The Sun. — London, England, 1846-10-07 00:00:00

ELECTION OF LORD MAYOR. (YESTERDAY.) As the poll approached to a termination the utmost anxiety was exhibited by the dense crowd which had been ever on the increase since one o'clock, and the ex citement became still more intense, as up to the last minute it was known that the supporters of Sir George Carroll were diminishing the odds that had existed at the Close of Monday's proceedings. The hall, at four o'clock, was crowded to suffo cation by a motley assemblage, whose "most sweet voices" seemed pretty equally divided between the . candidates. 1,11 r: Alderman Wood was upon the platform, and it re quired no very keen eye to observe that the "chances of bh' day" w ere c l ose l y ca l cu l ate d b y hi m , an d that with all his efforts to appear calm, he yet could not conceal his agitation. Sir George Carroll entered at four o'clock, a ceompanied by hi s f r i en d s , an d stoodimme diately behind hi s h onoura bl e opponent. Considerable merriment was excited by the witty remarks which were called forth from the gentlemen clacquers in the hall, at the expense of one or other of the two rival sections ; and thus the anxious twenty minutes which elapsed from the closing of the poll-books to the announcement of the numbers were by no means the dullest in the day's proceedings. Bets, too, were freely offered ; nor slid the close proximity of the candidates prevent this delicate species of speculation being very spiritedly carried out on the hustings. The galleries were filled with ladies. The numbers were as follow: Sir George Carroll Mr. A:dermaa , Vood . Mr. Alderman Hooper Mr. Alderman Moon Mr. Alderman Farncomb Immense cheering from the adherents of Sir George Carroll. 1,653 1,644 324 Mr. Alderman CHALLIS then came forward, but for some time was quite inaudible. Its merely repeated the statement of the numbers as above. S r GEORGE CARROLL then came to the front, and having in vain attempted to address those in the body of the hall, at last its despair confined his attention to the reporters immediately around him. The A agforthy Alderman said—G en tl emen , I t h an k you for yafff kind ness in placing me in my present honourable position. I base no doubt that you will give me credit for speaking the truth when I say that I have taken no part in this centest beyond what I felt to be necessary and jus tifiable, in order to protect myself as the next Alderman in rotation after Mr. Alderman Wood.—(Cheers.) The Contest is now over—(Cheers and hisses)—as far as the Livery are concerned.—(Cries of " Not yet.") The de cision now remains with the Court of Aldermen. If that is in my favour I will endeavour to do all that the Lord Mayor of this great city ought to do--(Cheers)— if it should be otherwise, I will be perfectly contented. And now, gentlemen, I thank you both sincerely and kindly for all the trouble you have taken on this occasion. Mr. Alderman WOOD then came f r xard, and said, I regret that you did not hear my excellent colleague, for he would no doubt have told you that which is the fact —that there is no personal contest between him and myself, for I am quite sure that no angry feeling or angry wish has escaped from each in respect of the other.—(Cheers.) Indeed, there was no occasion for anything of the kind between him and me, the contest being altogether between himself and the gentleman whom Mr. Anderton proposed to the Livery. All that concerns me is the fact that I am 1,320 above that gentleman. You are bound to return two Alder men to the Court of Aldermen, and therefore Sir George Carroll and myself are in precisely the same position in which we stood at the beginning of the contest.— (" Hear, hear," cheers, and groans.) When Mr. An erton prop ose d M r. Alderman Hooper he should at the same time have taken care to have found the friends to that Kinn e him. B ut t h e L i very have now proved to him thy Rene determin e d t o support t h e two Aldermen Wh o we the shorwe declared in th e fi rs t d ay ' s proceed i ngs to have this contesotr hands."—(Cheers.) I find that durin g ties have un been worthy and unwarr a nt a bl e liber ftnuaYnaous taken with m y name b y in some of th e papers. These letters have appeared apers. I am in a condition to prove the untruthf ulness of their stat emen t s , by a tleman w h o is n ow standi ng b e hi n d me . lam able gen- to show you that the person who uses the name " Truth " as his signatur e is a disgrace to his kind, and altogether unworthy of credence. In a letter addressed to the Times, the writer affirms that the new trial in the cause of Howard against Shaw did not take place. Now this was untrue, for his friend was present, having been subpcenaed. Agai n , i n t h e case o f Lev i son a gainst Hodges, he said " that this trial assuredly did not go on." No; but then h e s h ou ld h ave told also that the plaintiff had preferred a bill of excep tions, which would be argued in the coming term. Now I will ask, whetikr this anonymous writer does not deserve to be repudiated from all society for his un called, for malignity. I may attribute the fact that lam nine votes deficit to the circumstance of these letters appearing. —(Loud cheers.) Again, I find my friend Mr. James Anderton has been at work. He has issued a letter, dated this day, from the Committee-room of Sir George Carroll, stating that although a friend of mine yesterday said that the fees of Counsel were paid at twelve o'clock that day, yet that they were not so. I affirm that they were paid at twelve yesterday, and my friends hold the receipts. I com pletely exonerate Sir G. Carroll from any knowledge of this ruse, hut I merely notice it for the purpose of showing that this man must go into certain holes and corners to write that which he will not do in his own house, or in my committee-room, where he might have the oppor tunity of satisfying himself as to the facts of the case. The worthy Alderman concluded by thanking the Livery for the position in which they had placed him on the poll. Mr.BENNoc$ then came forward to address the Livery. He must confess that he felt sorry for the ir sition in which the Livery had placed Mr. Alderman Wood. He was sure that it was a position that he did not deserve, Mr. Hour thanked the Livery for the exertions they had made on the behalf of Alderman Wo td. The hall was then adjourned till this day at two o'clock. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, TuEsnAv.---The unfav oura bl e state of the weather prevented her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert leaving the Castle this morning. The Royal Family were also prevented from taking their airings in the forenoon. Her Majesty rode on horseback this afternoon, accom panied by Prince Albert. The Lady in Waiting, and CH. olonel B uc kl ey, Equerry in Waiting, and Colonel F. Seymour, Equerry to the Prince, were in attendance on her Majesty and his Royal Highness. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alice took a carriage airing in the afternoon, accompanied by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and the Prin cess Royal rode in the slopes, on ponies, this afternoon. - - - 1' he Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord President, and the Marchioness of Lansdowne, arrived at their residence In Berkeley -square, on Monday evening, from the con tinent. The Noble Marquis attended at the Council office yesterday morning, and in the afternoon left town on a visit to the Earl of Clarendon, at his seat, Grove Park, Watford, Herts. Sir Valentine Blake had an interview with Lord John Russell, on Monday, at his official residence, in Down ing -street. Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening, from the Colonial-office, for the Governor of Gibraltar. WARWICK AND WORCESTER RAILWAY A meeting of shareholdert of tins company was held yesterday at the 'hill oF Commerce, for the purpose of considering the propriety of dissolving the company, under the provisions of Lord Dalhousio's Act Mr. Po cock was called to the chair. After a short address from Mr. Spackman, scrutineers were appointed; and there being present but 6,200 votes, the meeting adjourned till Monday. --- GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY. A meeting of the shareholders was held yesterday at the liallof Commerce, Mr. Astell, M.P., in the chair, con vened for the purpose of authorising, under the Act of Parliam en t, t h e purc h ase of the Stamford and Spald ing Railway, The SOLICITOR read the deed of conveyance, and a resolution, authorising the directors to affix the seal of the company to the same, was put and carried unani mously. The CHAIRMAN reminded the gentlemen present that the extension shares that had been created would be applied to meet this purchase. The directors of the Great Northern determined, as they had done in reference to the old shares, to give interest on the money paid upon the new shares, at the rate of four per cent. up to the 30th of June, and five per cent. from the 30th of June to t'.e 31st December. That would not be paid immediately, but at next half-yearly meeting the directors would render their account on this subject to the gentlemit coming in under the present purchase, considering that they also had lent out their money on the undertaking equally with their own share holders. In answer to Mr. B. DENNISON. Captain LAWS said they confidently looked forward to a hundred or a hundred and thirty miles being opened and in productive operation by the Ist July, 1848. He said he had recently visited from London to York over the main line and the loop, and, looking at the works with which they would or would not have to con tend, and the population on the line, he was confi dent that the London and York was the safest under taking that had yet come out. He had no hesitation in saying that the revenue would fully realise their most sanguine expectations. After a few words from the Chairman, the meeting separated. LARNE, BELFAST, AND BALLY- MENA RAILWAY. An adjourned meeting of the shareholders in this line was hcldyesterday at the London Tavern, for the purpose of considering of the dissolution of the Company, Mr. W. Morley in the chair. Mr. M'Quig, Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Freeman, acted as scrutineers. The questions of dissolution and bankruptcy, moved at last meeting, were formally put, and the shareholders present proceeded to the vote, which was then declared to be, including the former day's voting, for dissolution, 4,39 o—against it, 25 ; for dissolution by bankruptcy, 260, and against it, 1,005. This, not being a sufficient number to make the result decisive, endea the formal business of the meeting. Mr. Morley having been re-elected to the chair, Mr. M`Quia, one of the committee appointed to examine the affairs of the company, read the report. It stated that the capital of the company was divided into 15,000 shares of 201. each, which were allotted in the month of September, 1845; that of these shares 8,975 only had been paid upon, giving 20,0871 14s. Bd. Payments had been made up to July last to the amount of 8,5981. 13s. 7d. by the direc tors, leaving a balance of 11,4891. ls. ld. Claims were made upon the balance to the amount of 7,7001. If that sum were paid, and no further expenses incurred, there being at present 7,780 scrip shares, there would be a dividend on each share of about 10s. From 5,000 to 6,000 shares allotted had not been taken up, and that principally by the provisional committee ; that 1,180 shares by order of the directors were purchased in for 3,3951. ss. on behalf of the company, and out of the company's fund, in October, 1845. The balance of money in hand was found to be in the name of the solicitor to the company, at Messrs. Drummond's Bank; it had been refused to be paid over. Mr. M'KEE, one of the directors, said, that purchase of shares was made by the authority of two directors alone; there never had been a board before that. The broker came to the board and threatened to put a dis tringas on the funds of the company, unless the money fur these shares was paid. It was undbr such circum stances that Mr. Spottiswoode was induced to put his name to the cheque. Mr. BURCHILL stated that the money being in his name at the Messrs. Drummond's was altogether that the shareholders might get the readier access to it. The fund was in Chancery in Ireland, and by an order was paid out to Messrs. Johnston, Barlow, and Spottiswoode. He immediately invested it in Exchequer-bills to the amount of 11,3001., and with the balance deposited them where they were. He was ready under order of the gentlemen named to pay out that money to any parties whom they might please to name. After a good deal of conversation, Mr. MATTHY moved that, though the shareholders might be strictly entitled to more than 15s. a share, they would yet be satisfied to accept the same in full of all. Mr. COHEN seconded the resolution, which was car ried. Mr. HAYNES moved that the money in hand be paid over to Messrs. Johnstone, Morley, M'Kee, and Spot tiswoode, Mr. Morley always signing the cheques. This was put and carried. Mr. MATTRI moved that Messrs. M'Quig, Cohen, and Freeman form a committee to concert with the directors for carrying out these resolutions. Mr. R. JONES seconded this, and it was passed unani mously. The meeting then adjourned. STAMFORD AND SPALDING RAILWAY. A meeting of the shareholders in this company was held yesterday at the Hall of Commerce, to transfer the line to the Great Northern, Mr. Astell, M.P., in the chair. The CHAIRMAN said the line was but eight miles long. It was considered as a branch line of the Great Northern, and therefore in the Act a clause had been introduced empowering the shareholders to sell the line to that company. REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN TRADE DURING THE PAST WEEK. The recent showers having afforded the requisite moisture fur enabling farmers to commence ploughing, field work has been pretty actively begun ; and for some time to come the preparation of the soil and the committing of the seed to the ground, will engage the attention of the agricul turist. Some falling off has already taken place in the deliveries from the growers, and we must reckon on short supplies during the next month or six weeks. Under these circumstances we see no reason to except a reaction in prices ; on the contrary, we deem it by no means improbable that a further advance may be established. That the deficiency in the potato crop is very serious becomes from day to day more evident; the lifting of this root is now in full pro gress, and the accounts from all quarters agree in describing the produce as exceedingly short. What with the disease, the shortness of the breadth of ground origi nally planted, and the ill effects of an unusually dry, hot summer, the yield will, we fear, scarcely amount to one half of what is grown in ordinary seasons. The conse quences of a loss of one-half, or even a third of the potato crop it is difficult to estimate; nearly half of the people of Ireland subsist almost wholly on this article, and it is so generally and extensively used by the poorer classes in England and Scotland as to render this crop only inferior in importance to that of Wheat. Great anxiety is, con • sequently, felt as to how the masses are to be provided with wholesome food during the approaching winter ; and it is now regarded as a positive certainty that prices of all sorts of provisions will rule high. Wheat has already advanced 16. to 18s. per quarter from the lowest point ; prices have steadily moved upward almost without a check since the termination of harvest, althoughlthe farmers have kept the markets well supplied. Such having been the case, with iberal deliveries from the growers, we can hard lycalculate on a re-action now that we have arrived at a period of the year when the supplies from the farmers are almost sure to tall off considerably. This, at least, appears to be the general opinion; and merchants and millers have lately evinced greater anxiety to get into stock than they have displayed at any previous period. At most of the lead ing provincial markets held during the week the demand has been sufficiently . active to enable sellers to obtain enhanced rates. At Liverpool, on Tuesday, Wheat was quoted at 6d. per 701bs. higher than on that day se'nnight; and most ;idler atticles rose in proportion. Barrelled Flour found takers at 3s. 6d. per barrel over former rates. Oats were 2d. per 451b5., and Beans and Peas is. to 2s. per quarter dearer. I 4 Ater in the week buyers became unwilling to pay these enhanced terms, and the business done in Wheat at the port on Friday was at prices a shade below those previously current. From the chief towns in Yorkshire we have advices of advancing prices. At Leeds and Hull .busines was not particularly brisk on Tuesday, but the millers had to pay an advance of 3s. per quarter on Wheat. The 'Wakefield accounts, of Friday, are of a more lively character, but the advance was not greater than the first named market. From the large consuming towns west and northwest of the metropolis the advices are of a similar nature to the reports from the places above referred to, whilst at many of the me-kets in the agricultural districts the rise has been even more important. Some of the shipping ports on the east coast have been visited by the buyers from France and Holland, which has no doubt assisted to give an impetus to prices, and in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, &c., similar qua lities of wheat to those sold two months ago at 445. to 455. have this week realised 5Ss. to 60s. per quarter. By our Scotch letters it appears that the failure of the potato crop is as serious in that as in other parts of the kingdom. The prospect of the comparative carcity during the winter, and the continued advance in the quotations of provisions in the south, had caused holders of grain to become very indifferent about realising. Both at Edinburgh and Glasgow wheat and Oats were quoted higher on Wednesday than on that day week, and a further enhancement was confidently reckoned upon. The accounts from Ireland are truly distressing; in some parts of the island, the people have, through want, committed excesses which it has required the military to quell, and in the encounters between the former and latter, blood has already been spilt. That the utmost distress prevails there in consequence of the failure of the potato crop, is undoubted ; and it is fearful to con template what may be the effects should the approaching winter prove severe. The arrivals of wheat coastwise into London have amounted to 7,067 qrs. during the week, showing a con siderable decrease as compared with the receipts of the preceding eight days. The quantity exhibited at Mark lane by land-carriage samples from the home counties has also been moderate ' • indeed the show on the Essex, Kent, and Suffolk stands was so trifling, both on Wed nesday and Friday, as to render it difficult for the millers to secure sufficient for their immediate wants. The trans actions were consequently on rather a restricted scale, but the business done was, in most cases, at prices Is. to 2s. per qr. above those current in the beginning of the week: this advance was general on Friday. The demand for free fo reign Wheat has undergone a decided improvement since our last, and some rather extensive purchases have been made. On Wednesday holders were generally sa tisfied to accept previous prices, but towards the close of the week enhanced terms were insisted on, and Mon day's rates were in several instances exceeded by 2s. per qr. Fine old Rostock Wheat was the sort most sought after, and the best qualities were held at 60s. to 635. per qr. There is still a good stock of old remaining in granary ; the bulk consists, however, of secondary and inferior kinds, a large proportion of the fine qualities having gradually passed into consumption. In bonded Wheat nothing of interest has transpired ; not so much from want of demand as from the extra vagant pretensions of holders. The fall of the duty must now, be very rapid, as the averages are coming high from all quarters : the last weekly return for the kingdom (535. Id.) was is. 10d. per quarter higher than that previously published ; and though the duty is at present Bs., it will in all probability recede to the lowest point by the end of the month. The little bonded wheat here is consequently held at prices within is. per quarter of those of tree, and there is no more induce ment to speculate in the one than in the other. The few parcels which have changed hands have been taken for shipment to France, where prices continue so high as to leave a tolerable margin for profit on purchases made I here. The Solicitor then read the resolution authorising the sale of the line to the Great Northern, on the terms that the shares in the Stamford and Spalding should become shares in that company, and credit given for the money paid upon them, which passed nem. con., and the meeting separated. The rise of ss. per sack on Flour established last Monday has been pretty freely paid by the bakers, and a good business has been done in the article during the week. American Flour has been in lively request ; and though 12,072 barrels have arrived within the last eight days, and further receipts are expected, good brands have been easily placed at 30s. in bond, or 345. to 333. duty paid. The arrivals of Barley have been moderate, and the greater part of what has come to hand from the east coast has gone direct to the maltsters and distillers; the display of samples at Mark-lane has, therefore, been trifling. Superior malting and good grinding qualities have met with a fair share of attention, and in some in stances Monday's quotations have been slightly exceeded for these descriptions ; the intermediate sorts have, on the other hand, moved off somewhat slowly at previous prices. The duty on this grain (and the other articles regulated by the Barley averages) receded to the mini mum point ; and Rye, Beans, and Peas, as well as Barley, may now be imported at a duty of 2s. per quarter. The supply of Malt has barely kept pace with the de mand, and the value of this article has had an upward tendency. Of the total 26,313 qrs. of Oats reported during the week, 12,234 qrs. are from Ireland and 10,710 qrs. from INQUEST ON BARON DE BODE. An inquest was held, at a quarter past two o'clock on- Monday, at 18, Grove-end-road, St. John's Wood, by Mr. Mills, on the body of Clement Joseph Philippe Pen Baron de Bode, aged 69, who died, as already stated, suddenly, on Friday evening last. Mr. Augustus Wilkins (son of the deceased) was sworn, and said that he resided at Whetstone. Very frequently visited at the baron's house. During his father's last illness, which commenced a month ago, he had remained with him continually. Deceased had fre quently complained of violent pains in the head and chest, especially during the last fortnight. He had been under the homoeopathic treatment of Dr. Epps, who had attended him nearly six years. Dr. Epps called on him in the middle of the day on Friday last, but had not visited him during the three preceding days, as the de ceased had so much improved in health. On Friday witness was with his father during his supper, he was then in cheerful spirits, but presently complained of shooting pains, and observing that the supper had dis agreed with him, asked for a glass of water. Witness handed it to him, but while drinking it deceased fell back into his sod's arms, and died almost instantly. Witness sent his brother to Dr. Shute, who came immediately, but life was extinct. WINDSOR —MONDAY. His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, attended by Viscount Canning, Lord Waterpark, and Colonel Sey mour. went out to shoot in the neighbourhood of Nor folk Farm this forenoon, and returned to the Castle at two o'clock. Viscount and Viscountess Falkland, and Lord and Lady Bloomfield, took leave of her Majesty and the Prince this morning, and left the Castle for London. This afternoon, betwecn three and four o'clock, the horses were brought round to the quadrangle for her Majesty's usual ride, but a heavy squall of rain coming On, they were ordered back t o sta b les, and about five o'clock, the weather having cleared up a little, her Ma jesty and the Prince drove out together in their pony Phaeton and pair, attended by outriders and the equer ries in waiting, Colonel Buckley and Colonel Seymour About the same time the royal children were taken ou for pony exercise in the Home-park. The following distinguished personages are invited to join the dinner party at the royal table this evening : Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Lady in 'Waiting to her Royal Highness and the Baroness de Speth, the Marquis of Downshire, Viscount Canning the Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay, Mr. and the lion. Mrs. Anson. . _ . . _ abroad, the receipts coastwise having been scanty in the extreme ; nearly the whole of those received from Ire land have consisted of this year's growth. The weight of the new Irish is barely so heavy as it has been some previous seasons, but the quality of those hitherto re ceived has in other respects been good ; the prices realised for the best have been 30s. to 325. per quarter. Old Corn, whether of home or foreign growth, has been held at full terms ; and it was difficult, on Friday, to purchase good fresh parcels at the prices current in the beginning of the week. The operations in English Beans have, from the want of supplies, been unimportant; holders have, however, exhibited great firmness, and needy buyers have had to pay very full prices. Egyptian Beans in bond have been inquired for, and as much as 355. per quarter has been paid. Peas have come to hand very sparingly; and with but little passing in the article, we have no alteration to notice in quotations. The inquiry for Indian Corn has rather slackened, and it is impossible to obtain the extreme rates of last week either for floating cargoes or for parcels on the spot. Theodore Henry Shute, of 21, Wellington-road, was called in to dece ase d l as t Friday evening, but when he arrived life was extinct. He had made a post merlon ex amination, and considered the immediate cause of death to be loss of power in the heart, from ossification, and effusion in the pericardium. By the CORONER —Could give no specific reason for death occurring on that evening, except perhaps in creased excitement. But still, from the extensive ossi fication displayed by deceased, death might have hap pened in the absence of all excitement. - Mr. Mims having addressed the jury, they unani mously gave a verdict of " Natural death from ossifica tion of the coronary artery, produced by natural causes, but hastened by anxiety of mind, consequent on the state of his affairs?' RISON-lIREAKING.—On Monday morning, a man :, named Edmund Pithers who had given himself up a_s deserter from the 28 th 9 Regiment of Foot on Saturda last, effected his escape from the Windsor Borough Gaol, by breaking through the ceiling and roof of the room in which he was confined, and then letting himself down into the back premises of the Five Bells public house, which adjoin the prison. Mr. Parker, the landlord, seeing a man come rolling over the roof of an out building in his yard, and quietly walk out into the road toward s the Great Park, immediately gave information to the gaoler, when the prisoner was pursued, retaken, and more securely confined, until the order arrives from the Horse Guards for his removal to the regiment from which he deserted. CASUALITY ON TUE RIVER G MERSEY.—O Srda night, shortly a f ter the eight o'clock boat had lef M onk 's Ferry, she narrowly escaped a collision with the Wood side steamer, which was seen bearing down upon her with great speed. To all the loud cries of " Stop her 1" which wounded through the boat, the engineer paid no attention, and the two vessels, to the great alarm of a crowd of passengers, barely cleared each other. A 5 the Monk's Ferry-boat was rapidly running ashore, the ser vices of the engineer were still required to stop the engine and reverse the paddles, but he remained deaf to all the orders so vociferously urged. The result was, that the vessel ran ashore southward of Wc , odside slip, and remained till the rising tide enabled her to paddle off. The Passengers were loud in their expressions of dissatisfaction at the conduct of the engineer. It turned out, on inquiry, that " the fireman had gone during that trip to make his markets," leaving the engine in charge of one individual, who, when called on to stop the vessel, was below, attending to the furnace. The commissioners will, without doubt, make such arrangements as will pre vent a recurrence of similar neglect.—Liverpool Albion. TESTIMONIAL TO A CLERGYMAN. —The inhabitants of Camberwell parish have presented the R ev . W. C. %de wi t h a b eautiful chased- siver epe gn , , also with elegantly bound copies of D'Oyley and Ihnts' and Scott's Bibles, and a purse of 500/., raised by subscrip ion, as a testi mony o f their sense of the zeal and rs ie„litY with which he h as di scharged the duties of curate " ‘ 4o Psrleh, tiliwing a period of twenty-seven years. PRANCE e. ENGLAND. —The comfort of travellin g on French ra il ways is much before the English. W . find the second-class carriages well lined and p a dd e d. with cushioned seats, glass windows, and lamps f or th e tnnnels, quit e equal to many of the English first-class. Private Letter. TSB SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY.—On Sunday the 4th of October, the moon beingstrong full s a . Et varying o ry 'c i l n o g ck a in po t i h n e t e vening, the wind bl ow i ng or two occasionally, we had gale bringing the waves on lvery high tide, the shore with unusual vio lence ; the effect of hick was apparent when the tide went back on part of the sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmoutb, we believe a short distance on the Dawlish side of the Parson and Clerk Tunnel ; the only consequence is, that the trains have gone very slowly over the part w hich a ppears to be shaken. Th e train with third class passenge r s , which came up thi s morning, had the benefit of a sa l t water bath for nothi ng; the sea wall breaking the waves in to spray, the wind blows the spray over and on board the third class car riages in great style. We are informed by m y any competent .rsea authority, that there has not been a gale for of such violence, at such juncture, or one that was m ore calculated to test the stability of the South Devon line. —Besley's Devonshire Chronicle. EXTENSIVE FIRE AT NEWCASTLE.--A fire was discovered about three o'clock on Sunday morning in the extensive premises of Messrs. Richardson and Coxon, linen-drapers, Grey-street and Market-street, Newcastle upon-Tyne. The fire was discovered issuing from the roof, and an alarm having been given, the engines were soon upon the spot, when it was ascertained that the premises adjoining, occupied by Messrs. Alder, Dunn, and Co., and known as the Albion House, were also on fire, which appeared to be confined to the upper part of the building. The engines were well supplied with water, and the exertions of the firemen being admirably supported by the police, the fire was subdued in the course of little more than an hour. The upper part of Messrs. Richardson and Coxon's premises was used as a warehouse, and nearly the whole of the goods in it have been injured or destroyed. The upper rooms of the Albion House were occupied as sleeping apartments, and the fire is supposed to have arisen in ono of these, and to have spread to the next building. TII_E SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY MORNANG, OCTOBER 7, I 8 g. to London. About 80 lasts of old. mixed i weighing 601 b. per buihel, had been taken on Jersey account at 48s. 6d. ; whilst for a parcel of fine mixed, the growth of 1842, 50s. 6d. per qr. had been paid by a local speculator. prom Rostock we have advices of the 28th of Sep tember. No supplies of new corn had then yet reached that market ; a n d, th ere b e i n g scarcely any stocks in granary, the little on hand had been held at high terms, say 535. to 545. per qr. for the best wheat. Aet Hamburgh, on Tuesday, wheat did not excite much attention, the high p r i ces as k e d having checked the in quiry ; tolerable good qualities of red, on the spot, were then held at 525. to 535., and for heavy parcels, to be shipped at outports, 525. per qr., free on board, had been asked. A goo d d ea l o f b us i ness had been done in Danish barley, and f rom 235. 9d. to 255. 3d. per qr., according to weight, &c., had been paid. Oats had also been in fair r eques t, an d for 40lbs. quality, to be shipped for a Danish port, 21s. 3d. per qr. had been realised. In the Dutch and Belgian markets wheat was still tending upwards, according to the latest accounts. In the Mediterranean attention appears to have been directet l more to Indian corn than to wheat ; at Mar seilles as much as 325. to 331. per qr., free on board, had been paid for the article, and prices had risen nearly in the same proportion at other ports. Letters from Trieste quote the price there, on the 24th of September, 28s. to 295. per qr., and at Ancona, on the 23d ult., the price was 24i. 6d. per qr.—Mark• lane Express. PROCLAMATION OF THE COUNT MAGAZINES —(CONTINUED) COLBURIVS UNITED SERVICE. The most generally interesting article in the pre sent number is the " Narrative of Colonel Des pard's Expedition into the Interior of New Zealand, during the months of June and July, 1845." The narrative of the attack on the natfe -.fortress of 0 Ilaiovvai is very graphically written. The " History of the Seikhs and the Punjaub," is continued, and is brought down to the period of the death of Old Runjeet Singh. There are, moreover, several useful articles on professional subjects in the present number, and a most pathetic and beautifully-told tale, illus trative of the hardships which every military officer must endure who depends upon his profession for his living, entitled " Selling out." THE COMIC HISTORY OF ENGLAND. • By Gilbert A. A'Beckett. Part IV. Right merrily, but yet without any violation of the (we were about to say truth—but where in history is truth to be found ?)—of the records of history does Mr. A'Beckett carry us through the reigns of John and Henry 111. These sovereigns were, according to Mr. A'Beckett, the "true old original Bill Swindlers." For example— " Henry bad been married about a year, when he had the coolness to ask the nathfn for the expenses of his wedding. The Barons declared that they had never been consulted about the matter, and that the kingup to the last hour of his remaining a single man had acted with great duplicity. Finding it useless to command, he resorted to the old plan of humbug, and fell back upon his old frond Magna Charta, which he confirmed once more, for about the fifth or sixth time, and of course got the money he required. This great Bill of Rights was to him a sort of stereotyped bill of exchange, upon which he could al ways raise a sum of money by going through the for mality of a fresh acceptance." The illustrations, by Leech, are first-rate. DE MONTEMOLIN. Basques and Navarrese —The revolution, involved in the chaos of its fatal measures, urges us on towards the abyss in which it hopes to bury your liberties, rights, and privileges—those precious gifts derived from the virtue and heroism of your ancestors. Not content with having traitorously and shamefully violated the most sacred of your venerable institutions, it has proved false to the very promises with which it deceived the incau tious, credulous, and docile children of Biscay and Navarre, and trampled under its ignoble foot that con stitution which, if its theory had been realised, might have conferred happiness on a nation with laws less wise and well considered than those of Iberia. The Govern ment under whose yoke you groan, and which, whilst you were armed, promised you a hundred times the pre servation of your privileges, is about to strike a mortal blow at your dearest interests now that it thinks you powerless. The tributary system, the offspring of error and mis conduct, is about to plunge you into the most abject poverty. Your sons and your brothers, torn from their hearths by the Quinta, are about to swell the ranks of your oppressors. The disloyal and anti-national banner unfurled within your provinces is a perfidious snare to deprive you of the most vigorous of your youth. The extraction of salt, the culture and preparation of tobacco, the free exercise of your industry and commerce, are about to be abolished by a stroke of the pen. Your forests, which have hitherto given you such rich profits, are quickly destined to pass into the power of your ro c acious governors, not to be applied for the benefit of the country ; in short, you will see yourselves deprived of your deputations, which constitute your power and the wisdom of your legislation. You will no longer have those fathers of the provinces who represent your rights and defend your interests. All your prosperity is about to vanish for ever. You well know, by experience, what credit ought to be given to those deceitful promises of peace and liberty. Soon will you experience the re sults of your generous but imprudent confidence, if you do not hasten to throw off the yoke which is attempted to be imposed on you. Will you ever consent, Basques and Navarrese, to such degradation? Will you suffer an outrage which is a stain on your nobility, your loyalty, and your reputa tion? Will you longer bear this tyrannical, and at the same time shameful oppression? Oh! forbid that foilr enemies should complete your sllyery and ruin! Beware, lest, once enchained, it may be difficult to break the fetters which bind you. Basques and Navarrese! at the words "Lanrac-bat " let the four provinces rise like a single man! Come, fly to enlist under the banner of your lawful Prince, whose sovereignty is the representation of your liberties, your wealth, and prosperity ; of the august young Prince, the prisoner of Bourges, whose paternal and beneficent sentiments you know, lie has sent the olive branch to his enemies! nobly and generously offering himself as the holocaust, as the expiatory victim. The enemies of the country, presuming, without doubt, on our peacefui and conciliatory aspect, in exchange for the kiss of peace which we offered them, have replied by insults and sarcasms, with which their odious journals are daily filled. Instead of receiving the olive branch as a pledge of concord, they have rejected it with arro gant contempt. Basques and Navarrese, we have fulfilled our duty by this offer of peace! Let the responsibility of the evils which are about to ensue fall with all its weight on those who excite them. Eternal war to the malevolent who have refused peace. Let us unfurl the standard of true liberty, order, and justice. CHRISTOPHER TADPOLE. By Albert Smith. Charles VI. is the envoy of Providence to restore to you prosperity and happiness, of which you have been so many years deprived. It is he who can make you happy, who has promised you a noble, benignant, and protecting Government worthy of your sentiments. Basque s and Navarrese, Charles Louis is not a despot, the antagonist of progress and of sound liberty, as his enemies have asserted. This youthful Prince, an exile from his most tender years, has learned to govern in the school of misfortune ; in it he has studied the wants of his generation, and the means of satisfy ing them in conformity with duty and justice. His knowledge, his frankness, his amiability, and his many virtues are known to you. Who but he has claims to your love and loyalty ? To whom but to him is it given to put an end to the evils which afflict you ? Basques and Navarrese, let union and decision be our device ! Let us forget old feuds, if, indeed, any re main in our memories. Let us know, for once, what are our real interests, and save our country and our honour from the disgrace which threatens them. Long live the King 1 True liberty for ever ! Long live our ancient Constitutions ! Long live our Fueror 1 Camp of Honour and True Liberty, at the foot of the Pyrenees, Sep tember 14, 1846. Part IL In the third chapter, with which the present number opens we are introduced to the hero, Chris topher Tadpole, working in a salt mine in Cheshire. The description of the descent down the shaft, and of the progress of the party in the mine is admirable! The poor boy Christopher, who has been transferred to the care of one of the miners, a brutal fellow who constantly ill-uses him, succeeds in making his escape from the mine, and is taken under the pro tection of a party of strolling exhibitors, with whom we leave him for the present. In the fourth chapter we are introduced to Mr. Gudge's home, his cham bers, and his clerk. His home is a cottage at Brompton : " Mr. Gudge's cottage—Coke Villa it was called — was a thing to look at, and would have repaid a walk out of the way, even over a gravelly soil, with thin boots on the wane. It was composed by a cunning builder, of all sorts of bits of different orders of archi tecture, which had once belonged to large mansions ; as people who have a few friends in the evening, after a dinner party, spoon up the different breken moulds of cream and jelly into glasses, to form one festive dish. There was a porch that might have done for a Grecian temple, with vases on the top of the New Road-street dooric style, flanked by Gothic windows of stained glass around which shells were stuck, in cement, by way of making a border. Along the roof was a carved wooden gable, with a tall spike sticking up in the centre, like a lightning conductor, suggesting only one idea, similar to that prompted by the extinguisher steeple in Langhana-place—what an awkward point it would be for a fat man to tumble upon out of a balloon. Right and left were two niches containing figures : the one of Shakspere, and the other of a little brigand, gaily painted—one of those contrabandists who guard the sun-dried cheroots and Jem Crow pipes in cheap to bacconists' windows. " There was a lawn in front, with a grotto and a fountain, bordered by white flints and clinkers, and large shells. The fountain never worked well, from something wrong in its inside. It would at times play furiously for four hours in the middle of the night, and then stop for a week ; and next, upon being started, go off all round horizontally, instead of up in the air, creating great confusion among the bystanders ; so that it could not be altogether considered a hit. But, as Mrs. Gudge observed, " the nobs always thought a deal of fountains," and, therefore, the little leaden boy, who who was constantly engaged in the hopeless task of en deavouring to blow a tune through a stone nightcap, with the tassel end to his mouth, was held in some re verence, and permitted to remain ; chiefly, however, for the edification of two feeble-minded gold-fish, who went round and round after one another, in some dim water, gaping and staring as though they had been holiday visitors at the National Gallery, or British Museum." Hl3 chambers were in Clement's Inn, and his clerk, Sprouts. While at his chambers Gudge hears of the evasion of Christopher from the salt mine, and em ploys a baked-potato-man, light Josh Skittler, whose knowledge of all the blackguards of London is per fect, to watch and spy for the advent of Christopher (for he takes it for granted he will make for London), with orders to bring him (Gudge) immediately any information he may obtain on the subject. The Gudges then proceed to Sir F. Arden's fete at Rich mond, and the confusion created among the fashion able exclusives by the appearance of the vulgar Gudges, and the various contretemps to which that appearance gives rise, are most amusingly described. Sir Frederick, however, even during the fete, finds that it is impossible to do without Gudge. Josh Skittler, accompanied by Sprouts, has arrived, bear ing a note from the Cheshire agent of Gudge, con firming the report of the escape of Christopher from the mine. This note he puts into the hands of Sir Frederick, who from that moment is more attentive to Gudge than ever. FREEMASON'S QUARTERLY REVIEW. The present number sustains the high character of this periodical as a faithful record of masonic intelli gence, and a champion always ready to do battle in the cause of the craft. The freemasons have reason to be proud of this, their organ. A CHILD SUFFOCATED AT ITS MOTHER'S BREAST...... Yesterday Mr. W. Carter held an inquest at the Surrey Arms Tavern, Thomas street, Kennington, respecting the death of Harriet Lloyd, aged five weeks, whose parents reside at No. 25, James-street, Camberwell New-road. The deceased was the daughter of a com positor. On Wednesday afternoon last the mother fell asleep on the sofa with the deceased in her arms, and when she awoke sometime afterwards she discovered the child quite insensible and black in the face. She imme diately conveyed the decea s ed to the surgery of Mr. Carr, in the Camberwell New-road, who pronounced that life was extinct. He subsequently made a post , mortem examination of the body and found that death had arisen from suffocation, most probably from pres sure against its mother's breast whilst lying on the sofa. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death." ANOTHER RISE IN THE PRICE or BREAD.—MOII - the bakers of the metronolis advanced the price of the 41b. loaf to 10d., with an intimation that before the termination of the present week a still further advance in price will take place. At most of the second price shops also, the 7d. loaf was increased to Bd., but some trades men were selling at lid. In the Ballinasloe Star, just published, the follow in appears:—" ALARAIING RUMOUR.—Just as we were going to press, a report, which has rapidly spread through town, reached us, to the effect that r. Monaghan, of Heath Lawn, the father of the Solicitor-General, was fired at last night. We have made every inquiry which our brief time renders possible, without being able to learn the particulars, but we are led to believe that there is no further foundation for the rumour than the fact that Mr. Monaghan has been threatened." DISTINGUISHED VISITORS IN YORK.—During the present week this city has been honoured with the pre sence of several distinguished personages from France, who are making the tour of this country, to inspect the railways and other great public works. The party com prised his Excellency Monsieur Dumont, Chief Secre tary of State for the Department of Public Works; Monsieur Girod de l'Ain, private secretary to his Ex celleney; Monsieur Teisserenc de Bort, Member of the Chamber of Deputies, and Chief Commissioner of the Railway Department; Monsieur Hochet, Conseiller i la Cour des Comptes; Monsieur Dillion, Consul for France at Newcastle; Monsieur Trubert, and Monsieur Deles sert, son of the Prefect of Police in Paris. The Hon. Member for Sunderland, George Hudson, Esq., having been officially apprised of their intended visit to this city, came down specially to receive them. They have visited various parts of Scotland, and arrived via New castle in this city. On Monday they were occupied throughout the day in inspecting the immense factory and buildings of the York and North Midland Railway Company, and they appeared highly delighted with the various works, and the order and regularity which is maintained throughout the establishment. Afterwards they inspected every other object worthy of attraction in our venerable and important city. In the evening, Mr. Hudson entertain ed the d istinguished strangers at o h rk this city, ad the ho nour, R. Davies, Esq., and to be of,the party . Subs equently they appeared at d ot i h na er er gea T tl h em e e L n o r connecteMayd of w Y i the grand ball and supper given by the Earl de Grey and the officers of the Yorkshire Hussars. On the follow ing morning, attended by the Lord Mayor and R. Da vies, Esq., they proceeded by an early train to Scarbo rough, where they partook of an elegant breakfast, fur nished by Mr. Hill, at the refreshment rooms. After making a hasty survey of the delightful scenery at this fashionable resort, they returned to this city, and from thence proceeded to Leeds the same afternoon. Mr. Hudson having an important engagement at Derby OD Tuesday, was unable to attend his guests to Scarborough. They expressed themselves greatly gratified by the polite attention and hospitality of the Hon. Member for Sun derland, and the general kindness evinced by the other gentlemen connected with the York and North Midlands Railway. On Wednesday the distin gu i s h e d p ar ty ar *rived as Shtffield, where they were met by Mr. Barlow, engineer of the Midland Railway, and, attended by him, they proceeded on a trip of inspection over that gigantic undertaking, and its various branches, as far as Bristol. — York si tire Gazette On Thursday, a silver snuff-box was presented to J. U. Argent, Esq., comptroller of customs, by the fishermen of Brightlingsea, as a mark of their grati tude for his advice and assistance to the Colne Fishing Company in their successful remonstrances against some injurious clauses in the convention between this country and France.— Ip s wich Express. ROYAL WILLIAM VICTUALLING YARD.—NO corn ' has yet been received at the Royal William Victualling • P yard, for the purpose of being ground as food for the Irish. Everything is ready at the yard to begin.—De ; vonport Independent. FOREIGN CORN TRADE. By the steam-ship Britannia we have advices of re cent dates from the United States and Canada. The reports as to the results of the harvest are very favour able, and it was estimated that the superior yield of the crops would afford a large surplus of grain for exporta tion. The Wheat had been all secured, but the greater part of the Indian Corn was then still abroad, that arti cle requiring a longer period to arrive at maturity than other sorts of grain or pulse. The produce of Indian Corn would, it was expected, prove very abundant; but as the old stocks were nearly exhausted, prices had run up considerably at all the leading markets. The accounts from hence had caused a good deal of excitement, and the prospect of Great Britain requiring supplies had induced holders to demand an advance of 50 to 70 cents. per barrel for Flour. At New York, on the 14th of September, good brands of Western Canal Flour were quoted 20s. to 21s. per brl., and for superior Richmond Mills 6 do's., or 265. sd. per brl. had been asked. Rather large pur chases of Wheat had been made at New York after re ceipt of the English advices of the 19th of August, and 365. per qr., free on board, had been paid for fine Genessee. The stock of Flour at New York was esti mated at about 20,000 brls. at the same period of last year. This certainly does not look as if we should be overwhelmed with supplies from the other side of the Atlantic, for it must be borne in mind that the inland navigation of North America is usually closed by ice in November or early in December ; and however large the crop may be, the new grain can scarcely be got down from the interior to the ports of shipment before the fall of the year. Letters from Montreal, of the Bth ult., state that a good many orders for the purchase of Wheat had been received there ; the actual transactions appear, however, to have been trivial, owing to the limits of the orders not coming up to the expectation of holders. Only a couple of thousand barrels of Flour had, con sequently changed hands at 245, 9d. to 255. per brl. Freight on Flour f rom N ew York to London was 35. 6d., and to Liverpool 2s. 6d. per bri. One vessel had been chartered to load Flour for Havre at 80c. (about 3s. 4d. per brl.) The accounts from the north of Europe are of very little interest at present. By advices from Dantzic, of the 26th of September, it appears that hardly anything had been done there in Wheat, with a view of shipping THE COMMERCIAL MAGAZINE. In addition to the commercial statistics of the month, we find in this number an admirable resume of the Law of Commercial Contracts, an amusing ar ticle on London Bill Swindling, well calculated to put the unwary onitheir guard, and an article en titled " How to anticipate fluctuations in Prices," which should be studied by every commercial man who is inclined to indulge in legitimate speculation. THE PATRICIAN. The present number of the Patrician completes the first volume, which is dedicated to Lord Leigh. We have in this number " The Genealogies of the Royal Families of Great Britain, Hanover, and llol land ;" a continuation of the annotated " Roll of Battle Abbey ;" the commencement of a series of " Papers on the Landed Gentry ;" and the annotated obituary for the month, besides several well-written criticisms, musical, dramatic and literary. THE RAILWAY REGISTER. In the present number we have several articles, setting forth improvements in the working of rail ways, such for instance as the Geometrical Railway, by Mr. Greenhow ; the Resilient Atmospheric Rail way Tube, by Clarke and Varley ; the Short Close Tube Traction, by Mr. Swinburne ; and Mr. Pil brow's, of the improvements which he has recently introduced into his system of railway traction. In addition to these contributions, Mr. Hyde Clarke, the editor, furnishes a valuable paper on the Theory of Investment in Railway Companies, and on the ability of the resources of the nation, monetary and physical, to meet the demands which must necessarily be made upon them to carry out the railway system. THE ART UNION. In addition to the usual contents of the Art Union, we have in the present number a beautiful engraving, by Laugier, of Luca Giordano's famous picture of Charity, which was one of the gems of the Aguado Gallery. THE KNIGHT OF GWYNNE. No. X. By Charles Lever. A faint glimmering of hope appears in the gloom of Maurice Darcy's prospects and, from a mysterious intimation made to Bagenal Daly, by the robber Freney, during the confinement of the latter in New gate, there is some probability of the old Knight's property being restored to him, and his various rights recognised by the miserable parvenu O'Reilly. One of Lever's happiest descriptions of the society en countered in a sea-coast watering-place in Ireland is contained in this number. Paul Dempsey is one of those execrable nuisances so capable of being an acquisition to a farce, and a terrible bore in reality. Phiz has delineated the bathing•scene at Ballintray, with a caravan labelled " Fumbally—a Panther with only two spots from the head to the tail," " little frescoes of naked children," the "fat lady with the black bathing cap," and " pretty Miss Boyle of Carrick tnaclash, with one stocking on," in a spirit of drollery true to the text of Harry Lorrequer. From the fol lowing, or some later number, we may anticipate a narrative of our old favourite Daly conniving at the escape of Freney, and we hope a description of a triumphal return of Maurice and his family to Gwynne Abbey. The liveliness which is the chief characteristic of Mr. Lever's writings, and which constitutes not their smallest attraction, is preserved throughout this fiction with singular felicity. We have already particularised the present as promising to be the very best of the fictions produced by this accomplished author; that opinion is only confirmed with every successive chapter. STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCE.--A short time ago a resident in Dornoch had a lien which hatched four birds, and then died, leaving the little ones to themselves. In this dilemma one of the little birds was put with a cat who had kittens, but took kindly with the orphans; and upon this being observed the other three birds were in trusted to the same nurse. The cat is now most zealous in her charge, defends the young brood from all aggres sors, and the little birds run after her through the house. If any other cat comes near, she defends the feathered f ou ndlings, who come under at night, and, in fact, dis charges all the domestic duties 'to chuckie.—Jobt o' Groat Journal. LITERATURE. THE UNION OF CHRISTIANS. A Poem. By John Tod Brown. Readily is the confession made that we commenced the perusal of this production predisposed to be pleased. The exquisite outline which forms the frontispiece, and which would alone constitute Mr. Paton a worthy disciple of that wonderful artist Retzsch, seemed to indicate that the letter-press, of which it formed the illustration, could scarcely be of an inferior description. But, above all, the title of the work—" The Union of Christians"—especially coming from the pen of a clergyman, was sufficient to have propitiated the most churlish or indifferent reader. We have read these eighty-eight pages, and we have been more than disappointed; we have mourned the production of a book so ungenerous and supercilious. The poem is dedicated to Sir Culling Eardley Smith, and, although it particularly observes that the name of that Honourable Baronet " is em perishably identified with the progress of spiritual re ligion, irrespectively of sect or party," the entire production is nothing less than a torrent of abuse, and ridicule, and vituperation upon all the various religions coming under the general title of Christianity. We will give a few samples. Of the " Independents the author says : " But what the porcupine that bristles there, And dares you to invade his lonely lair ? Too independent, let him not maintain That brother bodies drag the clog and chain, Would rather that his deadly darts were thrust Through the foul heart of unbelief and last ! " He then calles the belief of the Quakers " a haze of visionary lies," and afterwards compares their creed to a child's watch : " Its face seems right, but if inside you try, Strait you detect the stationary lie." Speaking of the Free Church, he exclaims— " Hush ! from gruff Scotland breaks a furious bark! What thus can make a Babel of the ark ? Oh !—twins fast spliced as Siamese have split, And at each other logically hit," &c. Episcopacy is next assailed, as— "A bird of state blessed with well feathered claws' She crows o'er all conventicle jackdaws," &c. With similar elegance he alludes to the Presbyterians, and, speaking in their name, begins— " We Presbyterians blue, replete with starch, Naked as elephants, majestic march," &c. Baptists are typified ornithologically, namely, as something between duckling and geese : " A fowl domestic waddles o'er the ground, Which ne'er is right, till half in water drowned," &c. The unfortunate Romanists are likewise besmat tered with slang epithets; the author meekly remarks of their church, that— " That scarlet strumpet excommunicates Each thoughtful son her dictum who debates," &c. Methodists, accerding to his lively imagination, are Ile better than rooks " See ! on that new-built farm they perch and gloat On straws," &c. Infidels, Socinians, Worldlings, and divers other classes, are treated precisely in a similar strain; ugly adjectives of all kinds crowd the couplets, and the whole poem closes with an impassioned eulogium on Messrs. Smith, Bickersteth, James, Noel, Bunt _ _ ing, Montgomery, and others. We give Mr. John Tod Brown all possible credit for having intended to promote brotherly love, and to ensure, if he possibly could, " The union of Christians," but let him take our plain, honest word for it, he has been altogether mistaken. He has been mistaken in imagining such lines as those we have quoted at random are poetry, and he has been mistaken, most grievously mistaken, in conceiving that sarcasms so coarse, and derision so universally scattered about, could in any manner tend to the fusion of religious parties into one har monious band. This little book is calculated, more than any other production we have seen for many years, to promote the Dis-union instead of the union of Christians. A HISTORY OF INVENTIONS, DISCOVE RIES, AND ORIGINS. By John Beckmann, Profesor of Economy in the University of Gottingen. Vol. IV. This, the second volume of Francis's Translation of Beckmann's History of Inventions, completes the work, and Mr. Bohn has done the cause of literature good service by reprinting it in his standard library. The editors, Drs. Francis and Griffiths,have donetheir work well, and we know of no book which, in such a small space, pleasantly conveys so large an amount of curious inf. rmation as Mr. Bohn's edition of Beck mann. It is a perfect repertory of useful and enter taining ' knowledge. ON THE PARALLAX RECENTLY DISCOVERED OF AN ANONYMOUS STAR IN THE GREATER BEAR.—Since the beautiful and original observations of the illustrious astronomer of Konisberg, the late M. Besse], of the dis tance of the star No. 61, or Sigma, of the constellation Cygnus, it is not to be wondered at if, excited by a noble emulation, some other distinguished astronomers have also applied themselves with great exertion to a kind of research, which, like this, unfolds to the astronomers of future times a field fit to produce fruits of the most wonderful discoveries. With a method still better, and of short solution, M. Faye, of Paris, announces his having found the parallax of the star 1830 of Groom • bridge—an anonymous star of the constellation Ursa Major—of which the proper movement of seven seconds yearly had been already recognised by M. Argelander. if the observations of Faye are exact to the minuteness, which all the examinatory trials seem to confirm, this star, which moves the most rapidly of all, is, moreover, the nearest to us of all those that we knoti of. Its parallax is not less than a second and six hundred parts of a second (1.06). Thus the distance of this star from the earth is equal to 195,000 times the mean distance of the earth from the sun—a spice which light travels in about three years.—.Raccolkz Scientifica di Roma. TEE CASE OF THE RAJA OF SATTARA.—Monday evening a public meeting was held in the Vestry-room of St. Pancras, Gordon-square, to hear a statement from Runjo Bapojee, the accredited agent of the deposed Raja of Sattara, relative to the deposition of that Sove reign, with the view to excite the sympathy of the public in his favour , t he exertions of the agent and others on behalf of the exiled Prince with the Govern ment, having hitherto proved unsuccessful. There was a very respectable attendance. Mr. T. P. Healey, bar rister, was called to the chair. Several gentlemen ad dressed the meeting, and resolutions were unanimously passed, sympathising u ith the Raja, and recommending to their representatives in the House of Commons to bring the case before Parliament, in order that his High ness might obtain - speedy and effectual redress for the wrongs he has suffered. The meeting very warmly ap plauded the various speakers, and the appearance and statements of Runjo Bapojee in particular excited much enthusiasm. NARROW ESCAPE.—An • accident of a frightful nature occurred in gur . cathedral on Tuesday last,during the performance of morning service. As our readers are aware, workmen are now employed ,in putting In new windows in the east side of the venerable building ; and at the time we speak of they were in the act of removing a mullion from the upper part of one of the old windows when, owing to the crazy state of that part of the fabric, some of the tackle gave way, and the stone, which would weigh nearly four cwt., fell through the opening into the choir below—the two men engaged in the work saying themselves from following it by catching at a cross beam, by which they hung for some time. The stone fell with a tremendous crash into one of the pews within a few feet of seats occupied by the Rev. A. Brown, the precentor, and singing boys? Fortunately all escaped without injury, there being only one or two persons in the cathedral beyond those engaged in the service. The seat and wood of the pew into which the stone fell were much broken. Until that day, the seat had been regularly occupied by a lady,. a stranger, every morning for nearly a fortnight. — Cailisle Journal. SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A STEAMER.—ShortIy be fore 2 o'clock on Monday morning the fine vessel known as the Promethea, from Cork, having reached Fenning's wharf, made preparations for slipping anchor opposite that establishment, when unfortunately the cable was found not sufficiently long, the tide being exceedingly high' at the time, and upon an examination of the other anchor it was found that the chain was missing, and the consequence was, the steam being down, that the vessel, which was fitted with the screw propeller, began to drift rapidly in the direction of London-bridge, immediately in front of the middle arch. At this time the vessel was filled with a cargo of provisions of every description be longing to the Irish trade; and besides the crew there were on board a considerable number of Irish labourers with their wives and families. Notwithstanding the utmost activity on the part of the hands on beard and the Thames police, to prevent the vessel from coming in contact with the bridge, the foremast caught the crown of one of the arches, and the mast gave way, sweeping before it everything on deck, from which the passengers had fortunately been previously ordered by the captain. The funnel of the steamer next met the stone work of the bridge, and so great was the shock that the whole of the chimney was torn away with a tremendous crash; the hind mast was ripped down, and the stern posts cut off level with the floor of the deck. The funnel fell over board and sank instantly. Assistance was afforded as soon possible to the affrighted passengers on board, many of whom expected that the vessel would go down. But such was not the fact, and none of the crew or passengers . are missing. The damage to the bridge is trifling, .but to the owners of the Promethea it must prove of serious amount. SLAVERY IN JAVA.—The people in Europe, who entertain so just a horror of slavery as to regard even slave grown produce as an abomination not to be tole. rated from Brazil and Cuba, will be sorry to learn that the products of Java, so accepted and acceptable as the achievements of free labour, are nevertheless tainted with the same sort of slave leprosy. In the Java Courant of May 6, there are no less than seven adver tisements fur the sale of slaves, of which fivo are by public auction, and two by private contract, in number altogether forty-five mer, women, boys, girls, and in fants. The Director of Means and Domains advertises, moreover, " that the tax on slaves for the current year must be paid before the last of September ensuing, the same amounting to 2 florins 65 st. for each slave." PHEASANT SHOOTlNG.—Thursday last being the Ist of October, pheasant shooting commenced, with good sport. The preserves are represented as being well stocked and the birds in good condition.--Newcastie Guardian. FORTIFICATIONS of the COASTS ineet( Pic OF ENGLAND'. We spoke summarily a few days agy, of which M. C. H. Dupin was to read at the .Ac Science, about the roadsteads or port : of ref.' in England upon the English shore facing Frame. are to-day enabled to present our readers with a skein of the interesting wcrk.. The works of Plymouth, began twenty-tire yearr, after those of Cherbourg, have been terminated long. t;ine• , says M. Dupin, in beginning ; and whist (TheriaT,;ur , drags slowly to an end impossible to foretell, England is going to create as many Cherbourgs as she fly from whence all her war navy, quickly and lected in one single mass, might be thrown safely col ;nl7l. t France, in a number of hour, from one hour it mi a h•At to seven hours at most, upon every weak poiot, from Dunkerque to the bay of St. Maio. Here is at all events how all those cortitiEd originated. We will show, by M. Dorin'. , researcht; . . that England knows how to make the best f,r vower of the most harmless and apparently phi;P”" circumstance. ;},rnpc In 1843 a Special Committee of the Honse of Ccan mons, established to take notice of t 1 es;-e -' ' ' rieneed by merchant• vessels on the coasts of had torwirded to the Government the recommertio.tions of establishing harbours of refuge. The committee, with a wise reserve, had refrain' from recommending any situation to be preferred ftl similar harbours ; nay, they had e 'propositions would be much better aut such )fyed by a rriPoi of some learned persons, aho en,. knowledge, and especially appinted for suL, important object. lieing anxious to continue this recnminenclution, the Prime Minister, Sir Robe/ t Peal, is coz cert with ti,e Lords of the Exchequer, readily appoint( d a commis sion, or board, to be occupied with the sketched woz k. The Admiral (Martin) was named the' Chairman of it, and all that England possessed of celebrated engineers and distinguished and experienced naval officers, duly brought the tribute of their ability to clear up such an important affair. Here is the technical programme given by the Lords of the Exchequer to that great commission, or board, upon the objects which were judged to recuire au im mediate notice. 1. To determine whether it is desirable that a harbour of refuge should be constructed in the British Channel, after duly weighing, on one hand, the public advantages likely to result, and, on the other hand, the expenses re quired by it. 2. What site will seem the most advantageous for a harbour of that kind, in order to unite in the best manner the three following qualities . " That the entrance be easy in. every tide for ships endangered by rough weather. " That the harbour may serve as a station for armed vessels in case of war, and perform both defence and at tack. -1- wed 'with pra(•tict.Li all !y. " That it should present easy ways of defence in case of an enemy's attack." Moreover, should the CoFnmissioners find cut that all these conditions cannot be fulfilled by a single harbour of refuge in the British Channel, they are authorised to develope their researches accordingly ; then to make known those advantages proper to the various sites which they will think it their duty to recommend, show ing, of course, those they consider most eligible. These remarkable instructions were dated April 2, 1844. In four months and tive days the Commission visited all the ports along the British Channel, • made new soundings, collected the opinions of all special mer, from the least pilot up to geologists and engineers. A t last, on the following August 7tb, the board had closed their labours, and presented their conclusions to the Lords of the Exchequer ; all that, says M. Dupin, in less time than the Academy of Sciences take to give their conclusions upon a thirty-paged paper. Now, the author states the results of the inquest. Prima fade, one might think that the south-western coast of England, liberally provided by nature, and assisted long since by industry, offers a sufficient number of harbours of refuge, which leave nOthing to be wished for. We have already mentioned Plymouth, to which must be added Falmouth, the most western - situation. In re turning towards the east we find in succession—Dart mouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Thames. Not only those chief harbours of refuge have not been judged sufficient by the board; but they have also judged that the addition of one great port would not even suf. fice. They demand works and propose expenses for these four new situations, which I will make known in succession. A speciarcommission, instituted in 1840 (this epoch is remarkable), had granted the preference for creating new harbours of refuge:—first, at. Dover; second, at Beachy Head; third, at Fortness, near the North Fore land. Here is the private programme of the board of 1840 : —To visit the coast between the mouth of the Thames and Selsea Bill, to examine the harbours as shdtering the vessels which cross the Channel in stress of weatlvr, and as harbouring merchant vessels pursued by hostile cruisers in time of war, and more particularly as stations for war steamers, iu order to protect the British trade in the narrow parts of the Channel. The first board had proposed Forene;:s, near Margate, which offered a safe site and a good ttneherage ground for merchant vessels. The new board rejects rt. They want two ports:—Harwich, that with some improve ment will offer the same advantages, by serving as a national station to a squadron of war-steamers; and the Bay of Hollesley, which will conveniently receive men d-war. Ramsgate also attracts the board's :attention. But the site which they prefer to any other is lover. Dover is the point both nearest and most threatening to France. Lately Dover has become still more valuable by the railway from London to this port, and branching into other lines. In two hours' time massus of soldiers, marine crews, naval stores and ammunitions, and a whole train of ordnance, can be sent to Dover, starting titan London, Deptf,ffd, Woolwich, and Portsmouth. Dover possesses a dry dock for the repair of merchant vessels, and expanse of wide quays and spacious c are houses; besides the fore-out dock, the wet dock is more than two hectares and a half in surface, and works are going on to double this space. There is, morel/et . , a third dock, which might be fitted to receive a great number of sloops and gun-brig, which dock is now being considerably improved. When the celebrated William Pitt carried on deadly struggle between England and France, he wished eager;y to establish a road closed in the front of Dover; he had plans drawn up for that . purpose. The ordnance de partment has found them again in its records, cod has presented them to the board, whose labours I am exa.- mining. After numerous experiments continued during a whole year, the commissioners conclude unanimously (but for one vote), that Dover, favourably situated to pretect the navigation of the straits, is the natural station of a divi sion of war vessels. Moreover, the construction of a harbour of refuge in this place is also ascertained as indis pensable for the protection of trade. In continuing to advance to the south, the board neg lects the two bays separated by Cape Dungeness, both excellent anchorages. The reason for this seeming abo lition, however, deserves to be named. It runs thus : It is because, when nature presents such a commodious shelter, it will always be a subject of serious thought to know that one must not be satisfied with the good we find, in order to procure to other places (of an ascer tained importance as to the site) the artificial help they require, to acquire the qualities of a safe and quite an chorage. Two or three leagues farther than Cape Beachy you will find Seaford. This presents a magnificent anchorage, which lies fe licitously within the same distance from Dover and Portsmouth. Such is the intermediary 'site for wich the Commission does not hesitate to propose to Govehrn ment a great work of art. The Board demands that in a. direction from north north-west to south south-east there should be con structed a breakwater or pier, one marine mile in length, and a little curved at each extremity by a rectilinear bend. Behind this lung 'breakwater, first-rate men-of-war would find a depth of water more than sufficient ; and nearer to the land there would remain a very large space for merchant vessels of every tonnage. This formidable situation would threaten at once all the French ports, from Boulogne to Havre, from which it is only 72 miles distant. This port will find, without doubt, some inconvenience in not being protected well enough by Cape Barrow, westwards, the west winds prevailing especially in the stormy season ; but this objection is not predominating in the eyes of the Commissioners. Taking into consi deration the neighbourhood of the inner port of New haven, they do not hesitate to propose for such a valu able zo expense of thirty millions of francs -1,250,0001. Let us add that by bird's flight the distance from Seaford to London is cn.ly 40 kilometres -30 miles ; and that, through the railway between Brighton and London being branched to Sea ford, it w o uld be Brighton two y to reach Seaford from the m etro p olis in less :ban hours. From Seaford to Portsmouth the British navy will h ave nothing to do with ; one must go further 60 miles wes t wa rd to reach the magnificent s. The isle of Portland shelters and protects westwards and southwards ; the extensive road of the same name opens eastwards. This road is adjoining that of the Weymouth, looking breakwaters oua rd s :Th which e would cover,Commission onproposethe t e south-east,o construct the roads ain o nd f a l a ' p o gi r au t c l a a er n t a , e rw T ei ea p dp i e e a ; stsha w gw o e u oc l i d illods e en x oe t e tn n ob d ueg a hl b e o st u so t t one ht ahne 54 mile land, 0 1 E 0 English 1 s i sterling. f e e t. \ s . 114, e e s r t , itn a a p t e i ‘ d , r a c t o u l ld 2 , o b o e o , c 0 0 0 1a 0 :t , r u a e i t i c e d s It may create surprise that gre T a h t e a e d x ep pe th ns o e f or 8 for that sum. - But at Portland such a construction is eco nomical and easy. Besides, the - isle of Portland ponesses inexhaustible stone quarries, a great part of which belong to tke state, and will be ready for the groundwork of the breakwater. The isle has plenty of soft watt✓ springs, which 011 supply all the vessels anchored in the roads. Finally, this road offers the advantage of an inner port ut Weymouth, which is formed by the mouth of the little river Way—hence the name of the place. Such is the whole of the works the Coirioissioll PF" - poses in that site ; a naval division stutioncd at Port land, having under its protection, jointly with the Dart mouth station, all the interm e di ary points ; iu s hort, these two situations will complete with Plymouth an unbroken chain of communication, co-operation, ani . protection between Dov er an d F a l mou th, in an cxtcut or 300 sea miles, or 556 kilometres. ti e different ou st s .. c. , b rsoe M. Dupin th en enters i nto a ll th e pPrticulars u c s , f works to be und er t a k en upon t hose ginning with D over, w hi c h t h e Commission i ss ion, which first necessity. R e next qu oteS, -word for finitive conclusions of the Eaghsh Comm wars,the de