FIRE-ESCAPE.

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on an iron frame, and suspended by a ring in the upperpart of the frame, inclosing a grooved cylinder, and havinga metal bar to hold the cheeks together.

Without any intention to deteriorate from the ingenuityof the above described machine, much less to undervaluethe judgment of the learned gentleman who has given it aplace in his valuable labours; we have seen a machine,more recently invented, which, in our humble judgment,infinitely surpasses Mr. Maseres’ invention. And, we sub-mit, it is tube considered superior; because its simplicityis so very evident. And also, because there are none of thoseintricate and tedious precautions necessary to be taken, whichappear in the former machine to be essential; and really,at the time of such confusion, as is produced by a fire, thesenecessary precautions cannot be presumed to be attendedto. Likewise, because of its superior accommodations.

The machine we now allude to, was an invention of Mr.Gregory, an ingenious practical mechanist, for which heobtained a patent in the course of the last year, 1818. It,to the best of our recollection, consisted of a strong woodenframe, about eight or nine feet long, and four feet high,supported upon two axle-trees, to which were attached fourcast iron wheels; upon the top of this frame, were depositedthree ladders, which were raised, so as for the lower end ofthe second to rest in a groove on the top of the first, andfastened together by strong iron hinges; and for the third tobe in like manner raised to the top of the second, wellsecured by means of the strongest iron work. We regret thatthe exact mode of the construction of these joints, is not atpresent within our remembrance; but its general principleswe perfectly recollect: these ladders were raised by meansof two ropes, one end attached to the uppermost ladder, andthe other to the beam of a windlass, which had a doublehandle. In the beams of the uppermost ladder were twopulleys, made of metal, a portion of which ropes beyond thepulleys, is fastened to a frame of strong wood or iron, ofabout four or five feet long, and three wide, to which frameis aflixed strong netting, and which forms a very commodi-ous cradle for the reception of two people, a very lustyperson, or woman and child, &c. or for any who are sick orlame. This cradle is let down with expedition and ease, bymeans of the windlass, and raised as often as is necessary.It also is most convenient for people, whose fear mightprevent their going upon ladders; or for those, the state ofwhose health would not permit them to trust themselvesupon such unaccommodating means as the first described.

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