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sists of two cylinders, with a handle on the end of each, andplaced 8 or 10 feet asunder; the one is for receiving the cloth,while the other delivers it: and vice versa. Between the cylin-ders, is a furnace surmounted by a convex cast-iron plate, about8 or 10 inches broad, and 6 or 8 feet long. The fire in the fur-nace brings the piece of metal up to a red heat:—the cloth isthen wound from one cylinder to the other, and both sides of itpassed on the surface of the heated plate. The consequence is,all the loose oozy fibres of the cotton are burnt off, and the clothrendered quite bare and smooth. The trade of muslin singeingjs carried on as a distinct branch the usual price is about a pen-ny for each piece.
The Improved Calender, for glazing cloths of various kinds,was introduced at Glasgow some years ago, under letters patent.It can glaze about 100 pieces, of 28 yards, per day; and the■work gives satisfaction to the exporting merchants, both from itsquality, and the ease with which, in cases of emergency, they cancomplete their shipments. The operation consists in passing thecloth between a metal and a paper roller; one of which, revolv-ing quicker than the other, the smooth surface of the former pro-duces a fine gloss or polish on the surface of the cloth. Glazing)though perhaps less perfectly, is yet well performed by the com-mon calender. These are generally driven by horses; thoughthe one first mentioned, and a few others in Scotland , are drivenby steam, and several by water. The common calender was for-merly heated by pieces of hot iron thrust into their hollow metalcylinders or rollers. Of late years, steam has been successfullyapplied by many to that purpose, being conducted by pipes intothe cylinders. Its heat can be increased above 212, the boilingpoint of water, by the simple contrivance of loading the safetyvalve of the boiler, in which the steam is generated. This heatis more regular, and less troublesome, than the other.
Another mode of giving cloth a very superior gloss, is per-formed by the friction of a piece of silicious stone, a few incheslong, rubbed with much force and pressure on the surface of thecloth, which has previously been slightly waxed, in order thebetter to acquire a fine rich glaze:—this is chiefly done on print-ed callicoes; but the process is very tedious and laborious. Alarge and expensive machine, with numerous flints, to glaze inthis manner, was made at Glasgow about seven years ago:—itwas to have been driven by a horse or steam-engine; but couldnot be got to work, so as to answer the purpose intended. Thesame idea has, however, been again taken up ; and a machinehas recently been constructed, which is at present working mGlasgow , and performs well.
Some sorts of goods are glazed in the mangle; but this is notby any means general. The most approved gloss for fine cam-brics and shirtings, is given by beetling. In the early stages of
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