The Portland Breakwater is indeed a magnificent work.  The plans were designed by Mr Rendel, and the estimated cost was six hundred thousand pounds.  The first stone was laid by Prince Albert, in July, 1849.  The whole length is nearly a mile and a half.  It first runs out from the Isle of Portland for 1,800 feet, when it is finished by a circular head of solid masonry.  Then, for about four hundred feet, there is an opening through which vessels may enter or run to sea in case of necessity.  Then comes another circular head similar to the first, from which the principal part of the breakwater extends in the same straight line for about three hundred feet, and then curves round to the north for 5,400 feet.  It was formed--in the first instance--by extending stages in the direction required, on which rails were laid down to support the stone-wagons pushed by locomotives to the outer end.  The wagons, on reaching their destination, were tilted up, and the stone dropped down to the bottom.  Thus the work was continued gradually until the outer end was reached.  The stones after they were thrown down were placed in the required position by divers, who worked with crowbars.  A dangerous employment it must have been.  A man employed on the breakwater who accompanied us told us that on one occasion the air-pipe burst, and that, although the diver immediately gave the signal, when he was hauled up he was nearly dead.  Another poor fellow did not answer the tug, which a man in a boat above gave every half-minute.  When he was hauled in it was found that the water had run under the joints of his helmet and drowned him.  There were five lines of rail laid down, each carrying trucks pushed by locomotives.  We were told that 2,500 tons of stone were by this means dropped every day into the ocean; and though thus actively working, it was long before the artificial rock appeared above the surface.