description as those of the "Great Western Railway;" the line terminates at the beach of Southampton waters.

We started exactly at eleven o'clock, and arrived at Southampton at a quarter past two in the afternoon; thus we travelled a distance of nearly seventy-seven miles in three hours and a quarter, including the stoppages at nearly a dozen places, for taking supplies of coals and water, as well as to leave or take up passengers, these are called intermediate stations, where small suitable houses are built for the travellers who have to wait the arrival of the trains. The capital invested in this undertaking is the sum of one million eight hundred thousand pounds, or eighteen millions of rupees, and the weekly income is said to be about three thousand pounds; this sum, we understand, exceeded the expectations of the proprietors. This railroad approaches near the British channel, and it gives the town of Southampton a commercial importance. Large docks are constructing there for the shipping interests, and it is thought, that vessels from the westward will terminate their voyages at Southampton in preference of going to the Thames through the strait of Dover, which is attended with great trouble and danger, in consequence of the crowded state of that river, and the daily increasing trade of the greatest commercial mart-the port of London-at the same time the conveyance of merchandize to the me

tropolis by the railway will be, it is calculated, less expensive than vessels going with their cargo to the Thames.

Southampton is situated on the southern coast of England, with a capacious harbour, where a great number of ships may ride in safety, in consequence of the harbour being sheltered from

winds.

The town rises gradually from the margin of the water, and has a very good appearance. The port carries on a considerable import trade in wine, fruit, iron, hemp, timber, tar, and pitch, from different parts of Europe. A coasting trade is also carried on with Wales and Newcastle.

Immediately on our arrival, we hastened to the steam pier to join the Portsmouth steamer, but to our very great disappointment, she had left a few minutes before, and there was not any more to leave that day; we were therefore forced to proceed by the Gosport coach, which was to leave at four.

In the meantime we took some refreshments at the Vine Inn, and then took a walk to the High Street, which is the principal; it is a fine broad street, with rows of good houses on both sides, and nearly three quarters of a mile in length; the town is well paved, and lighted with gas, and the shops are well furnished with goods.

We ascertained the population to be about twenty thousand, including the suburbs.

We

had no time to see any of the curiosities and objects of attraction; but we were told, it contains an exhibition of paintings, a literary institution, libraries and reading rooms, assembly rooms, a theatre, &c., for the relaxation of the inhabitants and the enjoyment of visitors.

The landing pier is constructed of wood, about nine hundred feet in length, for the convenience of passengers to and from the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Plymouth.

The steamers of the Oriental Steam Company start from Southampton every month, with the Indian mails for Alexandria.

We reached Gosport at half past six in the evening; the distance was only sixteen miles, which was found much more fatiguing compared with the seventy-seven miles by the railway.

We had to cross the harbour to Portsmouth; it was very dark and rainy, yet the dock-yard was pointed out to us; there was also in the harbour the largest ship in the world, the "Queen," and the "Victory," which once carried that gallant and immortal British Admiral "Nelson," who fought the battle of Trafalgar during the last French war; the ship is kept in excellent order, and is preserved for the commemoration of that splendid victory, the anniversary of which was on the 15th of October, on which day she was decorated with wreaths of flowers, and a ball and an entertainment was given on board this favourite

ship. We subsequently saw the motto of Lord Nelson, "England expects every man to do his duty," marked, or painted conspicuously between the upper and middle cheek-rails of the head of the vessel; and many of the veteran sailors, who are now watermen at Portsmouth, seemed to take a great delight in relating the achievements at Trafalgar, and which they called the "glorious day." We were, indeed, gratified to see so much respect paid to a warrior who sacrificed his life for the good of his King and country, and whose services were not yet forgotten by the nation, from the circumstance of the ship being held up

as a monument.

On our landing at the Common hard, we went to our friend, Mr. John Fincham, who was kind enough to take us to our quarters, which he had engaged for us in a beautiful part of the town of Portsea, called St. George's Square.

Our next object was, on the following morning, to go to the dock-yard, and having delivered the letters we had to the admiral, superintendent, and the several professional gentlemen, we had the opportunity of satisfying our curiosity in every way during our residence of twelve days. We saw the dock-yard, Haslar Hospital, the victualling yard, where ship biscuits are manufactured by steam, and where all provisions and spirits are kept for the navy, of which we shall endeavour to give a brief description to our readers; we have

particularly refrained, as much as we could, from making use of technical terms, in order to make it interesting to the general reader.

PORTSMOUTH DOCK YARD is the largest and the most extensive of all the naval arsenals of Great Britain, it occupies an area of one hundred and ten acres of ground, and has the best means of fitting out a great many ships at once in time of emergency.

The storehouses in this dock yard are very large, and replete with different sorts of stores, and the whole is very systematically arranged, and proper persons are placed to facilitate the equipment of ships. The entrance into this dock yard is through a lofty gateway, but not very inviting; but the numerous buildings for the accommodation of the officers, and other branches of this magnificent arsenal, fills a stranger with admiration. The great basin contains an area of thirty-three thousand square yards, and is capable of receiving six line of battle ships at any time from the harbour. In addition to which, the basin also communicates with four dry docks, all large enough to admit first rates. On one side of it are erected sheers for masting the largest vessels.

There is a double dock for frigates, and the covered building slips are all very fine; they were all in repairs when we were at Portsmouth.

In this dock yard is the wonderful block ma