DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND. 37

wear a very striking feature of rising import-ance.

The conveniences for carrying on the coaltrade, the perfection of the machinery, andthe extensive range of waggon-ways, are trulyastonishing ; amongst the most admirable con-trivances I must number the staithway, nearlyadjoining on the south side of Sunderlandbridge. A short distance up the river adeep ravine branches, in a very striking andromantic manner, towards the south-east. Onone side of this ravine a series of warehouses

have been erected, in which large quantities ofcoal are deposited ; and from them a staith,or waggon-way, is erected, supported by longwooden pillars, and which descends in anangle of about thirty five degrees through anarch cut in the opposite rocks, and then con-tinues to run on a level but elevated platformalong the side of the river.

This staith is so constructed that, when awaggon loaded with coals descends on one side,it pulls an emptied waggon up on the other.The ship to be loaded is placed immediatelyunder the elevated platform, when a trap-dooris opened and the bottom of the waggon beinglet down, the coals descend through a troughinto the ship, in some cases the waggons