absence of the builder, and as his assistant was also not there, we gathered but a very imperfect account of this gigantic work; her extreme length is 343 feet, and is meant to be propelled by the Archimedes screw, instead of paddle wheels at the sides; her engines will be of 500 horse power each, and she will, when completed, cost about £100,000. sterling. Her frames were all up, and the bottom, which is composed of iron plates, was completed as far as the wales, except the part near the stern, and we were told that she would take a twelvemonth more to be ready for sea. Her engines were also to be made on the premises, for which purpose a foundery has been erected by the company, and a steam engine, lathes, planing machines, cutting and boring machines, and other necessary apparatus are fitted, and a part of the engine was already made.

We consider this as a very hazardous undertaking, because we have had but very little experience in sea-going iron steamers, as none of them have been running a sufficient length of time to prove the superiority of iron over wood, in salt water. For river navigation iron-built boats are very convenient, for they are lighter than wooden vessels of the same size, consequently they require a proportionate less draught of water; but where that is immaterial, which is the case at sea, we think wooden vessels are much superior; they will last longer than iron ones, and can be constructed to

sail quite as fast as iron vessels. The Halifax line of packets, now running between England and America, have shewn what steamers built of wood can achieve. We have conversed with many of our professional friends on the subject, and they agree with us in opinion that iron vessels, in consequence of the action of salt water on iron, by which it is soon destroyed, will not answer for

sea.

An eminent engineer told us that he was informed by a ship builder of an improvement that he had made in building iron vessels, which was, that he used iron timbers, and made the bottom of wood, our friend justly remarked, that that was no improvement at all, it was only coming round from iron to wood again; this proves that iron boats are only fit for fresh water.

Bristol contains several sugar refineries, and the principal manufactures are, glass, tin work, braziery, snuff, leather, gunpowder, earthenware, and white lead. It also carried on a very considerable trade with West India and North America, and is said to be the second commercial city in England; it is, however, of late years, exceeded by Liverpool. We have read, that very few towns in England (the metropolis excepted) can boast of so many useful and charitable institutions; there are infirmaries, hospitals, a literary and philosophical institution, a public library, and many others.

་

The quay at Bristol is a wharf of upwards of a mile in length, which affords a great facility to the ships in loading and unloading their cargo, yet much damage was formerly sustained in consequence of vessels lying aground at low water. A floating harbour was therefore constructed in 1809, by damming up the river across, and opening a new channel, over which two fine cast iron bridges are erected. The harbour is entered by locks, and is capable of containing one thousand ships, which come in or go out at neap tide.

This undertaking is said to have cost about a million pounds sterling, which sum was raised in shares of £135. each; there are also several mercantile dock yards here, and the place presents a scene of considerable activity and business.

On the 8th of November we left Bristol for Gloucester, in order to proceed from thence the next morning by the railway to Birmingham. We started at four o'clock by the mail coach, and in four hours arrived at the Bull Inn, Gloucester, where we remained for the night. We found this the largest hotel that we had ever seen in England; it had beds and accommodations for more than one hundred and fifty persons, great attention is paid to persons that take up their quarters here, and it is particularly noted for its respectability.

Gloucester is an inland port, situated about 35 miles north east of Bristol, and we heard that

ships are conveyed here by means of a circuitous canal opened from the river Severn.

At seven next morning we left the hotel and joined the train, which started at half past seven, and as this line was not then completed as far as Birmingham, the passengers were conveyed the last seven miles by coaches belonging to the Railway Company. The distance between Gloucester and Birmingham is about fifty-four miles, and we reached the latter place at half past eleven.

The Birmingham station is a very large building, and there is a large refreshment room fitted up for passengers, and half an hour is allowed to those proceeding from London to Liverpool at this station for their meals. The train from London arrived the moment we reached the station, and we joined the Liverpool train which started at twelve o'clock. This line meets the Liverpool and Manchester at Newton, which is half way between the two places, and is called the Grand Junction Railway, and was completed in 1837. The whole distance from Birmingham to Liverpool is 97 miles, which the train performed in four hours and a half. At a quarter past five we arrived at a place called the Edgehill station, about a mile and a half from the Liverpool terminus, and we were very much surprised at the tunnel which leads from here to that place. After we entered the tunnel there was complete darkness, and in a few minutes we suddenly emerged into

day light. The effect was rather singular, and we were very much struck with the grandeur and boldness of the roof, and the surrounding buildings belonging to the company.

Our countrymen will be astonished when we tell them, that over the tunnel stands a portion of the town of Liverpool, and it seems very extraordinary and curious to imagine our travelling under-ground, while over our heads are moving about horses and men, and in fact every transaction carried on. Here then, again, is a remarkable proof of our frequent assertion, that the English are a most wonderful people.

We took up our abode at the Phoenix Hotel, Lime-street, which is situated only a few yards from the railway station.

We next morning went to the office of Messrs. Hollinshead, Tetley, and Co. to whom we had letters of introduction from our friends Messrs. Forbes, Forbes, and Co., of London, and it was owing to the kindness of the gentlemen of this firm that we were able to see all that we wished. They very politely directed a confidential person in their office, in fact their own cashkeeper, to devote his time in showing us about while we were at this place.

Liverpool is at present the great rival port of London, and 205 miles north-west of that great metropolis. It is seated on the right bank of