The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENINGL FEBRUARY 12, 1855.

modation below to prevent the necessity of any remain-
ing on deck during the night.
In the afternoon Captains Bourke and Peel, Lieut.
Jordan, Ensign Dunbar, 7 sergeants, 2 drummers, and
121 rank and file, left the depot of the 34th Regiment in
Plymouth citadel, preceded by the band of the Royal
Marines, and marched to the Royal William Victualling
Yard, where they were received by General Eden on
board the steam-tug Confiance, which conveyed them to
the Sound. The Crcesus sailed at 5.30 p.m. The troops
on board are detachments of regiments belonging to the
light Brigade at the Crimea, and are sent to Malta to
form a provisional battalion for that force. Of the 843
rank and file who embarked at Portsmouth only one in-
valided ashore at Plymouth.

Barnes. Both parties were anxious that the money
should be paid and received according to their own ideas ;
one believing that if he s,aid be would only pay it as
rent that would be sufficient•, and the other thinking
that if he raid he should not receive it, he would be
protected.
Lord Campbell read over the evidence which bad
been given to the jury, and pointed out the discrepan-
cies, and then left it to the jury to decide as to whose
evidence they believed.
The jury retired, and, on their return,
Lord Campbell said—Gentlemen, do you believe Mar-
telli's statement or Barnes's statement ?
The jury returned a verdict in favour of Marielli's
statement.

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

At the last meeting the discussion was renewed on Mr.
Reanie's " Description of the Aqueduct of Roquefavour,
and the Canal of Marseilles." It was stated that, being
struck with the magnitude of the general design and the
execution of the works, the author had sought for some
description of them, but not finding any, be had taken
such measurements and made such observations as a
limited visit permitted, and on offering them to the insti-
tution the secretary had obtained from other sources the
large plans and more detailed information which had been
laid before the meeting, as well as the elevations of the
other ancient and modern aqueducts which were exhibited.
The celebrated Pont-du-Gard has also been visited, on
the same occasion, for the purpose of comparison with the
mere modern structure. It would appear that the ancients
were not ignorant of the use of pipes for conducting water,
as tubes, both of lead and earthenware, had been found in
the oldest remains ; but as they had not any knowledge of
the use of cast-iron, they could only use pipes of small
dimensions, and subject only to moderate pressure. It
might, however, be conceived that the use of channels
and lefty aqueducts, preserving nearly a regular and
very gradual fall, had been adopted, because it was found
necessary to afford an opportunity for the water deposit-
jig the impurities held in mechanical or chemical sus-
pension ; accordingly, on the sides and in the bottom of
the water channel of the Pont-du-Gard, there was a de-
posit of nearly a foot in thickness of carbonate of lime,
and beneath the soffit of some of the upper arches there
were 8/upended several large stalactites, formed by the per-
colation of the water through cracks in the masonry. The
same reason had probably, in some degree, induced the
adoption of se expensive a construction as the aqueduct of
Roquefavour, in preference to using metal pipes, lest the
deposit should become so considerable as to eventually stop
them up. This had actually occurred in the lead pipes,
originally five inches in diameter, found in connection
with the Alcantara, near Lisbon, and through which,
although only about a century old, scarcely any aperture
remained.
At Lyons there was an ancient aqueduct, composed of
pipes carried down one side of a valley and up the oppo-
site bank, which was another proof of the knowledge
among the ancients of the use of pipes under pressure.
Attention was directed to the discrepancies in the seve-
ral statements of the dimensions, quantities, and cost
given in the documents that had been read, and it was
suggested how desirable it would be, that the secretary
should collate and collect them, from information to be
derived from Mr. Montricher, the engineer of the work,
before publishing the paper in the minute of proceedings.
It should be remembered that the great works of the an-
cients were national undertakings, executed without re-
gard to expense ; whereas, public works were now gene-
rally the result of the enterprise of associated individuals,
and however an en ..ineer of the presentday might be inclined
to exercise his taste and skill, in designing and executing
monumental structures, he was restricted by tho modern
inventions of " estimate of cost" and "dividend," which
were generally received as the standard of his genius and
skill.
It was shown that public works required to be designed
in accordance with the country or district in which they
were situated ; for instance, in Norway, where, although
the line of railway traversed a difficult country, the esti-
mated total cost was limited to about 10,0001. per mile, in-
cluding stations, plant, &c. There were several tunnels,
and some high viaducts, and it would have been impossible,
within the stipulated limit of expense, to have constructe 1
the latter of masonry ; therefore, red pine timber, the in-
digenous and cheap produce of the country, was adopted
and used without squaring, and with only just that amount
of preparation and of labour as enabled the timbers to be
framed together. The cost was about Is. per square foot
of superficial area of elevation, as compared with 255., the
stated cost of the Roquefavour aqueduct. The timber was
not presumed to last beyond 15 years, and a fund would be
taken by the company from revenue, to enable a more
permanent structure to be erected or an embankment to be
formed.
It was contended that the cracks observed in the upper
arches of the Roquefavour aqueduct resulted rather from
insufficient weighting of the haunches than from expan
siou.
In corroboration of the view previously expressed, 1.
was mentioned, on the authority of the Architectural
Dictionary, published by the Architectural Publication
Society, article " Aqueduct," that " To cross the Man-
hattan Valley, an aqueduct bridge, 105 feet high, and
4,180 feet long, would have been required ; this would
have preserved three feet of head-pressure for the conduit
water, but at an expense of about 240,0001., while the pas-
sage by: four pipes of 36 inches each was calculated to cost
one-fifth of that amount; the latter was therefore
adopted."
It was contended that the design of the aqueduct of Ro-
quefavour conveyed the impression of unnecessary Huai tity
on the part of the architect, as it was merely a copy of the
bushy of the
by building
aldffoinrgdi ;ng in
a fact,
ci re it
f. was
atin probable
forthe the
ancient structures ; the three tiers of arches were not at
scaffold-
ing. all necessary for strength, nor did they conduce to the
be
an-
cients only adopted that system because it facilitated the
construction
The modern viaducts constructed fur supporting rail-
way trains, weighing 300 or 400 tons, travelling at the rate
of 40 to 50 miles an hour, were all upon piers with one tier
ulty in infrequent
raising
currence, a-
of arches; and when the building of isolated furnace chim-
neyss 350feenteitn
blieeigahntywdaiffic
was
e an se
er t eb be
ia
e could
series of such shafts, and connecting them at the top by
c r r
arches.

The water conducted from the springs near Belles to
passed by the aqueduct of Alcantai a, 2,600 feet
long, over a valley, at such an elevation that the soffit of the
centre arch, of 08 feet 4 inches span, was 229 feet above the
ground level. That structure consisted of one tier of pointed
arches, of a kind of grey marble ; it was completed souse
time before the year 1752.
It was contended that, for merely conducting a large
quantity of water, the bridge aqueduct of Itoquefavour was
unnecessarily substantial and expensive, and the example
of the Bristol Waterworks was quoted as a case in point.
The water was there derived from the Mendip-hills, sixteen
miles distant; an ample channel conducted it along the
imperatively level country, the hills were traversed by
tunnels, one of them being one and a quarter miles in
length, through magnesian conglomerate rock ; several
deep ravines were crossed by aqueducts, and in the undu-
lating, or, it might be called, hilly part of the line, pipes
were with culminating points, crowned by obelisks,
concealing air-pipes, by means of which the ventilation of
the entire line was achieved. Three of the aqueducts were
each composed of an oval tube, 4 feet 8 inches by 3 feet 6
inches of wrought-iron plates, 3-Bths inch t 3 7-16ths inch
in thickness, riveted together; two of them being 834 feet,
and the other 400 in length ; there was also another of cast
iron pipes. Each wrought-iron tube was supported in the
centre on an equilibrium pier, and so placed on balls as
that, whilst longitudinal motion was not entirely prohi-
bited, it was not encouraged, but lateral action was pro-
vided for. Each and worked in a length of ten feet of
clay puddle to allow for expansion and contraction ; and
on the top of all the piers, which wore 50 feet apart from
centre to centre, the tube rested in cradles containing balls,
acting as rollers fer aiding the motion. The loftiest pier
was about 60 feet high above the ground level, and the gra-
dient over the aqueducts were about five feet per mile. The
cost of these aqueducts wasl6/. 10s. per lineal yard, includ-
ing all expenses, and they were capable of discharging five
millions of gallons of water per diem. It had been found
the simplest mode of avoiding deposit from the limestone
water to have a falling gradient of five feet per mile for the
aqueducts and 10 feet per mile for the pipes. Not to have
any stop sluices along the line, but, when it was considered
necessary, to open the large side sluices from the tanks,
which were placed at intervals of about a mile, and to let
all the contents run freely away. This system had been
found perfectly successful ; in fact, by adopting three con-
ditions :-18t, affording opportunity for the primary sub-
sidence and deposit of the matters held in suspension ; 2d,
giving velocity by gradient through the aqueducts and
pipes ; and 3d, cleansing the aqueducts and pipes at stated
intervals, all detrimental deposit had been prevented.
Large sections of these interesting works, which had been
designed by the president, were contributed by him for the
meeting.
Further details and calculations were given, showing
the immense velocity required to deliver, through the Mar-
seilles canal, the quantity of water stated to be supplied ;
these were ordered to be examined previots to publication,
and all the members were requested to supply any infor-
mation in their power.
The paper read was " On the construction of the Sea
Embankments across the Estuaries Kent and Leven, in
Morecambe Bay, for the Ulverstose and Lancaster Rail-
way," by Mr. James Brunlees, M. Inst. C.E.
The early projects of the late Mr. George Stephenson
and Mr. J. Hague, for embanking and reclaiming More-
cambe Bay, were first noticed ; other railway and embank-
ing works originally projected by M. J. R. M'Clean were
also alluded to; these which formed the subject of the paper
and were now being executed by the author for a company,
though very different in direction and in system to the two
first designs, were nearly identical with those of Mr.
M'Clean, and all had fer object to carry a line of railway
across part of the bay, and by its means eventually to re-
claim large tracts of land for agricultural purposes. The
lines to be connected were the Furness and West Coast
Railways with Lancaster and the South. The principal
works were on the estuaries of the Kent and the Leven,
with the view of fixing the hitherto unstable fresh-water
channels of these streams, so as to facilitate the eventual
reclaiming of a considerable portion of the bay.
The works were commenced in May, 103, and in spite
of great difficulties had made considerable progress. The
embankments were formed of the calcareous sands as heart-
ing, covered on the sea slopes by a layer of well-prepared
clay puddle, upon which was deposited a depth of 18 inches
of small quarry rubbish, locally termed " quarry rid," and
then faced with pitching composed of lime-stones 15 inches
deep, varying from 8 inches to 16 inches in width; the
slopes thns formed stood well at 1 to 1, and 2 to 1, and
after a time, when the material became consolidated, ne
water ooeld pass through the embankments. The height
varied considerably, being in some portions as muck as 15
feet 6 inches above high water of ordinary spring tides,
and 4 feet 3 inches above the highest tide ever remembered
on that part of the coast.
In consequence of the high price of labour, carts with
two wheels were substituted for wheelbarrows in forming
the embankments, taking care to carry on only such lengths
as could be raised to a safe height, puddled and pitched be-
tween erring tides, the open end of each length being laid
to a flat inclination, up which the material for topping off
could be carted, that end being protected during spring
tides by clay and stones; about 10 or 11 lineal yards could
thus be formed per day, •r at the rate of a mile in six
months, from one face.
Details were also given of the construction of the low
atone weirs, formed fer the purpose of preventing the
" bracking" or shifting if the channel of the streams, under
which as much as 60,000 tons of sand had been moved in
the course of one tide.
Although it was not probable that the force exerted by
the waters in Morecambe Bay would ever equal that of the
waves of the German Ocean which had been shown by the
experimental marine dynantometerof Mr. D. Stevenson to be
equal to 11 ton per square foot, the author asssumed that as
a standard, and constructed the embankments to withstand
double that force ; at the same time, he adopted regular
slopes of 1A to 1, and of 2 to 1, in preference to the con-
, cave firm, as he had in various localities seen prejudicial
effects arise from the use of that sectioh as the 144T011 were

forced up tho flat part of the slope with groat velocity, I
then acouniuliting on the moor() abrupt part they curial
over, and in the recoil fell wit,A such force on the pitching
as to loosen the stones, and allow them to be drawn out I
by the under-tow, er retreat of the wave.
Numerous experiments were tried for determining the t.
force required to draw bricks out of slopes 4 feet high,
built at various angles. The following were the average
results :

Weight in lbs. required to
extract the centre brick.
105 lbs.
148 „
3
4 ~ 1
The weight was applied direct to the brick, by a chain
pass* over a pulley, and increased gradually.
The viitincts over the river channels were intended to be
built of timber, founded upon Mitchell's screw piles; each
structure consisting of 50 spans •f 30 feet each, with a
drawbridge at the channel with an opening of 36 feet span,
a model of which was exhiibted.

Ratio of Mope
1 to 1

Height of Slope.
4 feet.

FALL OF A HOUSE AND DREADUL LOSS
OF LIFE AT ISLI GTON.

Last night (Sunday), a fcw mit.ittcs after nine o'cloek,

tla inhabitants of the LoNer-road, Isqngton, were
alarmed et hearing an unusual noise and loud cries for
and at the same time they perceived what appeared
to be a dense column of smoke from the pr•• wises
No 2in that thoroughfare. The smoke having been
perceived and the cries heard by Douglas, the conductor
of the Royal Society's fire clew° stationed on Islingt'm-
green, he immediately proceeded to the t,pot, when lie
found a man, his wife, and his two children at the second
floor front window, whose escape had been cut off by
the falling of the staircase and centre of the building. Ile-
instantly ascended the fire escape, and brought down in
safety the whole of the four persons whose lives 'were so
much jeopardised. As other portions of the buildings
kept falling, Douglas removed his machine from the
building when the front fell with a fearful crash into the
road. The conductor, assisted by some police-constables,
hearing groans proceeding from the lower part of the
premises, proceeded thither, and found the legs of a
female projecting from the debris of the first fall. An
attempt was made to ex4ricate the unfortunate person,
but whilst doing so another part of the walls fell, and
those engages had to make a precipitate retreat, which

was effected in safety by all engaged in the hazardous
undertaking except police-constable Stoker, No. 2C2,
of the N division, who, it is to be regretted, was
buried in a mass of rubbish. The ether persons
received some slight contusions and were nearly
suffocated in dust. From the fact of a great number
of workmen engaged in building trades residing in the
locality, a strong force was soon collected of able and
willing hands, and the work of exhumation commenced,
notwithstanding the perilous position of the remaining
portions of the building, which threatened every moment
to fall upon them. Nearly two hours elapsed before any
discovery was made of the bodies buried in the ruins, and
at a quarter before 11 o'clock the body of police-con-
stable Stoker was found, and on being got out life was
found to be extinct. The work was continued, and a
lad, named Hodges, a son of the parties above rescued,
was next extricated, and great efforts were made by
several medical gentlemen in attendance to restore sus-
pended animation, but without avail, The next body
recovered was that of a male lodger, a shoemaker by
trade, but whose name is at present unknown. In this
case life, having been found to be so recently extinct,
attempts were made to resuscitate the body, but also
without effect. After the lapis of some time, a youngir
son of the Hodges was extricated, but lifeless. A strong
police force, under Mr. Superintenrent Walker and In-
spector Brennand, were quiekly on the spot, and supplied
with links to facilitate in every possible way the extri-
cation of the unfortunate persons. Mr. Baddeley, the
inspector of the Royal Society for the Protection of Life
from Fire, was present from the first, actively aiding
and assisting the parties engaged. The building in ques-
tion was a very old one, consisting of a double house,
one half of which was over a shop, the other half was
over a gateway forming an entrance to some stables at
the rear. "Whether from an accumulation of snow on
the roof, or from some other cause not known, the root
and central portion of the building over the gateway fell
first, and buried all the unfortunate sufferers except the
police constable, who perished in attempting their
rescue. Stoker had been for many years in the forte ;
he was an excellent constable, and was much respected
by all who knew him. A widow and four children hare
to deplore his untimely end.