A New and Popular Pictorial Description of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and the British Islands. Embellished with several hundred handsome engravings ... Sixth thousand

Front matter

s^ V1KW OF I.ONPON FRIIM CUKENWICH I'AHH A NEW AND POPULAR PICTORIAL DESCRIPTION OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, IRELAND, WALES, AND THE BRITISH ISLANDS. EMBELLISHED WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED HANDSOME ENGRAVINGS, ILLUSTRATING THE NATURAL SCENERY, CURIOSITIES, ANTIQUITIES, DRUIDICAL AND ROMAN REMAINS, MANSIONS, CATHEDRALS, ABBEYS, CHURCHES, COLLEGES, CASTLES, AND OTHER GREAT WORKS OF ARCHITECTURE, ETC, ETC, WHICH ABOUND IN THOSE CELEBRATED COUNTRIES. CAREFULLY COMPILED FROM THE BEST AND LATEST SOURCES, BY ROBERT SEARS SIXTH THOUSAND NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY ROBERT SEARS. 128 NASSAU STREET, J. S. REDFIELD, CLINTON HALL. BOSTON : SAXTON & KELT, WASHINGTON ST. SOLD ALSO BY AUTHORIZED AOENTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND BRITISH PROVINCES.^ MDCCCXLVII. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, By ROBERT SEARS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Sonthern District of New York. STEREOTYPED BY REDF1ELD & SAVAGJ*. 13 Chambers Street, N. Y.

Preface

. Books describing cities and countries have ever held a high rank among works of general utility and interest. The reasons are obvious : man naturally feels a sympathy with his own species, and reads of his fellow-beings, their habits, manners, and actions, with a reference to his own people and to himself. The places inhabited by other men have attractions for us far above any desert waste ; and the cities they have built, and the houses they inhabit, present an irresistible appeal to our national curiosity. Hence it ever has been, and ever must be the fact, that books which de scribe such objects are popular in proportion to the truth and judgment with which they are written, and the taste and intelligence of the readers. Even a traveller in Africa, or any other uncivilized region ofthe earth, finds much to say which we are willing and happy to hear ; but how much more material for record and perusal is afforded by a country inhabited by men in a refined state of society.

If-'to this be added the memorials of former ages, and a long course of striking events, important in their present consequences, the attractions and value of the work are greatly enhanced. And where would it be possible to find a part of the world more abounding in such points of interest than that which forms the sub ject-matter of this volume ? In all these respects, Great Britain stands pre-eminent . the most active, powerful, and refined state in Europe ; exercising the most mechan ical skill, carrying on the most extensive commerce ; controlling the widest empire ; practising, advocating, proclaiming, and propagating, many of the soundest princi ples, offers to our view a country, small in extent, and therefore the more easily in spected and studied, abounding no less in the interesting and instructive memorials of many past ages, than in the most admirable productions of modern science and art.

The antiquities, curiosities, and scenery, of the parent land, are surely ofthe deepest interest to the millions who speak the language of " Old England," scattered through every quarter of the habitable globe. The antiquities of England are the antiquities of North America, and of Australia — of mighty continents and fertile islands, where the descendants of the Anglo-Saxon have founded " new nations." They are of especial interest to the Young who are seeking for information on these subjects. So abundant, indeed, are these objects, that many large works have been written on each separate class of them: but as they are far too voluminous and minute for an American reader, it has been our design to select and arrange the most prominent in different departments ; and thus to present, in a single volume, all that is of primary interest and importance.

PREFACE.

. l It will be observed, that a large space has been devoted to LONDON,* bust, clamorous, crowded, imperial London ; and for doing this, scarcely a word of explanation is needed. It is the abode of intelligence and industry; the centre of trade and commerce ; the resort of the learned and the inquiring. Here the poet has sung his sweetest strains, the historian produced the most authentic records, the philosopher made his most elaborate research, and communicated its most satisfactory results. Here has dwelt a Pope, a Hume, a Bacon, a Locke, a Davy, a Boyle, and a Priestley. Here a Milton produced the sublimest of all human compositions ; and here a Shakspere portrayed the passions in all their various moods, and a Garrick gave them life and a startling reality. Here, too, Newton found opportu nity to explore and lay open the deepest mysteries of Nature, while the glowing can vass of a Lawrence gives a present existence to the events of long-past ages.

It con tains traces of almost every code in history from the age of the Romans to the present day — edifices erected by the most distinguished artists, in different styles ; and which have been the residences of whole lines of monarchs, or of more eminent states men, scholars, and philanthropists ; courts of law, and houses of legislation, which have not only had their influence on past generations and distant countries, but HAVE SERVED AS MODELS FOR THOSE UNDER WHICH WE OURSELVES LIVE. Ill London, also we find an impressive epitome of English history and the greatness and frailty of man, in the solemn aisles of Westminster abbey. The very streets of the metropolis, as well as some of its most obscure and humble districts, are celebrated as the abodes or resorts of men, distinguished for learning, taste, or moral worth ; for eloquence at the bar or the forum ; for courage or conduct in the field.

In London have occurred a large share of those actions by which the destiny of the nation has been influenced or decided ; and whose effects we feel to the present day. An acquaintance with these scenes and objects is not to be regarded as a means of mere literary recreation. England has not struggled through the trials of successive ages for naught. She does not, like Spain or Italy, or even France, "froast of slow improvements in a few matters of secondary importance, while the chief objects of national progress are disregarded. England early accomplished her emancipation from Rome, and has ever maintained it; and not only religion, but literature art and the whole civil, and social condition of the people, have received benefits in numerable and inestimable. In the arts and sciences, London has many memorials and specimens to exhibit.

Some of the public edifices are works of the best architects of the kingdom ; and the * We are apt to imagine here in the United States, that the growth of our towns and cities greatly surpasses in rapidity and extent those of any part of the old world. Some facts about London would seem to contradict this notion. It is stated, for instance, in a recent report to the government that in a little more than twelve years, twelve hundred new streets have been added to London, whicli is at the rate of one hundred streets a year. These twelve hundred new streets contain forty-eight thousand houses, most of them built on a large and commodious scale, and in a style of superior com fort. With all this wonderful increase, it is said that the demand for houses instead of diminishing, continues to increase, and that while in many towns of the interior the number of unoccupied houses is augmenting, scarcely is a new street finished, before almost every house in it is fully occupied One great reason assigned for the rapid growth of London, is the extraordinary facility and despatch with which people are now transported over railroads terminating there.

Owing to this cause it is estimated that the daily influx of individuals is five times greater than it was fifteen years' ago London is now about forty miles in circumference, and numbers about two millions of in- Habitants.

PREFACE.

. 5 collection of ancient arts in the British Museum, and of modern painters and sculp tors in the Royal Academy and elsewhere, have much to gratify and improve the taste. The parks of London display, in an eminent degree, the noble features of nature; and to an American this is peculiarly agreeable, as it corresponds with the impressive wildness of our own native forests, as strangely as it contrasts with the feeble and artificial tastes, so prevalent on the Continent. To us, also, the aged oaks of London are connected with interesting associations, not less so than " Thy forests, Windsor, and thy green retreats, At once the monarch's and the muses' seats." Wherever we turn our eyes we perceive some trace of the land of our forefathers ; and we can not speak a word without borrowing their tongue.

Even in our cradles we are lulled by the sweet music which was wafted across the ocean with the ships of the Pilgrims, coupled with the lofty songs of their poets who have best trans ferred to modern speech exalted strains of inspiration. In childhood we were sur rounded by the guardian hands of mothers, trained on the pure and refined model of Britain ; and prepared to perform our parts in life, under the practical tutelage and daily example of men who have derived their ideas of rights and duties from the most free and intelligent people of the Old World. Though under advantages, which America alone can offer, we have made advances of our own, it becomes us clearly to understand the sources of our blessings, as well as those to which we are indebted for their increase. An obligation results from the principle of gratitude.

In the infancy of many of our benevolent institutions we received liberal assistance from our friends across the ocean. In reference to this subject, a late American writer* observes : — We are living on the capital furnished by others, reaping fields not planted by our hands. We are enjoying benefits earned and secured by preceding generations, not by those simply who have lived on this soil, but of multitudes on the other side of the sea. Much of our present prosperity is owing to the timely aid which distant benefactors extended. These goodly churches and institutions which have been the glory of the Atlantic states, were liberally fostered by Christians in Europe. It is doubtful whether some of the more important of them could have survived without this generous sympathy. The munificent founder of Harvard college could hardly be called a resident of this country.

It was only a few months of languishing illness that he passed in New England. For a century and a half, Harvard college, so dear to the early churches, was often remembered by the large-hearted Christians of the parent-country. Some of the most eminent men of the seventeenth century vied with each other in their generous donations. Dr. John Lightfoot and Dr. Theophilus Gale gave the whole of their select and invaluable libraries to the college. An English nobleman erected a principal edifice at his sole expense. No father ever provided for his children with more solicitous care than Thomas Hollis, or rather the constellation of generous spirits of that name, who watched the progress ofthe pilgrims' college. They never saw it ; they were three thousand miles away, yet the flame of a most disinterested charity was quenched only by death.

George Whitefield, besides those gifts which gold can not purchase, procured valuable donations for the same institution. We might allude to the foreign aid bestowed on almost every other seminary founded in our country before the revolution, and on some since that event. Several bear the name of their British benefactors. * Professor B. B. Edwarde, of Andover, Mass.

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. 6 But this beneficence was not confined to academical institutions. It flowed wher ever a channel could be opened for it. The first printing-press in this country was a donation from Holland. The whole expense of that extraordinary undertaking, the printing of the first edition of John Eliot's Indian Bible, was borne in England. The apostle himself, the Mayhews and other missionaries even down to David Brainerd, were sustained, in a great degree, from, the same source. The name of Robert Boyle is scarcely more renowned in science or in piety, than it is from its connexion with our early Indian missions. The great New England theologian, after his disruption from his pastoral charge, was cheered in his exile with the warmest and most generous sympathy from friends in Scotland, who had never seen him.

It is not, perhaps, too much to say, that some of the greatest of his productions would never have been written, but for the M'Cullochs and Erskines of that country. Even the enmities excited by two wars have not been able wholly to dry up these streams of benevolence. Within a very recent period, an Englishman has been more ready to bequeath his property for the diffusion of knowledge among us, than the Congress of the United States are to employ the gift. It is a remarkable fact in relation to these English benefactors, that they were, for the most part, members of different religious communions from those of the pilgrims. Bishop Sherlock made a valuable donation to Harvard college. Bishop Berkeley has immortalized his name in connexion with Yale. The earl of Dart mouth was an episcopal nobleman.

Thomas Hollis was a baptist. When he trans mitted one of his gifts, he remarked, that he did not know that his portrait would be safe from insult in the hall ofthe college which he was so liberally endowing. Besides, these noble benefactors were not discouraged, though some of their funds might be misapplied or wasted. They patiently bore severe disappointments and heartily rejoiced in a small measure of success. On these various accounts, a " Pictorial Description of Great Britain and Ireland," offers an attractive and profitable study to the intelligent of all countries ; and especially to the American reader. The present is a period peculiarly favorable for the appearance of a work of this kind, and none could have been more agreeable to the Editor. Gloomy clouds which lately darkened the horizon, have been dispelled ; and the sunshine of peace, which now smiles upon us, is doubly delightful.

None of us could have entertained so just a conception of the conse quences of a war between England and America, if we had not been forced to look upon it as impending ; and therefore, all good men, we have reason to believe, are now more than ever impressed with the importance and duty of preserving peace. To reflect, but for a moment, upon the present state of the world, wilh the unprecedented means of attack and defence, in the hands of the two nations, on both land and sea to take into account the moral restraints which must be burst through by such a contest, and devastation of public and private interest to both parties, with the blow which would be given to every measure and hope of improvement in the world, makes an impression on the mind, more appalling than words can describe. To prevent the recurrence of such a danger, to lay as deep, as is possible for human hands, the foundations of permanent peace, immediate measures should be adopted to implant a mutual esteem and friendship between the two people.

And nothing can be more reasonable, natural, and easy, than this : identity of origin, and of blood , of language, literature, religion, and principles of civil condition ; connexions in

PREFACE.

. 7 commerce, and unity in the prosecution ofthe great interests of mankind, by a noble career which we have long pursued, at the head of the nations ; all point out this as the necessary and the only course for Great Britain and America. The very voice of Nature, as well as that of duty, and of God, seems to dictate it in words of thunder. Foster mutual respect and attachment, promote the noble rivalry which has been so happily begun in every physical, social, and moral improvement, and seek in every department some means of advancing the glorious cause ! But other means must prove of limited and doubtful success, unless a mutual ac quaintance is provided for. If unknown to each other, how can we feel alike, or act together ? We should become intimately acquainted with each other's condition, or we can form no definite idea of each other's character.

Every book, therefore, which is calculated to diffuse among us historical and descriptive accounts of Great Britain, has a solid claim, we think, to the favorable regard of the patriotic and the good ; and the more it is fitted to circulate and prove attractive to all classes of com munity, and especially to the young, the more is its intrinsic worth increased, and its extensive circulation made desirable. With views like these, and in a spirit corresponding, has the present work been compiled and written. Deeply impressed with the utility of such a publication, un wearied pains have been taken, and great expense has been incurred, to render it such as to please and instruct all. Nothing has been omitted that was considered useful or agreeable. And evidences of these views and labors may everywhere be found.

The most interesting and instructive subjects have been chosen for graphic illustration to assist the letter-press description. From the materials for such a volume a large folio might have been produced ; but our object has been to condense and arrange in as small a compass as possible, all the really useful information the subject can afford ; thus giving to the public a work, at a comparatively trifling ex pense, which details all that could be learned from far more expensive and bulky volumes. Not a sentiment, or an expression, has been admitted into this volume which will not bear the test of justice, propriety, and religion. What sensible person can fail to prefer a work of this nature to the light and frivolous, and too often, alas ! immoral and corrupting works of fiction, which now overflow from the press ?

There are more useful truths conveyed in one of these pages, than are contained in whole volumes of such writings. No taste but a perverted one could deliberately prefer the latter. The young and inex perienced can hardly be competent judges of their own reading : it is for their ex perienced elders, whose judgments are mature to direct and encourage them in the selection of subjects, and of books, which shall at once store their minds with valuable truths, and train their hearts to virtuous sentiments. The author feels a deep solici tude on this subject, and has endeavored to do his part for the promotion of the good of the rising generation. He here presents a work planned and composed with these considerations in view ; and he hopes for the approbation and the support of many who approve of his views, and appreciate the end proposed.

R. S. New Yoek, November 1, 1846. CONTENTS. Chapter I. — Description of England and Wales page 11 Chapter II. — Vegetable Productions 37 Chapter III.— The People.— Their Character ,. 39 Chapter IV. — Progress of Population — Health and Longevity 42 Chapter V. — Remarkable Natural Scenery — Natural Curiosities 43 Chapter VI.— The Isle of Wight 54 Chapter VII.— The Isle of Portland » 68 Chapter VIII.— The Isle of Jersey 77 Chapter IX. — The Isle of Guernsey 82 Chapter X. — The Scenery of Wales 90 Chapter XI. — Antiquities 115 Chapter XII. — Monastic Antiquities 137 Chapter XIII.— Crosses 162 Chapter XIV. — Regal and Baronial Antiquities 169 Chapter XV. — Mansions 223 Chapter XVI.— Manufacturing Towns 250 Chapter XVII.— Commercial Towns 270 Chapter XVIII.— University Towns 277 Chapter XIX.— Naval Stations 304 Chapter XX.

Towns of Residence and Recreation 315 Chapter XXI.— Cathedral Towns 316 Chapter XXII.— London 333 Chapter XXIIL — The Municipal Government of the Metropolis 336 Chapte* XXIV.— Law Courts 343 Chapter XXV. — Legislation and Government 348 Chapter XXVI. — Fire Insurance, Supply of Water, Gas, Paving 356 Chapter XXVII.— The Court 360 Chapter XXVIII. — Inns, Hotels, Taverns, Public-Houses, and Clubs 362 Chapter XXIX. — External and Internal Communication 369 Chapter XXX.— The "Bank" and Banking — The Mint — The Exchange and its Neighborhood 379 Chapter XXXI. — Commerce. — The River and Port, and the Docks 391 Chapter XXXII.— Trade.— Ludgate Street, and the Shops of the " City."— RegeM Street, and the Shops of the " West End" 399 Chapter XXXIII.— Markets.— Smithfield, Billingsgate, and Covent Garden 405 Chapter XXXIV.— Manufactures. — Spitalfields — The Borough — Bermondsey and Tooley Street CONTENTS. 10 Chapter XXXV.— Bridges page 417 Chapter XXXVI.— Amusements.— The Theatres and Exhibitions 421 Chapter XXXVII.— Public Worship 434 Chapter XXXVIII.— Public Walks 455 Chapter XXXIX. — Funerals and Cemeteries 458 Chapter XL.— SCOTLAND.— Geographical Description— Soil — Climate — Productions — Agriculture , 463 Chapter XLI.— The People.— Their Character— Progress of Population 467 Chapter XLII. — Remarkable Natural Scenery — Natural Curiosities 469 Chapter XLIII. — Antiquities 488 Chapter XLIV. — Mansions 507 Chapter XLV.— Chief Towns 507 Chapter XLVI. — IRELAND. — Geographical Description — Geological Structure — Mineralogy 523 Chapter XLVII. — Climate — Vegetable Productions — Animals 527 Chapter XLVIIL— The People. — Their Character and Circumstances — Population. . 528 Chapter XLIX. — Antiquities 531 Chapter L. — Leinster 537 Chapter LI. — Munster 544 Chapter LII. — Ulster 547 Chapter LIII. — Connaught A NEW AND POPULAR PICTORIAL DESCRIPTION OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

Chapter I. Description Of England And Wales

The ancient kingdom of England, inclusive of Wales, forming geographically the principal division of the island of Great Britain, and politically the chief division of the United Kingdom — the country in which it is no boast to say the arts and institutions of social life have made as great an advance as they have done in any part of the continent — enjoys a situation which has unquestionably tended much to make the country what it is, both politically and socially. The island, of which it is the southern and larger portion, is protected from neighboring countries by a sea of sufficient breadth in most parts, and sufficiently uncertain in its condition, to throw almost insuperable difficulty in the way of an invading force. Placed in a medium latitude, it is further saved by the surrounding ocean from those extremes of heat, cold, and aridity, to which continental countries in both higher and lower parallels are often subject.

While there are some districts, chiefly in the west and north, in which an uneven surface prevails, the country may be generally described as of a level and fertile character. Almost everywhere the eye rests upon the evidences of a long-enduring cultivation, in rich corn-fields and meadows, surrounded by well-grown hedges and rows of trees ; the elm-surrounded Gothic parish church, the clean honey-suckled village, and the well-wooded park connected with the residence of the wealthy gentleman, being other notable features in the landscape, while the monthly-roses and other flowering shrubs, which climb over the cottages of those in humbler life, give an air of picturesque beauty to the rides throughout the whole of England. When we turn from merely rural scenes, we see not less striking evidences of an advanced civilization, in frequent brick towns and " towered cities," generally overhung by clouds of smoke resulting from the coal everywhere used for domestic, if not also for manufacturing purposes.

The peculiar features of some of these cities — Liverpool, Hull, and Bristol, vast depots of mercantile shipping; Manchester and Birmingham, sites of extensive manufactures ; London, in itself a superb port, the seat of the government, and the residence ofa class of unprecedented wealth and splendor — will be more particularly adverted to in the sequel. England is situated between fifty degrees and fifty-five degrees forty-five minutes north latitude, and six degrees west and one degree fifty minutes east longitude, from Greenwich observatory. On the north, the only direction in which it is not sur rounded by the sea, it is divided from Scotland by a series of rivers aud a chain of mountains. The greatest length, from Lizard Point in Cornwall to Berwick-upon- Tweed, is four hundred miles ; and the greatest breadth, from St. David's Head in Pembrokeshire to the east of Essex, is three hundred miles.

The area has been variously estimated, at fifty thousand three hundred and eighty-seven, and fifty-seven thousand nine hundred and sixty square miles; it has also been estimated at thirty seven millions seven hundred and eighty-four thousand four hundred acres, of which only about a fourth part is said to be uncultivated. England is divided into fifty-two counties, forty of which form England proper, while twelve belong to Wales. They may be thus enumerated : — Southern counties. — Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wilts, Hampshire, Berk shire, Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. Midland southern counties. — Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Bucking hamshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, North amptonshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Midland northern counties. — Rutlandshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Notting hamshire, and Derbyshire.

Eastern counties. — Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire. Counties bordering on Wales. — Monmouth, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Cheshire. Northern counties- — Lancashire, Westmoreland, Cumberland, York, Durham, and Northumberland. Counties in South Wales. — Glamorganshire, Brecknockshire, Caermarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire, and Radnorshire. Counties in North Wales. — Montgomeryshire, Merionethshire, Flintshire, Den bighshire, Caernarvonshire, and Anglesea. The capital city is London, which is also the metropolis of the United Kingdom. The counties are subdivided into hundreds, wapentakes, tithings, &c, the whole containing twenty-five cities (inclusive of London) and one hundred and seventy-two boroughs. For ecclesiastical purposes, the country is divided into eleven thousand and seventy-seven parishes ; the largest number in any county being four hundred and seventy-five, in Somersetshire, and the smallest thirty-two, in Westmoreland.

Owing to the limited extent, and insular position of England, it contains no rivers comparable in magnitude to those of various continental countries. There are, nevertheless, some fine navigable streams, as the Thames, Medway, Humber, and Tyne, on the east side of the island, and the Mersey and Severn on the west side. The Trent, Ouse, Tees, Wear, Dee, Avon, and Derwent, are minor, hut not inconsiderable rivers; besides which there are many of inferior importance. England contains no large lakes ; but those of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire, though of small size, are celebrated for the picturesque scenery by which they are surrounded. Wales and the west side of England generally are mountainous. The chief ranges nf mountains in this district have been classed .under three heads : The Devonian range, stretching from Somersetshire through Devon into Cornwall, and terminating with the promontory of the Land's End ; the Cambrian range, extending from the Bristol' channel through Wales ; and the Northern or Cumbrian range, stretching from Derbyshire through Cumberland, and passing into Scotland.

None of the individual hills exceed 3,000 feet in height, except a few in Wales ; the highest bein-***- Snowdon, in Caernarvonshire (3,571 feet). In the central and eastern parts of Eng^ land (south of Yorkshire) there are a few ill-defined ranges of swelling eminences, but none which reach the altitude of 1,000 feet. Besides Snowdon, the principal eminences in England are David (3,427 feet) and Llewellen (3,469), both in Wales ■ Skafell (3,166), Skiddaw (3,022), and Saddleback (2,787), in Cumberland ; and Hel vellyn (3,055), in Westmoreland. The loftiest points in the Devonian range are not more than from 1,000 to 1,200 feet in height. geological structure. — SOIL. — CLIMATE. The surface of England includes specimens of the whole extent of the series of rocks, from the primary, which are found in the ranges of mountains on the west to the lowest of the tertiary, which compose several districts in the southeast ; strata intermediate to these divisions being found in succession, in proceeding from the west and north toward the east and south.

The cut on the next page exhibits a real section of a part of England, which will at once convey, far more intelligibly than any verbal description, a very correct notion of the manner in which the strata now present themselves, when we penetrate the crust of the earth, or view them in those precipices on the seashore, or in mountainous districts, where natural sections are exposed. The reader will readily observe that the four parts belong to one continuous line, which has been broken, in order to adapt it to the form of our page, but the index let ters show where they unite : A joins to B, C to D, and E to F. It is taken from the excellent work of Coneybeare and Phillips on the geology of England and Wales. It must not be supposed that any such section as that represented here is to be seen : it is constructed by putting together an extensive series of exact observations and measurements at detached points along the line, made, however, with such care, that if the land were actually cut down, it is very unlikely that any of the gTeat features would be found to be erroneous.

Suppose then that a line be drawn from the Land's End to Bendley hill, on the east coast, near Harwich, not absolutely straight, but passing over all the great features of the country that lie between the two points, at a short distance on either side of an imaginary central line, and that a vertical section were made to a depth in some place as far below the level of the sea as have been penetrated in the deepest mines, the precipice thus exposed would present such an arrangement of the strata as is exhibited in the diagram. It is necessary, however, to state that neither the horizontal distances, nor the vertical elevations, can be given in such a diagram in their true proportions. To do so, the paper must have been many yards long and several feet in height. The order of position, and the succession of the strata as they lie over each other, are, however, truly given ; and nothing would be gained for the illustration of the facts the section is intended to represent, by increasing either the length or height.