In noticing the progress of the designs of the Bell Rock Light-house, it will here be necessary to give some detail of the writer’s own exertions in the preliminary stages of this measure, in his capacity of Engineer for the Light-house Board. In the summer of 1794, when on a voyage to the Northern Light-houses, in passing the Bell Rock, he directed the vessel to be brought near it, when he had an opportunity of observing the sea breaking heavily upon it. From this period, the difficulties which must attend the erection of a habitation on this rock, appeared in a stronger point of view than they had hitherto done. He, nevertheless, was resolved to embrace every opportunity of forwarding this great object. In the year 1796, he visited the operations of the Kilwarlin light-house, then erecting on the South Rock, a sunken reef, situate three miles off the coast of Downshire in Ireland, as a work resembling that which was in contemplation for the Bell Rock. [Sidenote: His pillar-formed Light-house.] The disastrous shipwrecks which occasionally happened at the entrance of the Friths of Forth and Tay, deeply impressed every one conversant in nautical affairs, with the most convincing proofs of the necessity for some distinguishing mark being erected upon the Bell Rock. As yet, the writer had not landed upon the rock; though he had begun to prepare a model of a pillar-formed light-house, to be supported upon six columns of cast-iron, under the impression that this description of building was alone suitable to its situation. The general features of this model may be understood, by examining Plate VII., which represents the author’s original designs for the Bell Rock Light-house. In the summer of the year 1800, this model was presented to the Light-house Board, when an official application was made to the Commissioners of his Majesty’s Customs, for the use of the Osnaburgh cutter, then lying in the harbour of Elie, on the coast of Fife, to carry the writer to the Bell Rock, that, by landing there, he might be enabled to judge of the applicability of his pillar-formed design to the situation of the rock. Upon reaching Elie, the Osnaburgh was found to be under repair, and could not possibly go to sea for several days, by which time the spring-tides would be over. On consulting with the commander, as to the most advisable course to be followed, in order to avoid losing these tides, it was resolved to go to St Andrew’s in quest of a boat; but being there also disappointed, the journey was continued along the coast to West Haven, on the northern side of the Firth of Tay, where a large boat was procured, and manned with fishermen who were in the habit of visiting the rock to search for articles of shipwreck. [Sidenote: His first visit to the Bell Rock, with Mr Haldane, architect.]