A SUGGESTION FOR THE BENEFIT OF POSTERITY.

Tnr, first stone of the new Houses of Parliament is to be laid in June, and, it is said, by the Queen in person. With reference to this occasion, a correspondent, -who evinces a laudable anxiety to gratify the curiosity of posterity, oilers a suggestion, that may deserve some consideration. He proposes, that in addition to the usual coins, a variety of small articles in common use should be deposited in the cavity of the founda- tion-stone, to show the perfection of our arts and manufactures, and transmit to distant ages objects that are not likely to be preserved for so long a period in any other way ; and that not only a plan of the building, but views of it, and a map of London, should be enclosed. We give his list ; and though some of the items may raise a smile now, let us fancy the ecstatic delight of some archaeologist from the future metropolis of New Zealand, or a travelling Fellow of a University in Central Africa, at stumbling on the treasure in exploring the ruins of London, when the modern Babylon shall be as its ancient protonyme now is. His contemporaries may ridicule the notion of our correspond- ent, but posterity would be infinitely obliged to him. We are assured that the hooks, prints, &e. would endure for thousands of years. enclosed in glass hermetically sealed : the cavity had need he capacious to con- tain such a goodly array of commodities.

A miniature portrait of the Queen, in her royal robes, seated on the throne;

painted in enamel.

A set of small views, exquisitely finished in water-colours, of the building, showing the two Chambers, with the Peers and Commons sitting, and other portions of the stneture, interior and exterior. A set of 1:IA1v-finished engravings of the principal edifices of London, on a small scale.

A plan of London and the suburbs, and a map of the United Kingdom. A compendium of the statistics of the empire. An account of the constitution and privileges of Parliament. The acts of Parliament relative to rebuilding of the Houses. A Court Calendar, London Directory, and Court Directory for the current year. The London Catalogue of Books, and the picture of London.

A Bible and Prayer-book, the Diamond Shakspere, and some miniature

Classics, superbly bound. Some small articles of jewellery and hard-ware, of exquisite workmanship :

viz. a watch and seals, brooches and rings, a scent-bottle and snuffbox, a

Mordan's pencil, and Bramah pen, penknife and scissors. A few small specimens of ornamental porcelain.

A. choke assortment of patterns of silk, cotton, and woollen manufacture.

A copy of each of the leading daily and weekly journals.

A bank-note and exchequer-bill, to be enclosed with the coins.

A sheet with the autographs of the principal persona present at the ceremony, to be added to the plan of the building.

A liar bricklayer's, mason's, and carpenter's tools.

A case of mathematical instruments.

A small telescope, a microscope, and an ordinary lens.

Our correspondent, in his zeal, has probably been too comprehensive and minute in his enumeration of objects ; but a considerable selection of miscellaneous articles might be made with propriety : and as we value lachrymatories and pateras, spear-heads and sacrificial knives, found in tombs and barrows, and the pictures and manuscripts recovered front Herculaneum, we should have a fellow feeling for the antiquarians of the year 4839, whom the ruins of such a vast pile of building may attract to the spot where once the Thames flowed.