Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-02-12

ainy much diversity Of opinion respecting them among the
best informed One thing, however, is certain the Govern
ment is stirring ITSELF commission has been appointed by
the Master General Of the Ordnance which has been sitting
some time at Woowch. consider the subject Of extending
the coast defences and Of strengthening the existing lines
ioucaon The Commissioners have visited the whole Of
tue EASTERN western and southern coasts of England and
nave inspected every place where they judged probable that
hoste heet would, in the Of war, attempt landing
AN extensive correspondence has also been opened the
Pors win view Of ascerainng from pilots and other good
authority where would be practicable for an enemy to make
aiandng even in aat-bottomed boats and launches order
that the entire line of coast may be eectuay guarded against
the possibility OF surprise The report Of the Commission
ers Will when completed be submitted to the Master Cen
ea Additional guns and means of defence have also been
ordered TO the principal forts, &C. These can only be re-
garded prudential and precautionary measures il is not
supposed that the Administration have any idea Of war being
likely 10 occur with France, any other Power but there
are contingencies in all human affairs. Happen what NAV
John Bull seems determined not to be caught mapping and
II his coast deences have been suffered get Of repair
or the invention Of steam navigation rendered additional land
deences necessary hes right in setting about the work. and
ought to feel very much obliged the old iron Duke for
calling his attention to the subject.
word two the statistics of London fires for the in
formation Of your respectable fire companies and the cacua
tons OF your equally respectable insurance Offices An OFF,
nhue every brigade OF The city
Of London Of the fires which have occurred in the metropolis
and its suburbs The statement for the year 1S47 exhibits the
following results:
Number Of fires in ls47. Observation-Disclosures. asa
Number of Houses destroyed seriously damaged $50
LOSS Oh property. cl6o, 900
This is considerable reduction from the loss in 1916,
when the number of fires l022. The fires and losses
in the provinces appear from the ere Office returns have
been far greater the year s47 than they many pre-
nf
ropos and suburbs is estimated being about $50 OOO
those destroyed materially injured by fire during last year
were therefore about in every $50.
The Electric Telegraph Company has commenced its ope-
aons IN London and transmits messages parts of Eng
land The price charged for sending message Of one hum
dred words Liverpool 95. This is considered SO high
that great dissatisfaction expressed The time occupied in
forwarding such message is about minutes Doyou not
do this business quicker and cheaper The distance between
London and Liverpool is about 22O miles.
have often asked myself whilst walking through the
streets of London, what the most distinguishing chaac-
teriscs Of the objects around from those which would
meet my eye in Boston, Philadelphia, New York The
first contrast is the general of the streets the
next the effect of coal fires upon the color of the houses
churches &C. the next the mixture of antique buildings
with modern 1t is true that parts Of London
Regent street and Oxford street, for inancewoud vie with
Broadway in New York; Chestnut street, in Philadelphia
for BREADTH and the houses shops &c would be from u
fering by the comparison But there exceptions
most general rule which obtains not only in London but in
almost all English towns and in Of the smaller ones in
the interior much any where. We will say nothing
about the atmosphere Of London would be fair at this
murky of the year. compare with the bright skies
and clear air of your cities He who could rid London Of its
black canopy of SMOKE by convg any cheap mode of caus
ing fires to their smoke, would be really great
benefactor to his species.
But the great the distressing difference between London
and your Cities the multitude Of miserable and craving
ects of charity which almost every where surround you the
former place Such melancholy tones such beseeching looks
such countenances deeply inscribed with hunger cold and
misery upon every step that all personal comfort is de-
stroyed Here not it is with you, that the ragged and
distressed form the exception to the general rule but the
Portable looking, the decent and the weessed the
the wreiched, the suffering and half naked the many