A plan was, however, suggested, two or three years ago, for a structure of iron, which, we understand, has been carried into successful effect. This consisted of an immense hollow iron shaft, thirty feet in diameter, and sixty-four feet in height, forming the base. This was sunk thirty feet deep in the sands, and rested on a bed of limestone.
Upon this, a column eighty-six feet high was raised; then came the lantern, and above this, a statue of the queen; this last, with the lantern, is forty feet in height. The whole structure is one hundred and ninety feet high.
The weight of the lower shaft, or base, is one hundred and twenty tons; in the long shaft, there is room for one hundred men with provisions; in the top part, near the lantern, there is room for twenty men, whose attendance is constantly necessary to manage the light. This splendid beacon is called “The light of all nations.”
Patrick Henry.—When Patrick Henry, who gave the first impulse to the ball of the American revolution in Virginia, introduced his celebrated resolution on the Stamp Act into the House of Burgesses of Virginia, (May, 1765,) he exclaimed, when descanting on the tyranny of the obnoxious act, Cæsar had his Brutus; Charles I. his Cromwell; and George III.——“Treason!” cried the speaker; “treason, treason!” echoed from every part of the house. It was one of those trying moments which are decisive of character. Henry faltered not for an instant; but, rising to a loftier attitude, and fixing on the speaker an eye flashing with fire, continued, “may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.”
Highwayman and Sailor.—One of the Dover stages, on its way to London, was stopped by a single highwayman, who was informed by the coachman that there were no passengers inside, and only one in the basket, and he was a sailor. The robber then proceeded to exercise his employment on the tar. When waked out of his sleep, Jack demanded what he wanted; to which the son of plunder replied, “Your money.” “You sha’n’t have it,” said Jack. “No!” replied the robber; “then I’ll blow your brains out!” “Blow away, then, you land-lubber,” said Jack, squirting the tobacco-juice out of his mouth, “I may as well go to London without brains as without money;—drive on, coachman.”
The Peak of Teneriffe presents five zones of different vegetation; for seven to eight hundred feet, it produces vines, corn, olives, &c.; the second zone produces myrtles and trees; the third, chiefly pines; the fourth and fifth produce little vegetation, and are very cold; the upper part is pumice-stone and lava.