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1838.] COTTAGE BUILDING AND HOME MADE BRICKS. 387

neat than the old plan. This method prevails in some of our counties. Excellent and cheap buildings are also made by forming the clay into a large sort of brick, which is left unbaked. The following is the method of making these bricks, which are much used in Norfolk for building cottages, walls, and farm buildings, on account of their cheapness:-The first process is to dig the clay of brickearth as free from stones as possible, and put one load of sand of road scrapings to two loads of clay; a quantity of water is required in mixing, which is done by treading of horses; some short straw being evenly thrown in during the process of treading; as much as can conveniently be trodden in is required. This prevents the bricks from cracking as they dry. As soon as sufficiently dry to bear turning, they should be set on one edge, and kept frequently turned that they may dry evenly. They may be made any size, the duty being 1s. the hundred. They are usually made two feet long, ten or eleven inches wide, and nine inches thick. They are made in a mould the same as a common brick in the place where they are to remain till dry. The ground they are made on should be quite even and smooth, and lightly covered over with sand. The mould is placed on the ground, and the earth put in to form the brick, after which the mould is taken away, and the brick is left to dry. In building with them, brick-earth, with a little lime, may be used instead of common mortar. The expense of digging, treading, and making, is from 7s. to 8s. per hundred, exclusive of carting and horse labour. The width of brick may vary according to the strength of the wall required. For instance, nine inches wide is sufficient for a cottage, and twelve or fourteen inches wide for a barn. One hundred of these bricks, nine inches thick, ten or eleven wide, and two feet long, are equal to about 1500 common bricks. To ensure the buildings greater permanence, it perhaps would be best to build a foundation of burnt bricks or stone five or six inches out of the ground, and to give the home-made bricks a coating of coal-tar, or other similar substance.Sussex Express.

TEMPERANCE ON SHIP-BOARD.

(Part of a Letter from Capt. Guthrie, commander of the Ship" Adelaide,” to Archdeacon Jeffreys.),

"As the Adelaide has been sailed on the temperance system, since we left London, a few brief remarks on the discipline and good conduct of the ship's company, may not be unacceptable. I have to state, for your information, that, after the usual occurrences of a voyage from England, and during our sojourn at Bombay, there has not been a drop of spirits, wine, or beer, served out to the crew in any instance. Mark the effect. The people on all occasions have not only done their duty well, but cheerfully, and a more correct set of men I have never sailed with. And I am happy to add, that I have never been disgusted with that habit of profane swearing, and obscene language, so common on board ship, while under the influence of spirits; and, although this is my first. voyage on the system, from what I have observed, I shall be always glad to sail on the same plan, and I am convinced that it has the effect of raising the sailor from his degraded state to that of a rational creature. The whole crew (forty) appear really happy and comfortable amongst themselves, and enjoy the best possible health. The owners, Messrs. Baring, Brothers, and Co., have been extremely liberal in providing those comforts seldom found in other ships. In short, the whole system works well; and I hope to see other ships following the example, as it would tend very much to improve the moral character of seamen, without injuring their qualifications as sailors.

GUNPOWDER ACCIDENT.

WHEN a gun is being loaded, a serious accident frequently happens by the whole contents of the powderhorn going off. In this case, there is generally a spark of fire left at the bottom of the gun, and this communicates with the stream or train of powder flowing between the powder-horn and the spark of fire. This ought to be particularly guarded against; and several sportsmen use the moveable top of a powder flask or thimble to load with, instead of the whole flask; and then, if the accident happens, it is of less consequence from the smallness of the quantity of powder which is fired. The same sort of

1838.] ON REFERRING BLESSINGS TO GOD.

389

accident often happens from pouring a few grains of powder out of a flask. The following account from a newspaper should be a caution. Whenever a small quantity of gunpowder is to be used, let it be separated from the larger mass, and the danger will then be trifling.

"Hannah Howorth, the housemaid of Mr. Wheen, of Brathwaite, on getting up early in the morning, could not find any matches; upon which she took the powder horn and poured some of its contents upon the lighted tinder, when an explosion took place, which shook the house and did great damage to the earthenware, &c. The family being called to the spot, a search was made for the girl, who was found lying upon the bed with her right hand dreadfully shattered, her under-jaw, tongue, teeth, and her nose blown away, and two of the fingers of the left hand hanging by the skin. The poor creature presented a most dreadful spectacle, and was as soon as possible removed to the infirmary, where she lies in a very precarious state."-Doncaster Gazette.

ON REFERRING BLESSINGS TO GOD.

"THE same spirit which in pain, sickness, and calamity, would drive us to the Lord for ease, and strength, and comfort, were it a true religious principle, would open our hearts with thanksgiving, when our prayer was heard. Convinced as I am, that nothing is better calculated to lay the foundation of sincere enjoyment and true happiness, than the habitual reference of all the blessings we have to God as their origin, I would earnestly invite every Christian to the cultivation of this habit. Possessed of it, we shall not only confess generally our dependence on the Divine will: we shall acknowledge those individual and smaller blessings, which we individually enjoy. When great and striking events occur, minds very slightly tinged with religious sentiments are often forcibly drawn towards God: it is in the minute, individual, every day occurrences of ordinary life, that the Christian habit of devout thankfulness, secretly, but steadily, lifts the soul heavenward; and never fails to draw down a more abundant supply of grace and consolation."-Rev. J. E. TYLER.

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NEW BRIDGE, CHESTER.

THE first stone of this beautiful bridge was laid on the 1st of Oct. 1827, by the Marquis of Westminster. It was opened in Oct. 1832 by Her present Majesty, then the Princess Victoria.

The bridge consists of one main arch, with a small dry arch over the towing path on each side. The span of this arch is said to be wider than that of any other that has ever been constructed. It is two hundred feet across.

This bridge makes a beautiful entrance into the old city of Chester. The ancient castle, with the late noble additions made in connection with it, containing barracks, court-houses, the county jail, &c. makes a fine feature in the scenery.

COLDS AND COUGHS.

THIS is the time of year to be very careful about catching cold; for at the beginning of winter it is not so easy to get rid of a cold, as it is in the warmer part of the year; a cold taken at the beginning of the sharp weather will sometimes last during the whole of the winter, and often lead to very serious consequences. The cold, therefore, must be watched in its beginning. Take good care to keep the feet warm and dry; or if they get wet, put on dry shoes and stockings as soon as you get home. Do not let the feet be cold long together, if you can help it: an additional short stocking or sock drawn on, will do more good than the fire towards restoring warmth. Something of this kind is very desirable in bed, when the feet are cold. Nobody can sleep well when the feet are cold; and few things are more liable to bring on illness than allowing the feet to remain cold for a long time together. When a cold first appears, it is good to put the feet into a pail of warm water, and keep them there for five or ten minutes on going to bed. This will often cause perspiration, and prevent fever, and it can do no harm. The bed in such cases should be warmed. A common cold, if properly managed, will generally go off in a few days. It must, however, be treated according to circumstances. If at the beginning of a cold, there is a slight soreness of

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