the conductor and head, being secured on the back with a fore-lock, or nut: this bolt is rounded near the head, and square in the middle.
t, u, w, x, represents a piece of iron or brass, designed to prevent the head of the bolt from wearing into the wood.
S, S, are ropes for the direction of the conduftor.
Fig. 2. Represents the head without such conductor.
a, b, c, d, is a thick brass plate, the centre of which is perforated, so as to admit a passage to impurities, that might otherwise obstruct the conductor: for which purpose a piece of leather is nailed under it to the head. The square hole in the centre is adapted to the size of the bolt, which it prevents from turning. The conduftor has a hollow cut round the bolt on the inside, of the same size as the circle of holes in the brass: round such cavity is nailed, on the face of the conductor, a piece of leather, that plays on the margin of the brass-plate, when the conductor is in motion.
In the conclusion of his Memoir, Mr. Dearborn observes, that he has raised a tube of 30 feet on his pump; and, though the severity of the season had prevented him from completing it, so that one person only could work at the brake; yet he is enabled to throw water on a contiguous building, the nearest part of which is 37 feet from the pump, and between 30 and 40 feet in height.
Numerous patents have been granted for inventions or improvements in the construction of pumps; of which the following deserve to be mentioned: namely, Mr. Noble's, obtained in 1784; Mr. Skey's in 1785; Mr. Fulton's in 1788; and Mr. Buchanan's in 1796;—as, however, the specification of such patents, would occupy more room than our limits will permit, the curious reader will consult the earlier vols. of the Repertory of Arts, &c.; where they are detailed, and illustrated with engravings.
PUN, an expression, in which the same word is applied to different meanings.
The practice of punning is a miserable subterfuge employed by those who assume the character of wits, without possessing any talent for that invidious office. It is true, that an apposite pun, introduced with ingenuity, enlivens the conversation, and is calculated to excite innocent mirth; but, where a person assumes the profession of a punster, and is continually uttering senseless quibbles, he becomes a nuisance to society, and deserves to be expelled from the company of rational, thinking persons.—Nor can we approve of this paltry expedient, and the manner in which it is exercised by several of our daily prints:—instead of conveying useful lessons of morality, or of rural and domestic economy, abstracted from the best publications, they supply the want of political information, by ambiguous, and frequently obscene, punning.
PUNCH, a compound liquor, much used in Britain, but more frequently in Jamaica, and other parts of the West Indies.—The basis of this beverage ought to be good spring-water; which, being being rendered cool, brisk, acidulated with lemon-juice, and sweetened with fine sugar, forms an agreeable and wholesome drink, called sherbet:—on adding a proper quantity of brandy, rum, or arrack, the composition is then denominated Punch.
