JB/539/096/001

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Petersburgh 14th Sept OS 1780.

The making of the circumferential part of wheels of
one piece bent round for which Viny had a patent has been
practised time out of mind in the interiour parts of Russia
and Poland. There is not a wheel of a Peasants cart
but what is made in this manner. I took care to see
the process. Pieces of 3 1/2 inches are bent to a circle
of between 3 & 4 feet diamr though quite straight before.

Mirrors Burning

You m mention Brydone's speaking of burning mirrors
being used as fire arms. I have no great opinion of the
use they would be of against an enemy who has fire arms
and the modern conveniencies of war alm universal in
civilized countries; but during my excursion to the Southward
I have thought that such implements might
make the sun serve for culinary purposes, and thereby
render wood for fuel unnecessary, the scarceness of which is
the chief impediment to the peopling & cultivation
of the immense deserts beyond the Duieper. I think
I could make the Sun boil the pot without any
attendance, although it wont stand still for me.
It raised about emotion makes it difficult to
deal with, but I think I could fit it.

You know I have long ago been inclined to class it <lb/. among my prima mobilia.

Copying Invention. <p. At the time I received your letter about it I had some Galls
lying on the table which I had procured a fortnight before
with an intention of making the experiment. I had
intended it that should this not succede to have tried green and
white vitriol. You will see therefore that I had not
to "wonder" at my not thinking of the means.

why did It was from Dr Solander that I heard
before I left England of a mans having invented a
contrivance for taking an exact copy of a sheet of
writing in an instant, and I then immediately thought
of these means of doing it. Professor Therber of Mitton
telling me that a man was getting a patent for
this invention put me upon trying the experiment.
I have not as yet turned it to any use as I
have irons enough in the fire without this: I may
perhaps bye and bye. Make Anderson have one
of his ten shilling pressing machines made for you.

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Packets charged with.

Wilson's & Fontana's packets to London & Denmark
I left with Hanbury at Hambourg to forward by Shipping.
Wilson's to Epinar I have delivered soon after my arrival
also to Zuler in short all to Petersbourg.
Winslow's letters to Holbeik at Copenhagen I have
now sent by the post.

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Mears's book I wrote to Lindegreen about immediately
in receipt of your first letter about it. It was Lindegreen who
was charged with it to deliver to Mears. I hope he has long
ago done it.

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Identifier: | JB/539/096/001"JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 539.
Date_1	1780-10-18	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	539	Main Headings
Folio number	096	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles
Category	Correspondence	Number of Pages
Recto/Verso		Page Numbering
Penner	Samuel Bentham	Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number
Box Contents