22 JANUARY 1859, Page 2

The Bank of England has contracted to supply the Metro-

politan Board of Works with the 3,000,000/. requisite for the Metropolitan Main Drainage. This commencement of a public debt for the whole metropolis is to be met by an assessment of 3d. in the pound, for forty years. Meanwhile Professor Liebig has renewed his announcement that it is not only the gases but the solid portions which are valuable in renewing the fertility of the soil. If the Professor is correct, the Metropolis is called upon to contribute three millions in order to construct vast Works of Waste ; and the Board goes into the scheme without having really settled the great question at issue between Thwaites and Liebig.