570 Chronicles of Science. [ Oct., 
rate of wages consequent upon the greater cost of living in London, 
together with the working of the Trades Unions there, haying 
almost succeeded in driving shipbuilding away from the Thames. 
Docks and Harbowrs.—The extension of dock and harbour 
accommodation is perhaps the best possible sign of the prosperity 
of any nation, as it naturally indicates a demand for increased 
facilities for its external trade. Judged from this standard, the great 
mineral producing districts of South Wales bear testimony to the 
prosperity of this land; new docks are im course of construction at 
Newport and Cardiff; a second dock is about to be commenced at 
Llanelly ; and the new harbour works at Pautcaul have recently 
been completed and opened. At Liverpool the new corn dock, 
which has been constructed on the site of the old Waterloo Dock, 
was opened on 4th July. On Friday the 9th June, the River 
Wear Commissioners opened their new docks, eleven acres in extent, 
by running in a fine steamer of 2,000 tons burden, and other large 
vessels were subsequently passed in, shortly after low water, show- 
ing what deep-water accommodation would be afforded at high 
water. At Blyth considerable improvements have been effected in 
the harbour by dredging operations, which have been going on for 
some months; the dredgers have now been placed over the bar in 
the entrance channel, with the view of facilitating the dispatch 
of vessels at neap tides. 
A magnificent hydraulic-lift graving-dock, upon Mr. Edwin 
Clark’s patent, is now under construction for the Indian Govyern- 
ment, for the port of Bombay. It is intended principally for 
docking the East India transport vessels, and the pontoon pro- 
vided for this purpose covers more than three-quarters of an acre 
in area. Another smaller dock of the same description is also 
about to be constructed for a company, who propose its erection at 
Jamaica, where accommodation of that sort is at present sadly 
wanted. 
The Egyptian Government has recently signed a contract with 
an English company for the construction of important works in 
the harbour of Alexandria, comprising a breakwater, a mole, a line 
of quay, and adry dock of sufficient dimensions to accommodate the 
largest class of vessels. 
Railways.—The most important works recently undertaken in 
connection with railway extension in England are certainly those 
of the Midland Railway, between Bedford and London, which 
terminate at St. Pancras, close to the King’s Cross Terminus of 
the Great Northern. It will be remembered that until recently 
the Midland Railway had its approach to the metropolis over the 
Great Northern line from Hitchin, at which point it was connected 
with the latter by a branch from Bedford. Starting from Bedford, 
the new line passes through Luton, St. Alban’s, Hendon, and 
