s the time allowed for the engine, with horses harnessed,
firemen on it, and everything complete, to leave the yard. The
firemen on duty are always ready dressed in the loft of the building
where the fire-engines and horses stand, and it is significant of
the value attached to time, that they do not come down stairs as this
would take too long. There is a square opening in the floor of their
room, and through this a polished, round iron pillar ascends. When
the bell rings, they slide down in quick succession.

The horses were noble beasts, and gentle as lambs. A lady and her
child were with me, and the fireman, a most obliging fellow, put the
child on the backs of the pair in succession. Upwards of sixteen
hands high, the girl, nine years old, looked a very mite when so
elevated. It may be that my lady friend petting the horses, won the
fireman's heart. Anyhow he offered to show us how quick all could be
got ready. He asked us to stand on one side, and giving notice above,
to prevent the men descending, he rang the bell. Both horses
immediately rushed forward and put their heads and necks through the
collars. He fastened the traces in a moment--some quick way, I forget
how--and all was ready. I timed the operation: all was done under the
minute!

The said fireman showed us many other things, and having found out we
were "Britishers," was much pleased at our encomiums. He said that
Captain Shaw, the head of the London Fire Brigade, visited New York
in 1884, and adopted much that was shown him. "In fact," he said,
"the London Brigade has to thank _us_ for much of its excellence." I
smiled when he so spoke, the remark was so American; but I doubt not
we have in this department, as in so many, profited by their
inventive faculty, though I ventured to suggest it was not likely the
obligation was _all_ on one side.

The Brooklyn Suspension Bridge is, I think, _the_ sight of New York.
It connects New York with Brooklyn. It is the longest suspension
bridge in the world, and I believe the best in every way. It took
eight years, I think, to build. It is one mile 720 feet long between
the entrances, and 85 feet wide. From either entrance to the large
supporting towers is 2200 feet, which leaves a clear length of 1600
feet for the main span. The said towers, constructed of huge blocks
of granite, are 268 feet high. The bridge is 135 feet above
high-water mark. It cost $17,000,000, i.e. about three and a half
million sterling. T