Blackfriars are from eighteen to thirty feet long. At the Strand Bridge, the two shortest are fifteen feet; the fourleen others are from thirty to seventy-six feet long; and by the halving and shouldering at the intersections, the timber is reduced in its Scantling from thirteen inches by twelve inches, to nine inches by six inches and a half. And some of these halvings, from the obliquity of the intersections, are seven feet in length; each of the long timbers having five of those halvings. Can these timbers be said to be shortened? Are these the assertions of an impartial “ Millwright," strong in knowledge, impelled by a sense of what is "due to truth and justice," to set others right? And is this centre the work of a skilful Architect, or of some assuming "Millwright."

For what purpose R. G. adds Schaffhausen Bridge to the centres of Blackfriars and Westminster as an example, I know not; for the comparison would redound still more to the disgrace of Strand Bridge centre. In the one all is clearness, intelligence, and decision; in the other, confusion, ignorance, and fear.

R. G. says, "in France most of their centres have been constructed on the tye principle." How does he make out this? I believe no Architect or Carpenter would call any of the centres he refers to, (Neuilly, for instance,) in contradistinction to those of Westminster and Blackfriars, a tye centre. It has no main tye-beam. Some of the timbers are drawn, and some compressed endways; and so it is in the other trusses. Furthermore, the Neuilly centre possesses many, although not all, the defects I have pointed out in the Strand Bridge centre; such as having no principle to resist change of form, rising at the crown when loaded on the haunch, &c. At the same time it is free from the oblique halvings, and consequent enormous unnecessary waste of material; nor does it require such long timber, which alone is an important saving.

R. G. promises an analytic investigation of the subject. Upon the application of analytics to bridge-building, I may probably offer you a paper hereafter. In the mean time, in return for R. G.'s promised favour, to set me right, I will conclude by re

minding him, that if his object be indeed " calm discussion and investigation," for the advancement of science, he will best promote it by abstaining from such language as his concluding paragraph. And I would recommend him, instead of general assertion, and random quotation of principles whose application he does not attempt, and which if he did would defeat instead of support those assertions, let him give us a little logical precision; and, instead of unintelligible boasting, the common shift of an empty pretender, let him give us matter of fact, and detail the expense of the centre. On the other hand, if he is determined to make another side of the question," and his object be to bolster up and advocate a lame cause, I commend his discretion in preserving a total silence on the important subject of economy, and in endeavouring to divert the attention of your readers from plain matter of fact to the mazy dance of analytics. Yours, &c.

GEORGE MONEYPENNY.

Mr. URBAN,

April 10. OHN Carter is not contented with JOHN Ce three controversies that

he has already on his hands; but I see from your last, p. 221, now before me, that he has attacked the whole musical corps of the present day, and threatened the overthrow of Mr. Hawkins's History of Gothic Architecture, just published; but, if John cannot exist without entering into general hostility with all mankind, I can discover a peculiar cause of his hatred to Mr. Hawkins, because he has spoken with admiration of the repair now commenced of Henry the Seventh's Chapel, and bestowed due commendation upon the Mason who conducts it (see p. 229.): in the defence of that Artist, in which I have so long been engaged, I am encou raged by finding the number of John's adversaries increased in proportion to the increase of his petulance.

For my own part, I have little to say in answer to his last reply. Instead of refuting my charge, he has evaded it; and I again say, that unless he can make nine an even number, he never can establish his own position. I am rejoiced, however, that he has deferred his grand assault. If the controversy is never to have an end, an interval is necessary for both parties to re

cover their breath before the combat is renewed. Whenever that takes place, I will be as alert upon my defence, as he can possibly be on his at

tack.

A new subject of contention he has started, on the preparation for Mr. Pitt's Monument; but with that I have no concern. The defence of the person I have hitherto defended does not demand my interference. He is there acting under the direction of the Architect, the Statuary, and the Committee for superintending public monuments; he is not the accountable person. But what a glorious opportunity for the extension of John's hostility universal is here opened !— Three parties all at once; and all competent to engage the valourous Knight of the Red Cross. He has thrown down the gauntlet to two parties in his last proclamation; here are three more; and if he is not contented with these, he may challenge the whole body of Commons of the United Kingdom, who passed the vote for the erection of the monument. The Serjeant at Arms will keep the field, and take care that Sir John shall not infringe the Laws of Chivalry.

AN OLD CORRESPONDENT.

Mr. URBAN,

April 23. HE following Letters are copied

Tfrom the originals, which fell

lately into my hands. Lady Forster was wife to Sir Claudius Forster, of Bamburgh, co. Northumberland, and daughter of Sir William Fenwick, Knight. The first letter has no date, but was written evidently during the Civil Wars. R. S.

"JOHN APPLEBY; Itt is impossible for mee to give you direcc'ons touching everything; for ye times are so changeable and daungerous as none can tell what to doe for the best. Therefore I com'itt all my occasions to your discrec'on, to doe the best you can, as you see cause; and wherein I can give you direcc'ons, you shall know my mind. And first I thinke it very necessary that you get what corne you can from Styford; for asseure yourselfe that corne will be more precious than gould, if you can but gett itt and keepe itt; but thatt wee must referre to God, yett lett us doe that which is most probably the best. As for my goods, I cannot tell what to say, for in this countrey all is taken and in takeing. I hope you will escape as long as any, if you could but keepe them

from theeves; for in this countrey it is marvell to see either sheepe or beastes. I would have you send Alexander Dixson to my brother Carnaby and Mr. Saunderson with thes letters; and if Alexander cannot goe, send some other whom you thinke most fitt. Tell Robert Wilkinson, of Espersheales, that I am pleased hee take some oxen to doe their worke for their meate, upon condic'on hee can keepe them from the theeves. I have sent two cakes for Francis and Maudlen; and I have sent you garden seedes, which I would have sowne as soon as you can; but be sure you cover them with some birch or firr, for feare of the turkyes and hennes. Your wife and children are well, and I think will not be fearefull as long as wee are here; and therefore you need take noe care for them as yett; but how soone wee shall be distressed, God knowes. That is all I can say for the present.

ELIZABETH FORSTER."

From Sir Claudius Forster, "to his Chaplain Mr. CUTHBERT MARLEY, at Baumburgh."

"Mr. MARLEY; In my absence be carefull thatt all things be right ordered and As for your arreares for your kept. wages, dewe at Newe-yeare's day last, being seaventeen poundes, w'h makes just 401. being all that is dewe untoe you untill Midsom'er next; I praye you not to. fail, but to goe over unto Balmbroughshire to this bearer, for the spedy and, more redy dispatch of him for comeinge upp with ye rentes; and for provision, there is both malt and wheat bred, beside mutton at .....isington, and other petty tithes, that will save you from starveing of hunger. I am in haste, and soe must rest, sayeing this much, that if any doe wrong my tenants in my absence, they shal feare me when I doe returne, if my Maister get the better; and meanwhill let my tenants appeale to S'r Raiph Delavall, or S'r Raiph Gray, who -are the two I most presume of in Northumberland; and I know that com❜only a man's absence gives way to a man's subtill adversary; and thus I rest your patron, CLAUDIUS FORSTER. From Tuxford, this first of June.”

Together with the above are the two following.

"To all Captains and them whom it

warrant.

1648.

Henry Jervoise, Capt. William Comley, Mate. Anthony Roworth, Mate. Robert Browne, Corp'rall." [Signed also by 44 others.]

I

pre

2. "Sir, These tymes being full of jealousye, and some informac'ons being exhibited to mee, and the Comissioners of Parlyamt. concerning yo' sonne, haue p'waded him to lay downe his sent chardge in the ffellowshipp (wch I thincke much better then to bring matters to a contest, and therby hazard the subiecting of himselfe to the inconvenience of a publicke complaint); and have thought fitt to accompany him with this assurance, That as I shalbee ready vppon all occasions to serve you, soe I shall not bee wanting in any office of ffreindshipp which I shalbee able hereafter to showe him. Hoping that the goodness of God to the Nation will

* Francis Wrenn, of Henknowle, (of the Binchester family,) bore a colonel's commission, and acted as a magistrate under the Parliament, and under Cromwell; but behaved with much greater mildness and moderation towards the Loyalists than most of his colleagues.

Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 30.

THE HE ingenious and learned antiquary Mr. Weston has detected two vulgar corruptions, which may amuse your Readers:

"It appears (says he), in the antient Ordinances respecting Swans in the river 1570,) called Swan-rolls, that the King's Witham, (the first of which is dated Swans were doubly marked, and had The term, in process of time, not being what was called two nicks or notches. understood, a double animal was inventGreeks, with the name of the Swan with ed, unknown to the Egyptians and two Necks; but this is not the only ludicrous mistake that has arisen out of

the subject, since Swan-upping, or the taking up of Swans, performed annually of London at their head, for the purposes by Swan companies, with the Lord Mayor of marking them, has been changed, by an unlucky cockney aspirate, into Swanhopping, which is not to the purpose, and perfectly unintelligible."

large dimensions and exquisite workA superb silver Warwick vase, of manship, is about to be presented to the venerable Doctor Jackson, late dean of Christ-church, by a numerous and distinguished body of the Irish noblemen and gentlemen, who have been members of that Society since the commencement of the present century. The vase rests upon a pedestal, which is decorated with characteristic national devices. On one side of it is a fac-simile of the antient Irish Harp; on another, the following inscription :

"Reverendo Viro CYR. JACKSON, S.T.P. Edis Christi in Oxoniâ per Annos Vide profecti, D.D. D. Apud Memores ginti et Sex Decano, Hiberni ex eâdem

stat Gratia."

The third side of the pedestal bears the armorial coat of Dr. Jackson's family, and on the fourth is engraved a list of the donors. The whole is

surmounted

one of considerable importance to the literary world, and particularly interesting to the feelings of those who may devote their time and talents to the business of writing for the Stage. Early in the preceding year, a Romantic Drama, entitled "Aladdin," and founded on a well-known story in the Arabian Tales, was presented to the Manager, and by him to the Proprietor of Covent-Garden Theatre, in whose possession it remained about three weeks, and was then returned to the Author, with an assurance that the piece, though it had great merit, was not considered fit for representation.

A Romantic Melo-drama, under the same title of Aladdin, has been recently produced at Covent-Garden Theatre, and been very favourably received. The Writer of this has strong reasons for believing that the latter has been extracted from the MS. originally refused: the numerous hints for the costly and splendid scenery, and some of the most striking incidents and situations, being the same in each.

The truth of this affair shall be investigated; and should the suspicion entertained prove correct, every justifiable effort will be made by the friends of the injured party, to redress the very enlightened and respectable author of the first-mentioned performance. He is now in a distant country; and therefore this appeal is made to you, and through you to the Publick, by his and Mr. Urban's well-wisher and obedient servant, E. GREENSTREET.

TH

Mr. URBAN, April 15. HE Church at GREAT MALVERN, which you, in conjunction with every person who has seen it, seem to take an interest in, is repaired; and so much improved beyond its late appearance, that it might almost be called " properly repaired *." Both labour and white-wash, however, are in the country by far too cheap, to suffer poor country churches to have even a chance of any other remedy for the cure of their distempers; and we are accordingly indulged with a most bountiful quantity of it in the parish church of Malvern. The ivy, which I presume Dr. Booker lamented,

*This Correspondent s Letter applies to our Note in p. 201, but the View there given, and the description of it by our Correspondent M. relate to "LITTLE MALVERN."-EDIT.

is at the East end of the Church, and partly covers the great East window. With the exception of the ivy-tree at Mr. Ponsonby's castle, in the Green-Park, it is nearly as large and handsome as can be seen; and however much the Poet may lament its intruding upon the sanctity of painted windows, I believe there are but few admirers of Nature, or, to be a little more confined, of Malvern Church-yard, that do not require the traveller to give his tribute of praise as he beholds it. Near the ivý tree isa sun-dial, (exalted six or seven feet on a pole,) which has four faces fronting the North, South, East, and West; and appears to be one of the few remaining companions of the painted or stained glass. As far as a traveller can guess, they are both about four centuries old. YECATS.