166 A DOMESTIC SKETCH. 



customary to any prescribed depth, but until they 

 would not sink more than one-eighth of an inch, with 

 a weight of 15 cwt. falling from a height of 25 feet 

 immediately upon their heads. They received twenty 

 extra blows with the same weight and fall, after they 

 had arrived at this degree of firmness, which in few 

 cases happened until they were from thirty to thirty- 

 five feet in the ground. Each of the pier foundations 

 contained from sixty to seventy, according to the soli- 

 dity of the ground, after a certain quantity had been 

 driven. The abutment foundations had from seventy 

 to eighty, and those on the north abutment are, on an 

 uverage, forty five feet deep. To pitch and drive such 

 long timbers was by no means an easy matter. Tem- 

 porary stages and platforms were erected about four 

 feet above high water, and there the men worked the 

 pile-engines. 



To be co/icluded in our neit. 



A DOMESTIC SKETCH. 



Margaret sat 



At her loved instrument and with soft voice 

 Accompanied its music ; a sweet song 

 Not mirthful nor yet melancholy, rose 

 Wherein the witchery of melody 

 Hung charming on the words of an old tale 

 That mingled with its measure; You were wrapt 

 With a refined pleasure, not to hear 

 The mastery of sound, with thrilling power 

 Passing from chord to chord, or matchless skill 

 Won with the toil of years ; O ! no the strains 

 Were simple in their beauty, hut the tones 

 Of the young player came forth from the soul 

 With its pure eloquence of sweetest flow, 

 They charm you as a morning-offered hymn 

 The voice of nature in her solitude, 

 Sprung from the mountain wood or shady dell 

 Arising, a soft orison, to Heaven. 



