Mr Downie, however, who had previously been upon the rock, when making his Nautical Survey of the Eastern Coast of Scotland, prepared a drawing and an estimate of the expence of erecting a light-house upon it, which he stated at about L. 29,000. His light-house was to have consisted of eight columns of stone, of an elliptical or egg form, as he expressed it, ranged round a common centre, having the longer axis and smaller end towards a circular column in the centre of the plan. These columns were to support a circular building of stone for the habitation of the light-keepers and the site of the light room. By this plan it was meant to give less resistance to the waves. But it did not seem to be well adapted for the situation, as it wanted that solidity and unity of parts which are so essential to the stability of a building upon a sunken rock. Such a work would have been of difficult execution. It would have required similar apparatus with the solid masonry for its construction, and while in progress, it would have been in greater danger of being destroyed than a solid fabric. There seemed, therefore, upon the whole, to be but two opinions as to the proper description of a light-house for this situation, viz. either that it should be constructed of iron, as was maintained by Captain Brodie, or of solid masonry, as proposed by the writer. _Bill by Lord Advocate Hope._ [Sidenote: Bell Rock Light-house proposed at a Meeting of the Royal Burghs.] The erection of a light-house upon the Bell Rock had been occasionally alluded to at the Convention of the Royal Burghs of Scotland, which meets annually at Edinburgh; and, in consequence of recent losses on that reef, the Convention of 1802 was moved, by Provost Duncan of Arbroath, to take this subject under its serious consideration. It was accordingly resolved, That the Lord Advocate Hope, one of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, and Member of Parliament for the City of Edinburgh, should be requested to use his influence in forwarding this desirable object. His Lordship being present, readily engaged to undertake the measure, and declared that he would not allow it to rest until something satisfactory should be done. The Commissioners of the Light-houses having afterwards furnished the particulars, the heads of a bill were arranged, which, in the session of 1803, was brought forward by his Lordship and the late Sir William Pulteney, who took a great interest in the Scotch business before the House of Commons. This bill had for its object to empower the Commissioners to borrow L. 30,000, and to exact the Northern Light-duty of 1½d. _per_ ton upon British shipping, and 3d. _per_ ton upon Foreigners, from all vessels bound to or from any port on the eastern coast of Great Britain, that should cross the latitude of the Bell Rock. [Sidenote: Bill lost in the House of Lords.]