Editorial. I 25.9

of steam is amongthe least important causes of danger, and that such as are
most to be apprehended are as likely to occur in using steam of a- single
atmosphere, as that of ten or twelve.” The comment runs as follows,’
“ This Whole paragraph is made up of errors; but the last sentence, in
which is repeated the absurd and dangerous idea that the pressure ofsteam
has little or nothing to do in the bursting of boilers, when such disasters
occur, is the most surprising. What else than the pressure of steam ever
yet producedan explosion in a steam boiler? What else can find a place

in a steam boiler, while at work, to produce one? The existence of any ‘

other cause has not only never been proved, either by reasoning or experi-
ment, but the non-existence of other causes which have been supposed to
produce explosions, may be inferred from the circumstance, that in every
case where the facts could be made, out, after an explosion has occurred, the
pressure of steam has beenfound to have been abundantly‘ sufficient to pro-
duce the effects observed; and when the same conclusion must he arrived
at by reasoning from the known laws of caloric vapor, it is melancholy to
find such an opinion promulgatedto the world through such a channel, and
with the sanction of avrespectable name—and it is to be hoped that further
reflection, etc.” Here is a veryserious misapprehension of the latter por-
tion of this “unfortunate opinion.” How any one can construe the state-
ment that “ the mere pressure of steam is among the least important causes
of danger.” into one like this, “ the pressttreof steam has little or nothing
to do in the bursting of boilers,” it is not easy to conceive,-«if we bear in
mind the meaning of the English word mere. If in the first sentence we
substitute the words “existence of a boiler,” for the Words “pressure of
steam,” and We shall have by thisneiv mode of translation, “the existence
of a boiler has little or nothing to do in the bursting of boilers.” In fact,
the whole concluding paragraph contains an insinuatiop that Professor
Renwick believes in the existence of some mysterious hgent capable of
bursting boilers, ad libitum. Where such belief is expressed, we cannot
say; and it is rather remarkable, that in all the writings, conversations, or

lectures of Professor Renvvick, his opinion should have lain dormant until I

elicited by this new mode ofltranslation.

'- *'~{.r '

. t i . t.i"*"i‘ '
But lest We‘ should be considered as-evading,‘ by a mere form of ,words,-

we beg once inure to refer to authority. Mr. Redfield, in his commluniieaf
tion made to the commissioners appointed by the English‘Crovernment rat
conducting an inquiry into the causes of steamboat accidents and the prac-
tical means of preventing their recurrence, has the following. “Thatfi the
safety _0/fsteam boilers from explosions does not necessarily depend UP?!
working with so low appressure as five or seven pounds to thesquare inch,
and -that a reasonable increase -in the.proportion'ate strength of the boilers
in steam vessels wotijld removepall immediate vhazvard, and nearly end the
catalogue of these disasters, is rendered apparent by the facts which relate

to this branch of navigation asiit liaslbeen'cari‘ie_d on in various "directions "

from the city and port of New York.” Again, “' It must notbe supposed,