there is a similar unanimity of opinion as to the advantages that
would be obtained in the condition of the Mississippi by adding to it
a tributary of such importance as the proposed canal.--_Engineering_.

* * * * *




N.F. BURNHAM AND HIS LIFE WORK.

By W.H. BURNHAM.


The inventor and patentee of all water wheels known as the Burham
turbine died from Bright's disease of the kidneys at his home, York,
Pa., Dec. 22, 1890, aged 68 years 9 months and 9 days. He was born in
the city of New York, March 13, 1822, and was of English-Irish and
French descent. His father was a millwright and with him worked at the
trade in Orange county, N.Y., until he was 16 years old. He then
commenced learning the watchmakers' business, which he was obliged to
relinquish, after three years, on account of his health. He then went
to Laurel, Md., in 1844, and engaged with Patuxent & Co. as mercantile
clerk and bookkeeper. In 1856 he commenced the manufacture of the
French turbine water wheel. In 1879 he sold out his Laurel interests,
went to New York and commenced manufacturing his own patents. On May
22, 1883, he founded the Drovers' and Mechanics' National Bank of
York, and was elected its first president, which position he held at
the time of his death. In 1881, with others, he built the York opera
house, at a cost of $40,000. He was a Knight Templar, and past master