The Sun.
London, England, 1852-07-26 00:00:00

CUTTING OF THE KOH-I-NOOll.

The first step was taken on Friday afternoon in the
progress of an operation intended to bring forth the
beauties of this celebrated diamond into a greater pro-
minence than they have hitherto exhibited. This pre-
cious stone, which was the cynosure of the World's Ex-
hibition of 1851, attracted, from the multitudes who last
year gazed upon it, expressions of disappointment at the
somewhat dim radiance of its lustre, not fulfilling the
expectations entertained from the high flown descriptions
which had been given of the Mountain of Light—a title
which many beholders held to be a misnomer. This dis-
appointment having come to the knowledge of those.into
whose possession it had passed, suggested the desirability,
if practical, of effecting such alteration in the shape of
the diamond as would remove the admitted defects of the
oriental cutting, to which it had been subjected by its
original proprietors. With this view
vices seientific
gentlemen
m were taken, the opinions Oftfa•
having beena tome doubts
expressed
a to the possibilitl Wt
the gem without incurring a great risk of its destruction.
Professor Tennant and Mr. Mitchell were especially
requested to examine and report upon the practica-
bility of the
gentlemen accordinglysuggested improvement. These scientific
prepared a report, wherein
they admitted the improvement which the proposed
alteration in shape would effect upon the Koh-i-Noor,
but expressed fears that any lateral cutting would
endanger its integrity. was then determined to sub-
mit the matter to the
oopinionswn of practical lapidaries;
and with that view the
Haymarket,
Messrs. Gar-
rard, of Panton•street, Hay
were instructed to
obtain a report from competent
perso
persons
st
h e rveeurps
oend
in diamond cutting. Those
gentlemen
i
consulted Messrs. M. and E. Coster, of Amsterdam
(the diamond cutting trade having been entirely
of
tto
this country), who, while admitting the accuracy the
fears expressed in the report of Professor Tennant and
Mr. Mitchell, nevertheless were of opinion that the
dangers were not so formidable as to prevent the in-
tended operation from being safely effected,
provided the necessary skill of superior artists was
employed. This opinion was sufficiently encourag-
ing to induce an order for the preparation of the
requisite machinery to be erected upon the premises of
Messrs. Garrard, and accordingly a small steam-engine
of from two to four-horse power was erected, under the
direction of Mr. Joshua Field, of the firm of
Maudslay, Field, and Sons, which was on Friday after-
noon for the first time put into practical operation. his
Grace the Duke of Wellington having manifested great
interest in the precious gem, so associated with the land
of the East, where his first, and not least glorious, lau-
rels were won, attended several times during the pro-
gress, of the preparations, and on Friday honoured the
establishment in question with his presence, to personally
assist in the commencement of the delicate operation
about to take place, this being the largest diamond
cut in Europe for at least one century. His Grace
was received by the Messrs. Garrard, and the Kohti-
Noor having been embedded in lead, with the excep-
tion of one small salient angle intended to be first
submitted to the cutting operation, his Grace placed
the gem upon the seatie—an horinontal wheel revolving
with almost incalculable velocity—whereby the ex-
posed angle was removed by the friction, and the
first facet of the new cutting was effected. This,
the first step in the operation, forms but a small
item of progress, as it is expected that the work, under
the hands of the two Dutch artists to whom it has been
entrusted, will occupy a period of some months, it be-
ing, t:s may be conceived, a work of great delicacy, in-
volving an sepal amount of skill and care. The Koh-i-
Noor is intended to be couverted into an oval brilliant,
and the two Finaller diamonds which accompany it are
to he similarly treated as pendants. The present weight
of the principal gem is 186 carats, and the process now
in course of progress will not, it is anticipated, diminish
in any material degree its weight, while it will largely
increase its value, and develope its beauties. Some con-
versation took place respecting the doubts imputed to
have been cast by Sir D. Brewster upon the identity of
the Koh•i-Noor; but the general opinion amongst those
hest acqqinted with the subject appeared to be, that it
was impossible for Dhulcep Singh to have palmed off
fictitious diamond, when his constantly wearing it on
state occasions must have rendered it perfectly familiar
to thousands who would instantly have detected any
attempt at subsitution. The more probable assumption
was stated to be, that the weight of the Mount%in of
Light had been more Orientale somewhat exaggerated.
We regret to add, that Mr. Sebastian Garrard.
in superintending the erection of the machinery, had
the misfortune to fall through an aperture in the floor,an
;
thereby breaking one of the small bones of his leg'
accident which prevented his being present on Friay

last.
The brief historical sketch of this celebrated diamond
is as follows:—The Koh-i-Noor was found in the mines
of Golconda, and was presented by the Viceroy of the
Deccan to the Great Mogul, from whose successors it
was taken by Nadir Shah. On the assassination of
Nadir Shah, it was seized, with his treasury, by
his general, Abmeed Shab, the abdalee, who took it
to his native country, Affghanistaa, of which he became
the sovereign. His descendant, Shah Sooja, when
obliged to fly his country, took it with him, and
h throw-
ing himself upon the protection of Ronjeet Sing, was,
by a little torture skilfully applied to the mind and body,
made to surrender it to hie generous host. On Runjeet's
death it was inherited by Dnuleep Singh. and on the late
revolt and defeat of the Seikhs was yielded to the
British Crown by special clause in the treaty then con-
cluded.

1 ---------- _
RAILWAY IN TtLL tGENCE.
DUBLIN AND DROGHEDA RAILWAYS The works on
the extension line of this railway, from Navan to Kells,
are progressing, and it is expected that, in the course of
a few months, it will be ready for trstfc.
ENNISKILLEN AND ,SLIGO RAILWAY.—It appears that
the grand jury at the last assizes in Sligo passed a reso-
lution approving of a project for a railway to connect
the towns of Sligo and Enniskillen. and pledging them-
selves collectively and individually to promote it by
everrmeans in their power.
THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—The towns line
'of this railway opened on Thursday last, by which the
town of Tuxford is placed in a position (as regards the
transit of heavy goods, coals, agricultural produce, &c.)
which it has never enjoyed before, having had neither
n.he
rail or water conveyance within six miles of the tow T
opening of this line has long been anxiouslylooked for by
the inhabitants, but no particular demonstration took
place on the occasion. A large party, consisting of bub-
contractors, inspectors, &0., of the works, with several of
thq tradesmen of the town, sat down to an excellent
dinner at the Sun Inn; Mr. Dexter, draper, see., occu-
pied the chair; numerous toasts having been proposed
and responded to, and several
_songs sung, the party
separated, after spending a pleasant and convivial
evening. It is further proposed to celebrate the open-
ing of the line, as far as this town is concerned, by a pub-
lic dinner, at the beginning of next month, at Mannell:s
Hotel, from which inn
_an omnibus runs to meet each
train at the station.—Doxeaster Gazette.
RAILWAYS IN SPAlN.—Projects for the improvement
of the means of communication between one part of the
country and another, appear to be receiving increased
attention at the hands of the Spanish Governme"eir 0011-
Madrid 00-
Madrid Gazette publishes the decree grantingo her
the ca-
cession cession to the company formed in tains the
nalization of the Ebro. The none PsPeitadrid to Iran,
definitive concession of the railway
frluiuthorises the sale
and a royal decree at the same
of public property to thiproviuctei
Segovia, and Za-
Avila, Logrono, Valencia, Salsa:lre%. invested in the
sweet Burgos, Valladolid,
mora, the proceeds of which are
Record.
shares of this line.--.Railway
__.:-.........

BRIGHTON.
Joitx....- 11— ht was slowly deep-
A SCENE OF twill
On Monday g
eve upon our cliffs were seized
suing -into night, 00001 of fear and terror. Every-
withenl the iivliest
her be seen gathering in groups,. con-
whera the 7 °lgo:and hurried tones, and all directing
yersing in "o 171(t1 painful intensity, towards an ob-
their g"isib °ls an the verge of the horizon westward.
t v
jeot 142irection were dimly to be discerned rising clouds
In th ",,".,..1 And a red glare reflected on the still waters.
of smoke,
.At first this appearance was scarcely perceptible ; but
it beeone momentarily more vivid, the smoke thicker,
the flame brighter, and then there ran from one end
of the cliff to the other the exciting intelli-
gence that there was " a ship on fire in the
Offing." All was now confusion. Ladies were running
to and fro on the Esplanade, demanding why some-
thing was not done—why somebody was not sent out?
Gentlemen poised their telescopes, and, nautically astute,
were heard to declare that " there was a fire in her hold,
—a terrific fire in, her hold." " But why are there no
flames ? " asked the bewildered crowd. " She's
smouldering," answered they with the glasses; "
burst out directly. Now, now. No, that's a signal
of distress run up the mct. See, they're an-
swering it at Worthing." The crowd could
see anything. They were answering at Worthing.
The flames were bursting out; they could see them now,
and sce the coast-guard rushing down to the beach, put
off their boat, and make for her, while other boats were
following. Oh, shocking, shocking! In the midst of the
excitement the red glare suddenly vanished. ,"
gone dews!" shrieked some excited spectator. " She
gone down," re-echoed far and wide, and t-I.IL ex.
....
t preasions of sympathy and alarm were Puets'

-

/

But suddenly the red light re-appeared. " She's come
iup agin," cried some irrevent fester; but no ,ono
laughed, the scene was too exciting, too awful, for
laughkr. " She's making for the pier," was the sudden
cry. Instantly everybody made for the pier. But,
1 between the Esplanade and the pier stands the
Custom-house, and there to the general indigna•
tion, the imperturable " watch" leant against the
railing unmoved. " What—what ship is that?" asked
everybody at once. " That?" replied the guard, slowly
heaviig round and pointing. " Yes,, yes; that out
there.' " Oh, that? Why, that's Captain Bullock's
reventy, boat a surveyin' the cor.st, and she's signallin'
to some of our men to go cut to her; that's all. There
was a general expression of thankfulness and relief, a
curse or two muttered against the system of signalling
at.night, " just to frighten people," and the crowd dis-
peraed.-.—Brightcn Guardian.

OREperiodwillT E
elapseE G
RbeAloPrellßSelfast is placed
A very brief
in direct communication esith the three capitals of these
I kingdoms, as well us with the capitals of the conti-
Ineut. Measures to this effect
are
progress, and will not, we aresaatitsfieprdesent in
meet
with impediment or procrastination. The scheme
of
telegraph actually agreed to by the new comp
v takes
in Dover, London, Birmingham, Wolverhampton,
Manchester, Bolton, Wigan,
Liverpool,
preisitt°on,
Carlisle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Greenock, L.'
Great Britain and Dentighadee, Belfast, Dub-
lin, Galway, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Cork,
and the intermediate towns in Ireland. Lines of eight
wires are in daily operation between Liverpool, Wi-
gan, Bolton, and Manchester ; a six-wire line is to
extend from the latter city to London and Dover;
from Liverpoel to Carlisle the line, which is
subterranean, consists of four wires, and from
Portpatrick to Donagbadee the company have al-
-1 ready made the preliminary arrangements
.for sub-
merging a series of six insulated wires, prepared_ and
made by the same eminent engineers by whom the
Dover and Calais cable was fabricated. The two-wire
line between Dublin and Galway has already given the
most ample satisfaction to the directors of that line of
railway; and the same may be said of all the other
lines which the company have constructed in England
and Scotland. We may state that the scheme above
projected the company intend shall be carried out
most fully, and, we will add, in a vary short time hence.
As a proof of this assertion, it may be added that
the wires for the Irish inland lines are at present at
the Ulster Railway terminus ; that the wires
for the County Down line are also at the County
Down Railway Company's terminus ; and that the
~antes ror immersion aerubs the Channel are at Gates-
head, at the Messrs. Newell's works, undergoing the
spiral laying of the iron wire which is to encase
them. Inside the external iron wire casing is a
coating of gutta percha, in which the wires were
enclosed by Mr. Statham, of the Gutta Percha
Company, some time since. The process at
the Messrs. Newell's must be nearly, if not already com-
pleted; and, on that being done, and the wires tested, it
only remains to carry the rope to the harbour, and lay it
across. That this final operation will be attended with no
discomfiture that skill and ability can avert, is sufficiently
guaranteed by the success attending on the great achieve-
ment of the Dover and Calais Submarine Telegraph—an
enduring monument of their ability in coping with and
overcoming obstacles which, to other eyes, seem well
nigh impossible. That the company are entitled to
every
respect and confidence we our readers.
can assure
We have the
authority of Mr. M'Neile, of the
Northern Bank,
for stating
that the proprietors are
gentlemen of the highest
standing in the commercial
circles of
England. What they engage to do there
is no doubt but theywill perform;
and, under these
circumstances, we promise
our f
ourselves the pleasure of
shortly congratulating
the important undertakin rtiheands on the completion of
in-
stantaneous communicationg with t is
to
place us in
commerce in the world. --Northern
principal seats of
—lVorthern Whig.
•
'ND ON

. SHOPS OF OLDEN TIMES
,tephen, who wrote in the time of Be
yIL .
z nsays:
" Men of all trades, sellers of all sorts r of
labourers in every work, every morning are in their
wares,
distinct and several places." These situations were
sometimes varied, and in the time of Stow are by him
described as follows:—" The goldsmiths of Guthren's
lane and the Old Exchange are now for the most part
removed into the south side of the West-Cheap. The
pepperers and grocers, of Soper-lane, are now in Buck-
lersbury and other places dispersed. The drapers of
Lombard-street and of Cornhill are seated in Candle-
wick-street and Watling-street. The skinners from St.
Mary Pellipus, or at the Axe, into Bridge-row and Wall-
brook. The stock fishmongers in Thames-street, wet
fishmongers in Knight Hider-street and Bridge-street,"
&c. &c. Before the settlement of the various crafts into
rows of shops, they depended for the sale of their goods
to a great extent on the regular fairs, which were then
the principal means of traffic. At that period Bucklers-
bury and other localities of the several trades would
consist of a sort of village of rude dwellings, in which
the workmen carried forward their trades. In course
of time some of the more active or skilful would exhibit
specimens of their manufactures outside the doors and
at the windows of their houses. Some would then add
a stall covered, as a means of defence from the weather.
These would gradually give place to permanent erections,
projecting from the dwelling, similar to those we see in
Aldgate-street, High-street, Camden Town, and other
places where private house:, have been altered for the
purposes of trade. Two or three of the shops in Fleet-
street, near the Temple, have been little changed except
by the introduction of glass, &c., since the time of James
I. Our re.ders passing that way may notice the heavy
proji.ciion aad small windows peculiar to the period.
Until
within a short time Dv, a shop, one of the last of
the bulk shops, bad probably remained with but little
alteration since the time referred to.—Builder..
DRUItY-LANE THEATRE,.

A general meeting of the Theatre Royal Druiy-lene
Company of Proprietors took place on Saturday, in the
saloon bt the theatre, to receive the annual report of the
committee; Mr. B. B. Cabbell, M.P., presided.
The report stated that the committee were under the
necessity of announcing that Mr. Bunn having declined
to continue the lease since June leaf, the theatre had
not been let at the latter portion of the year, as had been
anticipated at the previous meeting. Those advantages,
therefore, which would have resulted to the proprietors
had the theatre been conducted by so experienced a ma-
nager as Mr. Bunn, had not been realised. That gen-
tleman on taking the theatre had had many serious dif-
ficulties to surmount, and a very heavy expenditure to
incur, which had been materially increased by the
limited period allowed for the completion of the works.
The decoration of the theatre and the whole preparation
of the opening had been effected by Mr. Bunn within
the short space of ten days, which was all the commit-
tee could allow him by their agreement. Under
these circumstances the committee had been unable
to meet the current expenses of the season in
full, while the lessee remained unremunerated
for his outlay; but that outlay, which had been very
considerable, remained for the benefit of the pro-
prietors. Negotiations were under consideration to
enable tho committee to offer the theatre to another
tenant, and confident hopes were entertained that they
would be able to effect that desirable end. Adverti_sea-
ments had been inserted with a view of letting it,
eanddate
treaty was negotiating on the subject, but up 2_th
gentleman of
of the report no result had been arrived at. to
com-
mittee had appointed Mr. T. M. Nelson,
great ability in his profession, to be the architect
theatre, in room of the late Mr. S. 13
g revicips balance of
re-
ceipts during the year, heeesazricehyi.tect of the
2151. 6s. 4d., had amountedi 3jeavieg a present balance
disbursements to 3,4381. 03. 6d., 145. 114„ and the
bad received through the
nclutodin_
9821 p
of 54/, 14s. sd. The renters
means at the disposal of
trustees 595/4 but the limited
occasioned an arrear to
the committee had necessarilycharges, and an additional
t of their rent-
them in respect
arrest to the Duke
'of Bedford on account of the ground.
rent. Messrs. Julli n and Gye had punctually paid up
the rent of their e
portion of the past year, amounting, to
mark was made upon the report,
~.,_ No re
1,207/. tie-
which was adopted nem. eon. The retiring members of
the committee were re-elected. The auditor and a sub-
committeeware appointed, and the proceedings termi-
be customary compliment to the chairman.
nated with t

BY MACHINERY. -We had the
the operation of a machine for
131trel"nbEgtafdaa, at Messrs. Hart's, the Atlas Works,
a g bricks with great rapidity,
nicety of shape, end
"In-mini-a
of material. Mr. Hart, the inventor, is a young
.froad, of witnessing
man,nof no ordinary turn of mechanical ingenuity, having
oombated, and we think overcome, the many difficulties
which it is well known have hitherto prevented the introduc-
Boaraso4-h
tion of a similar contrivance. By testing its capabilities we
get 26,000 perfect bricks in ten hours, this being done ;from
the beginning of the operation of bringing the clay in its
rough state to the final stacking in walls for drying.
Although new to ourselves we are told that the machine a
already being used in various parts of Europe. The one we
saw is intended for the Grand Yorkshire Agricultural Exhi-
bition at Sheffield, to take place early next month.
THE PATENT LAW AMENDMENT AcT.-This Aot,
which received the royal assent on the Ist instant, "for
amending the law for granting patents for inventions," con-
tains fifty-seven clauses, and a schedule of forms. It will
take effect from the Ist October next. The Lord Chancellor
and others are constituted Commissioners of Patents for In-
ventions, three of whom may aet, the Lord Chancellor -o;
Master of the Rolls being one. The Commissioners are f
are to be
use a seal, and to frame rules and regulations, whichde offices
laid before Parliament. The Treasury is to prow
jilted.
for the purposes of the Act, and officers may bedaz. the
Every petition and declaration is to be compared
n ti for letters
provisional specification. " Every application the commis-
petent made under this Act shall be referred
mill think fit.
sioners, according to such regulations
" they &
be
to one of the law officers. 'No letters patent are to
of the warrant-they
issued after three months from the date
the great seal, for the
are to be valid, when issued under
register is to be kept of all
whole of the United Kingdom. I
letters. The fees and stamp
to be paid are set forth in
duties
Act.
the schedule annexed to the
r RAILWAY STATION,-
On Saturday morn
ROBBERY AT HlG"liring thieves broke into the
cashier's office at the HighburY g
in some station of the East and
--
Company, and stole 231. 13s. 3d.
West India Dock Railway
CLOCK TOWER AT BILLINGSGATE.-For
Ta, law CL---
workmen have been busily engaged in fitting
- at t Billingsgate with the works of the
some days P
tower a-
,' the new clock t
g the tones of the different bells erected in
clock, and
trymoinexion therewith, and for other parPmeg•
' the tower
faces of thel clock on each of the tour sides of the tower
The - -eviously completed, and the hands having been
orn.
I had been previously
.e the clock was set going on T
yneilenpor-
, fixed therein,
k t ver7 good time during the
of t
ofd
eP ,
will he great higt the Billingsgate improvements w
thd with and at-
uon
rvice to the numerous parties conne7 vicinity of and on
'teen-cling the market, as
well as in the
ee,
is
of
yery
' the river. The clock, which, as may be PP.
stianct the tones are
1 large dimensions, strikes the quarters e
cathedral church
' very sonorous, resembling those of a lar $
in quality, and may be distinctly heard at a considerable
I
' distance. ,

f