As the enterprise proceeded, the smiths were sometimes left on the beacon throughout the day, and the din of their anvils formed, in foggy weather, an excellent guide for the boats. This circumstance confirmed Mr. Stevenson’s opinion as to the propriety of erecting in the lighthouse large bells to be rung by machinery, and tolled day and night during the continuance of hazy weather, so as to prevent the mariner from drawing too near the dangerous rock. * * * * * So much progress had been made in the preliminary operations by the 10th of July, that on that day it was determined to lay the foundation-stone. The ceremony attending it was very simple. Mr. Stevenson, attended by his three assistants, applied the square, the level, and the mallet in due form, and pronounced the following benediction:—“May the Great Architect of the Universe complete and bless this building!” Three earnest cheers were then given, and success to the future operations was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm. The first course of masonry was now laid down. It was only one foot in thickness, yet it contained 508 cubic feet of granite in outward casing; 8076 cubic feet of Mylnefield stone in the hearting; 104 tons of solid contents; 132 superficial feet of hewing in the face-work; 4519 superficial feet of hewing in the beds, joints, and joggles; 420 lineal feet boring of trenail holes; 378 feet lineal cutting for wedges; 246 oaken trenails; 378 oak wedges in pairs. By the end of the season the lighthouse was raised to a level with the highest part of the margin of the foundation-pit, or about 5½ feet above the lower bed of the foundation-stone. Work was discontinued on the 21st of September. * * * * * Months rolled away, and the third season in due time came round. The artificers resumed their building operations, in 1809, on Saturday, the 27th of May; and in spite of various accidents and delays, and considerable obstruction from the inclemency of the weather, had so far progressed by the end of June as to be able to continue their labours on the masonry while the rock was under water. On the 8th of July, it was remarked, with no small demonstrations of joy, that the tide (a neap one) ceased for the first time to overflow the building at high-water. Flags were accordingly hoisted at every vantage-point, as well as on board the yacht, the tender, the stone-praams, and the floating light; a salute of three guns was fired; and, we need hardly say, the loudest and heartiest cheers pealed through the air and mingled with the music of the waves.