The Sun. — London, England, 1848-12-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, THE CHURCH OF ST. ISAAC AT ST. PETERSBURGH. The following descriptive account of the magnifi cent cathedral of St. Isaac, erected by the Chevalier de Montferrand, we extract from the Builder. The paper was read by Professor Donaldson, at the open ing meeting of the present session of the Royal In stitute of British Architects:— One of the most important features of this insti tate is the noble body of distinguished professors of our art who compose the list of honorary and corres ponding members. It forms the immediate link of connexion between the professional men of this and foreign lands. We have thus the privilege of knowing the imposing edifices which arise in the principal cities of the continent, and are stimulated by their example—instructed by their genius. If in point of some facilities in matters of construction we have the advantage of them, they, on the other hand, have more frequently the opportunities of bringing into co-operation the sister arts, and by the abun dance of the means placed at their disposal, can more profusely adorn their edifices by the production of the pencil and the chisel, and by an abundance of rare and exquisite materials, such as granite, marble, bronze, and precious stones, can give that splendour of enrichment in vain to be looked for in our modern buildings, until the present completion of the House of Lords by our distinguished member, Charles Barry. I have had occasion in a previous session, to call your attention to the stupendous column of Alexan der, erected by the present Emperor of Russia, to the memory of his predecessor and beloved brother, after the designs of the Chevalier de Montferrand. In that work we particularly admired the monolithic shaft of granite, and the mechanical means employed in the elevation of the huge block. The Chevalier, our honorary and corresponding member, has since fa voured us by sending to the library a superb volume, illustrative of the magnificent church of St. Isaac, just completed : a monument of such leading conse quence in every respect, and holding so important a rank in the cathedral churches of Europe, that it well deserves a passing notice, as introducing us to a pe culiar combination- of plan, and an application of gra nite and iron, and other ingenious processes, on so large a scale, and in some points of so novel a nature, es to be very instructive and interesting. The origin of the church of St. Isaac dates from the foundation of St. Petershurgh ; for Peter the Great conceived the idea of erecting a place of wor ship under the invocation of the saint ; but he was not able to do more than construct a provipional church of wood, in the naval yard, which was shortly after burned. ,The Czar then laid the foundation. in 1717 of the second church of St. Isaac, not far from the Neva, on the site of the present Palace of the Senate. This church was also partly burned by fire in 1735, and the quarter of St. Isaac becoming more populous, and a place of greater resort, the Empress Catherine directed the erection of a new church in honour of this saint, in that part of the city, and the architect Rinaldi prepared the designs, and it was commenced in 1768. It was intended to build this church entirely of marble, but the Death of the Cza rina took place when it had only been carried up as high as the entablature, and the Emperor Paul 1., anxious to clear away the immediate vicinity of the church, in order to render the site less obstructed, and the original plan more complete, directed the archi• tect Brenna to finish it provisionally, in the meantime omitting or diminishing some of the principal fea tures, until its proper completion, when a develop ment more commensurate with the ideas of the Em peror, the church, and the people could be carried into effect. The plan of this church was strictly in conformity with the tradition and usages of the Greek church, the national rite of the Russian empire. It consisted of a Greek cross, of four equal arms, having apsidal ends, the intersection or crux of the arms being sur mounted by a dome with four abutting chapels at the angles, also surmounted by internal domes and exterior steeples. There was a projecting tower at the west end advancing considerably in front of the mass of the church, with a lofty steeple and entrance doorway; and there were doorways at the north and south at the ends of the transepts. There were three iconastases of the class described by Herr Hallman, in his able pa per on the Greco-Russian Church, contained in the second part of the Transactions of the Institute. The plan, therefore, is simple and majestic—its parts well defined and presenting a great variety of effects. The perspective view also offers a busy and picturesque aspect. The lofty spire and the central dome, sur rounded by its four minor turrets, has an effective and distinct character, devoid of monotony, although perhaps not very pure in detail, or severe in its com position as a whole. Tha outside dimension of the square mass of the church was 173 feet. Its greatest width from outside to outside of the apsidal ends of the transept was 222 feet. Its extreme external length from the front of the tower to the exterior of the east ern apsis 280 feet; consequently it was an edifice of no mean dimensions. The magnificent ideas of the Emperor, who desired to have a temple commensurate with the vast empire over which his rule extended, led him to submit to public competition the project for the new fabric ; but none of the plans submitted seemed to meet the public expectations. Alexander L then directed the Chevalier de Mont ferrand to prepare designs, with the express command to preserve as much as possible of the old church, particularly the space occupied by the three iconas tases, or altar screens, already consecrated. Many projects were consequently presented to the Czar, who adopted one, which seemed best adapted to the special purpose of its destination, and combining best with the buildings by which it w as more immediately sur rounded. In order to carry the works into effect, the architect immediately proceeded to clear the locality and to erect spacious workshops, offices for the clerks, habi tations for certain of the police and officials, barracks for a military guard, a steam engine, and other indis pensable contrivances. The foundations were immediately excavated to the depth of above 33 feet below the surface of the ground. Fir piles were then driven, throughout the whole extent, 42 inches in diameter and 21 feet in length, their distance apart being equal to their dia meter. The earth around the heads of the piles was cleared to the depth of 14 inches, and charcoal driven in to fill up the vacuity, and the whole surface pre sented 10,762 piles. Upon these were placed two courses of granite, composed of large black blocks. The points of support, and particularly the foundations of the four piers of the dome, were also carried up in solid granite, and the rest filled up with ordinary construction, but forming a regular mass of compact masonry through out the whole surface of the monument. While these works were proceeding, the architect was directed to proceed to Finland, to examine the quarries whence were to be extracted the 48 mono - lithic blocks for the shafts of the columns of the por tico. These quarries are situated in two small islands on the shores of the Gulf Finland, between Vibourg and Fredreicsharn. These shafts in the rough were 7 feet in diameter, and 56 feet long. They were em barked two on a vessel, and then transported by the Neva to St. Petersburgh, and there finished off. These columns are certainly the largest ever employed for such a purpose. Those of the Pantheon at Rome are only between 46 and 47 feet long, and they exceed in size any others of antiquity now remaining. The peristyle of the dome has 24 columns, 42 feet high. Those noble columns which many of us know, in the Baths of Diocletian, and those in the Baths of Cara cella, are only 38 feet high. Again, there are 32 columns in the steeples of this church, also monoliths; they are 30 feet high—thus presenting a series of 104 monolithic columns in gra nite, in number and size, and costliness of material, excelling every other monument of ancient or modern times. We will now proceed to ty p pe lan o o f f tw t h h ie e th b u u sr i e l e d i m g, which presents the elementary cross. This, however, is hardly mar k ed distinctness as in the older church, there bein g se_ veral supplementary chapels and vestibules, w hi ch give somewhat of complexity to the arrangement. In the centre is the intersection of the four equal arm s of the cross, surmounted by the dome; and again at the extreme angles of the parallelogram are four square divisions, surmounted by the four steeples. The church is placed due east and west—the altar to the east, with its several iconostases, the principal entrance at the west end, with its three doorways under an octa style portico p ro j ec ti ng on l y one i nterco l umn i a t i on from the body of the building. The east end has a similar portico. In the ordinary arrangement of churches we should expect that the west end would form the principal entrance, and consequently would receive the greater degree of embellishment. But in this instance there are two noble porticoes at the ends of the north and south transepts ; octastvle, like those at the east and west end, but h av i ng a depth of three intercolumniations instead o f one , w i t h d eeply recessed large niches, the whole composition being an imitation of that at the Pantheon of Rome in every respect. Ap parently, this greater magnificence at th ese po i nts arises from local considerations, as facing more im portant approaches and more imposing public edifices. The bases of the columns of these porticoes, as also the caps, are of bronze ; the shafts 6 feet 6 inches i n diameter, 11 feet apart, and 45 feet 6 inches high, giving a total height to the columns, including the base of the capital, of 56 feet 6 inches. The enta blature is 14 feet 6 inches high; together 71 feet. Each portico is surmounted by a pediment, crowned by statues ; and the summit and acroteria, and the tympanum, are enriched with bronze groups. This order runs through the whole exterior of the church, and has above it a double attic, equal in height to half that of the entire principal order, an enormous dis proportion, which renders the building top heavy, and tends to detract from the vastness of the order be neath. It is most likely that the architect may have adopted this lofty attic to hide the roof; but the ex pedient has been more destructive to the effect of the building than the apprehended unsightliness of the roof. We will now enter the church under the western portico, and immediately we are admitted into a ves tibule, similar to the narthex of the ancient Christian temple, with smaller vestibules to the right and left, which are surmounted by the steeples already alluded to. There is a centre nave, 43 feet wide, 175 feet 6 inches long, up to the iconostasis, and presenting a tototal length from the inside of the eastern to the inside of the western wall, of about 278 feet. The greatest width inside between the walls is 153 feet. The grand iconostasis, of white marble, rises up and forms the altar screen, or image bearer, in front of the large piers which terminate the eastern arm of the cross. It is 150 feet wide and 70 feet high. Three steps lead up to the level of the altar plat form. There are three lofty circular-headed door ways, about 14 feet wide by 34 feet high. The princi pal order is 46 feet wide, the eight Corinthian columns 37 feet 6 inches high, the shafts and those of the piasters are fluted, and consist of exquisitely inlaid malachite from the province of Perm, discovered in 1631, in a copper mine of M. Demidoff, the largest seam ever known, being 17 feet 6 inches long, 8 feet 2 inches wide, and 4 feet 6 inches high, the weight of which mass has been calculated at 120,0001b5., or 50 tons. The bases and capitals are of bronze gilt. I should state that there is a cylinder of cast iron to each column, forming a core, covered by a brass cylinder, to which the malachite is attached, the pieces being fitted with such exquisite skill that the columns and pilasters appear to be of one enormous block. The whole iconostatis has incrustations of porphyry, jasper, malachite, and other precious stones , of the country. An attic, 20 feet high, rises above the order, which in the centre is again surmounted by a supplemental attic, flanked by two angels, and forming the pedestal upon which is raised , the cross, with a group of angels at the base, , in the attitude of prayer, and grief, and devotion. [ Groups representing the resurrection of our Saviour and the ascent of the Tirgin Mary flank the circular-headed aperture of the central doorway. There are three tiers of pictures of saints, the Virgin, our Saviour, and the Almighty, who occupy the central compartment, and other sacred personages the ride divisions, all painted on a gold ground, clad in rich vestments, and bedecked with jewels. In con fornity with the canons of the Greek Church,- there are no other figures in relief than the angels. The door which closes the centre aperture is of silver, 34 feet high; the side doors are of marble. A profusion of lamps, all of massive silver, are pendant from the ceiling, hanging in front of the pictures. Behind the iconostasis are three sanctuaries, the central one with the high altar, which is surmounted by a baldachin, or canopy, supported by eight marble columns. Each of the side chapels has its own ico nostasis and altar, dedicated respectively to St. Alex an ler Newsky and St. Catherine. These secondary iconostases are 40 feet wide each, and above 25 feet high, but a central attic and surmounting group of the Ascension increase the total height of the loftiest part to 40 feet. They are of white marble, designed in the cinquecento style, and ela berately ornamented, the panels being filled with gosgeous pictures of saints on a gold ground. But, in truth, all these paintings, although executed with consummate art, are but temporary, as tle , y are ultimately to be taken out and re placed with resplendent mosaics. In fact, this group of three sanctuaries, with their iconostases, altars, and side door-screens, dividing the central altar piece from the side chapels, composed of the most equisite marble, profusely enriched with sculptures, paintings, and bronze gilt, make a dazzling group, of which we can form no adequate conception, even if we can in imagination realise the restoration of the sanctuary of the most ornate of our principal cathedrals, carved and painted throughout — emblazoned in all the pomp of the most profuse poly chromy, and abounding with statues and groups of the Saviour, the Virgin, the Patriarchs, the Prophets, the Apostles, Saints, and Martyrs of the religious calen dar of the middle ages. The general decoration of the interior of the church consists—first, of to low stylobate or dado, nearly five feet high, above which is a Corinthian order of c dumns and pilasters, 42 feet high ; and this is again surmounted by a lofty attic, with pilasters and cornice, 21 feet high. The loftiness of this attic, being half that of the principal order, detracts materially from the importance of the order, and, in fact, there seems no necessity for dividing the height into two, for if the outer order of the porticoes had been con tinued inside the effect would have been nobler, and the expectations of the beholder, excited by the proportions and scale of the outer order, would have been realised also within the church. From the top of the attic spring the vaultings of the ceilings of the church, which are sumptuously enriched. The cornice of the attic is not of sufficient importance to act as the impost of the vaultings. The intersection or crux of the arms of the cross is surmounted by the dome, 96 feet in diameter, and 196 feet high from the pavement to the cupola of the lantern, and 332 to the top of the cross. Immediately over the pendentives formed by the intersection of the vaultings and the naves and transepts, is a lofty stylobate, 27 feet high, in the periphery of which are 12 angels, 19 feet high, supporting consols. The wall of the drum of the cupola is pierced by twelve circular headed windows, and the order, 46 feet high, is Corinthian, like that of St. Peter's and our own St. Paul's, and most other similar cathe drals. The pilasters are fluted. The dome rises to a height of 40 feet above the entablature of the order of the drum. It is not divided into compartments, but forms a vast plain surface, decorated with a pic ture of the celestial glorification of the Virgin Mary. In the centre of the dome is an aperture, 21 feet in diameter, opening into an upper dome, formed by the intermediate cone, and on the surface of this also a painting of the glorification of the Redeemer. The whole surface of the walls of the interior of the church and vaultings, with the columns, pilasters, and dressings, are all cased with white and various coloured marbles, from Finland and Italy ; the bases and caps are of bronze gilt in " or molu." For the purpose of procuring a white marble superior even to that of Carrara, a Tuscan company undertook to open a new quarry at Sera vez2sa. Bridges were constructed over torrents and ravines, roads were formed on the sides of perpendi• cular rocks, and habitations and workshops were erected for the workmen, in order to provide this choicer material. The marbles from Finland were red, violet, black, and mixed, and were used in the mosaic pavement, in the construction of the basement, and in the four smaller cupolas to the steeples, at the angles of the church. The Chevalier de Montferrand has paid great attention to the decoration of the vault ings of the interior, which are distributed in large di visions. Forty colossal figures, in high relief, of gal vanised bronze, and in the proportion of 21 feet high, form the chief features of this decoration. They re present the prophets, patriarchs, and angels, with their various attributes. Some stand on corbels, others are seated within niches. I may be permitted, perhaps, here to call attention to the enormous application of the electrotype or gal vanio-plastic process in the sculpture of this cathedral by the architect. After having made very important experiments, he was authorised to adopt this mode in the execution of the metallic sculptures and carvings for the following reasons :- 1. The identical reproduction of the sculpture without chiselling. 2. The lightness of the pieces, which enabled the architect to introduce sculptures of higher relief than any hitherto known, and to fix the pieces suspended from the vaultings, without fear of accident, or of their being detached. 3. The great saving of expense between these and castings in bronze. The gilding also was effected by the same process, and presented equal advantages. The seven doors of the cathedral will be of bronze and electrotype, the frame work being of the former, and the sculptural parts of the latter. Three of these doors are 30 feet high and 14 wide, the four others 17 feet 8 inches wide. They contain 51 bas-reliefs, 63 statues, and 84 alto-relievo busts, of religious sub jects and characters. There is so rem ar k a bl e a d e p ar t ure i n th e construc tion thl of the d ome f rom t h e systems hi t h erto a d opted, on tl sh a ll b e perhaps pardoned in trespassing further your attention by describing, with the aid of the annexed diagram, the whole assemblage of this im portant feature. In alluding to the ust cupolas previously erected, the recognises to the genius of our Chevalier pays a • c n o t vises St. Paul's " as the illustrious Wren, just see adop un th ir e reproachable soli dity:'only existing dome therefore,pre it out in pot combination of elg a principle of Sir Christopher, wrought and cast iron and hollow The walls of the drum of the domes.ar in solid construction of brick, with tiers ofe carried stone bond up and are above 8 feet thick. On the level of the top of the cornice of the circular colonnade, which girds the drum, there is a series of 24 cast-iron ribs, the feet of which rest on a cast-iron plate seven feet wide, which runs quite round the cirumference. The lowest division of each rib rises to a height of about 23 feet, in its narrowest part is 3 feet 4 inches wide, in its broadest 5 feet, with upper and lower ribs, and the central part lightened by large apertures. At their head all the ribs are attached to a horizontal plate or curb, 6 feet 3 inches wide, which follows the periphery of the dome. At this height the rib is divided into the one part about 2 feet 6 inches deep, following- the sweep of the inner dome for a height of 20 feet, at its summit bolted to a cast iron perforated cylinder, 21 feet in diameter, and 7 feet high; this forms the central are rture at the summit of the inner dome. The other part follo.vs the line of an intermediate cone, w'iih a catenary outline, and similar to the one in our St. Paul's ; it is also 21 feet long, and 2 feet 6 inches deep, and perforated to render it lighter. At this height the heads of the ribs are again secured to another horizontal plate or curb, which forms a complete circle, and is 3 feet wide ; and this curb and the ribs are tied to the cylindrical opening of the inner dome, already mentioned, by radiating beams 2 feet 3 inches deep. The conical ribs have then another length of 21 feet, and their heads are again connected by another horizontal plate, from which spring the circular ribs, about 16 feet long, forming a dome to the intermediate cone, and their heads also bolted to a cylinder, 8 feet 6 inches in diameter, and 18 inches high. But the upper portion of the ribs diverge at top, so as to form a base for the octago nal cupolino, which consists of a series of cast-iron story posts, ribs, and bracketings, inclusive of the dome of the cupolino, with its ball and cross at the apex, which last are of brass gilt. The filling in be tween the ribs consists of pots, the surfaces of which were subsequently rendered with plaster, and painted with sacred subjects. The sphere of the outermost or third dome consists of a series of wrought-iron T ribs tied to the conical dome by rods. The external face of this outer dome is divided by 24 bold ribs, and is covered with bronze gilt in three thicknesses of leaves of ducat gold. The three principal gilders of St. Peteraburgh were charged with the inspection of the execution of this portion of the work, and re jected every leaf that had the slightest spot or blemish. The whole entablature and flat, and the balustrade over the peristyle of the drum of the cupola, likewise consist of cast and wrought iron framing, faced with plates of copper to form the profiles and mouldings. The twenty-four pedestals of this ballustrade carry winged angels of bronze about nine feet high, each of a single casting. The quantity of metal employed in the dome is as follows : Ducat gold Copper s2i tons. Brass Wrought-iron 5241 tons. Cast-iron 1,068 tons. 1,966- tons. 2471b5. The foresight of the architect has provided the following precautions against lightning, so much the easier, as the summit of each dome is in metal ; at the top of the crosses of the bell towers and of the cupolino of the central dome are rods of platina, ter minating in a point; each dome at its springing has isolated iron conductors, which go down to the roofs ; and in the direction of the cast-iron rain water pipes are continued in the interior of the walls down to wells in the basement, the overflow of which dis charges into the town sewers. In justification of the system here employed let the architect speak for himself;—" We think," says De Montferrand, " the mode we have adopted supe rior to that of any other cupola. For what can be more absurd than those vaultings raised 250 or 300 feet in air, whose frightful weight, unceasingly in ac tion, tends to disunite the points of support which up hold them? Our new system offers a stable combina tion, which allows of no disunion, which has no thrust, and which reduces to a tenth the weight of any pre vious combination. In our plan, the iron and bronze entablature of the peristyle of the drum is not a mere architectural embellishment : it is a solid girdle, which embraces firmly the dome, so as to give it a great stability ; and can the superiority of this system be contested, when it is considered that here is em ployed the material which can alone, with prudent care, brave the effects of a rigorous climate ?" The arches and vaults of the nave an d t ranscep t s and the soffits of the porticoes are carried out in like manner by means of cast-iron girders, to which are a t tac h e d thg marble facings and decorative embellish ments. The roofing is wholly of iron, covered with copper. There are thirty-four small columns of cast-iron, resting on the walls and vaultings of the ceiling. These are tied together by a series of inverted queen trusses of wrought and cast iron mixed, about six feet apart, with wrought iron lathing to receive the copper. The whole presents a very light effect, and is very simple in its combination ; and although the roof rises about nine feet above the level of the attic outside yet it is not seen unless by th ose a t a very great distance from the building. In determining the thickness of the drum of the cupola, M. de Montferrand has adopted the prin ciple laid down by Fontana, of making the thickness of this cylindrical wall equal one-tenth of the internal diameter, although Rondelet and others allow a much less thickness. Notwithstanding a substantial base for this great thickness of wall, and the projecting architectural embellishments of the dome, is afforded by the pendentives, which rise from the four great piers of the dome, and form the circle for the cylinder of the drum. The raising of the monolithic shafts of the 24 co lumns of the exterior peristyle of the dome—each of which weighed near 60 tons—to the height of 150 feet, was an operation requiring considerable skill. Each shaft was surrounded by a stout casing, to which were attached strong cables. It was then placed on an immense truck, calculated for the size of the vast block, and drawn by capstans upon an easy incline to a platform, which was on a level with the tops of the columns of the interior order, 42 feet high. Upon this platform was a moveable incline 92 feet high, but with a very sharp rise, and up this the monolith was again drawn_by capstans. At the sum mit was a large platform 180 feet square, upon which was a moveable wooden framework, answering the purpese of a crane, with blocks and falls. There were twelve capstans around this framework. The monolith, being dragged up the incline, reached the summit, and, by its own weight tilting over, reached the frame work ; it was then by it raised to a vertical position and gradually lowered on a granite die pre pared to receive it, and which was cased with a bronze base. As soon as one monolith was in its place, the move able incline and the moveable platform and frame were all wheeled round ready to raise the next column ; and so on the operation was repeated until th whole series were securely fixed in their respective places. It only required two hours to raise one of the shafts from the platform on a level with the capitals of the inner order, and to fix it on its base. Threw hundred men performed this operation ; the most perfect order and silence were maintained throughout, and the different movements directed by the sound of a bell. A silver rouble was placed on the base of each column in a hole sunk for the purpose._ The first column was raised on the 17th of No vembar, 1837, just eleven years ago from this period ; nor was the operation commenced without prayers to Almighty God to bless the undertaking with success. In two months the 24 columns were completely fixed, and, be it remembered, in the very depth of a Rus sian winter. The skeleton of the entablature of the peristyle of the dome is of cast and wrought iron, resting on the columns, and affixed to them by wrought iron pins, which are let a considerable depth into the shafts ; and the framework is also let into the cylindrical wall of the dome, securely affixed to three templates. The cornice, with its modillions and mouldings, rests on cast-iron corbels ; the caissons and rosettes of the inner soffit also rest on cast-iron girders. The balustrading above is similarly framed, and the pedestals support bronze figures of angels, already mentioned, holding their attributes, each nine feet high, anti of only a single casting, weighing 1 2-3 d tons. The balusters are also of bronze. I may, perhaps, be permitted to observe that the bronze bases, capitals, figures, and other decorative details of this material on the outside are neither gilt nor painted, consequently the dark tone of these parts has a heavy appearance, and ill accord with their purpose and the stonework of the outer facing. In the presence of such an assembly, so compe tent to judge of the merits of this important monument of our art, it would ill become me to offer any remarks, other than those which I have already made, upon the most striking points in re gard to taste and skill, which distinguish this produc tion of our honorary member. He has chosen the most appropriate materials, and has with considerable skill applied to his construction the improved system which cast iron presents. I have not stopped to consider whether he has adopted all the expe dients which we should consider necessary for counteracting the expansion and contraction to be expected in ironwork; particularly: as regards the movement which might be expected at the feet of the ribs of the dome, and which possibly we might have regulated by rollers, and by allow ing space for the development to be expected in a warmer temperature. The interval of ten years must have proved the efficacy of his provisions, and I should ill requite the courtesy of our generous donor were I to analyse with the severity of a critical eye the proportions and details of this remarkable monument_ The unsparing nature of the materials employed prove the pious liberality of the Emperor and the nation. The careful skill with which the architect has fulfilled his part, and the deep feeling for decorative art with which he has embellished the cathedral of the Russian capital, and the brief spate of time in which he has erected the lofty rile, must ever render the Church of St. Isaac one of the most striking edifices of the nineteenth century. A. SIGNIFICANT ANSWER.—SOITIe few years ago, a right Rev. prelate was giving the candidates for ordi nation 'n. few hints as to their future deportment as clergymen. Among other matters, he touched upon the subject of recreations, and suggested that it was rather inconsistent with the clericjj character to be too much addicted to the sports of the field. One of the Candi dates, feeling himaf•lf especially concerned in this part of his Lordship's address, rather pettishly enquired— ., Why, my Lord, then I suppose that I am never to hint ?" "Indeed, young gentleman," r.•plied his Lord ship, " if you ask my opinion, I think that you had better do nothing else."—Church and State Gazette. LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 26, 1848, ANCIENT REMAINS DISCOVERED IN CHESTER. The drainageof Chester has hitherto been of a very superficial character, and in making the drains on which the workmen are now employed, the remains of former excavations, and some other works have been discovered, of which I have thought it as well to make rough notes, to place at your disposal, to make such use of as you shall see fit. The drains now making average twelve feet deep ; principally through the solid rock. Such are those in St. John-street, Pepper-street, Cuppin-street, and Bridge-street, in making which a previous excavation was crossed, which takes the form of a passage running nearly due east and west ; and which was evidently in existence before the present streets of Chester were designed, as it crosses all those mentioned, some obliquely, and others at nearly right angles. This excavation in the rock is about seven feet wide at the top (that is, about four feet below the surface of the present streets), becoming gra dually narrower to the bottom, where it is not more than twelve or eighteen inches wide ; that is, as far RS can be judged, as I understand from Mr. Blayney, he mason, that the present excavations have nowhere reached the level of the ancient one; and that at their deepest level (about 13 feet), an iron rod was driven into the rubbish with which the old excavation is filled, and that it penetrated 4 feet before it reached the solid rock. At intervals of some yards occur re cesses, or wider excavations of the rock, as if to admit air ; or, possibly, to allow one person to stand aside for another to pass. This is assuming it to have been a subterranean passage, which I very much doubt. It seems more likely to have been a fosse, or ditch, belonging to the defences of the Roman camp; This passage was first noticed in John-street; it was next come upon in Pepper-street, about 70 yards from St. Michael's Church, and opposite Mr., Gough's hou se . About 70 yards further .on, and about 12 from St. Michael's steps, it crosses Bridge-street, nearly at right angles, and runs under the buildings now built on the site of. Old Lamb-row. It occurs again in Cuppin-street, opposite the new buildings next to the King's Head stables. Mr. Roberts, to whom Old Lamb-row belonged, and who built the present houses, informs me that where this portion of the excavation was exposed in laying the foundation of the present building, it was divided longitudinally into two passages or galleries, one above the other, by very substantial timbers and flooring, which was found about eight feet from the surface. On the 24th of November, 1848, and on the Bth of December, in the same year, were exposed the ori ginal (or, at least, what are supposed to be the ori ginal) foundations of the old Eastgate. These remains, which have been only partially disturbed, still exist. They lay at about four feet from the surface, and were first met with about eight feet east of the present gateway, that is, outside it. Their extreme limit is about 60 feet to the east of the Eastgate. They consist principally of several courses of regular masonry, some run ning parallel with, and others crossing the street at right angles. These layers of masonry have vidently formed part of very ancient foundations belonging to the Eastgate, and are probably Roman. From the care with which they are pointed and finished, it is also probable that, though so far beneath the present surface, they were more than mere foundations, and` most likely served for guard-rooms or dungeons. The masonry did not, in any part exposed, present any inscription or peculiarity. It is of the common red sandstone of the vicinity, well squared and firmly set. The timbers which unite it are of great strength and solidity, about fourteen inches thick. A cannon shot was dug up about ten feet from the surface near these remains. Also, a mass of dark matter, supposed to be part of an unignited mine of gunpowder. Subsequent examination shows no indi cation of its ever having possessed the qualities of gunpowder, and I believe it only to be a mass of black mud, composed of decayed vegetable substances. East of these remains, between the present Bank rnd Frodsham•street, two pavements were found : one at the depth of three feet, the other at the depth of nine feet from the present surface. They were quite perfect, and had never been disturbed ; they were exactly similar in character to the common cobble stone paving of the present street, to which they run exactly parallel, and of which indeed they evidently formed the former level, at two different periods. From the depths at which these pavements were found, it appears that a descent, either natural or artificial, formerly existed on issuing from the Eastgate ; most likely artificial, as the surrounding locality presents an unvaried flat, if we except a slight inclination towards the river to the- Southward. It appears singular that in forming the new streets, the pave ments were in neither case disturbed. Either the paving stones were of less value than at present, or possibly in the struggles of civil war, during which we have evidence that the suburbs of Chester (and particularly those in the immediate vicinity of the gates) were laid waste, this point was so covered with rubbish as to render the task of removing it more difficult than the pavement was worth. • . *excavating a drain, in_ a .yard_belonging to Mr. Parkinson, plumber, on the east side of Nortbgate street, between the Abbey-square and the Abbey green, was found an old Roman vase, of which I en close you a drawing. The vase is of clay, not of the usual red, but of a slate colour. At about eight feet from the present surface, the labourer e m pl o y e d on this drain came to the solid and rock ; -he ther e f oun d a circular excavation, about eighteen in c h es dia meter, twelve inches deep, filled with soil, into which a stroke of his spade encountered this vase, which was shattered by the blow. The fragments were nearly all recovered, and carefully reunited by Mr. Parkinson, in whose possession the vase re mains. There were also found two portions of annular brass money, much corroded, and some small frag ments of another jar, not corresponding either in form or colour with the one restored. In Watergate-street, in forming a drain, were found portions of two Roman tiles (of which also I send you sketches), each bearing the fragment of an inscription. One is as follows :7" VVX .;" the other " LEGXXV ...... ' Each is the commencement of an inscription, of which the remainder is lost, and they are both as sharp and clearly defined az the day they were cast.—Correspondent of • the Chester Courant. RAIL WAY INTELLIGENCE. SALOON CARRIAGES ON THE LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY.—A new description of first-class carriage has been constructed for, and is now running on, the London and Brighton line. Instead of having three compartments, as in the ordinary first-class carriage, it has only two, and these, at the option of the passengers, family, or pleasure party, may, by an ingenious mecha nical contrivance, be thrown into ono elegant saloon. They are also fitted up at the end and sides with sofas for general use and the convenience of invalids, and may be converted into bed-carriages, if required. SOUTH DEVON.—The directors, in compliance with the requisition of the shareholders, have just announced that a special general meeting shall be forthwith held at Exeter, to determine on the atmospheric question, when they intend to present a report explanatory of their views and proceedings on the subject. RAILWAY POST-OFFlCE. —Passengers arriving at the Rugby station are not generally aware that a letter-box has been fixed in the window of the ticket-collector's room, under the colonnade on the "up " side. Letters posted here up to nine o'clock in the evening will be for warded the same night to the metropolis and all parts of the country without any extra charge. RAILWAY READING ROOM.—Many of our readers will be glad to learn that a reading room has been opened at the Rugby station, adjoining the Midland sheds, on the upside," to which passengers may ob tain access by the payment of one penny, and thus have an op tunity of reading the London daily and weekly papers, the country journals, and a variety of periodicals—a much pleasanter recreation than walking up and down the long, cold, and cheerless platform, at this inclement season, for those persons who are obliged to wait two or three hours before they can proceed on their journey, as is the case since the alteration in the time of running the trains along the several lines that join at this station. EASTERN UNION (now 511 miles, being amalgamated with the Ipswich and Bury Railway).- e -Traffic for the week ending December 16, 1848, 1,1221. 19e. 10(1.; ditto for the week ending December 19, 1847, 1,110/. Os. 10d. FRENCH AND BELGIAN LINES. —The receipts on the lino from Antwerp to Ghent amounted, for the last month, to 22,188 f. The goods traffic on the State line has increased so much, that the coke furnaces of the company are insufficient to furnish the supply of fuel. The line from Paris to Sceaux, unable to withstand the commercial crisis, has been sequestered, and will be worked by the State. The Tours and Nantes line has been opened between Toursand Saureur, and the second section, from Saumur to Angers, is to be com pleted by the spring. . AMIENS AND BorreolateE (open from Amiens to Bon logne).—Traffic from December 10 to December 17, 1848:—Passengers, 23,641 f. 50c.; merchandise, :6.610f. 70c. Total, 1,2101. Receipts since March 15, 1848, 53,0311. Total, 54,241/. LONDON AND NORTH - WESTERN MUTUAL ASSUR ANCE FuND.—The circumstance of some few cases of defalcation having lately occurred amongst the officers of this company, has led the directors to determine on establishing a mutual assurance fund for their officers, superintendents, clerks, and other servants, who hold situations of trust; and whereby it is proposed that each shall contribute out of his salary 2d. in the pound to constitute a guarantee fund. If at any time the fund in hand shall be found insufficient to meet any defaults, then each officer is to increase his contribution to the extent, in all, of fourpence in the pound, until the defi ciency is supplied ; the contribution thereafter to be reduced to a penny. It is also to be provided that no contributor shall have any individual property in this mutual assurance fund, but that it shall belong to the company, and be applicable only to its specific purpose. Great dissatisfaction is said to exist amongst all the officers of the company at the proposed impost, and a meeting is to be held to memoraliso the directors on the subject. The South-Western Company has served notices on the landed proprietors on the Basingstoke and Salisbury Railroad of their intention of going before Parliament for an extension of time to complete the works, the stoppage of which has caused much dissatisfaction in this neighbourhood, and we believe a petition will be pre sented to Parliament from this town to compel the com pany to finish the works forthwith, as much inconve nience and expense are experienced from the loss of a direct conveyance between Basingstoke and Salisbury. —Hampshire Independent. MONSTER TRAINS ON THE SOUTH-WESTERN, NORTH.. WEST ERN, AND GREAT WESTERN RAILWAYS.—On Sa turday last the up-trains on all the above name d lines were immensely laden with luggage as well as passen gers. By the North-Western alone, on Friday, there was conveyed.l6,ooo parcels, baskets, &c., filled chiefly with poultry, game, and other eatables, as presents for Christmas. On Saturday more than 20,000 similar packages were brought to London by the South-Western; every train was filled (having double the number of car riages), and these so heavily laden, that many did not ar rive till nearly two hours atter their regular time. The third-class train of this line, due in London at lh. 40m. on Saturday, did not arrive until 3 o'clock, although driven by two engines, the carriages attached having nearly 1,200 passengers. The first and second class trains were quite as much behind time; the one due in London at 4 P.M. did not arrive till nearly six, having 42 car riages. Tho one due at 96. 10m. P.M., was also more than an hour behind time, having nearly 800 passengers and 3,000 parcels. -The mail train yesterday morning did not arrive till nearly six o'clock, being due at 4h. 30m.; it consisted of 30 carriages quite full. On the Great Western they were equally busy; thousands after thousands of parcels and passengers arriving and de parting by every train through Friday and Saturday. The trains down were immensely laden with barrels of oysters, fish, and other presents, besides crowds going to different parts of the country to visit their friends. We were informed that the receipts were greater during the last three days than in the corresponding period of any past year. . . RAILWAY SIONALB.—A very important discovery has just been made by Mr. W. D. Wells, and John Broad field, surveyor, of Kidderminster, of a new and success ful mode of communication, to be attached to every description of railway carriage, so that in case any one of them breaks away from the rest, on the line, it im mediately communicates the same to the engine-driver, by blowing the steam-whistle on the engine, and also the same can be done by the guard at any moment ; in prin ciple it is self-acting, and entirely removed from the centre' of the passengers, simple, efficacious, and cheap in its application and construction, can be attached together with great facility and saving of time; and, in case of breakage can immediately be restored to its proper action again by the guard, in one moment, and at the cost of a few pence. LEASE OF THE EAST LINCOLNSHIRE TO THE GREAT NORTHERN.—The necessary instruments, after consider able delay, are now being prepared for the transfer of the line, about fifty miles in length, and which runs from the Great Grimsby and Boston to the Great Northern, which will commence paying on it the six per cent. divi dend from the Ist November last.—Hull Advertiser. RAILWAY LAW FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF POLICE. — A correspondence has lately taken place between the railway companies and the Secretary of State, who, to gethar with the Railway Commissioners, are of opinion . (the decision of the law officers of the Crown having first been obtained) that the provisions of the Act 5 and 6 Vic., relating to the conveyance of the military force by cheap trains, also applies to duties of the police body, in such a way as to entitle them to be conveyed at the rate, like soldiers, of Id. per mile, by any train that starts, in order that they may execute their warrants. THE OSWESTRY BRANCM—This branch of the Shrews bury and Chester Railway will, it is anticipated, be opened for public accommodation in the course of next week. On Thursday last a ballasting engine passed along the line, and in a day or two the Government In spector will survey the whole and report thereon.— Hereford Times. SOUTH WALES.—On Wednesday last the first loco motive engine, named " The Dove," and a tender reached Tidenham for the South Wales Railway cuttings near the Mead's House. The engine was hauled from Glou • tester on a carriage built purposely, and drawn by 18 fine grey horses. Four superior black horses hauled the tender. The novelty of the loads, and the beauty of the teams , drew the attention o f a num b er o f peop l e. —Hereford Times. The Mold Railway, a line in the mineral districts of North Wales, is now nearly completed. RAILWAY COMPENSATION.—An inquiry was held on Thursday last before the Sheriff of Surrey, Mr. Sergeant Wallinger, assessor, to award compensation to the firm of Brown, Gordon, and Dunn, residing in Gravel-lane, Southwark, for their leasehold and other interest at tached to the premises which were required for the pur poses of the London and South -Western Railway Com pany's extension to London-bridge. The claimants had obtained a writ of mandamus to compel the inquiry. The Attorney-General, Mr. W. D. Hill, and Mr. Merewether, appeared on behalf of the company on the instructions of Messrs. Birchem, Dalrymple, and Drake, the solicitors to the company. Mr. Watson, Q.C., Mr. Pollen and Mr. Duncombe, for the claimants, on the instruction of Mr. Patterson, as regarded Mr. Brown and Mr. Gordon; Mr. Dunn appearing by his solicitor, Mr. Smith, of the firm of Whiteside and Smith, and repudiating the claim altogether. The claimants de manded in the whole 14,7421. 6s. 10d., which was par ticularised in the following manner, viz., for lease of premises, 5,2021. 18s. 3d., an additional amount alleged to be secured by the terms of the partnership, &c. 2,7122 55.; an amount to be expended upon new pre mises, 1,0001.; loss of interest on that amount, 7501.; removal of stock, 400/.; and 2,0001. for loss of profits on the business, and a sum of 2,676/. 13s. 7d. for Mr. Samuel Brown's private interest in the rental of the residence, and for the removal of some patented inven tions. The parties, it appeared, had a lease, of which six years were unexpired, at 2501. per annum. The c l a i m was, we understood, reduced in court to half the ori ginal amount. Several witnesses were called, and the jury returned the following verdit :—" To the firm, for damages, removal, refixing the plant, and adaptation to other premises, 7501.; for the lease, 3001; ;for Mr. Brown's private interest for gas, engine, &c., 1001.; and for house fixtures, &c., 344/. Is., making a total of 1,394/. Is. DUNDEE AND PERTH.—With reference to our rem arks last week regarding the stoppage of the works of this line across the town, we now understand that it is in con sequence of the exorbitant demands of the tenants occu pying the property purchased for the formation of the line; and that, by not proceeding with the work till their occupancy expires, which will be at Whitsunday first, the company will effect a saving more than equivalent to any profit they would derive from having the line opened at an earlier period.—Perth Advertiser. DUNDALK AND ENNISKILLEN.—The works between Dundalk and Castleblaney are completed, and trial trips aro now made over them preparatory to the public opening. , WATERFORD AND LIMERICK.— There was a me-)ting at the Court-house, Clonmel, on Wednesday la , t, for the purpose of reducing the Railway Inquisition, to be held for !and by !Ilf. tor,, i Railway. Mr. John Preedirga.t, solicitor, is retained by the olainiants. There are three. cases for trial.— cork ,Reporter. WATERFORD AND tLIRIERIcK (25 MILES OPEN) — Traffic for the week ending Saturday, 16th December : —Passengers, 266/. Os. 5d.; goods and cattle, 931. ss. 11.; total (exclusive of mails), 3591. ss. 6d. DUBLIN AND DROGHEDA RAILWAY AND THE POST OFFICE.—In the arbitration case respecting the amount of payment for the conveyance of mails between Dublin and Droghedg, the Recorder yesterday announced a sum of ten guineas a day, or 3,832/. 103. per annum, to be paid by the Post-office to the company for the convey ance of the mails. DUBLIN AND DROGUEDA.—Traffic on tLis line for the week ending Thursday, 21st December :—Passengers (6,122) and mail, 5141. 16s. 3d. ; parcels, 371. 7s. 9d. ; merchandise, 118/. 2s. 6d. ; total amount, 670/. 6s. 6d. Corresponding week last year :—Passengers (6,582) and twill, 5821. Os. 10d. ; parcels, 411. 9s. ld. ; merchandise, 1231. 12s. ; total amount, 7471. Is. 11d. NORMANVILLE'S PATENT AXLE BOX. This admirable invention which as regards loco motives is of the utmost importance, and the use of which will be a saving of time to the public, and of wear and tear of machinery to the shareholders, has been now in use for some months on the North- Western Railway with the most complete success. The patentee, in carrying out this invention, has had the following objects in view, viz., the enclosing within a comparatively air-tight vessel the brass step or bearing, the journal itself, and the lubricator used to keep the journal at a proper temperature. This he has accomplished by a contrivance of so simple a nature, that while the whole of the parts of the carriages, or other vehicles, remain as before, the axle box itself is so simplified in construction, that it lifts on and off the journal in one piece; and the mere pressing it forward towards the nave of the wheel brings the end of it in contact with a brass washer or valve, acted upon by a spring of vul canized India-rubber, which valve and India rubber rotate with the wheel, and being pressed against the end of the axle box effectually closes it. A reference to the annexed diagrams will fully illus trate the arrangement of the parts. The axle box itself is a cylinder, to which both ends are affixed by screws. These and the spring ties are fixtures to the box, and lift on and off with it as before described, the end towards the wheel is turned and polished, and the box in this state is ready for use. To prepare the axle to receive it, a washer or spring of vulcanized India-rubber, of the same diameter as the axle, is passed on to it, and placed against the nave of the wheel. A brass washer, or valve, is then placed against the India-rubber, and both these washers are forced to rotate with the wheel by small pins acting against each other, the axle box being previously filled with grease (leaving room for the journal), is pressed forward upon the journal, and the end of it corning in contact with the brass valve and spring, is effectually closed thereby. IVe hope to see this excellent invention in use on all the railways, and we would suggest to the pro prietors of steam-boats also, whether the use of this patent axle box might not be advantageously intro duced on board steam-ships. The advantages above enumerated are entirely referable to the careful exclusion of the dirt and grit from the interior of the axle box ; and this is further demonstrated by the Slow wear of the axle brasses, which, when closed, as decribed, will last out three or four sets of brasses under the ordinary circumstances ; added to which, the end wear of the brasses, the cause of so great a portion of the lateral oscillation of rail way carriages, is prevented. Another advantage of this arrangement is, that in the event of an axle be coming heated, from an excessive load upon it, de fective workmanship, or any other cause, as long as the valve closing the end of the axle box continues to retain grease, it cannot " fire," the axle and brass bearing being immersed in it, and should the valve even fail altogether, the carriage may travel safely to its journey's end, by being attended to in the same manner as the common axle boxes are. These axle boxes are intended to be worked with the grease in ordinary use on railways ; free oils must on ne ac count be introduced into them, as they decompose the vulcanized India-rubber. One of the carriages has been running with an express train since July the 24th. It has been greased twice since that date, the last time was on the 6th of September, since which period it has travelled 8,000 miles. Nor does it yet appear to require grease. Other carriages, fitted in the same manner, travel distances varying from 4,000 to 6,000 miles. THE FOLKESTONE GHOST.—For about a fortnight a story has been in circulation that a " ghost" was to be seen on the " Bayle," nightly playing his pranks upon those unlucky beings that came within his reach. As is usual in such cases, the most ridiculous reports were greedily devoured by the lovers of the wonderful and strange; children were fearful of stirring out of doors alter dark; women were seen in groups discussing the various taloa of ghosts and goblins which they had heard spoken of. A piemau was stated to have been robbed of his dainties—veal, mutton, and beef pies "vanishing at the sight of the spectre," the pieman leaving his basket in haste to escape from his clutches. Then, again, we hear of a long, lanky being dressed in white, nine feet high, appearing to a lad carrying some stout to a custo mer, who, frightened to death, dropped his basket and ran away. The story of the ghost became at last a general topic, and all sorts of schemes were talked of to catch his ghostship, if ho was made of flesh and blood, and drag him through the Bayle pond. The other eve ning a little child was running down the steps, when a man, extraordinarily dressed, ran after him. The child ran home to his father, crying " Father, the ghost I the ghost I on the steps I" The man hastened to the spot and succeeded in capturing the " real ghost," in woman's attire, having wrapped round him two or three blankets, and two boards lashed one behind and one before. It proved to be a poor old man named Spicer, upwards of 70 years of age, who lived in a wretched shed near the steps, a recipient of 2s. 6d. per week from the parish; he was taken by the man before the mayor in his " ghostly attire," a pitiable object. His worship taking into con sideration his great age, ordered him to be deprived of his weekly allowance, and to be taken to the Elham Union. The "ghost" was than escorted by the police to his cottage amidst the yelling and hooting of a large mob, and was shortly afterwards taken to his destina tion. Thus ends the story of the " Folkestone ghost,' which has turned out as harmless as the " Fiery Ser pent," the one! being a man, the other a peacock.— Dover Chronicle. A FARMER ROBBED.—Mr. Noyes of Highworth, attended Farring market, where he met a gentleman most anxious to purchase some of his cxcellent cattle if he sold them at a fair price. Mr. Noyes was so flattered that he sent his son home before him in his gig to get out the beasts so that the gentleman might see them, for which purpose he would ride to his farm in the gentleman's gig. Mr. Noyes appointed to meet his customer at the Salutation, where he found him dealing with a butcher for sheep, which he ultimately purchased, offering in payment his cheque for 401., but the butcher, not having the balance to pay back, the utmost regret was evinced by the gentleman, who would not on any account have lost his bargain, and offered 103. to any one who would cash the cheque, which had but a few days to run. Caught by the tempting offer, and anxious to oblige his new friend, Mr. Noyes cashed the the cheque. The sequel need not be told. By some strata gem the gentleman and the pseudo butcher made out of town together, leaving an old horse, not worth 405., for Mr. Noyes, who soon learned that he had been regularly done, and that both the gentleman and the butcher were a pair of sharpers. PLAN FOR INCREASING THE 'TEAT FROM A COM MON FIRE, AND IMPROVING VENTILATION.—A Corres pondent of the Builder says, " the plan I propose is a re ciprocating or self-acting arrangement, by which a spiral current of air is formed, commencing externally by means of a small grating, or air brick, let into the front wall, and carried through a pipe (tor which a chase may be cut behind the skirting), to the side of the stove pass ing near the fire. The air within becoming immediately heated, is forced by the greater gravity of the cold air from without, through the continuation of the pipe at the opposite side of the fire, and from thence, by a sheet iron tube under the floor, behind the skirting, or other wise to the opposite extremity of the apartment. It there emerges in a heated state, warms the whole room in its passage across to the fire again, and having supplied entirely the place of the cold air usually let in through doors and apertures, it passes through the flue, and gives place to the fresh and continued (warm) supply which it draws after it, mingles again with the external atmo sphere, and completes the spiral and reciprocating I current." FATAL WAGBIL—On Saturday evening Mr Baker held an inquest at the Black Lion, New Mon tague-street, Spitalfields, on the body of ornelius De lany, aged 36, a plasterer, who came by his death under the following circumstances :—George Croft, a plasterer, residing at 4, Montague-street, Spitalfields, deposed to having known the deceased, who, up to Sunday evening last, was in perfect health. About seven o'clock on that evening, witness was in company with the deceased in the tap-room of the Black Lion, when a conversation about " hearty " drinking having arisen the deceased wagered with some of bis companions that he would drink twelve pints of porter within an hour, allow ing himself five minutes to each pint, or forfeit ten shillings' worth of drink. The bet was accepted, and the deceased having drank ten pints within the specified time, was in the act of drinking the eleventh, when be suddenly fell to the ground, and was immediately con veyed to his lodgings in a state of insensibility, where he was allowed to remain on the floor wholly unattended till the following morning, when, not having rallied, a surgeon was called in, but the usual remedies were of no avail, and he died the next morning. The Coroner having animadverted in severe terms upon the gross impropriety of such wagers, the jury returned a verdict of " Died from excessive drinking." INCREA.SED VALUE OF GROUND IN THE METRO POLIS.—There are many estates in the metropolis which, fifty years back, were worth 31. an acre, as cow, pasture, and dairy ground, now realising from 1,000/. to 2,000/. pnr acre per annum 1 Many within thirty years, which w..ro brick-field roughs, now return half that rental ; and in another generation these same estates on which the property of thousands has been outlaid, will, in some instances, :,viAd to the colossal proprietors from 100,0001. to 500,000/. per annum.—The Dallier. "Ma," said a young lady to her mother, the other clay, " what is emigrating?" Mother—" Emigrating, 't'''ll7.g golng to Austrolz. - 17 ,id, " What is celouizing, ma?" Mother—" Colonizing, dear, is marrying there and haying family." Daughter--: "Ma, I should like to go to Australis." THE COUNTRY MARKETS. CHELMSFORD, DEC. 22.—The trade in all descriptions of grain was to day extremely flat. The best Wheats were Is. and second-rate samples 2s. per quarter lower, with ,af very limited sale. Oats were from 6d to is cheaper, and barleys (superfine samples excepted) rea lised Is per quarter less money than last week. In beans and peas our quotations are unaltered, with little busi, ness dning therein. Ter Quarter. s. 5. Wheat, White, 01d... 51 551 Per Quarter. Peas, Partridge White ...... Dun Beans, Tick (new) New 50 54 Red, old 41 47 New 40 46 Barley 29 33 Chevalier 29 34 Grinding 26 30 Oats l7 23 Malt Chevalier HADDINGTON, DEC. 22.—We had a larger supply to day of all kinds of grain. Sales were quick. Wheat, top, 2s, and averag e 2 s 8 d down; weight of top, per four bushels, 18st 01b. Barley, top, 6d up, and average 13 down; weight of top, per four bushels, list 21b. Oats, top, 6d down and average 6d up; weight of top per four bushels, 13st lib. Beans, top, 2s, and average• 43 9d down; weight of top, per four bushels, 19st 61b. Wheat. Barley. Oats. Beans. First ... 53s Od 33s Od 22s Od 523 Od Second ... 443 4d 27s 64 20s 6d 28s 3d' Thi r d .. 33s Od 21s Od 16s Od 22s Od Total quantity :of Wheat in market 559 qrs., 433 sold Do. Barley do. 644 qrs. , 532 ..solt. Do. Oats de. 401 qrs., 372 sold Do. Beans do. 102 qrs., 79 sold GLA Scow PROVISION MARKET, DEC. 21.—Cheese, 46s Od to 52s Od per mat; retail ditto, Sid to 6d per lb. Skim milk, 00a to 00s per cwt. Country fresh butter, 10d to lld per lb; Irish powdered, in lumps, 9id to 10d; country powdered, wholesale, 9d to 10d. Country eggs, Is per dozen; carried hen ditto, 8s 6d per hundred, or 8d per dozen, Hens, 2s Od per pair; ducks, 2s Od. KIreKALDY, DEC. 23.—We had here to-day good supplies of all kinds of grain, sales of which proceeded slowly. Wheat was a full is per quarter lower. Barley of good and fine qualities brought about last day's rates, but inferior was 6d per quarter lower. Oats of tine colour brought last week's prices, but discoloured, of which the supply consisted, were is per quarter lower. Wheat. Barley. Oats. Beans. Peas. First 52s Od 305 Od. 21s 6d —s Od —s Od Second 50,s Od 28s Od 20s Od —s Od —a Od Third 435... Od 22s Od 15s Od —s Od ,—s Od Oatmeal, per bag of 2801bs. i m p . , 28 s to 00s. DALEEITH, DEC. 21.—Tie supply of grain at this day's market was less than last week. Sales brisk for wheat and, barley, peas, and beans. Oats a dull sale. Wheat down on the top 3s per quarter, but up on the average 4id. Quarters. Best. I Current. Inferior. 264 Wheat ... 21 12s 0412/ 9s ed I/ 18s Od 952 Oats ... 11 is 4dol 19s Od 01 12s 4d 835 Barley ... 1/ 12s Od 1/ 8s 64 11 Os Od 88 Peas, &c. 11 12s Od 1/ lls Od 11 95 Od Averages of wheat, 215 s lind per qr. The relative weight of the three prices of wheat were 18st 81b; 18st llb; and 16st 31b. Of oats, 12st 61b; 12st 21b; and 9st 121 b. Of Barley, 16st 81b; 16st 111); . 12st 91b. Peas and beans, 19st 01b; 18st 121 b, and 18st 41b. KELSO, DEC. 22.—Wheat, old, 39a to 425; ditto, new, 30s t 0,395; barley, new, 17s to 21s Od;' ditto, old, —s to —s; potato oats, —s to —,7,; ditto, new, 143 to 165 Od; common oats, Ils to 14s; ditto, new, —s to —s; peas, 24s to 255; beans, 24s to 253 per boll of six imperial bushels. IlAwrcx, DEC. 21.—Wheat, new, 36s to 425; ditto s old, 48s to -s; barley, new, 17s to 21s; ditto, old, —; potato oats, 153 to 17s; common ditto, Ils to 145; peas, 27s to 28s; be ens, 27s to 28s, per boll of six im perial bushels. PERTH, DEc. 21.—Wheat, 42s to 525; barley, 25s to 295; oats, 15s to 18s; peas and beans, 26s to 30s per quarter ; catmeal 28s to 31s per sack. FALKIRK, DEC. 22.—The supply of grain in this day's market was 747 bolls. Wheat at 21s to 24s 9d per boll; barley, 18s 9d to 27s 03; oats, 12s to 15s Od; beans, lls to 15s 6d per boll; oatmeal, —s to —s per load. STInLINO, DEC. 22.—Wheat, foreign, 27s to 30s; ditto home, 00s to 00s; ditto ditto, new, 21s to 255; barley, per boll of six bushels, 003 to 00s; ditto, new, 19s to 22s 6d; oats, common, 00s Od to 00s; ditto ditto, new, Ils 6d to 00s; ditto, Flemish, 00s to 00s; ditto ditto, new, lOs to 12s; malt, distillers, 38s to 40s; ditto, brew ers, 38s to 41s; beans, per boll, 15s 6d to Os; ditto,:new, lls 6d to 14s; peas, 00s to 00s. Flour, 'new, per sack, 403 to 425; ditto, counn,u ditto, 29s to 30s 64. Oatmeal, per load, 003 to 005; ditto, new, 27s to 295; ditto, per peck of 71bs, 91d to 10d. Fresh butter per lb, lid to 120. Eggs per dozen, 9d to 10d. Hay, per ton, 465 to 50s. 8. 8. 34 37 36 40 32 35 28 32 27 32 29 34 29 33 26 28 26 30 01d... Harrow Ticka (new) 01d... Mazagan (new)...... i 01d... ,2 BERWICK, DEC. 21.—Wheat, 44s 71d; barley, 275 4d; oats, 18s 9d; peas, COi Od, average, per .imperial quarter. HAMB URGH eVIARKETS. HAMBURGH FUNDS, DEc. 22. Bills. Ileum Hanoverian New Loan, 5 per Cent. .. • . 103 102% Bank Shares •••• • • • • ...............,, _ ~.„ Anglo-Russian Loan ............... 983 Ditto, Metal., in Ilamb. Certificate •. • • 96% New 6 per Cent., Hope and Co. ••.• • • 91 —. Ditto Stleglitz ———.•.•.•.• • • • • • • • • 30 Belgian Loan ••• ••• .. ••••••• • • • •• • • 43 % II•%. Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent •.• • • • 65% Ditto, in 100/. skarems........ .••• • , • • 66% .Angio-Swedish Loan .. .. • ........... 98 Ditto, Transport Loan •• ••.•.. • • .. • • 93 Norwegian Loan, 1848 .... ..... .... 95 96 Spanish New 5 per Cent. ••——. • • • 93. 9 Ditto 3 per Cent .......... •••• • • • • 18% 18% Ditto, 1846............ —•• .... -.— Angio-Portuguise Loan, 2% per Cent.. Dutch Actual Debt, 2% per Cent.... • • Ditto 3 per Cent. ...............• National Bank Shares...... ........ RAILWAYS. I3ergd. Ditto, Priority Shares ... Berlin and Hamburg Ditto, Priority Shares .. ....... Cologne and Minden .• • • .... ....... I)itto, Priority Shares 3fecklenburg• • • • •• .• • • .. •• • • • • • • •. •• Altona and Kiel ....... ...... •• .. Gluckstadt .. ••••••..•• .. • • • • •• •• 25 Rendsburg.......... ••••..•••• •• • • .• 99 Hanseatic Steam Company .. •• 93 EXCHANGES ON LONDON. Hamburgh, Dec. 22 ........ ••• • • • 13 10% Ditto, Two months • •• • • l3 9 Berlin, Dec. 21. two months 6 251 i Leipzig, Dec. 20, three months •• .• 6 26% Petersburgh, Dec. 15, three months 36% HAMBURGH CORN MARKET, Dm 22. WHEAT—Polish .........• •• •• •• lO4 125 Ant. Magd., Red •• •• .• •• 110 125 Ditto, White •• •• 110 125 Marks and Brunswick •• Silesian yellow •• • • Mecklenb. Porn. .. • Holstein •• •• •••• •• 92 Eider and Busura ........ •• • Lower Elbe .... •• • • •......• • 8 RYE - Russian . .. •• • Arch. and Magd. Marks., Meck., and Pom. ••• ••• BARLEY - Mark, and Od er • Anhalt and Magd ......... Lower Elbe, wint er .. •• . Ditto summer • OATS —Upland ....... Meek and Holstein Lower Elbe, White VETCHES • . RAPE SEED • • 34' VI% 25 38 26 40 ..... 22 36 52 80 • • ...• • 62 78 68 •. •• ...... 145 156 [ADVEILTISEMENT.]—A Cure of Rheumatism by Holloway's Pills, certified by Mr. James Rochford, of Port Phillip, who states that his wife Hrs. Lydia Roch-; ford was affected with Rheumatism in the head for fif teen months, and although attended by the beat medical pracitioners she could obtain no relief, it also affected the palate of her mouth to such a degree that she could not articulate her words properly. She was advised to try Holloway's Pills, and by their efficacy she has been restored to her usual good state of health. This won derful cure is now made public for the sake of suffering humanity. Holloway's Pills are equally efficacious in, the severest cases o f gout. S o l d b y al l Druggists, an d at Profsssor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London. STRIKES.—An entire stoppage has been put to the further progress of the railway bridge over the Tweed at Brriviek, in consequence 'of the men in a body having refused to work uny longer for the contractors without wages. On Saturday night the arrears amounted to nineteen weeks. A number of masons employed by Messrs. Thomas and William Smith, shipbuilders, at their now dock at North Shields, are now off on strike. They hare refused to comply with certain deductions in the rate of wages proposed by their employers..—Newa castle Journal. BIRTHS. On the 17th inst., at Shortwood, Wells, Somerset, the wife of the Rev. Philip Wynell Mayow, of a son. At Ainslie-place, Edinburgh, on the 21st inst., the lady of Sir G. G. Montgomery, Bart., of Stanhope, of a daughter. On the 22d inst., in Queen-street-place, the wife of W. S. Lucas, Esq., of a son. On the 22d inst., at Edmonton, Mrs. J. Bernard, of a daughter. On the 22d inst., at Dulwich-commen, Mrs. E. Horner, of a son. On the 22d inst., at Bridgeworth, Somersetskire, the wife of the Rev. A. F. Carey, of a son. On the 23d inst., at Stockwell-place, the wife of W. Graf, E.g., of a daughter. On the 23d inst., Mrs. James Lavell, of Ludgate-street , City, of a daughter. THE LATE STORM. ORAN, FRIDAY, DEC. 15.—As this morning broke with fair weather, wind at S.S.E., though the sky was murky, and seemed portentous of the coming storm, part of the shipping in our harbour were in duced to proceed on their voyages—viz., the Janet Condie, D. Kerr, master, wool and tow laden, and bound for Glasgow; and the Jessie smack, Dewar, master, likewise for Glasgow, wool laden. Those vessels got as far as Easdale, where they arrived before the gale got to its height, as it had increased to a perfect hurricane before two o'clock P. M., such as has seldom fell to our lot to witness. Towards four P.M. the wind veered to the S.S.W., where it continued with unabated fury till ten P.M. Great fears were entertained for the vessels above named, and for the ship W. C. Binley, Whittesley, comman der, from New York, and bound for Glasgow, out 20 days, with a cargo of cotton, flour, and lard. This ship was seen in our offing on the morning of the 14th ; and a pilot having gone on board, the ship was brought to anchor between the island of Graick and the Lismore land. To prevent the ship drag ging her anchor, her masts had to be cut away. Mr. James Cunstie, Lloyd's agent, is at the scene of dis aster, who will render every assistance for saving both ship and cargo. We have just learned that, to ride the gale in safety, Captain Kerr had .to cut away the masts of the Janet Condie, at Easdale, where she now lies dis masted ; and we regret having to record the total loss of the Jessie, Dewar, master; and Torrhand, Dymrod, at Easdale. The Agnes, of Arbroath, is ashore at the Horse Shoe, damaged—extent unknown. Much damage was also sustained by the shipping at our quay, from the insufficient state of the mooring rings and palls, which gave way in more than one in stance. We regret that the North Pier at Oban, where there is so much traffic, has not more atten tion paid to its sufficiency in all respects to ensure the safety of shipping frequenting it. The quay is not at all commensurate with the interests of this rising seaport. At Easdale three vessels went ashore, and became wrecks, with the less of three lives. Some of the seamen saved themselves by jumping on board the Janet.—North British Mail. CURIOUS LAW or NEW EPIDEMICS.—The ave rage visitations of new fatal exotics have bean calculated as recurring at each revolution of forty years, and there is none on record which has been in this country less fatal than Asiatic cholera. After the first appearance of an exotic epidemic, failing of naturalization, it has a tendency to repeat its visit once in each revolution of sixteen years. Thus the sweating sickness, which was said to have been brought over along with the army of Richmond, afterwards Henry VP=., first appeared at Milford Haven in the year 1483, when meeting with no apt epidemical condition, it soon disappeared. It re peated its visitation under epidemic influence in 1485 ; and it re-appeared altogether five times, with an ave rage interspace of sixteen years ; not until its fourth visitation reaching the court, and proving mortal to many of the courtiers in six hours, Henry VIII. owing his emergence from a severe attack to till well-known vi ! ,..our of his constitution. At its fifth and last return, r sixth visit, in 1551, it carried off 120 in a day within the precincts of Westminster alone, where tho two sons of Charles 13-andon, both Dukes of Suffilk, died of it— tirees with the inter spa bets 11., two Ais iC e:i —l./00/ Dr. Collier's Code of Causes, EqTects, and of Safety, New Epidemics. . _ i.;;;LJ.wp MARRIED. On the 14th inst., at St. Peter's Church, Eaton-squarer C. W. Macbryde, Esq., of Oxford-terrace, Hyde-park, to Anne Perrin, widow of the late Alexander D. Rice, BR. , o f, Calcutta, and daughter of th e l a t e J o h n B. C ox , E sq ., 0, Melcombe Regis, Dorset. On the 21st -inst., at Ordsall, J ames D eason , of Keppel- street, Russell-square, London, to Betsy Nelson , eldest daughter of J. Hornby, Esq., of Ordsall, Notts. . DIED. On the 20th inst., in Portman-street, Portman-square , Charles S. Nevett, Esq., aged 84. On the 3d inst., at Gibraltar, Fanny, the wife of Mai" Thomas Bugden, R E., and eldest daughter of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Maule. On the 19th inst., at Romsey, Charlotte Christiana, the' wife of the Rev. J. D. M oney, and third daughter of tu!' Hon. and Rev. Gerard Noel. On the 21st inst., Martha Jane, the wife of C. Castleman, Esq., of St. Ives-hours, Hants. On the 21st inst., at Cheltenham, Richard Dart, Esq. °f London, aged 44. (in the 22d inst., at Wohu7n-place, Russell-square, aged 63 Dr. Pritchard, formerly of Biistol, Commissioner in Luna,„cf* On the 21 s t i nst., at Torquay, Frances Jane, wife of. , Armstrong, Esq., late Captain of the 10th Hussars, aged 36• At Finchley, Middlesex, aged 72, Thomas J. Sandilandst Esq.. formerly of Twyning, and late of Tewkesbury, Gloces• tershire. Printed and • Publi2h , c l LITTP.DO 1 .0 11 10 -1 4 . ,i ‘ ;Strand, Printer, at Tile Sun (hike, Nu. Middlee Strand, ex, in Tuesday, the Preci Decembernct of the 26, 1 Soy, . in the conalr- ,1 avB4B tit 3 Volc