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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 53, 4 March 1868, Page 2

There is but one absolutely fire-proof building in London — possibly in England —-and that is the new Record Office iv Fetter Lane. Stone and iron are here employed, but the structure is cellular, no Toom within the building being more than 17 ft. by 25 ft., and 17 ft. high j consequently, if every fireproof room were to be set on fire simultaneously, so small would be the body of the flame that it would have no effect upon the solid fabric. All these rooms are perfectly distinct from each other, opening into a vaulted passage by means of iron doors. They are in fact h.rge iron safes, and we may depend upon the absolute safety from fire of the papers entrusted to them. Why should our wills be allowed to remain in the fire-inviting precincts of Doctor's Commons when absolute safety is thus procurable ? — Cassell's Magazine. China has been described as a country where the roses have no fragrance, and the women no petticoats ; where the laborer has no Sabbath, and the magistrate no sense of .honor ; where the roads bear no vehicles, and the ships no keels; where ol_ men. fly kites; where the needle points to the south, and the sign of being puzzled is to scratch the antipodes on the heel ; where the place of honor is on the left hand and the seat of intellect is the stomach ; where to take off your hat is an insolent gesture, and to wear white garments is to put yourself in mourning ; which has a literature without an alphabet, and a language without a grammar.