The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-14 00:00:00

sledge-hammers, and cranes, are now principally
used in quarrying even the largest masses; and it is
truly astonishing to see with what facility even moun-
tai,ls can be removed by handicraft. lo the qu trry the
rocks are stratified. The strata are perpendicular,
and vary in thickness from nine inches to five
feet. When a mass is to be separated wedges
ars introduced between the strata, and are driven
down with sledge-hammers until a separation
is effected. A large crowbar, well manned, is then
applied, to throw down the mass to the bottom of the
quarry. This accomplished, the next thing fis to
cut up the stone into blocks as large as the materials
will admit of; and this part of the work is, perhaps,
the must interesting process of the whole.
The rude and unshapely mass may be five feet
thick, and ten or twelve feet long, and must be cut
into the form of a parallelogram, to fit with mathe-
matical precision its own appointed place in the docks.
Holes are bored fuur or five inches deep, with a drill
or jumper, and eight or nine inches apart, in the
line the stone is to be split. A block of fourteen
tons is soon cut to the size and shape required, by
the power of the plug and feather.' When a
hole has been bored of the required depth, two
wedges are introduced into the hole, with the
thick end down, and by driving the one in the
centre, the combined power of three wedges is thus
obtained, and made to bear upon every hole, and thus
split the stone. A few holes charged with plug and
feather will be found sufficient to split a very large
stone. In splitting granite in this way the quarrymen
are careful to place the holes and wedges parallel with
the reed or grain of the stone. This arrangement renders
the process comparatively easy ; and the skilful work-
men can shape their blocks and paving-stones with as
much comfort as if they were cutting wood in a saw-
mill. As a proof of the extraordinary power of the
plug and feather,' it may be stated, upon the
authority of the present skilful overseer, that
masses of 500 tons are sometimes lifted or
removed by their aid." There is a comparatively
narrow ridge
.of granite rock running parallel
with the shore from Cree-town to the entrance
of Fleet Bay, and which is probably connected
with the great mass of the same formation of
which Cairnsmore forms the western side, though
divided on the surface by a stratum of graywacke.
The situation of the quarry has thus been well chosen ;
for the blocks, when cut and shapes, are transported
by a short railway to the shore below, and there
shipped in vessels belonging to the Dock Trustees,
who have a little fleet of what are called "stone
boats" continually sailing betwixt Wigtown Bay and
the Mersey.—Liverpool Mercury.

BANK OF ENGLAND.
(From last night's Gazette.)
&n Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria. cap. 32, far
the Week ending on Saturday, the 7th day of September, 1850
ISSUE DEPARTMENT.
X.
Notes i55ued........ 30,100,575

Government debt • . 11,0►5,100
Other securities •• • • 2,984,900
Gold coin and bullion 15,880 617
Silver bullion • • • • • • 219,958

30,100,575
M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier.
Dated the 12th day of September, 1850.

£30,100,575