“The cost of the last five years having been, L16,881
The present expense for 1837, about 2,000
The required outlay 4,000
And the cleansing for 1837 900
                                                ------
Gives a total for six years of L23,781

“Or an annual expenditure averaging L3963; so that the future expenses of Oxford Street, maintained as a Macadamized carriage-way, would be about L4000, or 2s. 4d per yard per annum.

“In contrast with this extract from the parochial documents, the results of which must have been greatly increased within the last three years, the Metropolitan Wood-Paving Company, who have already laid down above 4000 yards in Oxford Street, between Wells Street and Charles Street, are understood to be willing to complete the entire street in the best manner for 12s. per square yard, or about L14,000—­for which they propose to take bonds bearing interest at the rate of four-and-a-half per cent per annum, whereby the parish will obtain ample time for ultimate payment; and further, to keep the whole in repair, inclusive of the cost of cleansing and watering, for one year gratuitously, and for twelve years following at L1900 per annum, being less than one-half the present outlay for these purposes.”

Whether these were the terms finally agreed on we do not know; but we perceive by public tenders that the streets can be paved in the best possible manner for 13s. or 12s. 6d. a yard; and kept in repair for 6d. a yard additional.  This is certainly much cheaper than Macadam, and we should think more economical than causeways.  And, besides, it has the advantage—­which one of the speakers suggested to Sir Peter Laurie—­“that in case of an upset, it is far more satisfactory to contest the relative hardness of heads with a block of wood than a mass of granite.”

We can only add in conclusion, that advertisements are published by the Commissioners of Sewers for contracts to pave with wood Cheapside, and Bishopsgate Street, and Whitechapel.  Oh, Sir Peter!—­how are the mighty fallen!

* * * * *

POEMS AND BALLADS OF SCHILLER.

NO.  VIII.

FIRST PERIOD CONTINUED.

A FUNERAL FANTASIE.

    1.

      Pale, at its ghastly noon,
    Pauses above the death-still wood—­the moon;
    The night-sprite, sighing, through the dim air stirs;
      The clouds descend in rain;
      Mourning, the wan stars wane,
    Flickering like dying lamps in sepulchres! 
    Haggard as spectres—­vision-like and dumb,
      Dark with the pomp of Death, and moving slow,
    Towards that sad lair the pale Procession come
      Where the Grave closes on the Night below.