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50  THE PENNY MECHANIC.

Our present Number is illustrated with engravings of four parachutes.  Should any of our readers, therefore,have a desire to visit the regions above, they can have a choice of conveyances to bring them down again safe to terra firma.

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WILSON'S PARACHUTE.

To the Editor of the PENNY MECHANIC.

Sir,-I send you a model of a parachute which is constructed on the principle of Messrs. Garnerin and Cocking, with the addition of a valve which opens outwards, which, by that means, can easily be regulated by the aeronaut.  My motive for having a valve is to regulate the oscillation, which, by M. Garnerin's account, was greater at some times than others; and it being well known that Mr. Cocking's parachute could not oscillate is the reason I have adopted the cone.  I have made models of the three parachutes and I find that Mr. Cocking's will not sustain very little more than half of M. Garnerin's; but the oscillation of the last getleman's is very great, while that of the former is scarcely perceptible, but it comes down with a greater velocity:  the one of which I have sent you the model will sustain more weight, and is longer in the decent than M. Garnerin's, and the oscillation is not perceptible:  the reason why the cone shifts is to facilitate the ascent.  If you think is worthy of a place in your useful periodical you would oblige,

Yours respectfully,

M.B. WILSON.

EXPLANATION.-A, the valve-line; BBBB, the four cords attached to the rim of the shifting cone; CCCC, the four cords attached to the rim of the upper cone; D, the upper cone; E, the shifting cone.

[We certainly must say we form a very favourable opinion of the invention; the model sent to us is on rather too small a scale to decide of its capabilities, otherwise we should have tried it; but we would advise Mr. Wilson to apply to the proprietors of Vauxhall or the Surrey Zoological Gardens, who would, no doubt, construct one, which would most likely be of benefit to themselves, a source of gratification to the public, and the means of rewarding the ingenuity of the inventor.

We have much pleasure in informing Mr. Wilson and the Public, that we have had an interview with a gentleman who, for some time past, has made it his study to produce a parachute which would be found capable of allowing a safe descent from the greatest altitude.  He has expressed his perfect confidence in the plan proposed by Mr. Wilson, with the addition of one or two minor alterations; and so satisfied is he that a steady, uniform, and safe descent may be effected by its means, that he has requested us to announce his willingness to make the experiment as soon as such a machine can be constructed, and an agreement entered into with the proprietors of a balloon capable of ascending with the parachute and its voyager, the weight of which he estimates will  not much exceed 300 pounds, being 150 pounds less than that of the last unfortunate Mr. Cocking.  Any communication, addressed to the Editor of this publication, will be promptly responded to by the gentleman here alluded to.]

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PARKE'S PARACHUTE

To the Editor of the PENNY MECHANIC.

Sir,-I beg to send you herewith inclosed a drawing of the plan I propose for making parachutes.  If you think it worthy of a small space in your valuable Magazine, perhaps you will be kind enough to insert it at your first convenience; and by doing so you will much oblige, Sir, your very obedient servant and subscriber,

Islington. CHARLES PARKE.

EXPLANATION.-A is the top of the parachute, composed of a frame made of a circular hoop of ash, also a piece of hoop one-third the size of the former bent in the shape of a bow a, and covered with fine silk.  B B b b are four zinc clasps fixed to the hoop to fix the lines FF and the other two at b b to. c c c c are four wicker groves on the basket D for the lines from FF to move free in and keep them in their proper place:  there are also four other grooves on the basket D for the lines from b b, which act in the same manner and are for the same purpose as c c c c.  D a wicker basket, for the person who descends to place himself.  E is a double wicker groove for the lines F F and those from b b to work in and placed in contrary directions, which act in the same manner as c c c c.  FF are two safety lines for keeping the top A in its required position: for instance, suppose the parachute while descending loops at one side, no matter which, and as there are two lines F F and two b b, you have only to pull the opposite line, and the top top A will return to its required position, thus securing a safe descent.  G is the knot which ties the lines which communicate the top A and the basket D together, which should be made of strong gut because of its elasticity.
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