Miscellanies. 385 



information, to the pamphlet itself, or to Mr. F. W. Simms, Upper 

 George Street, Greenwich, or 136 Fleet Street. 



" The foot-path of the eastern side of Font Royal, was laid down 

 as an experiment two years and a half ago ; and although it is stated, 

 that as many as 30,000 persons pass and repass daily, yet it appears to 

 be almost as perfect as when first put down ; whereas the curb and 

 other stones with which it is bounded have worn to a great extent. 

 Our observations here confirm Chevalier de Pambour's statements. 



" The whole of the foot-paths on Pont de Carrousal, have been 

 down two years, and do not indicate the least wear whatever ; this 

 specimen is also submitted to a severe test from the vibrations of the 

 bridge, which is of iron, but of so light a construction, that the vibra- 

 tion from passing carriages, is at least as great as that of the suspen- 

 sion-bridge at Hammersmith ; yet it has withstood this, and also the 

 action of tvvo winters, without the least symptoms of cracking or de- 

 cay." 



" We cannot omit to mention the magnificent piece of pavement 

 now nearly completed in the Place de la Concorde : in the centre of 

 which the Egyptian obelisk is erected : 24,000 square yards are here 

 being laid down in elegant Mosaic work, with the asphalte of Seyssel. 

 The ease, rapidity, and simplicity with which this is formed, calls 

 forth the admiration of all passers-by. The fluid mastic is spread to 

 fill a mould, formed of bar-iron of the pattern desired, (at the Place 

 de la Concorde, the design consists of large squares alternately black 

 and white, each square having a circular disk in its centre of the con- 

 trary color to itself,) while the mastic is still fluid, a fine gravel is sifted 

 over it, either white or black gravel according to the color required, 

 and then as the mastic sets, the whole is beaten flat with wooden 

 stampers of about fifteen inches long and nine broad ; the pavement 

 so done, and after a little wear, can scarcely be distinguished from 

 granite." 



" We will here place on record our observations of the method fol- 

 lowed in the manipulations of the material, and the formation of the 

 foundation to receive it, as adopted at the Place de la Concorde. 



" First, the ground is made nearly level, or of the requisite slope, 

 then the curb stones are laid by the mason, the surface of which is left 

 about four inches above the ground ; this space is filled within an inch 

 of the top with beton, which is a substitute for the concerte of Eng- 

 land, The beton here employed is thus constituted. A mortar is 

 first made, consisting of one third of hydraulic lime, and two thirds 

 of river sand, then one of mortar, with three of cleaned gravel well 

 mixed, which form the beton : this must be well pressed on its bed, and 



YoL. XXXIV.— No. 2. 49 



