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concluded their labours with a dance。 It was remarked； however； that
their happiness on this occasion was not without alloy。 The consideration
of parting and leaving a steady and regular employment； to go in quest of
work and mix with other society； after having been harmoniously lodged
for years together in one large 〃guildhall or barrack；〃 was rather painful。
＇Friday； 6th July＇
While the writer was at Edinburgh he was fortunate enough to meet
with Mrs。 Dickson； only daughter of the late celebrated Mr。 Smeaton；
whose works at the Eddystone Lighthouse had been of such essential
consequence to the operations at the Bell Rock。 Even her own elegant
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accomplishments are identified with her father's work； she having herself
made the drawing of the vignette on the title… page of the NARRATIVE
OF THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE。 Every admirer of the works of
that singularly eminent man must also feel an obligation to her for the very
comprehensive and distinct account given of his life； which is attached to
his reports； published； in three volumes quarto； by the Society of Civil
Engineers。 Mrs。 Dickson； being at this time returning from a tour to the
Hebrides and Western Highlands of Scotland； had heard of the Bell Rock
works； and from their similarity to those of the Eddystone was strongly
impressed with a desire of visiting the spot。 But on inquiring for the
writer at Edinburgh； and finding from him that the upper part of the
lighthouse； consisting of nine courses； might be seen in the immediate
vicinity； and also that one of the vessels which； in compliment to her
father's memory； had been named the SMEATON； might also now be seen
in Leith； she considered herself extremely fortunate； and having first
visited the works at Greenside； she afterwards went to Leith to see the
SMEATON； then loading for the Bell Rock。 On stepping on board； Mrs。
Dickson seemed to be quite overcome with so many concurrent
circumstances； tending in a peculiar manner to revive and enliven the
memory of her departed father； and； on leaving the vessel； she would not
be restrained from presenting the crew with a piece of money。 The
SMEATON had been named spontaneously； from a sense of the obligation
which a public work of the description of the Bell Rock owed to the
labours and abilities of Mr。 Smeaton。 The writer certainly never could
have anticipated the satisfaction which he this day felt in witnessing the
pleasure it afforded to the only representative of this great man's family。
＇Friday； 20th July＇
The gale from the N。E。 still continued so strong； accompanied with a
heavy sea； that the PATRIOT could not approach her moorings； and
although the tender still kept her station； no landing was made to…day at
the rock。 At high… water it was remarked that the spray rose to the height
of about sixty feet upon the building。 The SMEATON now lay in Leith
loaded； but； the wind and weather being so unfavourable for her getting
down the Firth； she did not sail till this afternoon。 It may be here proper
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to notice that the loading of the centre of the light…room floor； or last
principal stone of the building； did not fail； when put on board； to excite
an interest among those connected with the work。 When the stone was
laid upon the cart to be conveyed to Leith； the seamen fixed an ensign…
staff and flag into the circular hole in the centre of the stone； and
decorated their own hats； and that of James Craw； the Bell Rock carter；
with ribbons； even his faithful and trusty horse Brassey was ornamented
with bows and streamers of various colours。 The masons also provided
themselves with new aprons； and in this manner the cart was attended in
its progress to the ship。 When the cart came opposite the Trinity House
of Leith； the officer of that corporation made his appearance dressed in his
uniform； with his staff of office； and when it reached the harbour； the
shipping in the different tiers where the SMEATON lay hoisted their
colours； manifesting by these trifling ceremonies the interest with which
the progress of this work was regarded by the public； as ultimately tending
to afford safety and protection to the mariner。 The wind had fortunately
shifted to the S。W。； and about five o'clock this afternoon the SMEATON
reached the Bell Rock。
＇Friday； 27th July＇
The artificers had finished the laying of the balcony course； excepting
the centre…stone of the light…room floor； which； like the centres of the other
floors； could not be laid in its place till after the removal of the foot and
shaft of the balance…crane。 During the dinner…hour； when the men were
off work the writer generally took some exercise by walking round the
walls when the rock was under water； but to…day his boundary was greatly
enlarged； for； instead of the narrow wall as a path； he felt no small degree
of pleasure in walking round the balcony and passing out and in at the
space allotted for the light…room door。 In the labours of this day both the
artificers and seamen felt their work to be extremely easy compared with
what it had been for some days past。
＇Sunday； 29th July＇
Captain Wilson and his crew had made preparations for landing the
last stone； and； as may well be supposed； this was a day of great interest at
the Bell Rock。 ‘That it might lose none of its honours；' as he expressed
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himself； the HEDDERWICK praam…boat； with which the first stone of the
building had been landed； was appointed also to carry the last。 At seven
o'clock this evening the seamen hoisted three flags upon the
HEDDERWICK； when the colours of the DICKIE praam…boat； tender；
SME