e degree participators. Besides the regularity and security
attendant on the transmission of all sorts of merchandise, there is an
immense saving of time and cost. Travelling by sea has changed
entirely the aspect of this kind of transit. With spacious saloons,
well-aired sleeping-apartments, roomy promenades protected from the
weather, and a steady-going ship, a voyage even to distant lands is
now little more than an excursion of pleasure. Eight miles an hour was
considered fair work for the steamers of a dozen years ago; the
present average rate of steaming on the Clyde is fourteen miles an
hour. A very fine vessel, named the _Tourist_, which was exhibited on
the Thames during the holding of the 'world's show' last summer,
performed seventeen miles with perfect ease. What may be expected
next?

How far, as a material in the construction of sailing-bottoms, the use
of iron is likely to supersede that of timber, is a question for the
speculative. At present, our commercial activity affords ample
employment for both. There can be no doubt, however, that in
connection with the steam-engine, and that admirable invention of
modern date, the screw-propeller, iron ship-building is destined to
attain and enjoy an enlarged existence; to the full maturity of which
its present condition, healthful and prosperous as it appears, is but
a promising adolescence.

We recently set out from Glasgow, to pay a visit to an iron
ship-building yard on rather an interesting occasion. On rounding the
base of Dumbarton Rock, where the waters of the Clyde and the Leven
mingle in loving sisterhood, a scene of the gayest description
presented itself. Gaudy banners floated in all directions; the vessels
in the harbour and on the stocks were festooned with flaunting
drapery, and everything wore a holiday appearance. So impressed were
we with the pervading air of joyousness, that on reaching the town,
and finding the inhabitants at their ordinary avocations, we could not
help feeling disappointed, and we confess to having vented a sigh for
grovelling humanity, which dared not venture upon one day of pure
abandonment, separate from the counter and its cares. The joyous
demonstrations, we learned, were in honour of an intended launch; but
this created no stir beyond the circle more immediately interested in
its successful accomplishment.

On entering the building-yard, we found the ceremony was not to take
place for an hour, and we had therefore ti