The Sun.
London, England, 1826-10-23 00:00:00

SUBTERRANEAN TIMBER.

discovering largetyedroughtht
of the late summer has been the means of
fens of this country, masses
ttiinhebyerhtalveeepllayinelnunbdeidstrbeiixd' thefor
centuries, perhaps thousands of years : they have been
found at sundry depths, from 4 feet to 40.—Where a tree
has been embedded within two or three yards of the sur-
face, it has been readily discovered during the late sum-
mer, by the total absence of all vegetation above it : in the
midst of a close of good fen pasture, patches of unproduc-
tive soil have precisely exhibited the figure and size of the
tice, which no doubt octatimked the sterility of the ground
above it. The Rev. Mr. Wray, of Barditcy, near Lincoln,
had observed several of these steril patches in one of his
pastures, and was led by the spirit of investigation to seek
the cause: a number of labourers were set to work, and in
one instance an enormous tree, containing upwards of a
thousand feet of solid timber, rewarded their exertions :
the outer or sap wood was in a state of decomposition,
but on cleiring that away, the heart was discovered in per-
fect soundness, being changed into a ponderous black sub-
stance like ebony ; and if not worked soon after it was
brought to light, this wood in a few hours became too hard
to be shaped by any instrument requiring a keen edge.—
Another curious characteristic ia, that, on using the wedge,
the wood cleaves as smoothly and with, almost as level a
surface as if sawn : the fibres are probably converted into
a mass homogen'ous with the wood, and tlilus the wedge
operates with a uniform power in right linesi—lt is inte-
resting to trace the process by which a district that was
once firm earth, has been changed into a boggy fen: a pro-
cess too which it might at first be imagined would pro
duce the reverse of the effect, viz. by raising the level :
that this, however, has been the case, is evidently shown
by the following section of a well, sunk in a town on the
edge of the fen district. _

Line of surface.-
Modern cultivation; and foundations of
buildings, with modern brick and tile
fragments.
Bog earth, containing bones, foundation
stones, and excavations.
g yards. Fen turf : roots of trees, and shells.
3 yard.. Bog earth : weeds and remains of aquatic
• plants.
4 yards. Bog earth : ditto.
s yards. Robticre. eart
elhes, strnware, and fragments et
, shl.
Foundations, bones of horses and sheep
6 yards. Bones of the beaver in bog earth.
Vegetable fragments.
7 yards. Bog earth.
A thin stratum of sand.
_ _ Bog earth.

Prevent cultivation
of the lands.

1 'ant

Inundation•

First cultivation of!
the new Fen lands.'

Several inunda.
Lions and forma.
Ikons of Fen.

8 yard*, Bram earthenware. Roman glazing, Ru.
man tiles.

Timi of the H.
mine.

Vegetable remains, awl cultivated earth.
Forests.
9 yards. A stone causeway or ancient road, per.
haps haling.path.
Good firm earth.
Level of the Trent River; a shingly
l 9 yards.. gravel ; being the original stratum,
on which the foregoing are depo.
sited.

Before the age of
the Romans,with
very little Fen
ground.

It is conjectured from the above section, (which should
at
be read from the b** to the top,) that- the outfall to
the sea being much lower in the early ages, the waters
passed off rapidly, and allowed a causeway to be used
which is above nine pulls below the present surface : the
existence of this causeway implies all the other processes
of civilization. The outfall of the sett soon after becoming
Obstructed, we have the first formation of fen, and the up-
rooting of the forest trees. A deposit of two yards is the
result of these first inundations : and at six yards depth
there are signs of attempt. to redeem the fan deposit, and
convert it to agricultural purposes. These efforts were
afterwards swallowed up by subsequent inundations, the
deposit of which is about three yards in depth, and the
surface of which is now in cultivation. There are devia-
tions, of course, in different situations, both as to the order
and proportions. The example here taken was considered
as possessing every circumstantial proof in explanation of
the origin of the Fens.--Lincoln Mercury.

EAST WENess.—An event which has afforded
most general satisfaction and heedful joy among the
inhabitants of all classes on the estates of Dysart and
Wemyss than that which took place at Weinyss Castle
on Tuesday, the 10th instant, has rarely, if ever before
occurred. We allude to the union of Miss Weinyss
of Weinyss with Lord Loughborough, the eldest son
of the Right Hon. the Earl of Rosslyn. On this
happy occasion the inhabitants of these populous
estates vied with each other in their demonstrations of
that respect and attachment so sincerely felt by
all for the illustrious individuals of this auspicious
union. Every mark of joy which genuine feeling
could dictate, was displayed by the inhabitants of the
parish of Weinyss. It were worse than idle, it, would
be presumptuous to dwell on the general merits, or
the peculiar virtues, and the rare accomplish-
ments, both personal and mental, which adorn
the character of so distinguished an individual
as the amiable bride. Her removal, however, from
the ancient halls of her ancestors, from the
scenes of her nativity, and above all, from the nume-
rous objects of her charity, will at once account
for, and we hope excuse the acknowledgment that our
feelings on this occasion were not altogether of an un-.
mingled description. Early in the morning banners
were seen expanding- their ample folds to the wind
from lordly hall, turreted castle, and ancient towers,
along an extent of some miles of coast, while the vil-
lages of Wemyss, and the adjoining hills and promon-
tories, were decorated with every emblem of rejoicing.
Presently a fairy fleet, most tastefully adorned, with a
display of flags and streamers of every colour, was
seen gaily gliding along the smooth bosom of the
waters towards Wemyss Castle, the seat of the' an-
cient family of Wemyss. it consisted of the Buck-
haven fishing-boats maimed by the fishermen, whose
joyous carol, as they passed along, cheered by the as-
sembled inhabitants of the villages on the coast, gave
a most exhilarating effect to, the scene of general joy.
At four o'clock a respectable party of the inhabitants of
Wemyss sat down to an excellent dinner, after which;
in the juice of the grape, they drank, with every de-
monstration of respect, the health of the noble and
happy pair, on whose account the meeting was held,
as also that of the respective members of the families
of St. Clair and Wemyss, accompanied with the ex-
pression of the most ardent and heartfelt wishes for the
happiness and prosperity of every branch of these il-
lustrious housies. Macy other appropriate toasts were
drank, and the meeting passed off with the greatest
harmony and conviviality. At the ball in the evening
dancing was kept up with the utmost spirit till an early
hour next morning.--Edin6negh Evening
Courant.