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, 

 pr, 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. Faw- 

 cett & Preston's Foundry and Steam Engine Manufactory, is one 

 of the largest establishments in the world. We saw it mider fa- 

 vorable circumstances, for the proprietors were just completing 

 the appai'atus 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 turning, planing, grooving, «fec. 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 appeal-, 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 injm-ed by sea water than iron. The cannon-fomidry 

 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 

 government. Bury &. Brancker's Foundry is the great manufac- 

 tory for locomotive engines. It appeared to be more economical of 



