Mr. W. A. Provis, the resident engineer, was despatched to meet the London (via Shrewsbury) mail, and take charge of it across the bridge. He having mounted the box with the coachman, the mail proceeded, and on its way to the bridge took up as many as could either be crammed in, or find a place to hang by. Thus loaded, amidst the blaze of lamps, the cheers of those assembled, and the roaring of a heavy gale of wind, the gates were thrown open, and the mail passed triumphantly

across.

About nine o'clock, sir H. Parnell, and the chief engineer, Mr. Telford, passed over in the carriage of the latter. Throughout the remainder of the day the number of carriages, as well as horses and persons that passed over, was im

mense.

The extreme length of the chains from the fastenings in the rocks, is about 1600 feet. The height of the road-way from highwater line, is 100 feet. Each of the seven small piers, from highwater line to the spring of the arches, is 65 feet. The span of each arch is 50 feet. Each of the two suspending piers is 52 feet above the road. The road on the bridge consists of two carriageways (one way for going, and the other for returning) of 12 feet each, with a foot-path of 4 feet between these two carriage-ways. The carriage-roads pass through two arches, in the suspending piers, of the width of 9 feet, by 15 feet in height to the spring of the arches. To counteract the contraction and expansion of the iron, from the effect of the change of the atmosphere in winter and summer, rollers are placed under castiron saddles, on the tops of the

suspending piers, where the chains rest. The vertical rods, an inch square, suspended from the chains, support the slippers for the flooring of the road-way, the rods being placed five feet from each other. The chains, sixteen in number, contain five bars each; the length of each bar is 9 feet 9 inches, the width 3 inches by 1 inch square, with six connecting lengths at each joint, 1 foot 6 inches, by 10 inches, and 1 inch square, secured by two bolts at each joint, each bolt weighing about 65 pounds: the total number of bars, in the cross section of the chains, is eighty.

The whole is suspended from four lines of iron cables by perpendicular iron rods, placed five feet apart, and these rods support the road-way framing. The suspending power is calculated at 2016 tons, and the weight to be suspended, exclusive of the cables, is 342 tons, leaving a disposable power of 1674 tons. The weight of the whole bridge between the points of suspension is 489 tons. It is calculated that the contraction and expansion of the iron cables may occasion a rise or fall to the extent of 4 or 5 inches; but the variations of the temperature of the atmosphere will not derange the bridge.

1

The abutments consist of masonry-work; four additional arches are on the Anglesea side; each of the two piers is 60 feet, by 42 wide at high-water mark, having a foundation of rock. These piers are connected with the whole of the remainder of the masonry, and form a mass constructed with blocks of hard lime-stone, of much greater weight than is necessary for supporting a bridge of this kind. This bridge is, perhaps, (with the single exception of the Simplon road), the

most stupendous monument of human art in the world. The sea rushes in a dark and turbulent confusion of currents between the precipitous shores of Anglesea and the main land; many small rocks, partly hidden, except at low water, augment the perplexity and danger of the passage; the winds blow furiously down the ravine, and produce, even when the weather is moderate elsewhere, a perfect tempest of spray. Altogether, except in the very finest season of the year, the Menai ferry was a sufficient trial for not the weakest of nerves. The narrowest part of the strait is 500 feet in width, and here it is now crossed by a convenient bridge 30 feet in breadth, suspended 100 feet above the surface of the water from enormous stone buttresses, 152 feet in height. This magnificent bridge, Mr. Telford's road across Anglesea, and the establishment of steam-packets at Holyhead, have perfected the communication between this country and Dublin; and, taking it merely in a political point of view, the completion of this great plan is a matter of high importance.

31. CHAPTER OF THE GARTER. -Yesterday his majesty commanded a court for various public procedures, to be held at his Royal Castle at Windsor.

Arrangements having been made for holding a chapter of the order of the garter, a procession was formed in the private room of the most noble order of the garter, in order to confer the ribband vacant by the death of the late earl of Carlisle, knight companion of the order.

The knights companions and officers having proceeded from the private apartment into the chapter room, and taken their respec

tive places; the officer of the order signified his majesty's command for filling the vacant stall. His grace the duke of Dorset, the king's master of the horse, was introduced into the presence of the chapter, and received the honour of knighthood from the king, and his grace then retired.

The suffrages were then collected from the different knights forming the chapter. His grace the duke of Dorset was declared duly elected. His grace was then received at the door of the chapter room by the two junior knights present, attended by the garter principal king of arms, bearing the ensigns of the order, and his grace being introduced to the king, he was graciously pleased to invest the duke therewith. The officers of the order pronounced the usual admonition to the newly-elected member of the order, who received the congratulations of all the members present.

The chapter being ended, garter king of arms called over the knight's companions, and the procession returned in the order in which it had been made in the chapter room.

FEBRUARY.

STEAM NAVIGATION. A few days ago, the steam-boat Liberator left Liverpool, destined for the river Orinoco, (in the Republic of Colombia,) where she is to be employed. She will not use her engine on crossing the Atlantic, but will stop at Grenada to set it up, whence she will proceed and get into the Orinoco in perhaps twentyfour hours after her departure from Grenada. In about six months another steam-boat will leave Liverpool for the same destination.

EARTHQUAKE-A shock of an earthquake was felt in the province of Basilicata, in the kingdom of Naples. Sixty houses in the district of Tito were thrown down; all the buildings in the populous town of Potenza suffered more or less, and in both places many persons were buried under the ruins.

POMPEII-A fresco painting has been discovered at Pompeii, representing an eruption of Vesuvius, and several processions at the foot of the mountain; Cape Misenum and the city of Naples are in the back-ground. This picture indicates that Vesuvius was formerly of prodigious 'height, and that the frequent eruptions have lowered it considerably; it also shews that the Somma did not exist, or rather that it formed a part of Vesuvius, and has been separated from it by a volcanic eruption.

NEW COLONY AT NATAL.-In consequence of the spirit of enterprise which the examination of Delagoa Bay, in 1823, and the early part of 1824, excited, several voyages were performed to that part of the eastern coast of Africa, by the merchants of the Cape of Good Hope. Among others Mr. Henry Nourse fitted out a vessel, and, as part of her return-cargo, she brought a quantity of the tusks of the hippopotami, which had formerly been regarded by the Portuguese and natives as of very trifling value. The sale of Mr. Nourse's cargo, however, discovered that sea-horse ivory was worth half as much again as the tusks of the elephant, and since that time it has been in great demand, and better estimated by the Portuguese.

This trade being now a little better understood, the merchants

associated for a voyage to the coasts of Natal and Fumos, with a view of forming an establishment there. The Salisbury was fitted out for this purpose, freighted at a very great expense, and accompanied by lieutenant Farewell, of his majesty's navy, one of the proprietors. The vessel being provided with interpreters, passed up the Natal coast, tried several rivers, and at length entered the port of Natal, which had not been entered by any vessel for, perhaps, half a century before. The voyage was unsuccessful in a commercial point of view, not more than half a ton of ivory being collected; but licutenant Farewell having attempted to land in a boat at St. Lucia, was upset in the surf, and Jacob, one of the interpreters who was with him, thinking that by being shipwrecked he was freed from his engagement, made his way to the court of Chaka, king of the Zoolos, or, as the natives of Delagoa Bay call them, Olontontes, where he speedily became a favourite, and by his means lieutenant Farewell opened a communication with that monarch. The result was an invitation to lieutenant Farewell to make a settlement at Natal, and, in July 1824, he left the Cape in a schooner of thirty tons, with about twenty persons,

himself, and two other gentlemen, a Mr. Fynn, two or three Hottentots, and the rest Dutch or English from the Cape. On the 8th of August following, Chaka executed a grant of land to lieutenant Farewell, including thirtyfive or forty miles of coast, and about one hundred miles in breadth, inland. For this grant lieutenant Farewell appears to have paid some consideration in beads, brass, and cloth. The vessel which carried

the party to Natal was intended to be constantly employed between the Cape and the colony at Natal, but on her return she was burnt at sea, and all on board perished.

Nothing was heard of the little party of adventurers till nearly a year afterwards, when, in May, 1825, the York, lieutenant Hawes, visited them, and brought some news of lieutenant Farewell's proceedings. That officer's first care had been to form an establishment, and this was done to the northward of the harbour, close to the wateringplace. The buildings consisted of three small houses and a few huts made of clay and bushes, and surrounded by a wall of five or six feet high, to defend them from the tigers and wolves, which were seen every evening in great numbers. Mr. Farewell was occupied in the construction of a large house, to be secured by a wall six feet high, and three in thickness, with platforms on which to place artillery. The party were healthy, and the soil was abundantly productive in grain and vegetables,; but owing to their small number, they had not entered upon agricultural pursuits. They had plenty of game and cattle, but were in want of bread and flour. They were on the best terms with the natives, and had the protection of their king (Chaka), who seemed to have great respect for Europeans. Three rivers, none of them navigable, cross the settlement. The inhabitants upon it were estimated at 250, of whom 100 were sent by Chaka to protect the establishment. Chaka having conquered this tract only two years before, had destroyed the greater number of the inhabitants. The harbour is well adapted for vessels not drawing more than nine feet water, VOL. LXVIII.

His majesty's ship Lever, capt. Owen, was the next that touched at lieutenant Farewell's colony. She arrived there on the 15th of September last. An officer on board says, "It does not appear that Mr. Farewell is sufficiently provided to carry on his commerce to any great extent. He has, however, collected about four tons of ivory, much of it from the southern parts. He had a quantity collected near Ants River, to which place Mr. Fynn was gone, to convey it to Natal. As every tooth had thus to be transported by land a distance of 80 miles, his traffic must be laborious. The intervention of hostile tribes likewise prevents lieutenant Farewell from attempting a direct communication with our old colony. But Chaka, understanding this, and affecting a great regard for the English, has determined on an expedition against all the Kaffres of the frontier, of whom this extraordinary savage says, he will not leave one man alive."

Mr. Fynn and the English of the party have adopted the Kaffre costume (a skin, merely, round the waist), but lieutenant Farewell retained his English dress.

2. SINGAPORE. By an estimated value kept in the masterattendant's office, the trade of Singapore has increased as follows:

EARTHQUAKE.A shock of an earthquake was felt in the province of Basilicata, in the kingdom of Naples. Sixty houses in the district of Tito were thrown down; all the buildings in the populous town of Potenza suffered more or less, and in both places many persons were buried under the ruins.

POMPEII-A fresco painting has been discovered at Pompeii, representing an eruption of Vesuvius, and several processions at the foot of the mountain; Cape Misenum and the city of Naples are in the back-ground. This picture indicates that Vesuvius was for merly of prodigious 'height, and that the frequent eruptions have lowered it considerably; it also shews that the Somma did not exist, or rather that it formed a part of Vesuvius, and has been separated from it by a volcanic eruption.

NEW COLONY AT NATAL.-In consequence of the spirit of enterprise which the examination of Delagoa Bay, in 1823, and the early part of 1824, excited, several voyages were performed to that part of the eastern coast of Africa, by the merchants of the Cape of Good Hope. Among others Mr. Henry Nourse fitted out a vessel, and, as part of her return-cargo, she brought a quantity of the tusks of the hippopotami, which had formerly been regarded by the Portuguese and natives as of very trifling value. The sale of Mr. Nourse's cargo, however, discovered that sea-horse ivory was worth half as much again as the tusks of the elephant, and since that time it has been in great demand, and better estimated by the Portuguese.

This trade being now a little better understood, the merchants

associated for a voyage to the coasts of Natal and Fumos, with a view of forming an establishment there. The Salisbury was fitted out for this purpose, freighted at a very great expense, and accompanied by lieutenant Farewell, of his majesty's navy, one of the proprietors. The vessel being provided with interpreters, passed up the Natal coast, tried several rivers, and at length entered the port of Natal, which had not been entered by any vessel for, perhaps, half a century before. The voyage was unsuccessful in a commercial point of view, not more than half a ton of ivory being collected; but licutenant Farewell having attempted to land in a boat at St. Lucia, was upset in the surf, and Jacob, one of the interpreters who was with him, thinking that by being shipwrecked he was freed from his engagement, made his way to the court of Chaka, king of the Zoolos, or, as the natives of Delagoa Bay call them, Olontontes, where he speedily became a favourite, and by his means lieutenant Farewell opened a communication with that monarch. The result was an invitation to lieutenant Farewell to make a settlement at Natal, and, in July 1824, he left the Cape in a schooner of thirty tons, with about twenty persons,

himself, and two other gentlemen, a Mr. Fynn, two or three Hottentots, and the rest Dutch or English from the Cape. On the 8th of August following, Chaka executed a grant of land to lieutenant Farewell, including thirtyfive or forty miles of coast, and about one hundred miles in breadth, inland. For this grant lieutenant Farewell appears to have paid some consideration in beads, brass, and cloth. The vessel which carried