Star.
London, England, 1824-10-07 00:00:00

EGYPTIAN SARCOPHAGUS

The Journal de la Medilerranre mentions the arrival at
Marseilles, in the early part of the present month (Sep-
tember) of a magnificent sarcophagus, from Alexan-
dria, found in the ancient sepulchres of Memphis, near
• the Valley of the Pyramids, in a well 60 feet deep. The
lower part of this monument is eight feet long, about
tvio and a half feet high, and in its extreme breadth
about three and a half feet. It is covered with an im-
mense number of hieroglyphics, mythological figures,
and symbols, all executed in a very superipr style, in
granite. The weight of this superb piece of antiquity
is upwards of 3,000 kilogrammes (two tons and a half
English). The lid, which is equally remarkable for
the rarity and beauty of its workmanship, weighs nearly
as much. The colour of the sarcophagus is a deep
green, resembling bronze, inlaid with spots of a bright
red, and others again of a more sombre tinge. Besides
this spotted wot k, which is done with admirable uni-
formity, the lo.wer-part is beautifully ornamented in three
or four places, with broad bands of a bright yellow co-
lour, which ascend to the top. These fine embellish-
ments form a most pleasing relief to the dark bronze
ground of the monument. When the lid shall be re-
placed, .the ensemble will present a coup-deed altogether
unique, as well by the richness of the matter, as the co-
lossal dimensions and majestic form of the monument.
None of those of an analogous kind, hitherto seen, are
adequate to convey a correct notion of the gorgeousness
of the one we are now describing. And, what adds con-
siderably to its value, it is nowhere injured, except by
two slight scratches on the upper margin, made, no
doubt, by th.;e who first reniaved the lid to rob the
tomb of its contents. The two curiosities, after being
placed on two strong carriages, werealmost immediately
sent off to Pill is.

• LA CHINE CANAL.
T RIM ♦ CANADIAN LATER.

Saturday, the 14th August, the first canal boat
which has been seen in this Province, left the basin
situate near Mr. Griffin's cottage (about a mile and a
half ftom this City) to proceed to Lachine, on the
canal. The President of the Canal Board, the Hon.
John ltichai dson, and the Commissioners, attended by
E. Watson, Esq. of Albany, were on board, with a
view of ascertaining the state of the canal and locks
preparatory to the admission of loaded boats. The
day was remarkably fine. His Majesty's flag graced
the stern of the boat, which is called the Jane, and is
constructed on a neat and novel plan, and calculated
for passengers or for freight. By one of the Gentle-
men viho sailed in the Jane, we are informed that the
people along the canal, at every village or hamlet, and
at Lachine, evinced much joy in viewing this novel dis-
play, which will doubtless prove a stimulus to more ex-
tended operations in the canal line in this country.

. La Cl;ine Canal is nine miles long, and with the
exception of three locks at the outlet, is now completed.
It will contain eight locks, each of six feet lift, and
twenty feet wide, built in the most substantial manner;
thus surmounting forty. eight feet of rapids in the space
of nine miles, a hitherto serious obstacle to our internal
commerce. The other diniensions of the canal are
twenty•eight feet at the bottom, and forty-eight at the
surface, and it is to contain five feet of water. The
bridges are all of a sufficient height, built in a solid
manner of cedar (except at Lachine, where there is a
beautiful cut stone bridge), and supported. knees, similar
to those used in the construction of vessels.

The ()Felting of this, our first specimen of artificial
internal navigation, forms an era in the history of the
inipr,,vernent of canals. To look forward simply to
the hen( fi. which will arise out of this important work
itself, were to take but a limited view of its results. A
few years, we are convinced, will not only bring con-
viction to the minds of the people, of the vast import-
ance of this work, but will cause our Legislature, as
well as the whole body of the community, to feel an
interest hitherto unknown in the extension and multi-
plication of such works.

A fine medal in bronze has been just strnck at the
in Purist, repiesenting Charles X. The resem-
blance is perfect, and the workmanship appears to be
very fine. On the reverse are the.w•ords pronounced by
the King on the reception of the Chamber of Peers and
Deputies, on the 17th September.
Goldsmith was astonished when the bookseller gave
him five shillings a couplet for his delightful poem of
71,e I:cserled when each line was fairly worth
as many pounJs; but an instance of liberality has °c-
entred in Russia which really deserves recording
Paselikin, a young poet, has recently pro-
duced a work which does not contain above 600 line',
and for Which he has received 3,000 roublei—nearly
one ;round sterling per line!
. •

Gr!,:rge 111. once acid to Sir .1 Irwin, a famous
ben vivunt," They tell roe, Sir John,- lou love'a glass
of " Sire," answet ed be, who have so
repented rne to your Malt-sty, do me great injustice;
Py should have said, a bustle:'