Structures In The Sea.

without a parapet , and at £ 200 per lineal yard including a parapet . The economy of this system would arise from the smallness in quantity and the cheapness of the bulk of the material . It would also possess the advantage of rapid execution , as the mass of the material could be deposited without any tedious operation being necessary over a great length of the work at one time . The author was of opinion that the system which had been

described admitted of being applied for the construction of the works under low water of marine fortifications , as well as of breakwaters , piers , quay-walls , lighthouses , ancl other similar structures . He considered that , although the mode of constructing an engineering work must be determined greatly by local circumstances , this system - presented the following advantages—great economy , combined with ssrength and durability ; facility ancl rapidity of execution ; and adaptability to situations where the present modes of construction would be inapplicable .

The Thames Embankment.

THE THAMES EMBANKMENT .

In a report to the Metropolitan Board of AVorks , Mr . Bazalgette says , — " The total length of the embankment is about 7000 feet , but it is completely divided by the bridges into three sections , each of which will be viewed by itself , and the line of vision will not ordinarily be continued from one section to the other . The first section is from AVestminster to Hungerford Bridge , the second from Hungerford Bridge to AVaterloo , and the third

from AVaterloo to Blackfriars Bridge . " A continuous line of embankment wall would not in itself be productive of much architectural effect : the present landingplaces for steamboats are exceedingly ugly , and there would be much difficulty in connecting the river wall with the existing bridges , so as to riroduce an effective and consistent design . "At each of the bridges there areand must

helanding-, , places for steamers ; and midway between the bridges there are landing-places of some description , which will have to be maintained . " To meet these requirements , it is proposed to treat each length of embankment from bridge to bridge as a complete design , and to make the steamboat-piers and landing-places prominent and effective , as well as useful and necessary features .

At AVestminster Bridge , the roadway , which rises at an inclination of 1 in 80 to the level of the bridge , is set back some 30 or 40 feet from the face of the embankment wall ; and the ntervening space would be preserved as a promenade and steamboat pier , having acess from the bridge by a wide and imposing flight of steps opposite the Houses of Parliament . This will terminate without abruptness tho varying stylos of architecture at this point . Between AA estminster and Hungerford Bridges

would be the landing-stairs for small craft ; ancl here it is proposed to introduce the beautiful water-gate now situate at the end of Buckingham-street , and erected after a design of Inigo Jones . On either side of Hungerford and AVaterloo Bridges would be steamboat landing-piers , the dummies for which would be partly concealed within recesses formed by projecting into the river , in front of the general line of embankment ,

massive granite piers with moulded pedestals rising about 30 ft . above the roadway , ancl hereafter to be enriched with bas-reliefs and surmounted by groups ot statuary . , "Halfway between Hungerford and Waterloo bridges it is proposed to construct a flight of lauding steps 60 ft . wide , projecting into the river , and flanked at each end with massive piers , rising to the level of a few feet above the roadway , and

hereafter to be surmounted with colossal figures of river deities , or other appropriate groups . It is proposed to form an approacli for foot passengers from the high level roadway to the river by a second flight of steps , descending to the level of the lower or embankment roadway , which would add much to the effect of this central feature as viewed from the river . On either side of this approach a line of shops could be erected on the land side of the embankment roadway , the backs of which would form a retaining wall to the ornamental crescent and promenade above them .

" Between AVaterloo and Blackfriars bridges , and in front of Arundel-street , a steamboat pier would be constructed , in lieu of the present Essex-street pier , designed upou the same principle as those adjoining the bridges .

The Thames Embankment.

"The embankment wall itself has been enriched with mouldings of a simple character , down to the level of high-water mark , the continuous line of moulding being broken by the introduction , at intervals , of massive blocks of granite , to carry ornamental lamps , and by occasional recesses for promenade seats . " It is proposed in the first instance to construct the embankment wall and fill in behind it to the level of _ feet above

Trinity high-water mark , and afterwards '„ to arrange for the laying out of the area reclaimed . I propose to divide the work into two contracts , the first from AVestminster to AVaterloo Bridge , which may be let about the end of May or early in June , '; ancl the second from Waterloo to Blackfriars Bridge , which may be let before August next . " The number of houses required to be taken for the

construction of the Thames Embankment on the north side of the river , situate in Printer's Street , Huish Court , Currier Row , Jackson's , Canterbury , ancl Green Dragon Courts , in St . ^ Anne's Blackfriars , amounts to thirty-two , consisting of tenements containing from three to eight rooms , and the number of persons to be displaced thereby 437 , children included . The number of houses to be taken for the construction of the Southern Embankment in High Street , Vauxhall , ^ Princes Street , Upper and Dower Streets , ancl Stangate , in lambeth , is . 12-1 , including fseven model lodging-houses , and calculated to displace 1 , 175 persons , including children .

An Incident Of The American War.

AN INCIDENT OF THE AMERICAN WAR .

TO THE EDITOH OP THE jmEE . _ rAS 02 fS' __ IAGAZI-tfE AlTD HASOXIC MIHHOH . ' DEA _ SIR AND BROTHER , —YOU were good enough to publish an incident from Bro . Dr . Pritchard ' s ( R . W . M . 102 ) , Lectures , and ib gives me much pleasure to communicate another given by a naturalised American-Scotchman , Bro . H , P . M . Arcana Lodge ( No . 216 ) , New

York , which I had bhe pleasure of listening to last nighb , at a meeting in the oldest Freemasons' Lodge in Scotland , being Lodge St . John ( No . 3 bis ) . The worthy brobher appears bo have been ti-avelling through the States on his way north , at the time of the outbreak of the present fearful fraticidal

misunderstanding—resulting in such terrible bloodshed—and on the train stopping he found himself suddenly surrounded , and a prisoner in the hands of the Southern soldiers , arrested on suspicion of being a spy , and brought before a committee of live individuals to prove his innocence . His carpet bag and trunk were examined , bis letters and

papers perused , his very clothes searched , and he was on the point of being committed to prison , when he perceived on the watch appendage of the principal of the committee a Masonic emblem . He instantly bethoughb himself as a dernier ressort , to . try Freemasonry , and accosted the wearer with " you are my brother , try me , and prove my

words . " With magical instinct they mutually withdrew from the gaze of the rest , and having satisfied each other of the truth , both being M . M . s , to Bro . H e ' s great joy , his luggage , letters , papers , & c , were restored , and the next train bore bim far beyond the reach of further check , and here he was , to bear witness to the sacred

nature of Masonic principles , as in all probability without its protection , his life might have been forfeited , or at least a long , tedious , and ruinous imprisonment fallen to his unhappy lot . Thus amid tbe wage of dreadly strife , unparalled in the hisbory of the world , we record another glorious episode to the honour of our Order . H . M ., St . John , 3 bis . Glasgow , April Sth , 1863 ,