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CHAPTER XVI.

ON THE MODERN LOCKS.

As was to be expected from the interest manifestedin, and the excitement caused by, the Lock Contro-versy during the Great Exhibition of 1851, thesubject of locks and keys has since that periodassumed an importance unknown before in con-nexion with the arts and manufactures of thiscountry. Instead of the principles upon whichlocks in general are constructed being understoodonly by those immediately connected with theirproduction, the whole subject in all its details hasbeen studied by a considerable portion of the intel-lectual and intelligent classes, so much so, that itis beginning to be ranked with the sister arts inimportance, and is attracting the attention, anddrawing forth the abilities, of a class of inventorswhich, if but little of real merit has been the resultof their conceptions since the year 1851, yet thespecifications of the numerous patents taken out