346 On the Introduction of Granite into Scotland. 



markets of Aberdeen, excelled by none in Europe in elegance, 

 were first opened. The great saloon, containing the fruit and 

 vegetable market, a magnificent hall 300 feet in length by 

 100 feet in breadth, has within it a noble fountain of highly 

 polished Peterhead granite. An octagonal basin, constructed 

 of polished blocks, stands about one-third the length of the 

 hall from the southern extremity. From the centre of this 

 basin, rises a shaft 10 feet high, supporting two circular cups 

 or shallow vases, one placed over the other. The lowermost 

 is formed out of a single block, 7 feet 3 inches in diameter ; 

 and the upper has about half that width. A constant jet of 

 water rises from the centre of the upper cup, flows over its 

 edges into the lower vase, which also overflows, in a thin sheet 

 of limpid water, into the basin below ; whence water is drawn 

 for all the purposes of the market. I have seen no fountain 

 in Britain so fine as this. It resembles in form, and surpas- 

 ses in material^ the finest fountains I saw in Spain : yet it 

 was erected by Messrs Macdonald and Leslie for L.200. 



The same artists are at this moment engaged in executing 

 a similar fountain for Lord Prudhoe, which, I understand, will 

 cost about L.200. 



Indeed, considering the difficulty of working so hard a ma- 

 terial, I was surprised at the moderation of their prices, for 

 articles produced at their interesting establishment. 



For instance : — 



1. A hall-table slab of polished granite, measuring 4 feet 

 long by 21* inches wide, costs L.4, 15s. 



It may be stated, that slabs may be furnished, of any re- 

 quired size, for from 12s. to 14s. for each square foot of sur- 

 face. 



2. Pedestals for busts, square or columnar, with plinth, and 

 an ovolo when columnar, of the usual size, for L.IO. 



3. Mural monumental tablets, with vase, trusses, &c., from 

 L.6 to L.9, according to the size. 



4. Mural tablets, with base, cornice, and pedimented top, 

 from L.IO to L.12. 



Lettering, of the usual size, is charged 4s. Gd. per dozen of 

 letters. 



5. An elegant Ta^za-forrned vase, of classic thai>e, 4 feet 



