The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 5, 1844.

SCOTCH FARMERS AND THE
CORN-LAWS
We find the following list in a Elcutch paper,
which shows that the fliPtntrs in the north have no
fear of repeal. After the Anti-Corn-law meeting held
ai Haddington in October last, the occupying tenant.;
who were in favour of the corn-laws were invited to
subscribe their names, and after all the influence of
the landlords, it will be seen that the great majority
of the best farmers in East Lothian withheld their sig-
natures
ABERLA DT —9 resident tenants, of whom 4 have signed.
One of them, Lori Wemyss's factor, holds no land in the parish.
One tenant in this parish, whose name is not in the list, farms
more acres than all the four put together.
A TII ELSTA N EFORD-10 tenants, 2 have signed.
Bor.zoN.-11 resident tenants; 4 have signed, one of these
has only thirty acres. Here, too, one farmer who has not
signed, has more land than al }the 4.
DIR LETON. —lB resident tenants; 3 have signed, two of
whom are joint tenants. There are several tenants of small
possessions besides the 18.
Du NBA Ft.-21 tenants, 10 signatures. Two or three of these
have net 100 acres altogether.
FALA.-4 resident tenants, all of whom have signed.
GA RVAL 0.-15 resident tenants, of whom 10 have signed,
two of them being joint tenants of about sixty acres; other two,
one a baker, the other a wright and innkeeper, cannot be held
as tenants at all.
GIFFORD.-18 tenants„of whom 15 have signed, but 5 of
these hold mere patches, 4 may have 100 acres amongst them ;
one is the road-surveyor in the parish. The 3 who have not
signed are the most extensive farmers in the parish.
GLADSMUIR.-18 tenants, 11 havd signed, 5 of them fol-
lowing other avocations than farming ; they may have 100
acres amongst them.
HA DDINGTON.-32 tenants, 16 have signed, amongst whom
are 4 joint tenants, Lord Dalhousie's overseer at Coalston, a
surgeon, a seed-merchant, and at least 3 holders of but a few
acres each.
HUJIBIE.-15 tenants, 7 have signed, two of them being
joint tenants on one farm, and one, a member of the Convention
at Edinburgh, two years ago against the corn-laws.
INNERWICK.-15 tenants, 1 signature.
MoitnAm. —5 tenants, none of whom have signed.
NORTH BERWICK.-12 tenants, 4 signatures, two of them
being joint tenants on one farm.
OLDHAMSTOCKS.-10 tenants, 10 signatures, one of whom
has eleven acres, and the farms of two, Pathhead and Butter-
dean, are not in the county at all. Butterdean belongs to Mr.
Balfour of Whittingham.
Oftstisrox.— 8 tenants, no signatures.
PENCAITLAND.-14 tenants, 5 signatures.
PRESTONKIRK-15 tenants, 9 signatures, though four of
them really cannot be called tenants, having only 29 acres
amongst them, one being an innkeeper, another a market gar-
dener, and two carters.
PRESTON PA NS-5 or 6 tenants, and no signatures.
SALTON-12 tenants, 5 signatures; at least one must have
a mere apology for a farm.
SroTr-9 tenants, 3 signatures.
Szawroi4-9 tenants, 1 signature.
TRANENT.-28 tenants, or thereabouts, 16 signatures ; of
these, 9 have not 200 acres amongst them.
WHITEKIRK.-13 tenants, 10 signatures, fouo of whom, viz.,
a miller, a tailor, a carrier, and a baker, hold under 120 acres.
The tailor makes liveries for the First Lord of the Admiralty.
WHITTINGHAM. —l3 tenants, 9 signatures, most of whom
are the tenants of Mr. Balfour.

SOUTHAMPTON EAST INDIA AND CHINA COMMER-
CIAL AGENCY CoMPANE.—On Wednesday the Provisional
Committee assembled to allot the shares subscribed for in this
new undertaking. To us who uniformly entertained a very
favourable—perhaps sanguine—opinion in respect to the forma-
tion of this Company, it is a matter of sincere gratification
s tto know that we shall neither be disappointed ourselves, nor
have misled the public or the press—who have given extensive
circulation to our opinions as to the complete success of the
project. We understand that an unprecedentedly large number
of shares have been taken by the public, and this too before
even the Directors have been appointed ; so that the
residue—a mere bagatelle, as we are informed—will only
be held at the disposal of the manufacturing towns and
cities of the kingdom, provided they be applied for, and the
deposit of 1/. per share be paid previous to the 10th day of
January next, on or before which day the deposits are to be
paid by the Shareholders generally. Immediately after that
date an efficient, and, as we are told, a highly respectable and
influential Board of Directors will be submitted fee the approval
of the Shareholders.--Hampshire Independent.
The Rev. H. Moseley, Professor of Natural Philo-
sophy at King's College has, it is said, received the appoint-
ment of Inspector of Normal Schools from the Committee of
Privy Council for Education.
SITTINGS OF THE INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.—
There is a visible diminution in the business of this Court,
which has, no doubt, been caused by the operation of the new
Act in the Court of Bankruptcy. The present sittings have
only been appointed to the 10th of February, and orders for
hearings granted to the 20th of February. Several days have
been struck out for want of cases. The Court will not sit,
according to the present arrangement, more than three or four
days a week. It is expected that a measure will be prepased
for the consideration of Parliament, embracing some of the
principal features in the two clashing Acts now in force ; but
the absorbing questions seems to be, whether the Insolvent
Debtors' Court shall continue to have the administration, or
the Court of Bankruptcy.
SHOCKING SUICIDE BY SWALLOWING VITRIOL.—A
young married female, named Dowling, who resided at No.
11, Hart-street, Covent-garden, went into the surgery be-
longing to Mr. Berry, in James-street, Long-acre, on Tues-
day night, and requested Mr. Berry to let her have a penny-
worth of arsenic, which she said she wanted to poison some
rats. From her manner the poison was refused her, and she
then went to an oil-shop in the neighbourhood, where she pur-
chased some vitriol, which she swallowed. In an instant after-
wards she was seized with the most excruciating pain. Mr.
Berry promptly attended, and administered the usual reme-
dies, but without any beneficial effects, and she lingered until
five o'clock yesterday morning, when death put an end to her
sufferings. Not the least idea can at present be formed as to
what could have induced her to commit so rash an act.
SHOCKING MURDER NEAR WEST CALDER.—On
Sunday last the dead body of an old man named John Geddes,
a labourer, residing in a cottage by himself, on the farm of
Longford, about three miles from West Calder, in this county,
was found in a shockingly mangled state on the loos of his
own dwelling. He had been missing for several days,
but as he was in the frequent habit of working at a dis-
tance from home, no alarm was excited among the neigh-
bours till Saturday night, when there was no appear-
ance of him as usual. On Sunday, therefore, it was re-
solved to break open the house to see whether he might not
be lying ill, when they were horrified to find his murdered body
stretched on the floor in a state almost indescribable. On re-
moving an old shirt which was thrown over the body, they
found a deep fracture in the skull, the left eye knocked
into the head, the bone of the eye-brow broken, the nose
all but torn off, the jaw-bone and collar-bone and all his
ribs broken but two ! A more horrible sight has seldom been
seen. A pair of tongs covered with blood were found at the
fireside. with which the wounds had evidently been
inflicted. The Sheriff and Procurator Fiscal visited the spot
on Monday to investigate into the circumstances, but, so far as
we can iearn, no positive clue has yet been found to the mur-
derer, or even the cause of the murder. The deceased, though
a labourer, had the reputation of some wealth, and probably the
possession of that might have been the object of the murderer ;
but we have not learned whether anything has been stolen.
The murder is supposed to have taken place several days before
the discovery.—Scotsman of Wednesday.
PUBLIC BATHS FOR THE WORKING CLASSES.—It iS
delightful to witness the decided movement new made for the
establishment of public baths in Edinburgh, with a view to
their general use by the working classes. It is singular how,
late in the day this project has been started, considering the
undeniable utility, as respects the comfort and health of the
human being, and seeing that other nations, far below us in the
scale of civilization, have long used ablutions. Mahomet seems
to have been fully assured of the benefit derivable from this
source, since he made washing with.wateisa marked point in his
religious code. It cannot be the warmth of the clime entirely
that settles the use of bathing, as we find the Russians, in a
colder region than our own, equally attached to it. It appears
to result from wise legislation at the outset, as much as from
anything else. In our own case we trust that the provision of
public baths will be the consequence of a great movement
among the public which requires them—by far the best and
most honourable way of attaining such objects. But, at the same
time, we are delighted to notice the cordial encouragement be-
itowed on this movement of high rank and eminent station among
us. On Wednesday the meeting at the Music hall, George-
street, for considering the subject, was addressed by the Lord
Provost, Lord Dunfermline, Dr. Alison, and other parties of
influence and distinction. Lord Dunfermline justly pointed to
this proposition of the working-classes as clearly indicating a
vast advance made by them, and as heralding still further steps
of improvement. This is a notable and most gratifying truth.
Temperance and bathing going hand in hand, as they will do,
will make a great and striking change indeed in the condition of
our operatives. No better signs of the times could be given.
We need not point to the strong recommendations of bathing
to be found in the works of our medical men. There is not a
dissentient voice on the subject. Then, let us hope that we
shall have this great public improvement effected without delay.
One thing is certain, that we shall have those epidemical
scourges which every now and then visit us with such cruel
effect greatly mitigated in their virulence, if we cannot banish
them altogether from among us.— Scotsman.
SHOCKING ACCIDENT.— A most distressing acci-
dent occurred in the Kentish Town-road on Wednesday,
whereby a little girl, named Baker, the daughter of a respect-
able newsvender in the vicinity lost her life. It appears that
the poor little creature had just parted from a playmate on the
pathway, and was in the act of running across the road, when
she was knocked down by the horses attached to one of the
Kentish Town omnibuses, the wheels of which passed over
her head, crushing it in a most frightful manner, and of
course causing instant death. The body was immediately
picked up, and conveyed into a surgeon's shop, and from
thence to the home of its parents, which it had only just
before left. The poor little sufferer was the sister of Samuel
Hunt Baker, who was stabbed by a buy, and died from the
wound, about this time last year, when it will be recollected
the latter was tried and convicted of manslaughter. In-
spector Aggs, who happened to be passing down the Kentish
Town-road, when the accident took place, directed a police-
constable to take charge of the driver of the omnibus, who
was subsequently taken to the police-court. It did not ap-
pear, however, that much blame was attributable to him in the
melancholy affair.
A STRANGE ANIMAL.—The Courrier de Lyon
gives the following most wonderful story as a rare and singular
instance of sympathy between the canine arid feline race. We
can hardly, believe, however, that our contemporary is serious:
An inhabitant of this place has brought up a cheinckat (a
hybrid between a dog and a cat is, we presume, meant). The
whole of the body is covered with hair like that of a spaniel.
One half of the head has all the character of the canine race,
the other moiety resembling that of the cat. The paws are
furnished with the claws of a cat. The animal snaps and barks
like a dog, but when enraged mews like a cat. When caressed
it shows its satisfaction by purring like the frequenters of the
garrets and gutters."
Tut: NEW COMET.—I think this comet's approach
t.) our system should be considered as one of the proxi-
mate causes of the fine weather, and mild temperature of
November and December. For as the transit of comets
is one of the most powerful causes of perturbation in the
meteoric action of the atmosphere (as proved by those of
1840, 1841, and 1842), arid that the periods of the ap-
proach of these bodies into the solar system is unknown,
null a thing as absolute certainty in calculations of the
weather is of course not to be expected on the seasons
when they occur. The weather has been wonderfully
mild all this month, with the barometer remarkably high
and steady. The thermometer was on Christmas-day at
50 degrees, and as the present high state of the barome-
ter shows a great atmospherical pressure, which accord-
ing to the nature of things cannot last long, then probably
great depressions will follow with snow storms. I am
every day expecting a change to cold—if it is delayed
till about Old Christmas-day then expect a severe winter
(which is the time severe winters generally set in) : the
great frost of 1740 began at that time.—G. SUGDEN.—
Howden, Dec. 27.

LITERATURE,

-----=.0.---
.inSTORY OF TEIV YEARS. Part I.
Chapman and Hall, London, 1844. .
Who M. Louis Blanc, the author of this work,
may be, or what were his means of acquiring in-
formation, we know not; but there is an appear-
ance of authenticity about his " History of Ten
Years in France," so fir as it has yet proceeded,
and an acquaintance with the more hidden
springs of political intrigue during the earlier
years of the restoration of the Bourbons, that
entitle his statements to attention. His intro-
duction, in particular, wherein he alludes to the
underhand plots carried on in 1815, chiefly under
the auspices of the Baron de Vitrolles and Tal-
leyrand, to bring about the downfal of the Em-
peror and replace the old worn-out dynasty on
the throne by the reluctant agency of Alexander,
displays a minute knowledge of the political
machinations of the times, which induces the
supposition that the author must have had
access to private documents hitherto kept
jealously from the public eve. Among other
interesting matters, he explains the whole
circumstances of the defection of Marmont
from the Emperor at. the critical period when
the Allies were threatening Paris; and his ex-
planation tends in a great degree to exculpate
the Marshal, who was himself deceived, and who
gave in his adhesion to the new order of things,
not of his own free will, but from the uncontrol-
lable force of events. In discussing the curious
question, why was not Paris vigorously defended,
when it had the means of resistance at its com-
mand, and if it had held out but two days, would
have had Napoleon in person ready to march to
its assistance with the collected remnants of his
army ? M. Blanc states, and we think justly, that
the bourgeoisie, who were then all powerful,
had already decided that the capital should offer
no resistance, for they were weary of the Imperial
sway, which kept them a state of humiliating.
thraldom, and looked forward to the restoration
of the Bourbons as the triumph of their own
selfish interests. To this influential party our
author boldly asserts that the Emperor's downfal
mustbe ascribed ; they and they only—for the rest
of France was sullen and apathetic—secured the
throne for Louis the Eighteenth ; and they would
willingly have submitted to many of the en-
croachments of his successor, had he not, by
violating the Charter, proposed to reduce them
to the same state of political insignificance in
which they lived during the whole period of the
Empire. From that moment they resolved to
keep no terms with him ; and, making common
cause with the masses, whom at heart they dis-
trusted and despised, they effected that revo-
lution which Fplaced the crown on the head of
Louis Philippe, and which, owing to their stead-
fast allegiance, he still retains, despite the fre-
quent murmurs of the inflammable populace, and
the emeutesof the small, but energetic Republican
party.] M. Blanc, though lie affects to write
with candour and moderation, is clearly
a bitter enemy to this triumphant bour-
geoisie ; but his hostility is without just
cause, for the steady advance in political
power of the middle—or, as he sneeringly
calls them, the trading—classes, is the necessary
results of the various movements that have taken
place in France since the assembling of the Tiers
Etat in 1789. When absolute monarchy was
annihilated, and feudal privileges abolished, it
became an inevitable consequence that an indus-
trious, intelligent middle class, should spring up
from the ruins of the old regime; and, notwith-
standing the temporary check that this class sus-
tained under Napoleon, who dreaded its political
sagacity even more than the swords of the Allies,
it was evident that it must, in the long run, prove
too powerful for the Emperor. Throughout
Europe, the tendency of the bourgeoisie—or in-
dustrious middle class—is slowly, but surely,.
to extend the range of its influence, to the gra-
dual weakening of all monarchical and aristocratic
influence. In England it has wrested a Reform
Bill from a reluctant oligarchy; in Spain it is
sturdily fighting the battle of the Constitution
with every prospect of eventual success; in France
it is all powerful under the shrewd sway of Louis
Philippe; in Prussia it has wrung concessions of
no ordinary value from Royalty; and the day is
not far distant when Austria and Russia will,
both be compelled to listen with deference to
its just and enlightened councils. In a word,
the march of the bourgeoisie is the march of
common sense, of industry, of toleration, of
equitable principles of legislation throughout
Europe, and he must indeed be a short-
sighted patriot who can contemplate this
march with any other feelings than those of
satisfaction. But M. Blanc is an anti-middle-
class man—that is to say, a man of the people.
Well, let him look to America, and see there
what mob-rule has done for government! Minis-
ters of State afraid to speak out their own con-
victions—freedom reduced to a mere question of
colour, bestowed in rank abundance on the
whites, scornfully withheld from the blacks—
national faith and justice laughed to scorn as
things of no account—such are among the re-
sults. of exclusively popular sway in America,
which our author, nevertheless, would gladly
see extended to France. Having pointed out
the besetting defect in M. Blanc's work, we may
observe in fairness to him, that many of his
statements are deeply interesting, and that he
writes in a light, lively, and . picturesque
style, throwing many of his more stirring inci-
dents into quite a dramatic form, that cannot fail
to rivet attention. Of the abilities of Talleyrand,
we perceive that he speaks with..infinite con-
tempt ; but the statesman who keeps his head on
his shoulders through so many violent political
changes as he witnessed, and took a conspicuous
share in, has taken it out of the power of any ,
writer justly to impugn his consummate sagacity,
and t'ar-sspiigrliitte
that pervades
e rAv
asdae
ss
Blanes
en of the pe-
culiar
we subjoin his reflections on the an
Paris in 1814 : Icapc:tsuHlatisiotonfryo,.•

" What followed is well known ; and where is the
French soul from which such a recollection could ever
be effaced ? It is notorious that the 6th corps,
amounting barely to 5000 men, defended Paris with
amazing heroism,—Paris, the heart and brain of the
world. It is notorious that Marmont had his hat and
his clothes pierced with balls in leading the bayonet
charge against the enemy, who had already invaded
the high street of Belleville. But King Joseph had
already authorised Marshals Mortier and Marmont to
capitulate; and that same evening, towards five o'clock,
the programme of the funeral of the empire was drawn
up in a paltry village inn of La Valette. A fact less
known is, that on returning to his hotel, and before
the ratification of the fatal convention, of which the
basis had just been laid down, the Duc de Raguse re-
mained for some time in a state of torturing hesita-
tion. Now, who was it that put an end to that hesi-
tation ? Representatives of the banking and high
commercial interests. I make no accusation here
against M. Jacques Laffitte. History owes him the
justice of declaring that on the very morrow after
the restoration he mounted the breach on which he
remained for fifteen years ; but, after all, M. Laffitte
had the misfortune, on the evening of the 30th of
March, 1814, to accompany M. Perregaux to the
Due de Raguse's—he had the misfortune to appear in
that green-room where the heart of Marmont opened
to the exhortations of a panic-stricken bourgeoise.
Thus it was that the foreigners entered Paris. That
the capital would have been capable of holding out
against a long siege is, I admit, exceedingly doubtful ;
but what was requisite to save the fortunes of France ?
To resist two days longer : for on the evening of the
battle the enemy, separated from his parks, had ex-
hausted his ammunition, and the Emperor was ap-
proaching. Unfortunately—and I insist on this point
downfal of Napoleon had been prepared in
Paris long before hand. The people of the faubourgs
had vainly cried " To arms ! "—the men who then oc-
cupied the political stage had muskets without cart-
ridges distributed at the Hotel de Ville' and cart-
ridges without muskets at the Place de la Revolution.
Napoleon, who was so fond of the people in uniform,
abhorred the people in smock-frocks—and for this he
was cruelly punished. He had against him, in 1814,
the bourgeoisie, which was all powerful, and for him
the population of the faubourgs, which was powerless.
He fell because he had 110 t chosen to be the right
arm of the democracy. The French troops had re-
ceived orders on the evening of the 30th of March to
fall back on the Chateau d'Eau ; thence they were
directed to the Barriere d'Enfer. When the roll was
called at midnight, the number present amounted to
1,800 men ! How should it have been possible for
this handful of soldiers, left to themselves, to hold in
check the innumerable multitude of the assailants?
The civilians of Paris should then have armed for the
defence of their homes ? Nothing of the sort was
done. Men in their shirt-sleeves, men in rags, these
were they who showed themselves ready to fight, to
die—and these men had nothing to defend ! But the
bankers, the manufacturers, the swhoapskteheepenrsu,mbtheer
notaries, the proprietors of houses, these were the men
that applauded the entry of the allies. Yes—and my
face burns as I write this, for, after all, it is of my
country I am speaking—yes,small
of those among the bourgeoisie who tho,ulgBlhlt4a7tlhiettsanv‘bc,)aenreleyn,
tohfegria,rsapvienrgy tohfe
the National
tioSnaulbcriseuqauredn,tilyn
extolled in pompous terms. The hill of Montmartre
has been made the theatre of immortal deeds; the bar-
rier of Clichy has furnished a moving theme for the
painter. But history, which soars above the lies of
party, and judges nations consigned to eternal sleep;
history will tell that in 1814 Paris would not defend
itself ; that the National Guard, with the exception
o schoolboys,
on
bourgeoisie
t) raaen dl
lastly,eo af rcat
islt,li
zbdeuindts
andoest do its
lynoatecil
number
dutyombtheeriro;
fethat
n t
gallantthry,

althouqh wealthy; welcomed the invaders with open
arms:"

NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
As the meeting of Parliament is now near at
hand, the public will naturally look for some ac-
count of the new houses in which the future des-
tinies of the country are to be discussed.
The present aspect of the works affords, it is
true, no indication of the time when their com-
pletion may be expected, but from the great ac-
tivity which prevails in every department, and
from the present state of the shell or exterior
walls of the building, i t may be inferred that about,
one-half of the entire work, preparatory to the
interior fittings and decorations, has been com-
pleted.

The whole river front now assumes an imposing
appearance, being carried up uniformly to the
height of two full stories above the basement of
the building. The whole length of this exten-
sive front is embellished by innumerable heraldic
ornaments, niches, figures, royal ciphers, scrolls,
and by the richest mouldings and tracery of the
most florid style which distinguishes the Gothic
architecture.

Considerable progress has lately been made
with the north and south extremities of the
building, where it is intended to erect the Victoria
and clock towers. These extremities, which ex-
tend at right angles to the river front, have been
carried up to about the same height as the river
front itself. In general terms, therefore, it may
be said, that the whole exterior shell of the
building, comprising the river front and the
wings at each end, are completed to the height
of two stories, or about 50 feet above the surface
of the ground. The space comprised between
the two wings, and bounded by the main range
of building, will be occupied by numerous courts
and cross ranges of building, to be appropriated
as the dwelling-houses and offices of the officials
connected with the establishment. This portion
of the work is eonsiderably in arrear of the main
part of the building, being built to a height not
generally exceeding 14 or 16 feet.
With regard to the execution of the work, the
most superficial observer must be struck with
the regularity and precision which pervade its
most minute portions. Although the whole
establishment of labour, capital, and machinery
can only be looked upon as temporary, yet the
combination and division of labour are here
pushed to as high perfection as in those enduring
establishments of manufacturing industry which
have excited the wondering admiration of
the world. The mechanical arts minister here
in a thousand ways which ten years- ago
were quite unthought of; iron railroads, of
excellent construction, laid not only on the
ground, but high up in the air, serve for the easy
conveyance of stone, mortar, bricks, and other
materials to all parts.of the building. Powerful
machines, termed " travelling cranes," with nu-
merous wheels for multiplying power, traverse
these railroads, carrying, suspended from their
huge frames, large stones, often weighing many
tons, and the stones, when lowered from these
cranes, are carried off in trucks to the inmost
parts of the complicated building. Each stone
bears upon it some distinguishing mark to indi-
cate the allotted place in the structure, So that no
confusion arises in the disposal of them.
The proximity of the building to the river
affords unusual facilities for the delivery of' the
lime, sand, stone, and other Materials, and nu-
merous barges, containing these stores, are con
stantly being discharged of their cargoes at the
long embankment in front of the building.
The space between the river and the front of
the building affords a convenient depot for the
stones, &c., thus brought to the work. Nearer
still to the building a long range of covered sheds
extends the whole length ;here great numbers
of masons are employed in dressing and fa-
shioning the stones into the immense variety
of forms required by the peculiarly rich and
decorative style of architecture which has
been adopted. About twenty feet above the
ground, where the stones are thus prepared, is
erected a railroad for the travelling cranes to
work upon, and by their means the stones are
placed upon the trucks, and are thus conveyed
upon cross-railroads to their ultimate destination.
The mode of dressing the stones deserves par-
ticular notice, being highly interesting, and a
considerable improvement upon the old practice.
When intricate forms had to be cut out in stone-
work, it was usual to construct what were called
" wooden templets" or moulds, which were
made of several pieces, and which the mason
in working the stone applied to the va-
rious planes or faces in order to fashion it
to the required form. These figures are now cut
out of sheet zinc, on which they are first drawn
with geometrical accuracy. These zinc plates,
representing innumerable varieties of deviced
mouldings, are laid upon the stones, when the
figures are traced out, and the stone cut away to
the exact form of the zinc pattern.
The tools employed by the masons, some of
them rivalling in delicacy and finish the imple-
ments of the sculptor; the machinery invented
by Dr. Spurgin for raising mortar, bricks, &c.,
to the upper stories ; the application of hoop
iron to produce a " bond" in those walls which
are composed of brickwork ; the iron " gird-
ers " for supporting the floors, so as to
render the building fire-proof, by dispensing
with the use of inflammable substances; the pecu-
liarly scientific scaffolding, so widely different
from the common method of scaffolding, by poles
and ropes; and a variety of other ingenious ap-
pliances, are scarcely less calculated to excite
admiration, than the concentration of genius and
artistical skill displayed by the architect himself
in designing the structure.
All the principal part of the building which
is not purely decorative is composed of the stone
termed in geology " magnesian limestone," which
prevails extensively in this country, as one of the
lower members of the new red sandstone forma-
tion. .The mineralogical character of this stone
is that of a silicious grit, united by a highly-
chrystalline calcareous cement. Its texture is
firm and tough, the particles being closely ag-
gregated and finely wedged together, so that
there is every probability that it will effectually
resist the variable action of the atmosphere. It
is procured in large quantities from quarries at
Bolsover Moor, in Derbyshire, and Huddlestone
and Anstone, in Yorkshire. When moist from
the quarry ;his stone is of a yellowish brown
colour, and works well under the tool of the
mason. When dry, however, its colour is much
more delicate, and it acquires an additional hard-
ness.

Some of the very ornamental parts of the work
are composed of the Bath oolite, procured from
Painswick and other places in the neighbourhood
of Bath. The stone, though differing considerably
from the magnesian limestone in a mineralogical
character, having less adhesion amongst its parti-
cies, and consequently less touFliness, appears well
adapted for elaborate decorations, in consequence
of its fine and uniform grain, beauty of surface,
and the readiness with which it may be worked.
The limestone, however, appears to be much
more extensively employed, even for decorative
purposes, than the Bath stone, which was once
so great a favourite, and, judging from
the present sound appearance of every
block to be seen upon the works, there
is every reason to suppose that the test of time
will amply justify the high recommendations
bestowed upon it by Sir H. De la Beche and the
other Commissioners appointed to select the
stone for this great national edifice.

THE NEW HISTORICAL ROMANCE, " WHITE-
FRIARS; OR, THE DAYS OF CHARLES THE SECOND."—
The authorship of this remarkable work promises to become as
difficult a question with the critics as was that of the famous
first of its school, " Waverley." The John Bull truly remarks
that " it is the work of no common hand"—but whose hand
is it ? The Athenccum says, "We should be somewhat per-
plexed if called on to give our opinion. It is more powerful
and striking as a romance than Arabella Stuart.' It is better
than Ainsworth, but at once soberer in tone and richer in cha-
racter, particularly in the dialogues; if then by Ainsworth, he
has published his best novel anonymously. But the occasional
verses, from their truth of colour, recal to us the lyrics in
Shakspeare and his Friends.' " The Athenceum concludes
with observing that the work is " one of the best of its race"—
an opinion in which all who peruse it, we think, will coincide.
THE UNITED SERVICE MAGAZINE FOR JANUARY
commences the year in a manner that must recommend it
strongly to every one who takes an interest in the military and
;royal services. Amongst the numerous articles that particu-
larly demand attention at this period, we may point out " A
Voice from Cafferland," written on the spot ; it contains much
valuable information on the critical state of affairs in our Colony
at the Cape, evidently from a trustworthy source, that cannot
fail of exciting remark. The paper on " Slavery in Sin'le,"
from the pen of Captain Hart, of the Bombay Army, is another
contribution •f singular importance at this moment; while
those on " The Canadian Seat of Government," by Captain
Parkenson ; " The Army in Ireland and the Repealers ;" and
" The Wars in Sinde and the Puriaub," are scarcely less inte-
resting or applicable. The lovers of stirring adventure may find
an almost inexhaustible source of amusement in " A Night in
the Peninsular War," by Dr. Bradley—" Three Weeks' Cruise
in the Gulf of Mexico"—" The Heroes of Camperdown"—" A
Cadet's Introduction to India"—" A Memorial of the War in
Ava"—" Recollections in the Peninsula," by Lieutenant-
Colonel Wilkie—and in the various other papers by writers of
acknowledged talent, to be found in theJauuary Number of this
unique periodical.
THE CAMERONIANS.—On Saturday forenoon many
of our citizens were attracted and delighted by a drill of the
gallant 26th Regiment, bow in the Castle. The whole
corps, with the exception of those on duty, were marched
by their distinguished commander, Colonel Moun-
tain, C. 8., from the garrison to Queen's Park,
and from thence to the Hunter's Bog. Here the
regiment piled arms ; and were then marched to the top of
Arthur's Seat, where, at the suggestion of the Gallant Colonel,
they gave " Three Cheers for Auld Reekie." They were then
marched over the hill to the verge of Duddingstone Loch, and
homeward by Sampson's Ribs, and along the " Radical-road,"
to the north end of the valley, where having resumed their
arms, they returned to the Caitle.w.Edinburgh raper.

MANCHESTER AND LEEDS RAIL-

WAY.

Frtltri the Manchester Guardian.)
OPENINOT LEEDS EXTENSION
LINE TO HUNT'S lika AND THE VIC-

TORIA STATION.
On Monday last, New Year's Day, the extension
line of the Manchester and Leeds Railway, from
Collyhurst to the New Victoria Station, at Hunt's
Bank, was opened, as announced in our last, the first
train from the station starting at seven o'elock in the
morning. There was no public celebration, the train
taking its departure in the ordinary way, amidst the
cheers of those assembled. The station is the largest
in this, or, perhaps, any other part of the kingdom,
possessing a larger covered area than even the
Derby station. Being the joint and central sta-
tion connecting the uninterrupted railway com-
munication between the great seaports of Liver-
pool and Hull, it will unite in a line of the
most accessible communication four of the
largest towns in the north of England—
Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and null ; and
thus bring the German Ocean and the Irish Sea
within o few hours' distance of each other—while it
also links to this great chain of railway communica-
tion the important towns and places of Bolton, Old-
ham Middleton, Rochdale, Huddersfield, Bradford,
Halifax, Selby, and York—and gives access, by
means of its junction with the North Midland and
York and North Midland Railways, to almost every
other great line of railroad in the kingdom, north and
south. 'We think, therefore, that a description of the
Leeds Extension Line and the Victoria Station, al-
though to some extent they have been previously no-
ticed in our columns, cannot fail to be interesting to
many of our readers. IVe omit all notice, in the
present article, of the junction or extension line of the
Liverpool and Manchester Railway from Ordsall Lane
to Hunt's Bank (through Salford) ; because, although
it is in a tolerably forward state, it is net by any
means completed ; and when this portion of the con-
nection is opened (which is expected to be " in all
March"), that will be the fittest time to notice tile
works of that part of the junction :

THE LEEDS EXTENSION LINE IN MANCHESTER.

The Manchester and Leeds Extension Line com-
mences at some distance to the east of the late tem-
porary station in Oldham Road (now the goods sta-
tion), viz. :—Near Ryder's Mill, a little to the north-
east of Collyhurst Lane, which the railway crosses by
a bridge. 'For nearly 500 yards up to the.goods sta-
tion, the original line and the extension line run nearly
parallel; the latter being a short distance to the north
of the former, and both passing over land, the whole
of which is the property of the Company.
The extension line, where it leaves the main line,
commences on an embankment of about 14 feet, which
is gradually reduced till it reaches the surface of, the
ground, on which it continues through the greater
part of 'the Company's land. .-On quitting this land
after proceeding to the north of the engine-house, it
passes the north end of Cropper and Back Cropper-
streets (which streets are carried over the railway),
and under St. George's-road (near Buckley-street, the
road being raised about five feet for this purpose. The
road is carried over the railway by a neat bridge, .
with stone facings and iron girders, 191 feet in
length. It then proceeds, in excavation, with retain-
ing walls (as near Euston-square, London), through
or near the end of several small and ill-defined streets
of cottages, lying. to the north of St. George's-road,
till it reaches a point a little north of Nelson-street.
It next passes on an embankment of a few feet, over
some vacant land, to Lower Tebbutt-street, and there
commences a viaduct, on the east side of that street ;
the line being carried over it by an iron bridge. On
this viaduct it continues to Bromley-street, which it
crosses a little to the north of the Manchester Gas-
works. It next crosses over Parker-street, Back Irk-
street, Ashley-lane, adjoining the burial-ground, and
Blakeley-street (over the last-named street by means
of a large iron-bridge), and thence, still by a viaduct,
over several small streets, till it reaches a bend of the
river Irk, east of Scotland-bridge, which it crosses
twice, by skew arches, at an elevation of about 35 feet,
so as to leave ample passage for the river when flooded.
Thence the line is carried over Long Mitigate, which
is spanned by an iron bridge in the direction of
Mill-hill, a little south of Scotland-bridge. It
then proceeds close to the south side of the old
Towns Mill, and crosses the Irk a third time, at an
elevation of about 35 feet, and nearly at right angles,
and thence proceeds, still on arches, to within a short
distance of York-street, Cheetham Hill; being a
distance, on arches, of 670 yards. The number of
arches in this viaduct, including those of the bridges,
is 38. These arches, of course, vary, both in height
and span, with the nature of the ground and the
width of the streets passed over; the extreme height
being 35 feet, and the average height about 28 feet.
The principal bridges on this line are those at Long
Mitigate' New Blakeley-street, Lower Tebbutt-
street, St. George's-road, and Cropper-street, all of
which are of iron. The line proceeds to York-street,
Cheetham Hill, beneath which it passes, about six-
teen feet below the level of the street, a little above
the entrance to the burial ground, near Ducie Bridge.
Here it takes the line of the division wall between
the burial ground and the premises of the Manchester
workhouse, and so arrives at the proposed station of
the Company in Hunt's Bank, just below the garden
of the workhouse, and near the confluence of the Irk
and the Irwell.

With respect to the gradients, we may state that,
on its leaving the main line near Collyhurst Lane, it
descends at an inclination of 1 in 49, to where it
crosses St. George's-road. Thence to York-street,
the descent is continued at an inclination of 1 in 60 ;
and, from that point to the terminus at the Hunt's
Bank Station, it will ascend at an inclination of 1 in
132. This ascent to the station possesses the advan-
tages of enabling the trains arriving to ascend it
solely by the impetus obtained by their descending
the plane of 1 in 60, which will carry them up to the
station, and gently stop them there, almost without
needing the application of the brake ; strong buffers,
however, are provided, at the extreme end of the ar-
rival line. The departing trains descend this incline
of 1 in 132 of themselves, without the aid of horse or
other power, till they reach the endless rope at York-
street, where they are attached, and are thence drawn
to the junction of the extension with the main line,
near Collyhurst Lane. The endless rope is of iron wire,
combined in a number of strands, and for which the in-
ventor, Mr. Newall, obtained a patent. There are two
stationary engines, or, more correctly, a double sta-
tionary engine, of 240 horses' power, placed near
the junction with the main line, at Collyhurst. The
signal to these engines to work the endless rope is
given from the York-street bridge, by the telegraph,
which we shall notice hereafter. The extension line
has two curves in it ; both of which, however, are of
so large a radius, as to be wholly unobjectionable.
The entire length of the Manchester and Leeds ex-
tion line is 2,320 yards. That of the Liverpool and
Manchester Junction, from Ordsall Lane to Hunt's
Bank will be about 1,790 yards ; so that the entire
length of the junction lines from Collyhurst to Ordsall
Lane will be nearly two miles and a third. We do
not know the exact cost of the Leeds extension, but
presume that it will not much exceed 180,0001. In
connection with it we may mention, that parties con-
nected with both the Manchester Workhouse and the
Town's (or Grammar School) Mill have applied to
have communications with the railway near those
establishments. To the latter the advantage of the
railway passing it is very great, as the grain required,
whether from Liverpool or Yorkshire, can thus be
deposited at its gates without any loss of time or cost
for carting, &c. We believe, that in compliance with
the request of the Committee of the Town's Mill, a
siding is to be laid from the line into the yard of the ,
mill, so that waggons of grain from either Liverpool I
or Hull can be run direct into the mill. Gates have
been erected, and a similar siding is to be made from
the line to the Manchester Workhouse yard.