prised by the excellence of the works, doubled its grant, and gave two prizes in each class.

ing of employers of labour and artisans interested in the manufactures of North Eastern London was held in the board-room of the Agricultural Hall Company, for the purpose of taking into consideration a proposal from the Provisional Committee of the North London Museum for a local exhibition of arts and manufactures during the ensuing autumn. The chair was taken by W. H. Bodkin, Esq., Assistant-Judge. The proposal was unanimously adopted, and also a resolution appointing a general committee of guarantors to make arrangements for carrying the same into effect. This movement is entirely unconnected with working men's industrial exhibitions, having solely for its object the promotion of the artworkmanship and manufactures of the district. The exhibition will consist of three distinct divisions-a manufacturers' department, an artisans' department, and a loan department. The guarantee fund asked for by the promoters of the exhibition is £2,000, of which about onethird was guaranteed by the meeting, and a considerable portion of the remainder promised.

PUBLIC MONUMENTS IN FRANCE.-The labour, talent, and expense bestowed on the public establishments and monuments of the country have been enormous. Extensive restorations and decorations have been executed in the two great edifices of Notre Dame and Saint Denis, as well as in more than twenty churches in various parts of the Empire. The ancient Cité de Carcassonne, the Roman theatre and amphitheatre of Arles, the Château de Falaise in Calvados, the Temple of Diana, and the Roman Amphitheatre of Nimes, the Temple of Augustus and Livy at Vienne, the Abbey of Charlieu, in the department of the Loire, the Oratory of the Templars at Metz, the Chateau of Pierrefonds, the Château of Blois, the ramparts of Avignon, and other monuments of his toric interest have been repaired. Of the public estaplishments, directly or indirectly connected with art, the building where the archives of the Empire are kept has been largely extended, and the School of Archæology annexed thereto has had a special building provided for it. The restoration of the Palace of the Institute has been completed; the arrangements of the new School of Fine Arts terminated; the old Château of St. Germain has been almost entirely restored, with the view of converting it into a grand museum of Gallo-Roman productions; the arrangements of the interior of the new Louvre have been pushed forward: a fine new gallery has been prepared for the works of the French School and thrown open to the public, a number of new rooms on both floors added to the gallery space in the new portion of the building, and several of the old rooms have been re-embellished and arranged at considerable cost; the corner building of the Tuileries by the river, known as the Pavillon de Flore, as well as a section of the grand picture gallery adjoining, have been completed as far as the masonry is concerned, and the whole of the remaining portion of the gallery has been levelled with the ground, and is now being rebuilt in the style of the adjoining work of Henry IV.; the reconstruction of the Bibliothèque Im-rior of the latter and the cesspool. With this arrangement periale has been energetically pursued, and the new reading-room, modelled somewhat after that of the British Museum, is covered in, and will soon be ready for occupation; the famous manufactory of Sèvres has been entirely rebuilt; and the new Opera House has been carried up from the basement to the first floor. This is a long list, perhaps the longest list of such works that was ever furnished by a single Government, but it is far from complete, although it includes all the principal works con--Two French chemists, brothers, announce the following nected with art which have been supported by the budget of 1864.

STATUE IN HONOUR OF TENIERS. -The King of the Belgians has ordered a bronze statue in honour of David Teniers, the founder of the Royal Academy of Antwerp, to be erected in one of the places of that town. The Government contributes 18,000 francs towards the work, which has been entrusted to Mr. Ducaju, of Antioch.

PENSION TO MADEMOISELLE DE PUGET.-The Emperor Louis Napoleon has granted a pension of 500 francs per annum to Mdlle. Fanny de Puget, the only surviving descendant of the famous sculptor of Marseilles.

THE ECOLES DES BEAUX ARTS not only in Paris, but throughout France, have been supplied with many models and casts from the antique, and copies of the works of the great painters. A class for the study of engraving on precious stones has been opened here, under the direction of M. Farochon. Pupils are admitted between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five. For foreigners the permission of the Minister of the Fine Arts is requsite.

Manufactures.

EXHIBITION OF ARTS AND MANUFACTURES FOR NORTH EASTERN LONDON.-On Thursday, the 9th inst., a meet

PNEUMATIC APPLICATION OF AMMONIACAL GAS. — M. C. Tellier, whose proposed application of ammoniacal gas to locomotion was recorded in the Journal of the Society a short time since, now suggests a more simple applica tion of the same substance, that of using it to create a vacuum, or partial vacuum, for industrial purposes, such for instance as the emptying of cesspools. The method proposed to be employed is to fill an iron receiver with the gas in question, and convey it to the spot where the vacuum is required. At the upper part of the receiver is a small reservoir containing water, and which communicates with the interior of the receiver by means of a stopcock; when this is opened the water rapidly absorbs the gas, and the required vacuum is obtained. The quantity of water necessary for this purpose is said to be in the proportion of six or seven litres to a cubic metre of gas. * In order not to lose the ammonia this is allowed to escape into another similar reservoir at the lower end of the receiver before the connection is opened between the inte

the total cost, in addition to that of the apparatus and the original supply of ammonia, would, according to M. Tellier, be reduced to the value of the coal required to. disengage the gas from the solution, and this he estimates at four or five centimes the cubic metre. M. Tellier contemplates many applications of this principle, but the above will sufficiently illustrate his views.

TRANSFORMATION OF NAPTHALINE INTO BENZOIC ACID.

method of transforming the residuum napthaline into benzoic acid. In the first place the napthaline is transformed into thallic acid, and afterwards into thallate of lime, and the latter is converted by heat into benzoic acid and carbonate of lime. The acid derived from napthaline has the same unpleasant odour as that obtained from the urine of herbiverous animals, and it is conjectured therefore that the agreeable odour of the same substance when derived from the gum is not normal but due to the presence of some foreign substance.

LIQUID GLUE.-The use of this substance has become very extensive in France, and it may be useful to give the process by which it is obtained. A kilogramme, 24lbs. avoidupois, of good glue of Cologne, or Givet, is dissolved in a litre of water in an earthen pot plunged in hot water, the water lost by evaporation being replaced. When the glue is completely dissolved, one fifth of a kilogramme of nitric acid at 30° centigrade is added; the acid throws the solution into a violent state of effervescence, and a quantity of reddish coloured gas escapes. When the mixture has become quiescent it should be well stirred, set aside to cool, and afterwards placed in well stopped vessels for future use.

METALLIC CEILING.-While all other departments in the internal decoration of houses have kept pace with improvements in other branches of industry, it is a somewhat remarkable fact, and one that has long engaged the

attention of architects, that the ceilings of our rooms, with | preceding year's produce 13,828,243 kilogrammes. The their unseemly blisters and network of cracks, are still, gene-consumption of beetroot sugar during the same five months rally speaking, just what they were many years ago. Mr. amounted to 189,160,903 kilogrammes. The stock of Little has invented a system for the construction of ceil- beetroot sugar on the 31st of January last amounted to ings, which consists in the application to the joisting of 87,470,079 kilogrammes, being 18,753,787 kilogrammes very thin stamped ductile metal, in ornamental embossed more than on the corresponding date of the year 1864. panels of such sizes and shapes as may be required, The number of sugar manufactories at present at work is These stamped panels are fitted for every kind of decora- 398, being 34 more than at this time last year. These tion in colour, and if inserted as plain surfaces, may be returns are regarded as indicating that the beetroot sugar used as the ground for every description of cartoon paint-manufacture in France is prosperous. ing, combining with lightness and durability artistic and ornamental effect at a comparatively small cost. Besides its applicability to the ceilings of rooms, and all public buildings, churches, &c., the system may be made use of with the same effect in staircases, halls, and porticos, and even on the walls of rooms. It affords the means, when coupled with an iron framing, of making theatres fireproof, thus avoiding those sad contingencies to which these crowded buildings are so exposed.

COTTON IN SIAM.-The London and China Telegraph says that special efforts have been made to increase the supply of cotton for the coming season. The profits to the cultivators on this important staple for the past two years have stimulated the people to give it greater attention, but with every possible effort it is not probable the increase can add more than one-fifth to the last crop. The cultivators are too few to expect more than that. According to the custom-house returns, 17,710 piculs have been exported during the year from Bangkok up to the 14th November, amounting to 2,334,339 lbs., and worth, at a moderate estimate, say 500,000 dols. The season (in mercantile language) is now over, but it is possible that the whole export for the year may reach 18,000 piculs. BEET BOOT SUGAR IN FRANCE-The beetroot sugar manufactured in France in September last amounted to 2,755,400 kilogrammes, in October to 38,847,910, in November to 44,832,875, in December to 35,476 845, and in January to 13.474,652, making for the five months 135,387,682 kilogrammes. Of this the sugar manufactories in the department of the North produced 50,618,237 kilogrammes, in the Pas de Calais 23,467,933 kilogrammes, in the Aisne 21,860,699, in the Somme 13,152,597, in the Oise 10,628,696, and in other departments 15,659,550 kilogrammes. There remained, moreover, in store of the

THE VINE IN ALGERIA.-This cultivation has made great progress within these last few years. In the year 1862, the land planted with vines was estimated at 16,000 acres, of which 8,000 are situated in the provinces of Algiers, 5,500 in the province of Oran, and 1,500 in the province of Constantine. The vineyards produced in that year 43,222 hectolitres of wine, and 18,472,9121bs. of grapes were sold for the table. The land was chiefly planted with the Chasselas-Burgundy, Alicante, and Grenache vines. In 1863 additional plantations were made, both by the Arabs and colonists. The number of planters amounted to 27,281, of whom 22,300 were natives, and 5,000 Europeans. The vineyards covered 87,000 acres, of which 50,008 were planted with vines producing black, and the remainder with those producing white grapes. Of these vineyards, 10,500 acres are situated in the province of Algeria, which produced 83,000 hectolitres of wine, and 8,500,000lbs. weight of grapes for sale; 64,000 acres in the province of Constantine, producing 30,000 hectolitres of wine, and 4,100,000lbs. of grapes; and 12,500 acres in the province of Oran, producing 20,000 hectolitres of wine, and 2,000,000lbs. of grapes. The vines in the province of Constantine are newly planted, and do not as yet produce much wine. EGGS. From a recent Parliamentary return it appears that the annual importation of eggs into this country is at the rate of near one million daily.

COTTON SUPPLY.-The largest amount of cotton brought into this country for consumption was in 1860, when it amounted to 2,650,000 bales of 400 lbs. each. The total imports in Liverpool in 1864 were 2,247,755 bales, of which rather more than one-half were from India.

Colonies.

NATAL. Of late years the coast lands of this dependency have been steadily opened up for the cultivation of sugar cane, coffee, tobacco, and other tropical products. The county of Victoria is separated from the seaport of Durban by the river Umgeni, which, although shallow enough during the dry winter months, is in the summer so deep and dangerous that it has been a formidable obstacle to traffic. While production and traffic were alike small the inconvenience entailed by such a troublesome stream was not felt to any material extent. In ten years, however, a great change has come over the country. There are now thirty sugar mills driven by steam at work in the colony. Last year about 4,000 tons of sugar were produced. Coffee and other plantations are springing up in all directions, and the Cotton Plantation Company has nearly 1,000 acres under cultivation. Hence has arisen the necessity for a bridge over the Umgeni, and the Queen's-bridge, which was recently opened, is an iron girder bridge, erected on cylinders, which rest on a bed of creosoted timber piling. There are seven spans, of about 100 feet wide each, and the bridge with its approaches is altogether about 1,100 feet long. The roadway is 20 feet wide and paved with asphalte. No other bridge in South Africa can at all vie with this either in size or appearance, and it is creditable to the young colony that it should have been accomplished, at a cost to itself of about £17,000, what the older provinces of the Cape have not yet contemplated.

of a branch railway from Blacktown to Windsor and RichPUBLIC WORKS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.-The opening mond, which took place on the 29th November last, was benefit it has conferred upon a populous and fertile disan event of much importance, not only on account of the trict, but also in relation to the question of railway communication in the colony. than those on the trunk lines. Should the new railway this railway, the works are much lighter in their character In order to lessen the cost of realise the expectations that have been indulged in, as to the experience gained may be of value in the construction the suitability of the works to the nature of the traffic, of future lines.-At Newcastle, progress is being made with the various works for the improvement of the harupwards of 1,200 tons of stone were deposited in November last. The ballast is supplied by vessels coaling at the port. Preparations are being made for the repair of the southern breakwater, which was damaged by gales. Along the greater portion of the new wharf the water has been deepened, and vessels drawing seventeen or eighteen feet of water can now go alongside. wharf is completed, and plans are being prepared for a commodious goods shed to be erected close to it. The steamers' SALMON AND TROUT IN TASMANIA. A favourable ac

NORTH AUSTRALIA.-An Australian paper says:-vious year, and it will have to be brought into the current "If a colony could be established by Government year's exports. employés, there would be no doubt as to the success of North Australia. It appears that many hundreds of young men, belonging chiefly to the middle class of this community, are quite ready to colonise the new country for the remuneration of five shillings per day. For this pay they are willing to bind themselves as labourers to do the rough work of the settlement in spite of aboriginal Malays, alligators, and tropical summers. that the love of adventure is as strong here as in other This shows parts of the world. Whilst, however, the two Government expeditions which have sailed are absolutely necessary to the establishment of the young colony, it must be borne in mind by the hundreds of persons who are looking with interest to North Australia, that the success of the enterprise must, after all, depend upon the efforts of indi-bour. The northern breakwater is being proceeded with; viduals who go to occupy the country upon their own responsibility. A large extent of land has been sold, and it is fair to suppose that at least some of the purchasers will either become settlers themselves or will cause their property to be occupied by others. It is not to be expected that South Australia should supply the new country with any large number of settlers in addition to those who go there in the pay of the Government. In fact, the bulk of a population like ours would be as much out of place in North Australia as in India. Our labourers would be unsuited to the wet tropical sum-count has been received of the progress of both the salmon mers of such a country, and would be unable to compete with the coolies and the Chinese who will come in thousands as soon as there are planters and other settlers ready to make arrangements for their immigration. But there is a way in which this colony could materially assist the new colony, that is, by persevering in the attempt to send stock overland. If this were successfully done, North Australia would almost immediately secure an export trade with Madras, Calcutta, Java, and Mauritius. mentioned countries are always ready to import horned The two lastcattle, whilst the Indian markets at the present time have to be supplied with horses from New South Wales and South Australia. Madras or Calcutta would occupy about four weeks, and The passage from North Australia to it is said that the vessels best suited to the trade would be those of about 300 or 350 tons burthen. would be the proper time to ship horses for India, as they September would then arrive there at the commencement of the cool season."

BARBADOES.-The shipments of produce last year were 36,108 hhds. sugar and 16,000 puns. molasses, against 42,000 hhds. sugar and 15,000 puns. molasses of the previous year. The cotton speculators also have cause to be satis fied, as their harvest, it is calculated, will realise 300,000 dols. return to the proprietors; and, what is more consoling again, this sum will be sure to be circulated in the island, the cotton being grown on small properties and sold on the spot. Here is no little advantage to reap from about 2,000 acres of land which hitherto were almost waste, giving little or no return. year, it is anticipated by some (of course the most sanguine) The sugar crop, this will reach 50,000 hhds. cessfully used on one estate, and the canes grown on this A steam plough has been sucland are said to be of so superior a quality as to yield some three hogsheads to the acre.

and trout in Tasmania, and Badger Creek, the locality chosen, appears admirably adapted for the salmon. The fish at present there are in good health and growing fast. The advisability of constructing a regular fish-hatching establishment at the place has been dismissed.

Publications Issued.

LE MONDE DE LA MER. By" Alfred Frédol." Royal
Svo. Paris (Hachette).

LE CIEL. By Amedée Guillemin, and
LES PLANTES. By Louis Figuier (same form and same
publishers).

LE MONDE DES INSECTES. By S. Henri Berthoud.
Royal Svo. Paris (Garnier, Freres).

sprung up in France-popular expositions of scientific These represent a class of work which has only lately subjects, profusely illustrated. The most remarkable of the four whose titles are given above, is that which stands at the head. It is not signed by its author, but was the work of the late Moquin Tandon, of the Institut, authority, but being written in a popular style, and not a naturalist whose name would have stamped it with in scientific form, the academican used the pseudonym which he had often affixed to poetry and other miscellaneous works. He died while the sheets were going than six hundred pages, and all the products of the sea through the press. The work in question occupies more in turn, and in a very interesting manner-scientific facts and its banks, from seaweed to white bears, are treated of being intermingled with amusing anecdotes and remarks, BRITISH GUIANA.-The quantities of produce shipped to English notions. The illustrations consist of twentyand sometimes, it must be admitted, not quite according from the whole colony during the past vear are as follows:- one full-sized chromo-lithographic plates, and two hunSugar, 73,312 hhds.; rum, 26.053 puns.; molasses, dred illustrative cuts, of all sizes, on wood-all from the 12,632 casks; timber, 816,812 feet; and cotton, 239 bales. pencil of M. P. Lackerbauer. The quantities shipped in 1863 were 77,105 hhds. sugar, with great care and distinctness, and the peculiarities of 30,252 puns. rum, 5,704 casks of molasses, 408.769 feet the sea anemones and of the microscopic creatures of the These latter are executed timber, and 52 bales of cotton. There is an apparent ocean are given with rare fidelity; but the twenty-one falling off in the yield of sugar and rum as compared coloured plates are really exquisite. M. Moquin Tandon's with the previous year's returns, but it is only apparent. The last work may not increase his high scientific reputation, but crop of last year largely exceeds that of the previous year, it will assuredly make his name known to thousands but from the want of shipping there is a large quantity of who never heard of it before, and would not otherwise produce lying on hand; in fact, a larger quantity than have easily become acquainted with the wondrous has been found on hand at the same period in any pre-creatures which he so lovingly and so agreeably describes.

3 (121 to 130). Railway and Canal, &c. Bills-Board of Trade Looms-494-J. Dodgeon, J. Gaukroger, and W. Shackleton. Reports, Parts 121 to 139.

3 (140 to 152). Railway and Canal, &c. Bills-Board of Trade Re- Stopping bottles--464-J. J. Chidley. ports, Parts 140 to 160.