The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

Franklin Institute. The Franklin Institute, of the State of Pennsylvania, for the promotion of the Mechanic Arts, have an annual exhibition in Philadelphia. Forty premiums are offered for excellence in various manufactures. A portion of them are confined to the State of Pennsylvania, and the remainder may be distributed any where in the United States. The last exhibition was on the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th days of October. Of 45 premiums offered, 20 were claimed by one or more competitors, of which 9 were awarded to successful competitors, and three remain for further advisement. In addition to the regular premiums, the committee, in pursuance of authority granted them, awarded six special premiums, and made honorary mention of a variety of articles of superior excellence. From the report we make the following extract:

Premium No. 4—For the best specimen of Annealed Cast Iron, is awarded to Seth Boyden of Newark, New Jersey, for specimen No. 163, being an assortment of buckles, bits, and other castings, remarkable for their smoothness and malleability. This, the first attempt in this country to anneal cast iron for general purposes, that has come under the knowledge of the Committee, and the success attending it fully entitles the maker to the silver medal.

Premium No. 20— For the best Porcelain made in the United States, gilt, painted, and plain—“One hundred pieces must be exhibited,” is awarded to William E. Tucker of Philadelphia, for specimen No. 253, being an assortment of porcelain of first and second choice. In awarding this premium, the Committee feel great pleasure in noticing the great improvement which has taken place in the manufacture of this beautiful and interesting product. The judges report that they have compared the sample, called technically “first choice,” with the best specimens of French China, and found it superior in whiteness, and the gilding well done. The same remark applies to the painting, with some exceptions, this part of the process being still susceptible of some improvement. The Committee recommend this “first choice” to the public as of a quality not easily to be surpassed, and awarded to the maker the silver medal.

Premium No. 29 To the maker of the best specimen of Calicos or Prints for ladies' dresses, made in the United States, is awarded to the Merrimac Manufacturing Company, for specimen No. 149. Prints were deposited also by the Taunton Manufacturing Company, and from the Warren Factory, near Baltimore; the latter low priced goods. It is but justice to all parties to state, that the judges remarked the great improvement that had taken place in printed goods since the last exhibition. They had great difficulty in deciding between the Merrimac and Taunton goods, which have the preference, both being well executed, and of brilliant colors. After some hesitation they awarded to the Merrimac Company the silver medal.

Premium No. 37—To the maker of the best Chairs, one dozen to be exhibited, is awarded to Wm. Hancock of Boston, for specimen No. 35, being 1 dozen mahogany chairs, well framed and finished; remarkable for the excellence of the carving, which was clean, bold, and in good taste.

Ten pieces of flannel were presented from the Yantic Factory, Connecticut. The judges reported them to be of a very superior quality, and the Committee adopt their suggestion, and award to the makers a silver medal.

To Lloyd Mifflin, for No. 201, Hearth Rugs wove by him. These rugs were the first produce of machinery, invented by him, entirely upon new principles. The rugs were well made and substantial, and bid fair to rival the best imported article. The silver medal is awarded.

Honorary mention is also awarded to— Clapp of Leicester, (Mass) for 4 pieces mixed Cloths, of excellent quality for the price, and to James M. Robbins of Watertown, and Shepard's Woollen Manufactory, Northampton, of 4 pieces blue, and 4 pieces black, broadcloth, being the best exhibited.