The preparations of an inorganic nature, which have been proposed and used abroad, have in some cases met with success; but the exact nature of their action, and the conditions to which they are each suited, are yet to be investigated, especially with reference to the entirely different climate by which the stone in our city is being tried. The processes which have been proposed, and in some cases practically used, involve the application of the following substances: waterglass, in connection with salts of calcium or barium, or bitumen; oxalate of aluminum; barium solution, in connection with calcium superphosphate or ferro-silicic acid; copper salts, used by Dr. Robert in Paris to stop the growth of vegetation on stone, etc. There is certainly a call for processes by which, at least, those stones which are used in isolated, exposed, and unnatural positions may receive artificial protection, such as the stone sills and lintels of windows, stone balusters, projecting cornices, and ashlar-stone set up on edge. It will doubtless be found that only those stones which possess a coarse, porous texture and strong absorptive power for liquids will be found particularly available for protection by artificial preservatives, and that such stones should indeed never be used in construction in a raw or crude state. In the spongy brown and light olive free-stones, a marble full of minute crevices, and a cellular fossiliferous limestone, a petrifying liquid may permeate to some depth, close up the pores by its deposits, and incase the stone in solid armor; while, upon a more compact rock, such as a granyte or solid limestone, it can only deposit a shelly crust or enamel, which time may soon peel off. The carelessness with which stone is selected and used, and the ignorance in regard to its proper preservation, when the decay of a poor stone becomes apparent, have led to an increased use of brick and terra cotta, much to be deplored; durable stones are to be obtained in great variety, methods for the preservation of the porous stones can easily be devised, and stones of a fireproof character do exist in this country in abundance. In conclusion, three suggestions were offered: 1st, that householders invoke the magic use of the broom on the fronts of their residences as carefully as upon the sidewalks; 2d, that house-builders insist upon the undercutting of all projections, and the exclusion of brackets or other supports to sills and cornices, which only lead to the oozing of water and a line of corrosion down the ashlar; 3d, that house repairers recut the projections in this way, whenever possible, and entirely avoid the use of paint, oil, or other organic preservatives. * * * * * ELEPHANTS MOVING TIMBER AT MOULMEIN, BURMAH.