it upon the Thames, and fitted up a large engine for pumping purposes. A
company was formed to introduce his engine, but it proved too wasteful of
fuel, and the company went into voluntary liquidation. Like almost all
engines of this time, the combustion of gas and air was used to produce a
vacuum, the piston being driven by atmospheric pressure.

Buren's locomotive carriage was thus in action three years before the
great trial in 1829, from which George Stephenson emerged victorious with
his wonderful engine "The Rocket." To those curious in the matter, I may
mention that S. Buren's patents are dated 1823, No. 4,874, and 1826, No.
5,350.

From this time on, a continuous series of gas engine patents appear, 20
engines being patented between 1826 and 1860, which is the next date
worthy of particular mention.

In this year, 1860, the famous "Lenoir" engine appeared. The use of high
pressure steam engines had long been common, and Lenoir's engine was
analogous to the high pressure engine, as Buren's was to the condensing
engine. It created a very general interest, and many engines were
constructed and used in France, England, and America; it resembled very
much in external appearance an ordinary high pressure horizontal steam
engine, and it was double acting.

During the following six years, other 20 British patents were granted, and
the gas engine passed from the state of a troublesome toy to a practicable
and widely useful machine.

From 1791 to the end of 1866, in all 46 British patents were granted for
gas engines, and in these patents are to be found the principles upon