ones. In the eastern face of the quarry
there is an immense arch perhaps sixty feet high; and about thirty feet
from its entrance there is an immense and massive stone pier from which
spring two arches on each side, one above the other, but not from the
same level. The pier is hollowed on the inside by three arches. On the
left hand wall inside the arch there are two large arches, from which
vaults run northwardly, and on the right hand side of the wall there are
also two vaults which extend to a great distance in a southwardly
direction, towards Grinfield-street. From these vaults, other vaults
branch off in all sorts of directions. The houses in Mason-street all
rest upon these arches; and as you passed along the street, the depth of
some of them at one time was visible through the grids. The construction
of these arches is of the most solid description, and seems stable as the
earth itself. There are some openings of vaults commenced at the end
near Grinfield-Street, but discontinued. These arches seem to have given
way and presented a curiously ruined aspect. In the lower range of
vaults there was a run of water and what Williamson called "a quagmire."
In several places there are deep wells, whence the houses in Mason-Street
seem to be supplied with water. Sections of arches commenced, but left
unfinished, were visible at one time in various places. The lowest range
of arches opening from the Grinfield-street end run to the northward.
From the roof of many of these vaults were stalactites, but of no great
length. The terraced gardens are ranged on arches all solidly built.
The houses in Mason-street are strange constructions. In one house I saw
there was no window in one good-sized room, light being obtained through
a funnel carried up to the roof of the house through an upper floor and
room. This strange arrangement arose from Mr. Williamson having no plan
of the house he was building for the men to work by, consequently it was
found the windows had been forgotten. He never had, I believe, any
drawings or plans of either his houses or excavations. The men were told
to work on till he ordered them to stop. In another house I went through
there was an immense room which appeared as if two stories had been made
into one. The bedroom--I believe there was only one in the house--was
gained by an open staircase, run up by the side of the west wall of the
large room. After passing the room door you mounted