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54

Perspective Machine.
 
To facilitate the drawing of scenes & objects in Perspective, Machines have been invented of various degrees of merit, but more or less complicated & difficult to manage. I have invented one of the greatest simplicity. It consists of a Drawing Board, as usual, to be placed vertically on a table, or supported by three legs. A narrow square tube is attached to the left side of the Drawing Board, reaching as much below as the length of the Board. This tube holds a small square-sided lead weight, to which are [[strikethrough]] fastened [[/strikethrough]] attached two strings, which pass over two pullies, one at the lower, the other at the upper corner of the Board, and thence attached at right angles, (equidistant), to a perpendicular rod, having a pointed top, rising above the drawing board. Midway between the attachment of these strings, is a hole in the rod for the insertion of a lead pencil. A moveable Arm, as usual in such Instruments, is screwed to the top of the Board at the left corner, with a small plate & eyehole at its extremity, which may be drawn out in advance of the Board. Looking through this, & moving the rod to point at, as it were, the outlines of objects in the distance, and the pencil being pressed against the surface of the paper, the general forms of objects and their perspective lines will be accurately traced. The strings can easily be adjusted to keep the rod perpendicular, and the weight being no more than sufficient, offers no impediment to the free and rapid movement of the pencil.

[[image]]
[[image labels]]
eyehole
moveable joint
pulley & string
Drawing
hole for pencil
pulley
string
Drawing Board
Square weight
Square tube for the left side of the board

Transcription Notes:
[[image: labeled drawing of the artist's invention]]