THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| VOL. X, NO. 272.] | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1827. | [PRICE 2d. |
DUBLIN POST OFFICE.DUBLIN POST OFFICE.
The general post-office, Dublin, was at first held in a small buildingon the site of the Commercial Buildings, and was afterwards removed to alarger house opposite the bank on College Green (since converted intothe Royal Arcade;) and on January 6, 1818, the new post-office inSackville-street was opened for business.
The foundation-stone of this magnificent building, which is built aftera design of Francis Johnson, Esq., was laid by his excellency Charles,Earl of Whitworth, August 12, 1814, and the structure was completed inthe short space of three years, for the sum of 50,000l.
The front, which extends 220 feet, has a magnificent portico (80 feetwide), of six fluted Ionic columns, 4 feet 6 inches in diameter. Thefrieze of the entablature is highly enriched, and in the tympanum of thepediment are the royal arms. On the acroteria of the pediment are threestatues by John Smyth, viz.—Mercury on the right, with his Caduceus andpurse; On the left Fidelity, with her finger on her lip, and a key inher hand; and in the centre Hibernia, resting on her spear, and holdingher shield. The entablature, with the exception of the architrave, iscontinued along the rest of the front; the frieze, however, is notdecorated over the portico. A handsome balustrade surmounts the corniceof the building, which is 50 feet from the ground. With the exception ofthe portico, which is of Portland stone, the whole is of mountaingranite. The elevation has three stories, of which the lower or basementis rusticated, and in this respect it resembles the India House ofLondon, where a rusticated basement is introduced, although the porticooccupies the entire height of the structure.
Over the centre of the building is seen a cupola, containing the chimesand bell on which the clock-hammer strikes. The bell is so loud, that itis heard in every part of the city.
The interior is particularly remarkable for the convenience of itsarrangement, and the number of its communicating apartments. Theboard-room is a very handsome apartment, furnished with two seats, whichare for the postmasters-general. Over the chimney-piece, protected by acurtain of green silk, is a bust of Earl Whitworth, in white marble, byJohn Smyth.
THE TOPOGRAPHER.
HIGH CROSS.
A Roman Station—the Camp of Claudius—Manners, Customs, and Dialectsof the people of the District.
About two miles to the west of Little Claybrook, in the hundred ofLuthlaxton, in Leicestershire, is a place called High Cross, which,according to some antiquarians, was the Benonce or Vennones of theRomans. Dr. Stukely describes this station as situated at theintersection of the two great Roman roads, "which traverse the kingdomobliquely, and seem to be the centre, as well as the highest ground inEngland; for from hence rivers run