The issue of both the new coins and the medal began on June 21, the day appointed for the celebration of her majesty's jubilee.--_Illustrated London News_. [Illustration: THE NEW BRITISH COINAGE AND JUBILEE MEDAL. 1. Half Crown. 2 and 3. Double Florin, reverse and obverse. 4. Double Sovereign. 5. Shilling. 6. Sixpence. 7 and 8. Jubilee Medal.] * * * * * BRICKS AND BRICKWORK. [Footnote: A recent lecture delivered at Carpenters' Hall, London Wall, E.C.--_Building News_.] By Professor T. ROGER SMITH, F.R.I.B.A. Timber, stone, earth, are the three materials most used by the builder in all parts of the world. Where timber is very plentiful, as in Norway or Switzerland, it is freely used, even though other materials are obtainable, and seems to be preferred, notwithstanding the risk of fire which attends its use. Where timber is scarce, and stone can be had, houses are built of stone. Where there is no timber and no stone, they are built of earth--sometimes in its natural state, sometimes made into bricks and sun-dried, but more often made into bricks and burned. London is one of the places that occupies a spot which has long ceased to yield timber, and yields no stone, so we fall back on earth--burnt into the form of bricks. Brick was employed in remote antiquity. The Egyptians, who were great and skillful builders, used it sometimes; and as we know from the book of Exodus, they employed the forced labor of the captives or tributaries whom they had in their power in the hard task of brick making; and some of their brick-built granaries and stores have been recently discovered near the site of the battle of Tel-el-Kebir.