On the Spirit of Modern Improvement. [May 1, 



2S8 



fitted close to llie ground ; and, in pro- 

 portion as the framing is moved for- 

 waril, so the brick-work is to be made 

 to keep pace with it ; this framing 

 corresponds, in some degree, witli 

 the steeniug commonly used for 

 making a well, with this difference, 

 that in a well the steening descends 

 of itself or with little aid, whereas in 

 the tunnel the framings must be forced 

 on forward. But, as this assemblage 

 of frames would not be forced for- 

 ward all in one body, on account of 

 the resistance of its external sides 

 against the surrounding and incum- 

 bent earth, it is composed of twelve 

 perpendicular frames, which admit 

 of being moved singly and indepen- 

 dently of each other, in proportion 

 as the excavation is carried on in 

 front of the work. 



These several frames are provided 

 with such mechanism as may be ne- 

 cessary to move them forward, as well 

 as to secure them against the brick- 

 work wlien they are stationary. It 

 is to be observed, that six alternate 

 frames are stationary, while the six 

 intermediate ones are left free for the 

 purpose of being moved forward, when 

 required ; these, in their turn, are 

 made stationary for relieving the six 

 alternate ones, and so on. Thus the 

 progressive movement of the framing 

 can be effected. 



In order that a sufficient number 

 of hands may be employed together 

 with effect and security, eabh frame is 

 divided into three small distinct apart- 

 ments, which may properly be deno- 

 minated cells. By this disposition, 

 the twelve frames form thirty -six cells, 

 in which the men are to operate for 

 excavating the ground. It is to be 

 observed that the ground in front of 

 each cell is kept from felling in, I)y 

 means of a powerful shield, consisting 

 of small boards, strongly secured by 

 frames. It is from witliin these cells 

 that each workman is to cut out the 

 ground, just in the way that he would 

 do if he were to cutout a recess into 

 a wall for tlie purpose of fitting si clo- 

 set into it; but, with this precaution, 

 that he is to remove each board, one 

 after the other, and replace each in 

 succession as he cuts the portion of 

 the ground corresponding with it. 

 When he has thus gained from three 

 to six inches over the whole surface, 

 (an operation which it is expected may 

 be made in all the cells nearly in the 



same time,) the frames are moved for- 

 ward, and so much of the brick-work 

 added to the body of the Tunnel. 

 Thus intrenched and secure, thirty-six 

 men may be made to carry on an ex- 

 cavation which is 700 feet superficial 

 area, in regular order and uniform 

 quantities, with as much facility and 

 safety as if one drift only of nineteen feet 

 square was to be opened by one man. 

 The declivity of the roadway of the 

 Tunnel under the river will not exceed 

 three feet per hundred feet; and that 

 of the approaches, whether they are 

 circular or straight, is not intended to 

 exceed four feet per hundred feet. 

 The whole is to be well lighted up all 

 the way. 



For the Monthly Magazine. 

 On /Ae SPIRIT o/'modern improvement, 



and POLICY in the LEGISLATURE. 



1MOST sincerely accord with your 

 valuable correspondent, Common 

 Sense, in his observations on the Bill 

 for repealing the Usury Laws, and 

 rejoice in the virtual rejection of a 

 measure, which can only operate in 

 favour of those who are rich enough 

 to practise the arts of extortion. As 

 to the Bills introduced into Parlia- 

 ment by the Chancellor of the Ex- 

 chequer, and still depending, I cannot 

 but deem them, however well in- 

 tended, unnecessary, uncalled for, and 

 of a very hazardous tendency. What 

 species of commercial distress are 

 they calculated to relieve ? What 

 positive good to effect? Or which 

 bears any proportion to the sacrifice 

 which must confessedly be made? 



By the abolition of the odious tax 

 on windows, or, in other words, on 

 light and air, the whole community 

 would be sensibly benefited, and a 

 strong feeling of public gratitude ex- 

 cited. No tax ever was, or could be, 

 devised more unjust in its principle, 

 as well as obnoxious in its operation ; 

 for it bears no proportion to the value 

 of the object. Many houses in the 

 country, particularly in small towns 

 and villages, bearing a rent of 10/., 

 20/., or 30/. per annum, pay as much 

 to this oppressive tax, as houses in the 

 metropolis, and other great cities, 

 for dwellings often times that amount. 

 The House-tax is also felt as a 

 heavy grievance; and, indeed, all the 

 assessed ta^es are universally odious 

 and unpopular, while those included 

 in the cost of a commodity are paid 

 insensibly. 



