not insist upon this point, but it will be found that at least it is much more easy to manage this small quantity of hair, and to get it all in the same degree of tension, when put on (a point of some importance), than two or three times as much; and that the volume of sound is to the full as great as that produced by a greater number of hairs.

This invention is submitted, with all deference, to the consideration of those who are more competent to judge of its merits than the contriver of it. It is not attempted to be denied that the lever bow is more difficult to use than a common one, and must at first necessarily embarrass a performer; but it will be kept in mind that when the lever is pressed home by the fingers, the violinist has it much in the condition in which he is in the habit of using a bow; but disadvantages, as well as advantages, will result from all kinds of constructions whatever, it only remains for us to choose that kind of advantage or disadvantage which suits us best; if we choose to gain in one direction, we must be content to lose in another.

It

Fig. 2 represents a new kind of head for a violin; BBBB is a plate of tempered steel screwed down between the finger-board and neck of the instrument. is furnished with worms and wheels, on the principle of the double base, which are moved by means of the milled heads cccc, which tighten the strings when turned in the same direction with the pegs of a violin. In the elevation it will be observed that the stop for the hand is removed, for the curvature of the steel plate B X checks the index finger instead of it. The artist must not make fewer than 21 teeth in the wheels, nor must the worms be double or they will turn round. The studs are fixed by a washer and pin underneath the plate. The common

head

head attached to bowed instruments, with its grotesque scroll and clumsy wooden pass, always appeared to me both unsightly and inadequate to the purpose of tuning them with that accuracy which is incessantly required. These heads have not the least effect upon the tone.,

Though neither bows or heads on this plan have yet been applied to the violia and violincello, yet there can be no doubt but they would answer equally well on an enlarged scale for those instruments as for the violin.

Papers relating to the building a Bridge over the Menai
Strait, near Bangor Ferry.

From the REPORTS of the House of COMMONS.
With an Engraving.

(Concluded from Page 96.)

Memorial of sundry Persons interested in the Navigation of the Menai Strait, to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, praying a Grant of Money for improving the same.

To the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury.

The Memorial of the undersigned Persons, interested in or acquainted with the Navigation of the Menai Strait;

Sheweth,

THAT the navigation of these Straits is of great importance to the trade of the Western coast of England and Wales, but that it is very much interrupted by the Swilly and other Rocks, which cause numerous and vio

lent

lent eddies, and thereby narrow the navigable channel so much, as to expose all vessels when passing through them to very imminent danger.

That the difficulty of this navigation would be very much diminished, if certain portions of these rocks were cut away to the level of low-water mark; that is to say, two projecting points on the Carnarvonshire shore, opposite the large Swilly Rock, part of the Cribinnian Rock, and also part of the Britannia Rock. The consequence of this improvement would be a sufficient space of uninterrupted tideway, to allow vessels to navigate the channel between the Carnarvonshire shore and these rocks, without being constantly liable to become unmanageable by getting into a back-water current.

Your Memorialists, though far from thinking the new intended bridge from Yns-y-moch to the opposite side of the Straits will injure the navigation, are clearly of opinion, that if the removal of these rocks were made to form a part of a general plan for serving those who are interested in the navigation of the Strait, and as well forpromoting the communication between England and Ireland, the taking away of the existing obstructions will more than counterbalance any inconvenience which the bridge might possibly occasion, by forming any fresh eddies in the wind or tide.

Your Memorialists therefore pray, That your Lordships will be pleased to propose to Parliament, to grant a sum of money for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Menai Straits. They trust no heavy expense will be incurred, if proper advantage is taken of the op portunity which the building of the bridge will offer, of effecting it with economy, because the broken rocks will be of use in the mason work, and further, because little loss need result from the rise of the tides stopping

the