“This extensive mill stands upon a huge pile of oak, double planked and covered with stone-work, on which are turned thirteen stone arches, which sustain the walls.

“The spinning mills are eight in number, and give motion to upwards of 25,000 reel bobbins, and nearly 3000 star wheels belonging to the reels.  Each of the four twist mills contains four rounds of spindles, about 389 of which are connected with each mill, as well as the numerous reels, bobbins, star wheels, &c.  The whole of this elaborate machine, though distributed through so many apartments, is put in motion by a single water-wheel twenty-three feet in diameter, situated on the west side of the building.”

[Treatise on the Manufactures and Machinery of Great Britain, by P. BARLOW, Esq., F.R.S., &c., in the Encyclopedia Metropol.  Part VI.  “Mixed Sciences.”]

“Sir Thomas Lombe, Alderman of Bassishaw Ward, died, at his house in Old Jury, London, on the third of January 1739, aged 81.  A gentleman of great integrity and honor.  He was the senior Alderman, next the chair.  Worth L120,000 sterling.”

VIII.

CASE OF CAPTAIN PORTEOUS.

There is an account of the riot, and of all the particulars attending the murder of Captain Porteous, at the close of the 9th volume of the History of the Proceedings of the House of Commons, from page 506 to 545; and a concise narrative in the History of England, by Lord MAHON, Vol.  II. p. 285-298.  He introduces it by the following remarks:  “Some years back, the real events might have excited interest; but the wand of an enchanter is now waved over us.  We feel the spell of the greatest writer that the world has seen in one department, or Scotland produced in any.  How dull and lifeless will not the true facts appear when no longer embellished by the touching sorrows of Effie, or the heroic virtue of Jeanie Deans!” He refers, in a note, to chapter VI. of The Heart of Mid Lothian, by Sir WALTER SCOTT, and to “his excellent narrative” in the 2d series of the Tales of a Grandfather, from p. 231 to 242, the end of the volume.  See also the able speech of Mr. LINDSAY, in the Parliamentary History, p. 254.

It is worthy of remark that the Bill was carried in Committee by the least possible majority.  One hundred and thirty-one members voted for reporting the Bill as amended; the same number voted against it.  And, though it is customary for the Chairman to give his vote on the side of mercy, he voted in favor of the Bill.  It is further remarkable, that two Scots members, the Solicitor General, and Mr. Erskine of Grange, were then attending an appeal in the House of Lords, and were refused leave of absence in order to be at this discussion, otherwise the Bill would have been entirely lost.

IX.