Richmond Enquirer

From the Alexandria Gazette.

PERPETUAL MOTION.

For ages past the world has been taxing its wits for the invention of a machine to perform the perpetual motion. To this purpose, much time, labor and money have been spent, without success. That such an invention would be of inconceivable utility, must be most obvious—particularly if adapted to the purposes of mills, forges and other heavy machinery; and more especially to those parts of the world where sufficient streams and falls of water are not to be met with for those purposes.

But it is not to be wondered at, that no one has ever, until very lately, suggested the idea of an invention which would answer nearly, if not equally, as good an end (taking unto consideration the difference of expense) as the perpetual motion, viz. a machine that would only require to be put in motion at certain periods of time, say one to 24 or even 12 hours. Such a one, we apprehend, would be attended with little, if any more trouble to the attendant, than a common water mill which is frequently put in motion and stopped in the course of a day.

We understand that a gentleman, (Mr. J. B. Cannon,) of Prince William county, Virginia, has in idea the invention of such a machine; and from hints dropped by him to some few friends, and from the well known aid extensive genius of this gentleman, we have but little doubt that if he undertakes the execution he will succeed. And we hope the great benefit which would be derived by the public, and accrue to himself from such a discovery, will prompt him soon to undertake it.

A SUBSCRIBER.