THE THAMES TUNNELL.

HIS WONDERFUL THOROUGHFARE UNDER THE RIVER THAMES, was planned by the celebrated Engineer, Brunell, to connect the two opposite banks. It consists of two roadways, and two pathways, each of the egg-shape, and of sufficient width for general purposes. The cutting of this Tunnell was attended throughout by serious obstructions; and it was only by the exercise of great skill and untiring energy, that the difficult undertaking of tunnelling under the immense weight of water that flowed above was at last accomplished. It is lighted by gas, and as a thoroughfare for foot passengers, has been in use for some time; but the access for horse traffic has not been carried into effect, from want of money.

During the construction of the Tunnell, the River Thames broke in upon the workmen several times, and several lives were lost thereby: upon one occasion, Brunell himself narrowly escaped drowning, the stream rushing in so rapidly, as to leave him, by the time he had swam to the outlet, scarcely room enough to keep his head above water.

The Tunnell is now used as a thoroughfare for foot passengers, from either side of the noble River to the other; and any one can now walk through in perfect safety, at all hours of the day or night, and thus avoid the risk of ferrying across the River. A Fancy Fair is held annually in the Tunnell, on the anniversary of the day of its first opening. Whether the roadway for horse traffic will ever be completed, or whether the Tunnell will be used as a connecting link for railway conveyance, is a question time only can solve.