The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-13 00:00:00

GREAT VIADUCT ACROSS THE
DEE, IN THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN.
While the speed to be attained by mechanical inge-
nuity is being intensely considered, the architecture of
our railways is not forgotten, and we feel pleased to have
it in our power to notice one of the most daring and stu-
pendous t tforts of skill and art to which the i ..de ay has
given rise. We refer to the great viaduct now in course
of completion across the valley of the Dee, in
the vale of Llangollen, the dimensions of which
surpass anything of the kind in the world. While
the tubular bridges across the Menai Straits and Con-
way River are, from their novelty, attracting much
attention, the undertaking referred to has proceeded
pearly to completion without any considerable notice
beiter taken of it. Its vastness of proportions may
be atter conceived when it is stated that in magni-
tude it far exceeds what is considered the greatest
effort of human skill in connexion with railway com-
munication—the Stockport viaduct. The Dee via-
duct (for this is the term given to the one at Llan-
gollen) is upwards of 150 feet above the level of the river
—being 30 feet higher than the Stockport viaduct, and
34 feet higher than the Menai bridge. It is supported
by 19 arches of 90 feet span, and its length is upwards
of 1,530 feet, or nearly one-third of a mile. The out-
line of the structure is perhaps one of the handsomest
that could have been conceived, both as regards its
chaste style and attractive finish, and its general ap-
pearance is considerably enhanced by the roundness of
the arches, which are enriched by massive coins, and
the curvilinear batter of the piers; this style of archi-
tecture imparts a grace and beauty to the structure
without impairing its strength. The greatest attention
seems to have been paid to the abutments—the only
part of the erection, in reality, where any decora.
tive display could be made. In the middle of both,
on each side, there are beautifully executed niches
in the Corinthian order, in addition to some highly-
finished masonry. The piers are neatly wrought
at the angles, and at the base of nearly each there
is a bedding of upwards of 460 square feet of masonry.
With the exception of the entradoes of the arches,which
are composed of a blue sort of brick, the whole structure
is built of beautiful stone if not as durable, equal in
richness and brilliancy to Darlydale. The viaduct has
an inclination from end to end of ten feet, and connects
that part of the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway be-
tween Rhos-y-Medre and Chirk.
"Viewed from beneath, the vast structure presents a
noble and truly grand appearance, and its bold pro-
portions with its height cannot fail to call forth ad-
miration from the most indifferent beholder. While
the view below develops what art can accomplish, that
from the summit surpasses in richness and luxuriance
of the picturesque any landscape in the kingdom.
Situated in the middle of the far-famed Vale of Llan-
gollen, there is all that nature and art can bestow to
make the view charming and beautiful. On one side
are bold and swelling hills, on the other a plain teeming
with luxuriance far and wide. Within view are Castell
Divas Bran, or, as it is commonly called, " Crow
Castle," which is situate on the crown of a conical hill;
the glaciated rocks, Winnstay, and font-y-Cyssyllte,
or the Dee Aquaduct. This last structure, which con-
veys the Ellesmere Canal, is within a short distance
from the viaduct, and from its beauty and extent im-
parts additional interest to the locality.
The viaduct has been erected by Messrs. Makin, Mac-
kenzie,and Brassy, contractors, at a costofutpwe upwards of
100,0001., being upwards of 30,0001. more than. h
ion was 15,0001., and
scaffolding, &c., for its
.erecht
Stock-
port viaduct. The cost of the timber required to form
employed during
be-
tween three
of consequent.
worthyawndhoi°leur timeun hundred d
construction.m asons al o n e
It
teries
of remark that up to Saturday last no accident
conscquenc© occurred to any of the persons employed
in erection, but on that day, we regret to say, one of the
workmen was killed on the spot by a portion of the
scaffolding falling upon him. Within a few miles dis-
tance there is another viaduct in course of building across
the valley of Ceiriog. This structure will be upwards of
120 feet high, and will have ten arches of 45 feet span,
and one of 120 feet. The entire length will be at least
630 feet, and will have cost, when completed, a large
sum of money.—Liverpool Mercury.

We understand Madame Dulcken, accompanied by
the inimitable John Parry, Madame D'Okolski, and
Miss Eliza Nelson, purpose leaving town shortly, to
fulfil engagements at Exeter and its neighbourhood.
THE EICISI3 DUTY or( Hors.—A meeting of hop
growers was held at the George Inn, Hurst-green, on
Thursday last, to memorialise the Lords of the Treasury
for the repeal of the Excise duty on hops. G. C. Cour-
thorpe, Esq , took the chair, and there were present—
Major Curteis, Messrs. Tilden Smith, Vinehall, Dawes
(113 e), Neve (Benenden), Fagg (Cranbrook), J. and T.
Hildt r, &c. Resolutions in accordance with the object
of the meeting were unanimously carried, and a deputa-
tion appointed to present the same. A short time since
Mr. I'. L. Hodges, M.P., Mr. Edward Barrett Curteis,
and Mr. Pomfret had an interview with Lord John
Russell, on whom they urged the memorial of' a large
number of hop-growers in the Wealds of Kent and
Sussex. His Lordship most decidedly refused to post-
pone the half-year's duty payable in November ; and on
duties, and
the subject of the repeal of the duties said, " it was im-
raatitt
oent.tomn.:tidston
im-
possible for him at present to make any promises,
position to b e butse ni
nt
to
oe tthheougLhotridts woofu ltt
obe
Treasury,ritfor s
tztin
g memorialsthe
which the hop•growers were placed by the
tchrei aslos
bspecotuladrohnavoew i
n seriousope
which
Me-
morials moeum
Gazette.
ST. SAVIOUR'S, SOUTIIWARK. y t
erday, a meet-
ing of the parishioners of St. Saviour's, Southwark, was
held in reference to the defective
state of the sewers in
that district—Mr. Thus. Bailey -
lengthened conversation, in whichln the chair. After a
deodorisers vied with descriptions complaints against
ions of the highly infec-
tious and dangerous character
of the noxious gases
evolved from the ill-constructed and imperfectly cleansed
sewers, on the motion of Mr. Watson the following re-
solution was agreed to:—" That the immediate atten-
tion of the Sewers Commissioners be called to the nui-
sance arising from the gullies and sewers, whereby the
inhabitants living in many parts of the
parish are de-
prived of the beneficial occupation of their premises and
the advantage c,f a thoroughfare in the street is sus-
pended, and that they be requested to take such steps
as will remedy the evil complained of." A vote of
thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.
EXTRAORDINARY TROUT.--A trout of very large
dimensions, and in most excellent e,ondition, was caught
by Mr. Edwards, jun., of the Uxbridge Arms Hotel, on
Monday last, in the celebrated lake of Quellyn. The
fish measured two feet five inches from tip to tip, and
was fifteen in girth. Its weight we estimated at twelve
pounds. Larger specimens of trout have, we believe,,
been occasionally caught, but fish of this magnitude are
by no means common as far as trout are concerned.--,
Carnarvort Herald.