The Largest Ship in the World.—

Otago Witness, Issue 49, 24 April 1852, Page 1

The Largest Ship in the World. —

Messrs. C. Mere and Co., the shipbuilders,, of Orchard-yard, Blackwall, and Messrs. Perm, of Greenwich, engineers',, have taken a contract to construct for the P. and O. Steam Navigation Company an iron steam-ship, of the following dimensions and power — viz., length between the perpendiculars, 325 feet ; breadth of beam, 43 feet ; depth, 32 feet. She will measure about 3000 tons, and will be propelled by 4 engines of the collective power of 1200 horses ; will have feathering paddle-wheels, and a guaranteed average speed of 14 knots, equal to six statute miles per hour. Some idea may be formed of the size of this gigantic vessel, when it is compared with that of some of the existing steam ships most celebrated for their large size. She will be 51 feet longer than the " Great Britain," 60 feet longer than the largest of the Cunard or North American mail steamers, the " Asia" and " Africa;" 40 feet longer than the large steamers, as the " Parana," Oronoco," &c, now constructing for the Boyal Mail Company, and 100 feet longer and 500 tons larger than the " Caledonia" first-rate, of 120 guns. She is the first of an improved class of steam-ships about to be constructed by the Peninsular and Oriental Company for the East India mail and passenger service, and it is confidently estimated that she will effect the passage between Southampton and Alexandria, a distance of 3100 miles in nine days. The passenger accommodation in these vessels is to be on the most spacious scale, and replete with every comfort and convenience. A Yankee Bell-Ringer. — A tall, awkward looking chap, just from the Green Mountains of Vermont, came on board one of the splendid North River Boats at Albany. His curiosity was amazingly excited at once, and he commenced ' peeking,' as he called it, into every nook and corner of the boat. The captain's office, the engine-room, the barber's shop, all underwent his inspection; and then he went on dc j ck and stared in amazement at the lever beam, the chimneys, and the " fixin's"," till at last he caught sight of the bell. This was the crowning wonder, and he viewed it from every position, got down on his knees and- looked up into it, exclaiming, " Wai, raly, this beats the bell at our meetin'-house !" By this time the attention of the captain and several passengers was attracted to the genius. " How much would you ask to let a feller ring this bell ?" " You may ring it for a dollar, said the captain." " Wai, it's a bargain, all fair and agreed, and no backing out." Our hero deliberately brought a seat, and took hold of the bell-rope, and commenced ringing, very slowly at first, and gradually faster and faster till everybody on board thought the boat was on fire, and rushed on deck, screaming with alarm. There stood the captain, and- there sat the Vermonter, ringing away, first slow, then fast, and then two or three taps at a time. The passengers became urgent that the clamour should be stopped, but the captain said it was' a bargain. All the while there sat our hero undisturbed, ringing away more ways than a Cockney chimeringer ever dreamed of. At last the captain began to think it time to stop the simpleton, but his answer was, " A fair bargain", and no backing out," and he rang away for dear life. " Well," says the captain, " what will you stop it for." " Wai, captain, I guess I sheant lose nuthin' if I take five dollars and a free passage to New York, but not a red cent, less." " Well) walk down to the office and get your money and passage ticket," said the captain. After that we all went to sleep.— New Yoßif J'otiKnal of Commerce. The Bulwarks of British Society.— That British society hangs together -with marvellous tenacity, the greatest enemy of this country will readily admit. It is said by philanthropists that love is the bond which cements it so strongly; but ill-natured utilitarians find other causes. Love nowadays, like electricity, find's" that ntetal is 1 its bW cbttdu'ctor, and'ttte purei*

the metal the more perfect the conduction. It ' is amazing what charms gold confers <m many ' an otherwise very common damsel* Till such have their pockets lined with sovereigns no one thinks of giving his heart in that difection ; but when gold comes hearts are squandered hi dozens, and affinity and relationship" are fortn- ' cd. What holds true of individuals hold 3 equally true of nations. Gold is the conductor through which affection operates. As a nation, above a thousand millions worth of golden links bind the inhabitants together. The national debt amounts to about 800 millions, and this is divided among some hundred thousand fundholders, who are very loyal, because very much interested in maintaining peace and the present organization of society. Then above 200 millions worth of railways exist (and they cost more than twice the sum), and these are held by another hundred thousand shareholders, and these all tremble at revolutionary measures, because such depreciate property; and then last, but not least, the Church of England has annually 6 millions' worth of golden links by which it holds sway over the political opinions and ecclesiastical conscience of above a million of persons. Now these l,200;000 bondholders and shareholders being the principal people of the empire, continue to lord it over the politics and principles of the rest. Thus the old story is travestied — that the sdn commands the mother, the mother the father, and the father the world. It might however be altered thus — The wife is ruled by the husband, the husband is ruled by the shareholder, the shareholder is ruled by- the gold, and the gold rules the world. Thus is the saying verified — that the deeper Britain's debt, the profounder Britain's loyalty.— Glasg. Examiner. Nature's Aristocracy. — It is from within ; now that we must look for change ; for •w'he'iv education, based upon correct knowledge" o£ our constitution, shall have raised the man, there will be found no impediment to the advance of the whole race by all that is necessary for the enjoyment of the highest pleasuresof which his nature is susceptible. In propor--tion as the higher feelings of our nature gain" strength and predominate, and the law of universal brotherhood' is written on the heart,- and not merely upon the tongue — in proportion, in fact, as real Christianity prevails — the petty distinctions of a savage age which form thepresent scale of society will disappear, and weshall no longer seek to be distinguished by mere wealth and external advantages, gained at the expense of the excessive labour of others, but for the supremacy in us of all 1 that distinguishes us from the brutes ; for all that saves toil, instead of increasing it, and afford time to every' man for the development of high moral and intellectual power. Distinction will be 1 based upon worth alone, and- we shall bow to an aristocracy of nature, of which the' preseiit is but a symbol. If God gives us abilities, we shall not glorify ourselves but Him, and holdthem in trust for the good of mankind'; atid* wherever superior worth and talent is recognised, there will be acknowledged the future noble — his badges not stars and garters) but* the' unmistakeable expression 1 of nobility which habitual obedience to that which is true and' gool, and beautiful, in variably bestows. — $D - CATION OF THE FEELINGS! The " Montrose Standard" relates' an ariefcdotfc of a thirsty constituent of Mr. Hume 1 , afflicted with a sore leg, who' was admonished" by his medical attendant that he must renounce whisky, or lose" his" limb. " Cut" it off," wasth&" prompt' decision of the" patient ; " I canna'want. a dram:" I A little misery sweetdns life. It is the salt' that makes it palatable* and r wholesome"; ther shade that relieves, and sets" off the monotony and brilliancy of the' sunshine. Some persons.' are always barking at and. abusing those possessed of influence ; N a cur at, : the foot of a tree will bark because he cannot • climb. '.