ich was done
by a passage under the crown of the arch, made for their safety in case
of accidents. No injury was sustained by any of the men. I was not
satisfied, at the time, of the real extent of the bad soil, and I ordered
a boat to be brought, with a rope of sufficient length to enable us to
float to the shield. The boat was brought, but the rope attached to it,
and by which we were to be hauled into the shaft, was shorter than we had
ordered it. This deficiency probably saved our lives. We had not
proceeded far in the boat when I perceived, by the twinkling of the
lights in the tunnel, and other indications of inundation, that the
waters came in with increased rapidity. I then gave the signal to be
hauled into the shaft, and had scarcely done so when I observed the
ground above give way, and the water descending in a thousand streams,
like a cascade, or the Falls of Niagara. We were rescued, but, had the
rope by which we were relieved from our perilous situation been of a
length to allow the boat to go to the extremity of the tunnel, in all
probability we should have been drowned. This happened about four
o'clock, and, soon after five, the tunnel was entirely filled. No lives
were lost. The only injury done is the suspension of the works. The
steam engine, when the leak is stopped, will throw out a ton of water per
minute; and, in three days and nights, the whole of the tunnel may be
pumped dry."

The second irruption, on 3 Nov., also filled the Tunnel, but on this
occasion one man lost his life.

In the _Times_ of 9 Sep. of this year I find the first suggestion of a
monument to Nelson, in Trafalgar Square:

"Sir, I observe in your paper of Tuesday last, that a correspondent
has commented upon the proposed plan for laying out Trafalgar Square.

"Allow me to suggest through your columns the favourable opportunity
and most appropriate situation, now afforded, of erecting in the
centre of the Square some worthy trophy, or statue, commemorating the
glorious victories of the immortal Nelson. Whilst other great
commanders and statesmen are honoured with suitable public monuments
to their fame, surely the British nation would be eager, if called
on, to pay this tribute to the valour, intrepidity and success of
this illustrious hero. Yours, etc.--J. B."

In those days every man went clean shaven, or only had side whiskers, a
full beard being unknown, and moustaches