Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-08-26
II eREAr DOL NAroLEor.
IcheFO'uFE IA9sqst coTasP7Hdsaes0 q liverpool MercuF

lCherbouTg August Of liverpool Msrcury
A few days, or rather hours, more and the sea viii
be let into the artificial bed that has been 50 long
making for it. This dOek is, in fact, one Of the
grandsst parts Of the arsenal The two old docks
open TO the bay; the new one is inside them in tbe
very centre Of The place, and only be reached By
passing through the others. II Is now the great
object of popular curiosity especially 70 the country
people; the peasant class almost bssiege the gates
for permits to visit it. which must be obIsined stthe
Department OF the Marine. They are freely and
politely given and the only officially is in proVid,
ing the Numbers that are asked tor. 10
The basin Itself s not larger than many separate
docks we have At home but It is very deep, and the
masonry, in solid granite, Of the most finished work
manship. Its peeuiiarilies are these:-The inner
side and the Two ends are grOovsd Fitd slips Tor re-
pairing large vessels they be hoated into these
slips, smut m BY hJodgates snd when The waller is
pumped out, as it Will be by pumps Of high power
they are in dry dock. Ihere s1e seven OF these
docks within the basin Il is this combination that
gives the work its Importance; the power Of build
ing shipof war, or seven such vessels in one Rrti
folal dock, and sunching them, quite independently
Of ell the oaprces and impedimsnt Oi tides is avery
valuable one; the same facility Of course, is svaiI
able for the embarkalOn Of troops and stores,
though in this respect the outer basins as con
Venisnt as the newer work. a --
1he preParaliObs for letting in the water are not
yet completed; across the norlhern entrance men
acty like the embsnkment Of settlement Of heavers
very broad ct the base and aperiDg up to the top,
ramming the materials Weh down the mass rises.
This will be the plu ulrG Of the water Up @ me
given moment, when sntHcisnt section oi me bar
rier win be broken of by sprInging a mine; the
water, rushing over, viii gradually sweep away the
rest The rush Of the element - 10 be the grand
point Of the spectacle Of the Immersion It is cal
eulated That ihe dock viii be four hours filing.
AT the present moment vast chain cables are
stretched across ihehoor Of the excavation; the pipes
Of the pumping machinery are visible on the same
level A few Eorknen, Looking absolutely small
from the great height ct the quay,are crawling
about the area and from wooden hut in the very
centre Of il smoke is rising from the stove pipe
The inmate was boiling bis coee short is the space
of time and coffee will boil on that spot more
The peasants gather round the excaFatiOn and look
in, and hold their very babies over to look alsOs
one Of them should Drop Il is seventy feet sheer
down and the bottom is scid granite. Happily, ]
have not 70 report any small human sacrifice. Il is
not quite certain, from the intense anxiety mani
tested 10 see the dock Napoleon, that the country
people do not expect 70 see something Of the gFea
nan in il; really, 10 the mental eye, much of his
spirit Is visible. He thought all this onee--he has
passed away, but is done. Il Is only part Of his
history that has been deferred.
DouaIas5 ReIafiOns 10 rbe Dsmoeratie
Party tyssLetseE from senator tsreen' OF MIS-
- - = s GAz1oz, No., July a. 1858.
DEAR Sm: Your favor Of the 12th inst, calling
my attention 20 certain rumors to the effect that
intended to sustain ths Hon s A. Douglas, has been
received. l had heard Of the report before, but
did not attach Sufficient impOItsnee 10 Il to make
any reply. The facts are as follows:
Being asked what believed Dir. Douglas intend
ed 70 40 in bis party relations for the tags gave
il AZ nv oDiuion founded on his own words, thar he
would heartily susssia the Democratic party, and
ouposs 40 The bitter end the Black Republicans
ana that, if ny bslisf shoRld prove correct then
would rsfher see him than any one Of the Black Re-
publican party.
Many persons differ with ne in regard 70 What