British Association for the Advancement of Science, 53 
which attention was drawn in the Zoological Section,—there 
is also a well-arranged Geological collection, particularly rich in 
specimens of the coal formation. The School for the Blind must 
also be specified as an institution on the largest scale, and ad- 
mirably managed. ‘The manufactures executed by the pupils 
are (some of them) exquisite for their neatness and finish. Be- 
sides these, we may mention the Botanic Gardens, recently re- 
moved from their old site in Mount Pleasant, in consequence of 
the rapid growth of the town; and the Zoological Gardens, 
or, in other words, Mr. Atkins’ private menagerie, located and 
enriched by subsequent donations. The ground is agreeably va- 
ried, and the collection, which is extensive, contains, we be- 
lieve, an unique specimen of the mule between the lion and the 
tiger. But the most interesting and individual things in the 
town, are some of the manufactories. One of them, Messrs. F'aw- 
cett & Preston’s Foundry and Steam Engine Manufactory, is one 
of the largest establishments in the world. We saw it under fa- 
vorable circumstances, for the proprietors were just completing 
the apparatus for a steam frigate, about to be launched by the 
French government. A stranger is most struck by seeing iron 
undergoing processes with which he is only familiar as connected 
with wood,—such as tuming, planing, grooving, &c. An iron 
shaving, more than a yard in length, turned off as smooth and 
clear as if it were from a piece of wood, was a novelty which 
surprised most of the visitors. There are more than seven hun- 
dred workmen employed in this establishment ; and though the 
labor is very severe, and would appear, from the number of me- 
tallic particles flying about, to be very unwholesome, we remarked 
that several of the operatives were very old men, and that none 
of them looked sickly. Contrary to the general opinion, we were 
assured that no difference is observed between the health of those 
who work in brass and those who work in iron. This is a grati- 
fying circumstance, because brass and copper are daily coming 
more into use in the manufacture of marine steam-engines, be- 
ing less injured by sea water than iron, ‘The cannon-foundry 
was in more active operation than we should have expected in 
“these piping times of peace; but we were informed that a 
large supply of artillery had been recently supplied to the Dutch 
Bury & Brancker’s Foundry is the great manufac- 
tory for locomotive engines. It appeared to be more economical of 
