The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-07-12
DIR ENGLISH LETTER.
LONDON, June II, 1871.

VI L
at pre.ent. but with some signs OF I'M
proyement. The feeling that England
may go to war soon, has, OF course, ="
strong tendency to prevent people en-
tering into new enterprises and parslyzes
existing ones. There are other causes a.
work, however, enc OF which Will, In
particular, greatly affect the supremacy
of Great Britain rs manufacturing na-
ton in he future. | sliude TO the unset
tied condition OF the labor market ~ d
the unrelisbility of the average work
inpman. The change in the latter mas
been quite marked within the past
ten wears, and employers tell me
th.v are ~ their wits end tor rem
edy. The sudden prosperity OF lew
wears since, the consequent Increase OF
drunkenness. and u sort of responding
lea that their position in life cannot be
materially changed, has brought about
bitter feeling OF antagonIsm TO capital
which one sees more of IN MI old than IN
new country. The result will be an
increased development in American
manufactures, and see many signs OF
y desire to try our goods, which Is quite
remarkable considering the superiority
they have hitherto te!', and their slow
ness TO change.
A Pittsburgh man would feel quite ut
home NJ Newcastle, and Wheeinglte
need not feel strange from the absence
of smoke in this we'll known town. The
hanks upon each side Of the Tyne are
mite hirh, and not unlike the south side
If the Monon gahelaat Pittsburgh. lt Is
ns much the centre of the chemical trade
rs il is of the coal trade, and an
immense number Of factories lin
the shores of the river TO its mouth.
Among the bridges are two remarkable
ones. the first being the work of Robert
StevensoH, whose father was the George
Stevenson that originated railways. This
bridge hiss two r0sdways, the upper one
Tor rail, the other Tor ordinary traffic the
other bridge i "a low level enc, swinging
open for the passage OF vessels II Is
operated b. hydraulic machinery OF the
best stvle in use aud which was invented
BY Sir William Armstrong, better known
by his guns, and whose factory is close
by his bridge. He has been shipping
some lO2 ton guns recentlytO the Italian
government. At the end of the high
level bridge is All old castle, built by
William Rufus, and close TO that Is u
very peculiar lantern spIre OF stone boldly
poised In the air by tour flying arches
Swinging from the tower OF St. Nicholas
church.
1t is quite singular what an air OF
peace and contentment seems TO pervade
tue cathedral towns, and how much the
very atmosphere conduces to study and
culture. This is especially the case
where there are also universities, and ~
Bedford and Durham, and one can hard.
ly imagine more pleasant life than to
hnger wear after year amongst The shady
walks, beautiful gardens and quiet hooks
along the river side, with Congenlal
companion, and ieV bOeks-lt one
could only give up the love oi action.
The cathedral OF Durham, Is !. fine spec
linen of Norman work, and occupies n
finer site than any other in England.
The castle stands close by it, and both
are on the brow of steep hill with It
small river winding around, mucn rs our
creek winds about the peninsula.
The Norman bishops were warriors
when these structures were erected, and
they established themselves securely at
this point, soon after the conquest OF
England, to keep the Scots freH coming
further south on their torays.
York Minister is king amongst
cathedrals and is very finely proportion
ed. 1t is mostly fourteenth and fifteenth
century work, although there are some
remains OF u Saxon structure nearly thlr-
teen hundred years old which formerly
occupied the site, while the two trsnsepts,
or arms Of the cross, are twelfth century
work. The central or road tower Is
about 200 feet high, and one could not
help thinking during the ascent OF the
winding stone staircase OF the mystery
of Edwin DroCd and how well Dickens
had chosen such n place, with It's numer-
Gus chambers, TO keep out of sight tenn
p,rarilv, an awkward rival The build
ing Is about $50 feet long and at the end
of the choir is the grand east window,
which Is the largest in existence. 1t Is
shout ID feet higher than the top OF
the gable OF St. Matthews Church Is from
the ground and two-thrds the width of
that building. The Minister is particu-
lArly rich in old glass, saved from the
fury OF the Puritan soldiers by their
Dmmander. who preceded Cromwell.
Once every three years Hsndels msies-
tic music is given ut the Crystal Palsce
L.t - al
your readers must imagine, for II cannot
be described he effect OF those grand
choruses when given by 4,5OO voices, $50
of the best players IN the orchestra, and
the largest organ in England acting III
unison. The festival continues four days,
but | was ut the rehearsal only, and the
perfl rmar ce extended from II O'Clock
until half past five, with but one short
intermission. \ number OF celebrated
singers gave US solos, but the most eXqui-
site one was angels ever bright and
fair" rendered in the most affecting man
ner by Madame Adams.
General Grant has MS time almost as
fully occupied, il not as probably, AS the
Emperor OF Brazil, hu. fear he cannot
be regarded a. y social success from what
one hears.
We are now having another scare
about the lroncads, the Immediate cause
being a discussion of the stability OF the
Infexlble, n snip of II 400 tons, carrying
four 80 ton guns in two turretS, protected
bv armor from 10 To - inches thick,
and hitherto considered ,nvulnersble,
She was built on the central citadel prin-
pie, the armor being concentrated around
the guns in the centre of the ship, and
the ends being left unsrmored. 1t is
claimed by the late chief constructor OF
the navy, and denied by the present one
that iftho ends were riddlcd with shot,
so that the sea could enter, Its stability
would be destroyed, and the ship cap.
SIZE. The Admiralty, with true British
obstinacv, refuse to refer it 10 u board OF
experts, and Ms :he ship has cost we'll on
to three million dollars, and two smaller
Shins are buildiur on the same uriI Ciplc