Wertheimer'a machine, for the addition and subtraction of numbers and money., consists of a box having a metal plate divided into nine indexes, with semicircular notches, under which are placed a series of holes. Numerals are engraved round the indexes. The semicircular notches are furnished with teeth, with a pointer to insert between them, for the purpose of bringing the notch opposite to any particular figure Baranowskre Ready Reckoner is intended for the calculation of wages, prices, interest, and other sums of money. If it be to calculate the amount of wages at a given rate, the weekly rate, printed on paper, is brought to view In an opening in a brass plate, by means of a handle ; a slide Is withdrawn belonging to the particular number of days for which the calculation is made, another for any extra hours, and another for any odd quarters of an hour ; and the printed figures revealed by the moving of these slides give the sum total of wages.
Schott's calculating machine can perform addition only. Lalanne's calculating-rule is a peculiar apparatus for solving the problems usually worked by the sliding-rule. Dr. Itoget's sliding-scale of involution is like the apparatus jest noticed, and bears more resemblance to the ordi nary sliding scale than to a calculating machine. Maurel's calculating machine is something like Colmar's, founded mainly on the action of graduated slides. Roth's automaton calculator, and Slovinski's calcu Isting machine, are two other examples mainly dependent on tho same principle. Maurers calculating machine works, like C,olmar's, through doe medium of graduated slides.
The most Important calculating machine ever invented (next to Ilabbage's), and decidedly the most important ever actually finished, is Scheutz's. It presents another example of ingenuity ill rewarded. In 1834, after reading an account of 13abbago's machine as at that time proposed, 3L Schantz, a technologist at Stockholm, conceived the idea of something to the same cod on a different principle. Under SCIIEUTZ,
GEOMOIC, and EDWARD, in the Illoonarincat Drvisiox of this work, will be found a narrative of the circumstances connected with the invention and the difficulties which attended the construction of this machine, as well as some particulars respecting Its prirciple, and the share taken by Mr. Babbage, the inventor of the first calculating machine, In directing the attention of the scientific men of this country to Its value. The machine was exhibited in London In 1854, and in Perim In 1855; and In 1856 it was sold to the Dudley Observatory, at Albany, in the United States, at a price quite inadequate to the labour and thought bestowed upon It. Mr. Babbage deplored that tho machine had not been secured for and by England; he greatly admired it, and attached high value to Its power of computing mathe matical tables. Not only can it do this, but it Impresses each result on a piece of lead, from which a cliches cast in type-metal can be obtained, applicable to printing from. The machine, which la about the size of a square pianoforte, calculates to sixteen places of figures, and pints to eight. By taking out certain wheels and putting in others, the machine can be readily caused to produce and record its results in .6 . , d Ea minutes, and second,' ; in tons, cwta., and Ibs. ; or In any one among a large number of d.fferent modes. When once the machine is set with the conditions of the problem, a handle is turned, and the remits appear at the rate of 25 figures per minute, not merely calm'. lated and recorded, but actually stamped or impressed upon a plate of lead. Mathematically speaking, this is a difference engine, like Babbagee, and depending on the same general principles, though worked out by means of original details.
A full and minute description by the inventors of the machinery of this remarkable instrument is given in the specification of tho English pitent, dated October 17,1854.