The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-01 00:00:00

It is a common sating in the City and elsewhere
that "Time is money, and we cannot wonder at the
existence of the maxim, when we look at the cost of the
representative of time at the Royal Exchange, no less than
2,60,51. Os. Bd. having been paid for the Exchange clock.
Tnis sum is at the rate of about 2171. per hour, taking the
clock to consist of the usual number of hours, or nearly 401.
per minute, it we make a calculation rather more minute.
The cost of the clock is made up of a variety of itenr,
which, for the enlightenment of the public, we subjoin:
Clock, 7001.; alterations, 224/. 18s. tid. ; bells and chimes,
6161. 17s. 42. ; alterations, 200/. ; recasting, 6201. ; refitting,
1241. 45. 10s.-2,6051. Os. Bd.
It must be inferred from this that after the cl ck hod
been purchased for 7001. it resembled the donkey " what
wouldn't go," and as there was nobody to cry "Gee wo !-
with the expenditure, 2241. 18s. 6d. was sunk in altera-
tions. As if the clock isself was not sufficiently costly, it
was proposed to convert it into a toy by having bells and
chimes attached to it, which have already caused an outlay
to the tune of upwards of One Thousand Pounds—a very
pretty tune, no doubt, but hitherto the only tune to which
the bells sod chimes have contributed, for they cannot be
got into play anyhow. The Common Council, however,
will not admit there has been anything wrong in the
matter, became " Professor Airey declass the bells and
clock the most beautiful specimens of workmanship ever
seen." We should have thought that bells and clocks
were to be heard rather than seen ; and that a clock,
like the costermonger's hcrsc, might be excused for beina
a " TOW un to look at,- if it's being a " good un to go"
could be relied upon. The approval of Professor Airey
may he very satiefaetory as far as it goes, but until we
can look upon the loss of 2,6051.04. M. as an airy nothing,
we can hardly reconcile ourselves to the facts we have
Called attention to.— I' tole h

Itt,iltxs l'l.CfAT.—Some days ago a simple-
lookiug chuntryman was observed to throw • letter into
the hoz of the post-of ice at Charleroi. and then to remain
upwards of two bolts without moving from the spot. At
last the sentry, who had perceived the whole proceeding,
addressed him and said, "My good men, what are you
doing there with par eyes Gotha letter box for these last
two hours?" " Why ' replied the other, "I am waiting
for the answer
CORK AND BANDON KAILWAT.—}tetWil of trails
for the week ending Nov. 26, lAA :—Passengers, parcels,
IE7. 4s. Od. ; merchandise, cattle, he., 631. N. id.;
total, IS') . 13s. 5411. Traffic for corresponding week last per
—Pentagon, parcels, de. BUI. ds. Sd. ; merehandiee,
cattle, he., 671. 41.511. ; WW, 1561. Ss. Id.
.^

WATERFORD AND KILKENNY RAlLWAY.—Traffic
return for the week ending Nov. 26, 1853 :-1571. 70. 7d. ;
(29 miles open). Corresponding week, 1852, 58/. 4s. 01.
(13 miles open).
LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY.—
Return of traffic for the
ca week ending Nov. 27, 18.53 :
Passengers, parcels, iages, horses, and mails,
22,1911. 16s. 10.1. ; merchandise, 22,3551. 9s. hi.; cattle,
11.1.761. IN. Id. Total, 46,2231.16, sd. Corresponding
I 1842, 43,7171. os. 9d.,