The Sun.
London, England, 1825-09-06 00:00:00

YORK HOUSE.

Much progress has been made in a very short time in this '
work. Our attention was early attracted by the particular
mode of constructing the foundations, which, from the great
bulk and weight of the materials employed, it might have been
expected would have considerably retarded the advance of the •
building. The excavation of solid ground, we understand, has
been to the extent of above 6,000 cart-loads. The foundations
consist of a great depth of brickwork, amply spread on both
sides, to form a broad basis or footing for the superstructure.
—Underneath these footings of brickwork are placed, ap-
parently throughout the building, large slabs of Yorkshire
stone, and upon those slabs, in the middle of the brickwork,
a continued cord or band of oak timber, at least eight or
nine inches square, to equalize the pressure upon the sur-
face of the ground, and thereby to guard against the various
degrees of solidity and insolidity in the soil itself, and prevent
any partial or irregular settlement of the walls; in parts also
where the ground consists of a loose sand, a further precau-
tion has been taken, in excavating to the depth of two or three
feet previous to the laying of the Yorkshire stone, in order to
create an artificial rock, by a mixture of sound gravel and
quick stone lime, cemented together with water ; and in one
part, even, piles of not less than three or four and twenty feet
long have been driven. Adverting to the heavy and laborious
nature of such works as these, it is surprising to see three-
fourths of the walls, internal and external, of this great build-
ing (faced on the outside with stone) raised to a height of above
eighteen feet within the short period of six weeks from the time
of laying the first stone. Messrs. Benjamin and Philip Wyatt,
sons of his Majesty's late Surveyor-General, are the Architects.
It is evident, front those parts which are already built, that
York House is upon a magnificent scale. The centre compart-
ment, from its present appearance, seems intended to contain
the principal staircase ; and if so, it will be a splendid feature
of the interior, as, judging from surrounding objects, its dimen-
sions will be about 80 feet by 50, which, ascending (as it must
do, on account of light) to the top of the building, affords
a most spacious area for such a purpose. The space between
this centre compartment and the line marked out by the North
external wall appears not to be less titan fifty-five or sixty
feet; and as it is evident that the approach to the centre
(which is supposed to contain the staircase) will be through
this North compartment of the building, the combined effect of
the hall and staircase is likely to be very imposing.

The number of Vessels captured by the British
Navy between the years 1803 and 1814, was 1772, viz.—
French - - 1162 American
Spanish - - 162 Turkish
Danish - - 199 Russian
Dutch

• - 122
26

Total

1772.

GRAND SHIP CANAL TO ARUNDEL AND PORTS.
mouTti.—A survey has been made by Mr. Cundie, the Engi-
neer, in contemplation of forming a Grand Ship Canal, from
London, to Arundel Bay and Portsmouth ; navigable by line
of battle ships, in a safe and expeditious manner, in 14 hours,
to Spithead. The line of the projected Canal will commence
on the south side of the Thames, at Itotherhithe, nearly oppo-
site the London and West India Dock, be continued to 11, al-
worth Common, by Brixton Hill, to Tooting Common, be-
tween Tooting and Mitcham, by Morden, Ewel, Epsom, Lea-
therhead, Mickleham, Burford Bridge, Dorking, Holmwood
Common, Oakley, Slingfold, Billinghurst, to the Tide-way of
Pulborough and Arundel Town. A small branch then will
run into the harbour of Arundel to the sea; it will pass by the
line of the present barge canal, to Chichester Bay, Langston
Harbour, and open into the sea, near Southsea Castle to Spit-
head. The mouths of Chichester harbour and Langston are
to he closed. The width of the Canal is to be 150 feet, and the
depth 30 feet. The sum to be raised will be four millions.—
No enterprise of such magnitude has ever before been offered to
subscribers. It is calculated that the annual receipts at 350,0001.
is not an overcharged estimate ; but, on the contrary, that the
probable income, when the Canal is completed, will be much
greater. The cause of humanity will be essentially promoted
by this Canal, in the preservation of human life; and the great
loss of time occasioned by contrary winds, and the dangerous
navigation of the Foreland, will be avoided, for ships are often
detained in the Downs for weeks ; and in time of war, more
than two months have elapsed before they reached the distance
of Spithead.

ROSSINI.-This eminent composer had nearly
met with his death lately at Paris, by foolishly undertaking
to eat fifty.:two ices in a given time. He devoured fifty, and
fell ! While in thin country he laid a wager that he would
demolish a lobster in a few minuted ; but he had False to re-
pent his folly.--(3/orning Paper.)

BRIGHTON, SEPT. 5.
Yesterday morning the Duke of YORE: attended divine ser-
vice at the Chapel Royal, and heard a sermon preached by the
Reverend Dr. Butcher, who however forbore on this occasion
to treat his Royal Highness with an Anti-Catholic discourse.
The chapel was extremely crowded, and the congregation of a
very fashionable description,
_ as it always is at this place of
worship. The Duke of York sat in the royal pew, with Gen.
Armstrong and Col. Anson ; his Royal Highness looked ex-
tremely well, though somewhat thinner in person. After chapel
his Royal Highness took an airing on horseback, going up the
East Cliff.—This morning the Duke of York was again on
horseback after breakfast, at an early hour. His Royal High-
ness passed through Castle square a few minutes after ten
o'clock, and down the Steine, attended by a single groom,
and received as he went along the affectionate and respectful
greetings of the spectators. Among the arrivals here is alt us-
sian Princess, who is staying with her suite at one of the hotels.
The steam-packet brought from France, the last time she ar.
rived here, upwards of 70 passengers, among whom were the
Count and Countess de Cruismore and Lady Syrr ; and on her
return to Dieppe took Lady W. Fitzgerald, with about forty
othe passengers. The Russian Ambassador is also arrived.—
The Marquis of Granby (the Duke of Rutland's youngest son
and heir), with the Ladies Manners, have left for town. The
Speaker of the House of Commons is still here. Lord Stanley,
Lady Moncaster, Lady Cowper, Sir Robert Williams, and the
Rev. Sir R. Wolseley, are also among the recent arrivals. Lord
and Lady Elliott have left.

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