202 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



of horizontal steps or terraces, it would have 

 defied the ocean and the atmosphere for many cen- 

 turies, with only a moderate degree of repair. In 

 the year 1744, a number of the upright timbers were 

 broken, but they were soon replaced by Mr. Jessop, 

 (father of the late eminent engineer of that name,) 

 who then had the charge of it. From this time till 

 the year 1755, Rudyerd's light-house sustained no 

 particular injury; but in that year it was totally de- 

 stroyed, by a catastrophe which cannot be so well ex- 

 pressed as in the words of the celebrated Smeaton, 

 the engineer of the stone light-house. The present 

 erection, considering the difference of the materials, 

 may be considered as a parallel chef-tfczuvre with 

 that of Rudyerd. 



" On the 22d of August, 1755," says Smeaton, 

 " the workmen returned on shore, having finished all 

 necessary repairs of that season; between which time 

 and the 2d of December following, the attending 

 boat had been off several times to the Eddystone, 

 and particularly on the 1st of December, and had 

 landed some stores, when the light-keepers made no 

 manner of complaint, and said all was right, except 

 that one or two of the bricks in the kitchen fire-place 

 had been loosened by a late storm. What in reality 

 might occasion the building's first catching fire, it 

 has never been possible fully to investigate ; but, from 

 the most distinct account, it appears to have com- 

 menced in the very top of the lantern, that is, in the 

 cupola. From whatever cause it originated, it is 

 certain that when the light-keeper then upon the 

 watch, (about two o'clock in the morning of the 2d 

 of December,) went into the lantern as usual, to 

 snuff the candles, he found the whole in a smoke, 

 and upon opening the door of the lantern into the 

 balcony, a flame instantly burst from the inside of 

 the cupola : he immediately endeavoured to alarm 

 his companions; but they, being in bed and asleep, 



