to public morals. It sits every Thursdav, from half-past two till half-past four.

3. The Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres. This has 40 members, eight associates and sixty correspondents. It meets every Wednesday, and distributes an annual prize of 1500 francs.

4. The Royal Academy of the Fine Arts. This has also 40 members, and is divided into five sections.; viz. Painting, 14 members; Sculpture, 8; Architecture, 8; Engraving, 4; Musical Composition, 6. hey meet weekly.

Each academy has its own regulations, and its own Secretary. The first has two Secretaries. Each academy is perfectly independent of the other; but the hall, the agency, the Secretary's office, the library, &c., are common to the whole. The interests and the funds, common to the four, are managed by a Committee formed of two members from each, presided by the Minister of the Interior. Each academy ballots to all its own vacancies, and the choice is submitted to

the approbation of the king. Members of one academy are eligible to the others, and each member receives a salary of 1500 francs. The united public meeting of the four academies takes place annually on the first of May.

This institution was established during the reign of Louis XIV, and is composed of the most distinguished philosophers, literary characters, and artists of France, and corresponds with the learned of every nation. These academies have acquired great reputation, and have exerted a powerful influence on French and European literature and science.

Instituted

2. The Athenæum of Arts. in 1792. It embraces in its objects, every literary and scientific topic, but its principal object is the encouragement of the Arts and Manufactures. It has been said, that no institution has more benefitted Society, or acquired a higher, or better deserved reputation.

It is divided into six classes; Literature and Political economy; the Pleas ing and Fine Arts; Mathematics and Physics, which come under consideration on different appointed days.

3. The Athenæum of Paris. This embraces the most eminent men in every department of science. It was instituted in 1784, and the distinguished and learned lecturers, who have been connected with it, have given it great celebrity. The library, the cabinets of Natural History, Mineralogy and Chemistry, are va luable. It is supported by annual subscriptions of 120 francs.

4. The Society for the encouragement of National Industry. Founded in 1802. The object is the melioration of every branch of French industry. It is formed of an unlimited number of members, who pay an annual subscription of 36 francs. Among its members are most of the ministers of State, many public functionaries, the first men of property, and many of the most celebrated literary characters. It publishes, yearly, a bulletin, distributed exclusively to the members of the Society, containing notices of improvements made in France and foreign countries. The Society meets semi-annually, and the council, who manage it, once a fortnight. The prizes announced for 1834, amounted to more than 70,000 francs.

5. The Royal and Central Society of Agriculture. Established 1761. The ob

ject is the improvement of the different branches of rural and domestic economy. It is the central point of correspondence for the agricultural Societies of the kingdom. There are 40 ordinary, 24 free, and 12 foreign associates, with an unlimited number of native and foreign correspondents. Metings are held twice a month. The king is the patron.

6. The French Society of Universal Statistics. Founded in 1829, to aid the progress of Statistics and the developement of every branch of human knowledge. It is composed of Titular, Honorary, and Corresponding members. Titular members pay 300 francs, or 30 francs annually. Honorary members pay 150, or 15 annually. Corresponding members purchase a diploma, which costs 25 francs. The Society publishes a monthly journal, and a collection of memoirs, which are distributed gratuitously to the Titular and Honorary members. Prizes of gold, silver and bronze medals are distributed annually to authors of works entitled to distinction, which are printed at the expense of the Society.

7. The Athenæum of Foreigners. Formed for the prosecution of every branch of science and literature, and in every language.

8. The Horticultural Society. Established in 1827, to promote the improvement of kitchen and pleasure gardens, the cultivation of fruit trees, plants and vegetables, destined for food, roots sus ceptible of employment in the arts, etc. It publishes a monthly journal, distributed gratis to members. The annual subscription of members is 30 francs.

9. The Geographical Society. This consists of an indefinite number of members, who pay 25 francs entry, and an annual subscription of 36 francs. It publishes, monthly, a Geographical bulletin, gratis to members; and a collection of memoirs, which they may procure at halfprice, all aiming at the promotion of Geographical Knowledge.

10. The National Education Society. This Society is engaged in the perfecting every branch of instruction, and meditates a complete system of national public education. To this end it has established an orthomathique' school. Members pay 25 francs per annum, and receive gratis a bulletin and journal of education.

11. The Asiatic Society; for the encouragement of the Asiatic languages.

The minimum subscription of members is 30 francs, which entitles them to a copy of the "Journal Antique," published every month, and to the privilege of purchasing, at cost price, the works printed by the Society.

12. The Society for the formation and improvement of elementary Schools in France. Subscription of members 25 francs per annum, and entitles the subscriber to receive the monthly publications of the Society.

13. The Royal Academical Society of Science. Devoted to the improvement of the Sciences, Arts and Literature, and embraces many of the most distinguished literati of France.

14. The Society of Belles Lettres. 15. The Society of the Institution, &c. &c.-Rep. Am. So. Dif. Knowl.

THE YOUNG MECHANIC.In this country, the industrious mechanic is as honorable and as worthy of honor as the professional men. Upon him depends, as one of the largest classes in all business communities, the task, mainly, of protecting and preserving the institutions of his country. There is no barrier to his access to the highest stations. He can compete, and successfully compete, with any opponent. He can strive for, and win too, the wreath with which science and literature and learning adorn the names of their votaries. Why, then, should not the young mechanic, pursuing the noiseless tenor of his way, learn in his workshop to place a proper value upon his character, and all those principles which, combined, constitute that character? Why should he yield to others in early forming his mind after the brightest models? He has illustrious examples of what can be accomplished by talent and virtue. He knows that Roger Sherman was a shoemaker's apprentice; that Nathaniel Green was a blacksmith's apprentice; that Arkwright was a barber's apprentice; that Rittenhouse was a watchinaker's apprentice; that Franklin was a printer's apprentice.

And, with these men in his recollection, and the remembrance of what they did for themselves and for their country, he need not suffer his honorable ambition to excel in those traits which distinguished them, to be depressed or extinguished.-SEL.

Grea (Dutch Canal.

We believe very little is known of this canal. It is, however, one of the greatest works of the kind in the world; and our readers will perhaps think the following details respecting it interesting. They are derived from the engraved plans, with which we have been obligingly furnished by W. Bald, Esq. an eminent scientific engineer.

The

The object of the canal is to afford a passage for large vessels from Amsterdam to the sea. This city has 40 feet of water in the road in front of its port, but the Pampas or bar in the Zuyder Zee, 7 miles below, has only a depth of 10 feet, and hence all ships of any considerable burden, have to unload part of their cargoes with lighters before they can enter the port. As the sea in question is full of shallows throughout, all ordinary means of improving the access to the port were necessarily ineffectual; and the resolution was therefore at length adopted of cutting a canal from the town to the Helder, the northermost point of Holland. The distance between these extreme points is 41 English miles, but the length of the canal is 50 1 2. breadth at the surface of the water is 124 1-2 English feet (120 Rhinland feet); the breadth at bottom 36; the depth 20 feet 9 inches. Like the Dutch Canals generally, its level is that of the high tides of the sea, from which it receives its supply of water. The only locks it requires, of course, are two tide locks at the extremilies; but there are besides, two sluices with flood gates in the intermediate space. It has only 18 bridges (draw bridges) in its whole length. The locks and sluices are double, that is to say, there are two in the breadth of the canal; and we learn from Mr. Bald, that their construction and workmanship are excellent. They are built of brick for econo my, but bands of limestone are interposed at intervals, and these project about an inch beyond the brick, to protect it from abrasion by the sides of the vessels. There is a broad towing path on each side, and the canal is wide enough to admit of one frigate passing another.

The line which the canal follows may be easily traced on a map of Holland. From the river Ye, at Amsterdam, it proceeds north to Purmerend, thence west to Alkmaar Lake; thence north by Alkmaar, to a point within two miles of the

coast, near Petten, and it continues to run nearly parallel to the coast from this point to Helder, where it joins the sea, at the fine harbor of Niewediep, formed within the last thirty years. At the lat

ter place there is a powerful steam engine, for supplying the canal with water during the neap tides, and other purposes. The time spent in tracking vessels from the Helder to Amsterdam is 18 hours. The Helder point is the only spot on the shores of Holland that has deep water; and it owes this advantage to the island of Texal opposite, which by contracting the communication between the German Ocean and the Zuyder Zee to the breadth of a mile, produces a current which scours and deepens the channel. Immediately opposite the Helders there is 100 feet of water at the high tides, and at the shallowest part of the bar to the westward there are 27 feet. In the same way, the artificial nound which runs into the lake or river Ye, opposite Amsterdam, by contracting the water way to about 1000 feet, keeps a depth of 40 feet in the port at high water, while above and below there is only 11 or 12.

The canal was begun in 1819, and finished in 1825. The cost was estimated at ten or twelve millions of florins, or about one million sterling. If we compute the magnitude of this canal by the cubic contents of its bed, it is the greatest we believe in the world-unless some of the Chinese canals be exceptions. The rolume of water which it contains when filled, or the prism de remplissage,' is twice as great as that of the N. Y. canal or the canal of Languedoc, and two and a half times as great as that of the Caledonian canal, if we include only those parts of the latter which have been cut with human labor. We have not heard what returns it yields; but we may safely assume that for some years it wil not be a profitable concern. Even in Holland, where interest is low, it would require tolls to the amount of £50,000 per annum to cover interest and expenses. We find from the Bulletin des Sciences,' that 1,92 ships entered the port of Amsterdam in 1827. Most of the small ones. would probably take the old route by the Zuyder Zee, but supposing one thousand to have gone through the canal, it would be necessary that they should pay £50 each of toll for passing and returning, to make up the sum we mentioned.-SEL.