The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-26 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

On Wednesday last Mr. Bullock Webster gave his-
second lecture at this establishment, on practical drain.
ing. On this occasion he confined himself exclusively
to the method of draining strong clay soils for surface
water only—not where the subsoil itself was filled with
water, but where the injury arose from the water resting
on an impervious bed of clay. He urged that very d« ep
draining on that kind of soil had been tried and failed
years ago, and he mentioned the names of several per-
sons who had proved this, amongst whom we observed
was Lord Portman. He also said that the strong lands
in the Weald of Kent, they were returning to the old
system of 30• inch drains. There however were, he
stated, circumstances under which deep draining may
have answered, viz., where there had been a great deal
of water under the subsoil which could not get away.
He thought that drains at a depth of four or five feet in
clays. could certainly do no harm if filled with porous
material ; but he conceived that it would add much to
the expen-e, without adequate advantage, and he warned
his hearers not to form conclusions too hastily.
In the course of last year he said he bad travelled
about 16,000 miles in search of the data upon which he
had based his reasoning ; he had examined draining
which had been done in various parts of the country
within the last 30 or 40 years, and he -found in all in•
stances he was fully borne oat in his own opinion on the
subject. He then touched upon the subj. et of the dif-
ferent tiles with much sound philosophy, and concluded
by expressing his belief that the c)lti.elrical tile, divided
horizontally, ,4 as preferable to the flat solid tile, as from
a more effective current, and consequently a greater
capability for clearing the drain.

MADAME Bisllor.—This charming vocalist took
her farewell on Wednesday night in the character of
'spline, in the Maid of.Artois. The effect produced by
her charming voice and finished style was never more
striking. The most rapturous applause was elicited by
her interpretation of all the well-known moyceaux : she
was frequently encored, and, at the fall of the curtain,
was called for, cheered, and complimented with several
bouquets.
ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, GRAY'S INN• ROAD.—
All the convalescent patients in this hospital were on
Christmas Dayregaled with roast beef, plum-pudding,
and porter.
POSTPONEMENT OF OPENING THE IPSWICH AND
BURY LINE.—The disappointment occasioned to the
directors of the Ipswich and Bury Railway and the
public by the line not being opened on Monday, after the
public announcement made of the intention of the
directors to open it for passenger traffic yesterday, arose
in part, we are informed, from the Inspector-General of
Railways being called to Ireland immediately after his
visit of inspection on this line, whence he did not return
in time to enable the directors to obtain the requisite
permission from the Railway Board. We learn, how-
ever, that the authority to open the line to the public is
almost hourly expected, and that they will probably
have the benefit of it on an early day this week. The
report of the Inspector-General was in every respect
satisfactory as to the state of the works and their fitness
for immed►ate traffic.—lpswich Express.
THE ARMY.—Lord George Paget, major in the
4th Light Dragoons will, it is expected, shortly succeed
to the Lieutenant-colonelcy of the corps. Major-General
Lambert, whose appointment to the command in Ja-
maica was anticipated in this paper some weeks since,
will proceed early in the year to the place of his desti-
nation. The 74th Foot have moved from Glasgow to
Paisley. The barracks at Athlone, Ireland, are being
considerably enlarged, and there will shortly be accom•
modation in the town for a detachment of cavalry.