In addition

ty-five and a half feet; length of bucket, or floats, twelve feet, depth two. to these, she has two small engines for pumping water from her hold, which are worked by the steam from the main boilers when they are in use, and by an independent boiler when necessary. The engines weigh seven hundred and fifty tons, their boilers contain one hundred and fifty tons of water, of which they evaporate eight thousand gallons per hour, with a consumption of two and three quarter tons of anthracite coal in the same space of time. Their cost was two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It takes ten engineers and assistants, twenty-four firemen, and twenty-four coal-heavers, working in three gangs, with relays of eight hours each, to direct, feed, and operate them. The crew proper of the Artic consist of thirty-six men. The steward's department of thirty-eight, all under the command of Captain Luce, assisted by four junior officers, besides which there is a purser and surgeon, making in all, a force of one hundred and twenty-nine men. The cost of the ship, including machinery, is six hundred thousand dollars. The Arctic is fitted up in a similar style to the Atlantic and Pacific, elegance combined with comfort being the predominating features. In the timber and fastening far greater expense has been incurred than the builders would have thought necessary if left to their unlimited discretion. There is a system of diagonal iron bracing of the ships' sides throughout, riveted at every crossing, which is entirely new with this line, and is due to Mr. Stillman. In addition to this, all the timbers, wherever they are joined, are couged, a method of uniting timbers which prevents the working loose of the joint, and gives it the strength of any other portion of the beam. All the modern improvements in steam-vessels have been introduced in the construction of the Arctic, and it is said that her sailing capabilities will be equal, if not superior, to those of the other vessels of this noble line.

COMMERCE OF THE NEW YORK CANALS.

The following table shows the quantity of some of the principal articles of produce left at tide-water, from the commencement of navigation to the 7th of December, 1850, inclusive, during the years 1848, 121 days-1849, 121 days-1850, 129 days:

One of the most surprising circumstances attending the creation of the railways is the amount of capital which, within a limited period, has been expended in their construction and equipment. According to the calculations supplied in the work before us, there were in operation at the commencement of 1849, in different parts of the globe, a total length of 18,656 miles of railway, on which a capital of $1,850,835,000 had been actually expended. Besides this it is estimated that there were at the same epoch, in progress of construction, a further extent of 7,829 miles, the cost of which, when completed, would be $733,750,000. Thus, when these latter lines shall have been brought into operation, the population of Europe and the United States (for it is there only that railways have made any progress) will have completed, within the period of less than a quarter of a century, 26,485 miles of railway; that is to say, a greater length than would completely surround the globe, at a cost of above $2,500,000,000. To accomplish this stupendous work, human industry must have appropriated, out of its annual

savings, $100,000,000 for 25 successive years! Of this prodigious investment Great Britain has had a share which will form not the least striking fact in her history. Of the total length of railways in actual operation in all parts of the globe, twenty-seven miles in every one hundred are in the United Kingdom! But the proportion of the entire amount of railway capital contributed by British industry is even more remarkable. It appears that of the entire amount of capital expended on the railways of the world, $270 in every $500, and of the capital to be expended on those in progress, $340 in every $500 are appropriated to British railways!

NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

CATADIOPTRIC LIGHT.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, December 20th, 1850.

Information has been received at this Department that a Catadioptric light will be placed, probably before the end of this month, on top of the light-house of Scheveningen, which is already considerably elevated. The size of this Catadioptric preparation will be of the third order, and visible at sea from a distance of four German miles. In return, the coast light which was located on the tower of the church of Brielle will be suppressed. As soon as the precise period for carrying these arrangements into effect shall have been fixed, the Minister of Marine of his Majesty the King of the Netherlands, will inform the public of the fact through the medium of the official journal.

SAILING DIRECTIONS FROM MONTEREY TO COLUMBIA RIVER.

Professor Bache, Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, under date November 29th, 1850, has communicated to the Secretary of the Treasury, the first of a series of hydrographic notices of the Western Coast, from Lieutenant Commanding W. P. McArthur, Assistant in the Coast Survey. The chart, as we learn from Professor Bache, has been received at the Coast Survey Station, and is reducing for the engraver, and will be published speedily. The subjoined notice contains sailing directions for entering the river:—

SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR THE WESTERN COAST OF THE UNITED STATES FROM MONTEREY

TO COLUMBIA RIVER, BY LT. COMMANDING W. P. M'AUTHUR, U. S. NAVY, ASSISTANT IN THE COAST SURVEY.

Previous to giving sailing directions for this part of our coast, I propose to notice the character of the winds at different seasons, with their effect upon the sea and current. From March to October, the prevailing wind along the coast, and for many miles to the westward is fresh from the northwest, being freshest from 10 A. M. to 2 P. M., and not unfrequently falling light during the night. During this season of the year, the northwest wind blows with almost the regularity of a trade wind. During the months of August and September, fogs prevail to a great extent, and impede and endanger navigation materially.

During the part of the year above mentioned, there are no heavy gales of wind, and little or no rain.

These winds cause a current of about one half a knot per hour, along the coast, setting to the southward.

From October to March the wind is variable, both with regard to velocity and direction. During this season heavy gales occur from the southeast, south, and southwest, generally accompanied by protracted rain, and causing a very heavy sea and swell along the coast.

The current during this season sets generally to the northward, varying in velocity with the strength of the wind. These facts being known, it is now to be considered how directions should be given, which would be most useful to navigation.

Sailing vessels bound to the northward, from Monterey or any more northern port, during the summer season, should stand well off shore, not too close hauled, until about three hundred miles from the land, when they will be beyond the influence of the souther

ly current, and in a situation to take advantage of a slant of wind, which frequently occurs from the west-northwest. They would do well not to approach the land unless favored by the wind so as to enable them to lay either their course, or nearly so, until up with the latitude of the destined port.

Steamers should follow the coast, from point to point, as nearly as possible, always keeping within fifteen miles of the land. They will, by this means, shorten the distance, and frequently avoid the strong northwest winds, as often they will find it quite calm, close in with the shore, when there is a strong wind to seaward.

Vessels bound to the northward, in the winter season, should keep as close along the land as practicable, and take every advantage of all southerly winds to make latitude. They should always endeavor to make the land at least twenty or thirty miles to the southward of the destined harbour.

Navigators bound to the southward should keep the coast in sight, and take advantage of either tack upon which the most latitude may be made, always making the land to the northward of the port in summer, and to the southward in the winter season.

TWO LIGHT-HOUSES ON THE COAST OF MAINE.

A Light-house has been erected on Indian Island, at the entrance of Goose River, the West side of Penobscot Bay. The Lantern is placed on the Keepers' Dwelling-house, 40 feet above sea level, in lat. 44° 09', lon. 69°. This will be a red light.

The following are the bearings from the lights :-Owl's Head Lights, S. W., 54 miles; Beacon on Pottersfield Ledge, S. by W., W., miles; the Graves Rocks, N. E. by E. E. 18 miles; Rocky Point off the Light, S. S. W., near 200 fathoms. In running for this harbor, bring the light to bear N. by W.; leave the beacon on Potersfield Ledge on the larboard hand, and the light on the starboard hand. After passing the light, steer N., keeping midchannel until near the village, keeping nearest the Eastearn shore, to avoid a ledge on which is a buoy near the middle, and anchor a little below the village.

A light-house has also been erected on Grindel Point, at the entrance of Gilkey's Harbour, Long Island, Penobscot Bay. The lantern is placed on the keepers' dwelling-house, 30 feet above sea level, in lat. 44° 16', lon. 68° 53'. The following bearings have been observed:-Negro Island Light, S.W. by W., 8 miles; Duck-Trap Village, N. W. by W., 3 miles Dickey's Bluff, N. by E., 5 miles. Directions for entering the harbor:-Bring the light to bear S. E. by E., and run for it; leave it on the larboard hand, with a berth of 75 or 100 fathoms; continue the above course, midchannel, and anchor with the light bearing N. W., a mile distant, in five fathoms water. The abovenamed light will be lighted up, for the first time, on the evening of the 1st of November, 1850.

SEA BEACON ON GRAKLUBBEN ROCK.

A sea beacon was erected during the summer of 1850, on the rock called Graklubben, on the S. W. side of the harbor and pilot station of Skags, situated between the towns of Umea and Hernosand, in 63° 12′ N. latitude, and 19° 3′ longitude E. of Greenwich. The Graklubben Rock is 24 feet above the level of the sea. The beacon consists of a straight spar 24 feet high, with a barrel on the top, and is supported by several other spars covered by deals on the side facing the sea, and is of a triangular perpendicular form. The beacon, which has very thick woods behind it, can be seen in clear weather at about two geographical miles distance, and is a mark for navigators going to Ornokoldsvic, or the loading place near thereto, and who intend to procure pilots at Skags' Point. On entering the harbour of Skags, the beacon must be left on the larboard side.

A LIGHT IN THE CASTLE OF SISAL.

We learn from the Campeachy Razon that a light has been placed in the Castle of Sisal, which can be seen at the distance of 12 miles seaward, being elevated 70 feet above the surface of the earth. This light is important not only to vessels going to Sisal, but also to vessels bound for Campeachy, Laguna, Tabasco, and Vera Cruz, which by its guidance may avoid the dangerous shoals of Sisal. On perceiving the light, vessels coming from El Cabo can go towards it, and leaving the port on the left, find anchorage to leeward in three and a half fathoms water, which is safest. This may be found at two and a half miles from the castle.

MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES.

ADULTERATED DRUGS AND MEDICINES.

In the Merchants' Magazine for April, 1848, (vol. xviii., page 442,) we published an extract from the report of the College of Pharmacy in New York, exposing some of the frauds in the drug trade. In that report it was clearly shown that foreign manufacturers were in the habit of exporting to the United States adulterated drugs. That report, and the investigations of Dr. M. J. Bailey, led to the passage by Congress, July 26th, 1848, of “an act to prevent the importation of adulterated and spurious medicines." This act of Congress, together with an explanatory circular from the Secretary of the Treasury, was published in the Merchants' Magazine for September, 1848, (vol xix., pages 326-328;) and in July, 1849, (vol. xx., page 338,) we published a statement, derived from the report of Dr. T. O. Edwards, member of Congress from Ohio, and one of the special examiners appointed for that purpose by the Secretary of the Treasury, exhibiting a tabular statement of the articles, and quantities of each, which had, up to that time, been rejected as spurious or adulterated. The subjoined article, on this subject, we quote from the Newark Daily Advertiser. It refers to the removal of Dr. Bailey, who, as we learn from an authentic source, during the nine months prior to his removal, rejected forty-five tons of these spurious or vitiated drugs, upon which the importers would have made from $50,000 to $75,000 profit. Of the politics of Dr. Bailey we are ignorant, and we have no personal acquaintance with that gentlebut if, as affirmed by those who do know him, he is “armed with practical knowledge of the nature of drugs, and an inflexible honesty," he is just the man for the position from which he has been removed. But for the article in the Advertiser:

man;

On the 26th of July, 1848, a salutary law was passed by Congress to prevent the introduction from abroad of adulterated and spurious drugs, which took effect 12th July, 1849. Upon medicine, in some form or other, every creature in the community depends for life in that fearful struggle with disease, which, soon or late, with here and there an exception, must happen to us all. This wholesome law remains upon the statute book, but there is a general apprehension among the faculty that its vitality is seriously threatened, and in danger of being extinguished.

The usefulness of the regulation is contingent upon its administrator. He is denominated United States Examiner of Imported Drugs. If this officer is incompetent or dishonest, the statute, from the moment of his appointment, is substantially repealed. The first examiner for the port of New York was Dr. M. J. Bailey, with whom the measure originated, and by whom the bill (afterward with slight alteration enacted) was drawn. In all this he enjoyed the valuable co-operation of Dr. Edwards, member of the House from Ohio, chairman of the committee on the subject, who defended it during its passage against the assaults of interested opponents, or perhaps, more accurately, the agents of interested parties. It would be strange, indeed, if a measure aimed at the diminution or extinction of quackery and fraud, should rouse up nobody in their defense. Accordingly, at that time, and ever since the passage of the bill, hostility to its benevolent and politic provisions have been unremittent. While there was a chance of crushing the attempt, it was open; since the necessity of the measure has been made apparent in the course of its administration, the efforts of that considerable class concerned in the adulteration of drugs, or in the sales of simulated articles, have been obliged to shroud their proceedings, as well as their commodities, beneath a specious exterior.

Pretty early, in conversation, and by occasional articles in the public prints, the perfect futility of trying in this way to prevent or lessen an evil too enormous and obvious to be denied, was enlarged upon; and it was really diverting to observe the eagerness of men, who got their livelihood by dealing in false drugs, to put down a law, which, according to them, had no tendency whatever to injure their laudable vocation. These pretences and shallow commentaries were unavailing against the astonishing revelations

of deceptions in the importations of drugs, which were soon made by the public examiner at the custom-house. Many of them were published at the time, and convinced the public, if they did not know it before, of the urgency there was of somebody to keep back this deluge of foreign importations. In about nine months, only, he rejected ninety thousand pounds of various base drugs, much of which, but for his interposition, some of us would have been unquestionably invited to swallow. Forty-five tons! A good sized pill.

This adulteration has gone on for many years, unsuspected and prosperous. Large capitals are as regularly and openly invested in the manufacture of simulated drugs at Brussels, and other places, as in the use of wool and iron. It is suspected that American ingenuity has already shown its skill, as usual, at imitating this, as well as many other European ways. Physicians failed unaccountably in their anticipations of the effects of prescriptions, and the public were fast losing confidence in the Materia Medica itself. The mischief it has wrought upon medical science, in confounding its theories by the failures and uncertainties of its practice, cannot be all known. They have, no doubt, been great. Indeed, the learning and sagacity of the whole body of the faculty will fall inevitably into contempt, if the medicine they think they are prescribing has an equal chance of being no medicine at all. The public will certainly draw the inference that there can be very little in a profession whose only agent is physic, if it is of no manner of consequence whether that physic is calomel or gypsum, base cinchona, or the genuine officinal Peruvian bark.

Dr. Bailey was the first, as far as we know, to call public attention to the springing up of this new branch of business-the manufacture of spurious drugs. Being a good analytic chemist, he commenced the examination of imported drugs upon a large scale, which resulted in the detection of the prevalence of an atrocious counterfeit, in consequence of which discovery the legislation now in force arose. It is natural that one who had proved himself so skilful and willing to expose fraud, should be placed in a position to employ his ability and integrity for the public good. He was, therefore, as we have said, first designated for that office, whose utility he had pointed out. He has, however, we learn, for some reason unknown, been recently dismissed, and another person, not enjoying the confidence of the faculty in any respect, appointed in his room. That no person connected in any way in the medicinal manufactures of a questionable character at home, should fill the place of a United States examiner of drugs from abroad, is self-evident. In that position, too, there is use of high attainments in chemical analysis, and need of sterling integrity.

As matters of news, we remark, that proceedings of the faculty in Ohio, the College of Pharmacy in New York, and of the Academy of Medicine in the same city, and other similar bodies, we believe have taken place relative to this matter, and the dismissal of Dr. Bailey, and the appointment of the present incumbent, pointedly condemned on public, not political grounds. The restoration of Dr. Bailey will be zealously urged, for his distinguished ability, and his not unattempted integrity. The public want no timid incompetency, or easy and practicable virtue in any office connected with the preservation of the public health.

DEATH OF A LARGE CLOTHING MERCHANT.

It is seldom our province to record the death of a more valuable citizen, says the Dry Goods Reporter, than Thomas Lewis, born in Oxford, N. C. He came to the North at an early age, and was at the time of his death one of the heaviest clothing merchants in the world. He was connected with thirteen different houses in this line, and had been uniformly successful. During his lifetime he had established, at various periods, houses in all the principal cities of the Union. At the early age of 47, in the midst of a career of great usefulness, he was suddenly cut off by the rupture of a blood vessel; and by a singular coincidence his death occurred at Oxford, the scene of his first efforts and his earliest associations. Although possessed of great wealth, he had always lived frugally and unostentatiously. The house of Lewis & Hanford enjoyed unlimited credit. Their reputation was not more due to their large means than to the unwavering punctuality, which was one of Mr. Lewis' most marked characteristics. We also note, as most commendable, a just liberality in all his dealings, as well as a proper discrimination in his benevolence, that never turned away the worthy without that comfort which soothed the afflicted and ministered with a tender hand to the wounded spirit. Most sincerely do we sympathize with his bereaved family and friends. The community, of which he was an ornament may well lament a loss so general.