nce wheel is formed, is valued at something less than a
farthing; this produces an ounce of steel, worth 4 1-2 pence, which is
drawn into 2,250 yards of steel wire, and represents in the market,
13_l._ 3_s._; but still another process of hardening this originally a
farthing's worth of iron, renders it workable into 7,050 balance
springs, which will realize, at the common price, of 2_s._ 6_d_ each
746_l_. 5_s_, the effect of labor alone. Thus it may be seen that the
mere labor bestowed upon one farthing's worth of iron, gives it the
value of 950_l._ 5_s_, or $4,552, which is 75,680 times its original
value.

=Mule Boats.=

This kind of conveyance is, we believe, peculiar to the Illinois
River, for we never remember to have seen one belonging to any other
stream. A year or two since, we were perfectly astonished at beholding
the first one that ever arrived in this port; but now they are as
common as the species usually termed _broad horns_, and their
appearance creates about as much surprise and curiosity among the more
aristocratic order of steam and sail. A genuine mule boat is not
unlike an ocean steamer, as they are susceptible of being propelled
both by steam and wind; with this difference, the mule-boat steam is
generated upon the tread-mill plan, and by the united exertions of
some half dozen quadrupeds, generally of the long-eared kind. To this
treading or pulling apparatus are attached cylinder, pitt-man,
boilers, &c., in the shape of some three or more cog-wheels, and
immediately connected with them is a couple of shafts, which give a
rotary motion to a couple of water-wheels, one on each side, and which
usually propel a keel about 100 feet in length, and of about 75 tons
burthen; over it is a roof and covering, usually called a cargo box,
to protect the inside from the weather, and the whole making an
appearance similar to an Ohio river keel boat, with the exception of a
space left her to operate in. The difficulty and danger attending the
management of a boat propelled by steam, is upon the mule boat
entirely dispensed with.

There is no firing up, or blowing up; all that is necessary, when
wishing to commence a journey, is to start, and when tired of going,
all that is to be done is to stop the mules; in giving a lick ahead,
they are all made to bounce at once, and in giving a lick back, they
are turned around and made to pull the other way: and should the wind
prove favorable, by means of a mast, with