The Sun. — London, England, 1848-11-30 00:00:00

NEWS. .71?EE. 3rday was were esti- :au for ex ;o Pernarci, 100 Egyp• 0 3d.. fa )rices were bt ExpreES, tnd supplY t not givell 'he pellet ftrrivals of inquil not so des •iving ial election nces of CV y easy, 0 , 0 , t the Davi; As we fin d re that be me reil, interest 0 [at no such Pity yester • the market to i. Th e w Threr Three pe r 395. to 4214 IL Spanis h )er Ca 0t 6 . , 41 to 2. 4 t 75. Date e, but; fait Wes1;e 11) ; a few o the' O CLOC IC 86 86 I A v i t l 4 J 46 1-16 % .3-16 841 A Juwa. 89 42;1 39 p 42p ►'CLOCKS 'TB F 0' CI. ° Cl‘ . to • to . to . to ▪ to • to . to 14 . to to -- . to —• • tO •••• • tO • tO to . to 19 . to • to to• . to , -- . to• to •—• to to -- . to . to -- . to -- . tO to—. to-- to --. to --. tO —. to --. tO tO tO t. --- , to to to to to -- to to to to-- to to to to to -- to to to-- ) I 6 Lmestoft (guar. 4 per cent.) 20 Ditto (guar. 6 per cent. ... 13 Manch, Buxton, & .oatlock 4 blanchr, Sheffield, and Linc.100 Ditto 14 Shares( No. 1) ... 18 ...... Ditto, ditto (No. 2) 25 Ditto, 1 4 3 Shares (No. 3)... 10 . ..... Dc., .New 10,, Preference.. 10 ... .. . Ditto Grimsby . 4O Ditto, ditto. Ditto, ditto ... ... Ditto Sheffield and Lille. 15 Ditto, Grimsby Dock ...... 20 Ditto, Man. & Lin. Union 41. 2=.... Midland...... lOO - to 77 Ditto, Consol. I'reference...loo Ditto, 50/. 5hare5........... 20 Midland, Birm., and Derby...loo ... Midland, Consol. Bristol and Birmingham. 6 per cent.... 100 Midland, Bristol and (;lout. 38 ... .. Ditto ditto 14/.lBs. .. Midland, Leices. and Swan- nington (8 per et.gua.)....100 /4 idld. Great Western (Irish) 45 Middlesbro' and Reclean 6 per coat. guar. . . SO Newcastle and Carlisle . 100 ..—. Ditto Quarter Shares . .... 25 ... .. - Newmarket ........ . ...... ,„ ,-. 20 Ditto Extension Scrip... 2.!. 1 2s. — Newport Abergy., and Heret. 6 'Newry and Enniskillen o Newry, W arrenpo i n t, an d Rostrevor ..... .............. 20 Norfolk' Ditto New 20/. Ditto Guaranteed 5 per ct 2O Do. Do. 5 1 % per cent Do. do. Waveney Valley... 2 Northern Counties Union ... 4 North British Ditto Half Shares. ..... ..... 12 1 ,4 Do. Quarters: 64 3 Ditto, Extension 5, Ditto Thirds ..- ........ -..... 8 1--i to North and South-Western... 2 North Staffordshire... .. ...... 15 North Wales North Western to Oxford, Worcester, and Wol verhampton Reading, Guildfd., & Reigate 10 ...... Royston and Hitchiu ... .. 2 ...... Scottish Central Scottish Midland ..- 25 Ditto,New... . 17% — to Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole 7 l/2 Do. do. South Div.) 4 ..... Shrewsbury and Birmingleam 9 Ditto, ditto, Class B. 5 Ditto,' New Guaranteed 6 Shrewsbury and Hereford .. 2 ...hrewsbury and Chester (Nor. W . .I.in. ) Ditto Halves, Ditto... 8 1 4 — . ... to Ditto, Oswestry 1714 — to Ditto „New ) 1 Ditto 8 per Cent. Pref...-.. 10 Shropshi re Union South Devon 5O ...... Ditto, Preference 25 South Staffordshire.... 61% —.... to South Eastern Ditto, No. 1. Ditto, No. 2. Ditto, No. 3. Ditto New, No. 4. Thirds 10 South Wales South Yorkshire, Doncaster and Goole Swans. and Loughor and „.Ca meron's Stm. Coal . 6 --to Taw Vale Extension ........ 8 Thames Haven Dock and VRailway 17% ---to - '" ' • ale of Neath Waterford and Kilkenny l7 I N •••••• Waterford and Limerick ... .. 47%... .• Waterford, Wexford, Wicklw, and Dublin Wear Valley 6 per Cent. Guaranteed Do. do. do. Do. do. do. ...... .. 10 ... West Cornwall West London Ditto, First Class .. 20 Ditto, Second C1a55......... 20 Whitehaven and Furness l3 ... .. Windsor, Staines, and South Western... .. Wil ts , Somerset,&Weymouth 40 ...... 24 1 ,1 .. York, Newcastle, and Berwick 25 Do. Original New & Ber'ck 25 Do. Exten. No.l (Y. & N.) 15 Do.:do. No. 2, New MB. 15 Do. G. N. E. - Pur. or Pref. 8 York and Nortli"Midland .. 50 ...... 48 .. - Ditto, Prefereace Ditto East and W est Riding Extension FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Anglo Italian (late Italian and Austrian Boulogne and Amiens 2O ...... Central of France ( Orleans _ and on Vierzon) .... to to k;eyl ---- •..•• De merara..... bendre Valley Di rect Bombay and Madras ss. •••• • batch Rhenish 7% — to East Indian Great Indian Peninsular Louvain 5. la Sambre ......... 7% Luxembour g to to Ditto tl adrid and Val en ti a Namur and Liege 2O .... Northern of France Orleans and Bordeaux •":—. •• 7 P aris and Lyons -- -. 11 Do . Do. 41 10 .... ••• •• " Paris and Orleans... Pans and Rouen 2O Paris & Strasbourg .. ..... 9 •••••• to Reuen and H avr e ... •20 •••••• - Sambre 'and Meuse ............ 20 Strasburg and Bale l4 ..... ..... to Tours & Nantes ... .••• •. .• 9 Tournay, Jnrbise, Landen, and Hasselt .,.. .. 20 ...... ...... to West Flanders B 3 /1 — ...... to JOINT STOCK BANKS. Australasia British North American .... 50 Colonial ...........»... 25 ...• . to -- Commercial of London to —, London Joint Stock ..... ..... 10 ...... London:andiWestminster. .. 20 ... 20 1 4 to ..... National Provincial of Engld. 85 to Ditto, New ' National of Ireland ...... 22% — .. .. to Provincial of Ireland Ditto, New Union of Australia - Ditto, New . 2% — to Union of London .. 10 Union of Madrid Anglo Me x i can MINES. to Asturian Mining Company... 14 ...... Australian... 2% to Bl aenarvon Iron and Co a l ... 50 Bolauos Scrip British I ron - • 12 — Brazilian Imperial ...,• . . ... 24 1 / ...... Ditto Coca es an d C u i a b a. .. 30 Ditto St. John D e l R ey ... 15 ..... -- to General . • Cobre Copper M 9 0 — to Real del llonte . 24) ." to to —. Unregistered .- .. .. bo. Black Debentures — ... Do . Red D e b entures ..... .... &lamp de Cuba 210 %...... .. ... to -- nitedMexican - I. 'LOYD'S SHIPPING.—(THIS DAY.) LONDON, Nov. 30.—Wind, light breeze and fine. B D E A; Nov. 29.—Wind W.S.W., moderate; P.M., PlL—Arrd. Maria, Clark, Callao; Victoria, White, I.9rlee. Ayres; Falcon, Mairs, Demerara; Phcenix, rentia aueekle, Honduras; John Bull, Duffield, Montreal; Flo / M`Lillan, Quebec. Arrd. from the River, Bro thersL„ Boston. Put back, Stratford, Mauritius; Lady •"'e_ra, the Cape and Madras. _YORTSMOUTH Nov. 29.—Wind W.N.W.—Arrd. ilannah Bartlett, Miramichi. NEwnsvEN, Nov. 29.—The Sea, La Fayette (Swede), 'rem St. iThes, got on shore here, and has become a total wreck; two o f t h e crew drowne d. WaisTsP4,', crew Nov. 29.—The Arrietta has become a total wreck; (except one man) saved. RAMSGATE, Nov. 29.—The Reliance, for Leghorn, h as Put back leaky, and the crew refusing to proceed. WATERFORD, NOT. 27.—Wind W. to W.N.W. — Arrd. John Bell, Carroll, Quebec; Boreas, ditto. .LlBiEncx, Nov. 28.—The Gem, bound to Liverpool, ,as totally lost at the mouth of Galway Buy on the 21st instant; two of the crew drowned. PLYMOUTH, Nov. 29.—Arrd. Emma, Spicer, Quebec; Roslin Castle, Sadler. ditto. PA lalotrTN, Nor. 29.—Arrd. Express packet,. Brazils, sailed Rio Janeiro 15th of October. BELFAST, Nov. 28.—Wind W.—Arrd. American, and erx, New York; Mary Hudson, Graham, St. John's, t . New Brunswick; Sarah Graham, Demerara; Chris -1%14' C °e'es, Quebec. rp"-IToca.rox, Nov. 29.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrd. Mary 'IPPin, Harrison. St. John's, New Brunswick. y o biI L IEL De, Nov. 29.—The Colussus, of and for New r., which grounded on the Narrows yesterday, was got off on th e f o l lowing tide w i t h fi ve f ee t water in her hold has been laid on the mud, and is discharg jag her cargo. During a very heavy gale from ".S.W. last night the Queen, for Barbadoes, and the Drake, of Dundee, for the Mediterranean, drove foul of each other; the former lost cutwater, stanchions, Scc., and the latter received considerable damage. YARMOUTH, Nov. 28.—The Princess, from Sunder land to London, which got on the Cross Sand on the 27th instant, h as got o ff an d will proceed. LlTT L EttAmrrox, Nov. 23.—The Baltic, of Guer nse y , bound to London, whilst warping out of the harbour after rep a i r i ng, drifted on a shoal, became beneapeti thumped heavily, and now lies sunk a little to the west ward of the harbour. PORT LOGAN, Nov. 28.—A small iron-bound cask, contai ning about t we l ve ga ll ons o f w hisky, and marked on the eud " Gos. M‘Lannan, Lough Gilhead, was washed on shore near this place yesterday. .HULL, Nov. 28.—A loaded schooner, with paintEd sides and black mastheads, was in contact with the New sand Floating Light yesterday. A very heavy gale was experienced here last night. Exstount, Nov. 28.—The John and William, here trot°. Tarragona, with decks swept, loss of bulwarks, stanchions, cook-house, a nd c h a i n b o lts started, having experienced heavy weather 16th instant, in lat. 41, long. 11. RITERAVEN, NOV. 28.—The Peterel, of and for the Clyde, from Girgenti, was spoken 25th inst., 50 miles :3/1 CaPe Clear, with l oss of ma i nmas t an d decks swept, b ut wanting no assistance, and intending to put into Cork. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY _EVENING, NOVEMBER 30, 1848, CORK, Nov. 27.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrd. Harlequin, Demerara; Emily, Cone, I'hilsdelphia, with loss of tore mas, Sce.; and Francis, Collin, New York; Sher hroAs, Kent, Queb c. DUBLIN, Nov. 28. Wind W.-27. Arrd. Bolivar, White, Quebec; Perzeverance, Leeds, ditto. LIVERPOOL, Nov. 29.—Wind W.N.W. to S.S.E.- 28. Arrd. Woronsco, Mitchener, Baltimore; Metery, Crosby, New York; MontEzurna, Kepdall, Montreal; Michael Antonie, Clemencf-, Newfoundland. 29. Reso lutions, Evans, Maranhani; Royal Albert, Baid"rston, Islay; Richard Cobden, Bane], New York; Rhoda, Thomas, Montreal; Achilles, McTrk, Quebec. Off port, Mischief. QUARANTINE NOTICE. St. Michael's, Nov. 27, 1848. Sir—lnstructions have been received here from Lisbon by our Health Officers, to enforce the following regula tions in this port : Ships arriving here from ports infected with the cholera, sent to perform quarantine at Lisbon. Ships with cases of cholera on board not admitted in any Portuguese port. Ships from suspected ports to perform quarantine hero from fifteen to five days. (Signed) Jos. H. DART and Co., Lloyd's Agents. Captain G. A. Halsted, RN., Secretary, Lloyd's. EXCHEQUER.-(THIS DAY.) STICKER V. THE EARL OF LIMERICK. This action was brought to recover 1051. on a bill of exchange drawn by the Earl of Limerick and accepted by his father, the late Lord Glentworth. The bill was endorsed by the plaintiff, a:west-end tailor, in satisfaction of his claim for clothes supplied to the noble defendant, also Mr. Percy and his brother, who lived with him at the time. When the bill became due it was dishonoured, the noble defendant being on the continent, but on his return to this country he opened a fresh account with the plaintiff, and ran up a bill to the extent of 2001. Ile then paid 100/. in liquidation, as it was alleged, of the total amount including the bill in question then due to the plaintiff, but it was now contended that the 100/. was to have been placed against the new account, con. tracted subsequently to the noble defendant's return from abroad, while the bill itself was altogether repu diated on the ground that he was not of age at the time it was drawn. The jury, however, returned a verdict for the full amount claimed. SHERIFFS' COURT.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Under-Sheriff BURCHELL CAMPBELL V. JENKINS. The plaintiff in this action is the owner of a vessel called the Latimer, and defendant is a merchant in the City. The action was brought on a charter party for the delivery of a cargo of wheat from Marseilles. It appeared by the evidence that the vessel arrived at that port in August, but defendant's factors did not think it prudent in the then state of the market to freight the vessel; the consequence was a delay of fifteen days beyond the twenty-five " lay days" for taking in and delivering the cargo, and which he was required to stay by the charter party. There was also a ten days' demurrage. The factors having refused to perform the contract on the part of the defendant, it was neces sary to take proceedings in the courts of law at Marsailles at an expense of 41. 18s. 6d. Another freight having been obtained, there was a loss of 9/. 3s. 7d. The plaintiff also charged 1/. 10s. as a premium on 501. for money borrowed by the captain, the factors not having advanced that sum according to the charter party. The total amount claimed was 1361. Gs. 9d. The defendant having sutrered judgment to go by de fault, admitted his liability, and the captain having proved the payment, &c , the jury gave a verdict for the amount claimed. FROOM V. &mum The plaintiff was a looking-glass manufacturer in the Strand, and the defendant is an attorney in New Or mond-street. The action was brought to recovcr the suni cf 171. 2.3 Id. for goods sold, and work and labour dune. The only question raised was whether the action ought not to have been brought in the County Court. Mr. PUENTIS contended that it was a case which ought to have been brought in the superior court, al though no defence was now made, and asked the Learned Under. Sheriff to certify to that effect. The UNDER-SHERIFF did not think that he had power to certify, not being a judge, but only an officer of the superior court, and all he had to do was to return the the record and verdict. Mr. Withers, the defendant's clerk, applied for the writ to be retained till next term. The UNDER-SHERIFF said that ho saw no ground for doing so—there could be no question as to the verdict. 'WEBB V. BONNEY. This was an action brought to recover the sum of 201. for rent of premises in Piratic°. The defence was that there had been a joint tenancy on the part of the defendant with a person named Beales, and that they had become bankrupts; and it was sub mitted that the present action would not lie. Mr. TURNER, the plaintiff's attorney, said that ought to have been pleaded in abatement. The UNDER-SHERIFF said the declaration was that the defendant was indebted, and it was clear he was; and in the absence of a specific plea a verdict must go for the plaintiff for the amount. CRIMINAL COURT.--(THIS DAY.) OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Colnum.) MANSLAUGHTER.—John Donnovan, 18, described in the calendar as a labourer, was indicted for the man slaughter of Christopher Broderick, on the 26th of June last. Mr. RYLAND appeared for the prosecution; and hav ing shortly stated the case to the jury, called the follow ing witnesses:— Charles Sexton-0 1 h the 26th of June he and his wife were in the Poplar-road, about six o'clock in the evening. Saw the deceased, Christopher Broderick, there, who was rather intoxicated. The prisoner was also there. Witness saw him knock the deceased's hat off ; the deceased did not attempt to pick up his hat, but kicked at the prisoner, who appeared to fall on his head. The prisoner, on getting up, struck at the deceased, when he fell right down. The prisoner then ran away. Witness then stooped down and picked up the deceased. There was a wound on the right side of his forehead, which was bleeding. The deceased was then insensible. The side on which the deceased lay was the one on which the wound was in his head. Witness took him to a medical man, and afterwards to the London Hospital. Witness, about three weeks afterwards, saw the body of the deceased at the hospital, and at once recognised it as the body of Christopher Broderick. Cross-examined by Mr. PAYNE—CouId almost swear to the prisoner as the man that struck the deceased. Had pointed out another man as the one who struck the deceased; but it was dark when he did so. The prisoner worked at the same place with the witness. Re-examined by Mr. RYLAND—The prisoner was the man whe struck the deceased. Mary Ann Sexton, the wife of the last witness, cor roborated his statements. Robert Westfield, a policeman, stated that he was on duty its the Poplar-road on the night of the 26th of June. Saw the deceased fall on his left side. Saw the prisoner and another young man go down a court close by. Witness went after them, but could not overtake them. Saw enough of the prisoner to know he was ono of the men. Took the deceased to the doctor's, and afterwards to the London hospital, where he died. Donnoian gave himself up to witness's sergeant last Saturday night. Cross-examined by Mr. PAYNE—Witness took a man of the name of Mahoney into custody in consequence of information he received from Sexton. This was at the latter end of July, or the beginning of August. It was dark at the time that Sexton pointed out Mahoney to the witness as the man who had knocked down the deceased. In a minute afterwards Sexton said he was not the man. Hands, an inspector, stated that the prisoner gave himself up to him on gaturday last. He said it was an unfortunate affair. He was very sorry about it, and wished to be tried for it. On witness reading the coro ners' warrant to the prisoner he said he did.not strike the deceased, who came squaring, up. to him, and he pushed him with his open hand, when he fell down; he then saw blood coming from his head, and he ran off down the court, as he etas frightened. Mr. Peter Gowland, the house-surgeon of the London Hospital, recollected the deceased Christopher Broderick being brought to the hospital on the 26th of June. He had a severe wound over the left eyebrow, but not a serious one, He went on well for some time, when inflammation supervened attended by erysipelas which ended in death. By Mr. Justice COLTMAN—Such a wound as that upon the head of deceased might have been occasioned by a fall. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr. PAYNE addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner, contending that the charge in the indictment had wholly failed. The prisoner was charged in the in dictment with causing the death of the deceased by striking him on the head with a brickbat. There was no evidence whatever the:. any brickbat was used, and the probable thing was that the-deceased, who was in toxicated, came reeling [up against the prisoner, who pushed him away with his hand and caused him to fall, when the wound was inflicted that caused his death. Unless the jury were satisfied that the prisoner had a hard substance in his baud with which he struck the deceased, the charge fell to the ground, and no twelve men could convict him of manslaughter. Several very respectable witni sses gave the prisoner a most.excellent character for humanity and peaceable conduct. Mr. Justice COLTMAN summed up at some length. The jury Acquitted the prisoner ;of the charge of man slaughter, but found him guilty of an assault; and Mr. Justice COLTMAN sentenced him to one month's imprisonment and hard labour. FORGERY.—Edward Guilford, 24, described in the caleuder as a lithographer, was indicted with forging a bill of exchange for 231, with intent to defraud a person of the name . of Swinford, a lithographic printer, by whom the prisoner was employed. Mr. Robinson conducted the case for the prosecution; and from his statement, and the witnesses that were called, it appeared that the prosecutor was a lithographic printer in the Strand, and the prisoner was employed by him. The prisoner had also loans from the prosecutor, and he had discounted bills for him. On the 13th of last March, he produced the bill in question, and asked the prosecutor to let him have 201. for it. It purported to be accepted by Mr. Paul Bedford, and to be endorsed by Mr. Manby, the secretary of the institution of civil engineers. The prisoner stated that he had received the bill from Mr. Bedford in the settlement of an account. The prosecutor then gave the prisoner two 101. notes for the bill. On the 2d of June the prisoner wrote to the prosecutor from Gravesend, stating that he was about to leave the country, and that the bill was a spu rious one. Mr. Paal Bedford and Mr. Manby denied that the signatures to the bill were theirs. Mr. BALLANTINE address,cd the jury on behalf of the prisoner. Several witnesses gave him a good character. Mr. Justice CoLTMAN summed up, and The jury found the prisoner Guilty of uttering, knowing the bill to be forged, but not with intent to defraud. Mr. Justice COLTMAN—That is tantamount to a ver dict of acquittal. The prisoner was again 'indicted with forging 'and uttering, knowing it to be forged, a bill of exchange for 30/., purporting to be accepted by Mr. Manby, the secre tary of the Society of Civil Engineers. This bill lie got Mr. Svviniord to discount, who gave him 281. 10s. for it. Mr. Manby denied that the acceptance to the bill Riot his. _ _ On cross-examination, Mr. Manby stated that the prisoner had been working for the institution, and when he finished certain work there would be about 371. due ;o him. Mr. BALLANTINE addressed the jury for the prisoner. Mr. Justice COLTMAN summed up. The jury found the prisoner Guilty, but strongly recommended him to the merciful consideration of the Court. Mr. ROBINSON said he was instructed by the prose ct►tor also to recommend the prisoner to mercy, believing him to have been in great distress. Mr. Justice COLTMAN said he would consider of the sentence he would pass upon the prisoner. NEW COURT. (Before the RECORDER.) Jane Bailey, aged 29, spinster, and James Hip-nett, aged 21, labourer, were charged with stealing a writing desk containing 371., and various articles of jewellery, the property of Mrs. Elizabeth Northcroft, lodging house keeper, of 52, York-street, Marylebone. The female prisoner, on the 15th and 16th of August last was employed as a dress-maker at the prosecutrix's house, and while the prisoner was at work, the prosecu trix told her that a desk which stood on a side table contained all the valuables she possessed in the world. On the 17th the desk was missing, and the pro. secutrix suspecting that the female prisoner knew what had become of it had her taken before the magistrate, but the evidence against her was not sufficiently strong to warrant her detention. Subsequently, however, two five pound notes, part of the 371., were traeed to the male prisoner, who had been in the habit of visiting the femalo prisoner at her lodgings in Tottenham-court road, and that circumstance, coupled with the fact that a few days previous to the disappearance of the desk. the female prisoner admitted to her landlord that she had not a farthing in the world, while some short time afterwards she paid 4Z for rent, and, together with the male prisoner, seemed to be in the possession of a good deal of money, led to their arrest and joint committal on a charge of stealing the desk in question. Mr. CLARKSON defended the prisoners, and contended that the case was one of suspicion, and nothing more. The RECORDER having summed up the evidence, The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, with a recom mendation to mercy. The RECORDER saw no grounds for the recommenda tion, and sentenced them to seven years' transportation. Falkland Islands (within ten miles) the weather became so boisterous that we were driven oil ninety miles, and obliged to reduce our water to a pint a man per day; however, by carrying on, we at last arrived, on the 6th of May, after a tedious passage of eighty days, without seeing any land. Die establishment does not appear to improve, although the colony is increasing in numbers. We left the Falklands on the 13th of May, and arrived at Callao on the 4th of July, after a good passage of forty-six days, and found the Asia, with a flag of Ad miral Hornby. We remained here a few days for the arrival of the Panama mail, expecting Lieutenant Pullen to join us; we sail to-day (10th of July) direct for Behring's Straits, as the Herald is gone before us with our interpreter and boats. We are all very happy and comfortable on hoard; the old craft won't sail, although the leak is stopped at last. The captain does all he can to ensure the health and comfort of every one, and with the pleasing anticipation of falling in with Sir John Franklin and his party, we hope to be home again some time next year. WOOLWICH, Nov. 29.—The Arrogant steam frigate, 46 guns, was taken into the basin here yesterday, to receive her guns on board, and is now under the shears for that purpose. Her armament will consist of six 2 inch guns of 65 cwt. each, and nine feet long, and 22 32-pounders of 56 cwt. each, and nine feet six inches long, on the main -deck; two 68-pounder guns of 95 cwt. each, and ten feet long, and 16 32-pounders of 32 cwt. each, and six feet six inches long, on the quarter-deck and forecastle, with a crew of 450 men. She is to, be taken round to Portsmouth, to be commissitined by Capt. Fitzroy at that port. Commodore Henry Eden, Superintendent; Mr. Ward, M.P.; and Captain Sir Baldwin W a ck e r, K.C.8., visited Woolwich dockyard yesterday, and were present with Captain Fitzroy when the Arrogant was taken into the basin. The members of the Dockyard Committee of Revision have concluded their examination of this dock yard, and visited Deptford dockyard to-day, to enter upon the examination of that naval port. The result of their labours here is not yet known, but there is no doubt their recommendations will have a beneficial ten dency and prove of advantage to the public. It would appear that all the perquisites, such as logs of wood for the fires of the residents in the dockyard, will not be al lowed in future, and the principle of paying certain stated salaries adopted without any extras whatever. This ar rangement must be more satisfactory to all parties, and prevent many abuses and destruction of public property by careless servants who were aware their masters had not to pay for it. Convicts for Van Diemen's Land-114 convicts, re moved from Wakefield House of Correction, were put on board the Hashmemy hired convict ship yesterday, opposite the Woolwich dockyard, for conveyance to Vaa Diemen's Land. Captain Ramsbottom, of the 99th Re giment, and an ensign of the 85th Regiment, proceed in her, having the charge of a convict guard, consisting of one sergeant, one corporal, and thirteen privates of the 11th Foot, and two sergeants, two corporals, and twenty six privates of the 99th Regiment. TELE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE t,TATION.—Her Majesty's ships President, 50, Captain Stanley, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Dacres, was in Simon's Bay on the 28th of September; with the Nimrod, 20, Commander Bel grave; and the store ship Seringapatam, Mr. Russell, master, R.N., in command. The Arab, 12-gun sloop, Commander Morris, sailed out of the bay for Singapore, to join the squadron of Rear-Admiral Collier, on the 26th of September. The Southampton, 50-gun frigate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Reynolds, on his way to the Cape to relieve Admiral Dacres in the command, was spoken with on the 9th ult., in lat. 10.38, long. 25.1, W., all well. The Geyser steam-sloop, Commander Brown, was at the Mauritius. The Brilliant, 26-gun corvette, was at the Mozambique; and the Dee steamer transport was at Algoa Bay. NAVAL STATISTICS. The following is a return of screw steamers which have had alterations made since the first plan approved of by the Board, with cost in materials, labour, and loss of time:— The Rattler.--Launched, April 13, 1843. Expense when launched o❑ the hull, 13,5261. Expense since in curred for alterations, repairs, &C., up to March 31, 1848—(Hull) 7,5051. repair and altering to screw in 1845 and 1846. The Phoenix (late paddle-wheel steamer, ajtered to a screw vessel i❑ 1845, with new engines, &c.: it is impos sible to state the expense or cost of such alterations, as the accounts are not kept distinct from the charges during the building, repairing, or fitting).—Launched, Sept. 25, 1832. Expense when launched on the hull, 14,7141. Expense since incurred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848, 6,9961. The Dwarf.— Purchased, 1843. Expense when launched on the hull, 5,8061. Expense since incurred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848, 1,5531. The Fairy.—Launched, March, 1845. Exp en se w h en launched on the hull, 12,8632 Expense since incurred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848, 9,5101. The Amphion.—Launched, Jan. 14, 1846. Expense when launched on the hull, 36,1151. Expense since in curred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848, 13,2111. The Conflict.—Launched, Aug. 5, 1846. Expense when launched on the hull, 20,4961. Expense since in curred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848-6,3451., not complete. The Encounter.—Launched, Sept. 5, 1846. Expense when launched on the hull, 19,7341. Expense since in curred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848, 5,5781., not complete. The Niger . — Launched, Nov. 18, 1846. Expense when launced on the hull, 14,830/. Expense since in curred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848, 4,9331., not complete. The Rifleman.—Launched, Aug. 10, 1846. Expense when launched on the hull, 8,885 L Expense since in curred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848-2,3941., not complete. The Teaser.—Launched, June 25, 1846. Expense when launched on the hull, 5,974/. Expense since in curred for alterations, repairs, &c., .up to March 31, 1848-4951., not complete. The Dauntless.—Launched, Jan. 5, 1847. Expense when launched on the hull, 28,9071. Expense since in curred for alterations, repairs, &c., up to March 31, 1848-3,1501., not complete. The Termagant.—Launched, Sept. 25, 1847. Expense when launched on the hull, 34,2631., to March 31, 1848. Expense since incurred for alterations, repairs, &e., up to March 31, 1848-3,0924 not complete. The Arrogant.—Launched, April 4, 1848. Expense when luunchod on the hull, 39,573/. The Simoom.—Building. The Vulcan.—Building. The Greenock.—Building. The Megwra.—Building. Admiralty, July, 1848. THE RUMOURED ATTEMPT AT MURDER AT WALW ORTII. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—You will oblige me by correcting a report in your paper of an attempted murder of a wife by her hus band, as the whole is void of foundation, no cries of mur der being heard, no distinct blows, nor threat to murder; neither was Mr. White obliged to force open any door, nor was I found calmly looking on. Mr. White did not find his sister lying under any table, nor any wound on the right temple or other parts of the head. Unless the same be corrected immediately steps will be taken to prove the libel. Yours, &c., GEORGE CROME. 126, Hill-strcet, Walworth. [We received the report from a casual reporter, from whom we have occasionally received information; but we shall never again permit any of his reports to appear in The Sun.—ED.] SEIZURE OF AN ILLICIT DISTILLERY.—Yesterda y Mr. E. Thomas and Mr. J. Vanls one, eiciaeofficers, went to a house in Water- lane, Hackney, gained admittance at the front d oor, they proceeded to make an examination of the premises. and in the back room on the ground floor found a large copper still, set in brickwork, which had been recently worked off, with a small quantity of illicitly -made spirits. The rest of the working had been removed by the men belonging to the place. There were about 100 gallons of molasses wash prepared for distillation, a number of tubs, pipes, and the general stock in trade of a contraband distillery. Two females were found in the house, who gave the names of Pheebe West and Ann Brown, the latter of whom was recognised as au old offender, having been detected in a similar transaction in 1847, when she suf fered three months' imprisonment. Both women were given into custody. While the, excise officers were in house, preparing to dispatch their seizure to the excise warehouses, a gentle tap was given at the door, which was opened, and a man bearing a bag of molasses en tered, who was also given in charge. INFLUENCE OF LEVEL ON ASIATIC CHOLERA.—Let us now ask ourselves this question—Why is it that there was such an immense majority of cases on the south side of the river? I answer—On account of the low level and the warm, damp atmosphere, and the scandalously bad drainage resulting therefrom; to which I might also add the filthy river water consumed by the inhabitants. A river's bank implies a low level; and if that low level be increased in extent, it augments the difficulty of proper drainage, and encourages that stagnant, close, and moist atmosphere which diminishes the vital energies of the system, and predisposes to disease. I have ascertained the levels of most of the parishes ravaged by the cholera, and find that in all, except St. Giles's sad Marylebone, the level is low, and is generally corresponding with the diffusion of the epidemic. Extensive districts on the other side of the water are under high water mark; the Bricklayers Arms is six inches below that level, and the Obelisk in Blackfriars-road is only 5 inches above it. Lambeth is built upon a marsh. The still parishes on the north ban k are generally though on a tilhlig very low. than those on the so uth bank low. Chelsea Hospital is only 11 feet 7 i nc h es above the level ; other situations aro much lower : tbo water in the park 'at St. James's is 5 feet 1 inch below the level ; Westminster, next the river, is univer sally low. Limehouse, Shadwell, Rateliff, all are low ; the highest measurement that I have obtained, that of St. George's-in-the-East, being 30 feet. Even the London Hospital, Whiteehapel, nearly 1* mile from the river, is only 36 feet 4 inches above the level. The exempted parishes are on a high level and pour the filth of their sewers into the low level districts where it is kept in a state of suspension by the flow of the tide, and poisons the health of the inhabitants.—Medical Times. THE REV. FATHER MATHEW.—The members of the North Star Temperance Society h ave rece i ve d a letter from the " Apostle of 'Temperance," which con tains the following gratifying announcement—" Jiy health is now, thank God, completely restored, and 1 anxiously look forward to the fulfilment of my ardent desires in the ensuing sprink. I have already commu nicated with the high-minded people of America on the subject." THE ANNUALS FOR 1849. THE K PSAKE. lidited by the Countess of Bles- sington. Adorned like its predecessors with a gorgeous binding of crimson and gold, and graced like them with :a profusion of admirable engravings, tric>celia neous tales, and graceful verses, " The Keepsake" for 1849 has made its appearance. The names of its accomplished editress and of her distinguished cella borateure are sufficient evidences of its literary at tractions. Lady Blessington has contributed an interesting, but somewhat improbable " Tale of the late French Revolution"—the revolution of February. Mr. Bernal, M.P., has written a yet more improbable chapter on "Conrad, or Fatalities." Thackeray has told us in his own humorous way of "An Interesting Event," by the instrumentality of which Mr. Smith lost his dinner at Budgeon's after having arrayed himself in his very best attire and given three-and sixpence for a pair of white kid gloves, and moreover after having refused an invitation to the Topham Sawyers, and thereby lost all chance of Miss Henrica Hase and her six thousand a-year. " Cyane" is a graceful fairy- tale by Mrs. Owen, based on a foundation somewhat similar to that of the inimitable " Undine." Mrs. Romer's " Scene on the Shannon," which relates to an Irish murder, and the extraordinary manner in which it was brought to light, is, as may naturally be inferred, a tale of interest and horror; nor is the story of " Madeline Capel, and her scheming Guardians," possessed of in ferior attraction for the lovers of the horrible. Among the many light tales:which fill the pages of the " Keep sake," are contributions by Mrs. S. C. Hall, Miss Power, Mrs. Newton Crosland (better known by her popular maiden name—Camilla Toulmin), Mrs. Abdy, and Isabella and Georgiana Munro. Of the poems scattered over the pages of the " Keepsake," among which are verses by Mr. Milnes, by Albert Smith, by Lord John Manners, by Mr. Denison, M.P., and others, the best, without doubt, are the lines by Dr. Beattie, on the " Fountains of the Place de la Concorde " fountains erected on the very spot where the guillotine once stood—and some exquisite verses by Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, " The First Violets." After eulogising the peculiar and perhaps, somewhat ideal beauty of the first violets when newly discovered, when at their sight and scent " All June seems golden in the April shies." the poet, concludes his panegyric upon the violet, in the following sad, sweet lines—lines which re peat an " oft-told tale," a lamentation for the evanescence of early dreams, but a lamentation never before more delicately and exquisitely expressed "Brief-lived first flowers, first-love. The hours steal on To prank the world in summer's pomp of hue ; But what shall flaunt beneath a fiercer sun, Worth what we lose in you ? " Oft, by a flower, a leaf, in some lov'd book, We mark the lines that charm us most :—Retrace Thy life—recal its loveliest passage ;—look, Dead violets keep the place." The engravings which adorn the " Keepsake " for 1849 are of very superior excellence. Among the most attractive are the portraits of Lady Constance Gower, Lady Elizabeth Lascelles, Mrs. Maher, and Lady Georgiana Coddring ton. The skill of the artist, the delicacy of the engraver and the great beauty of the lady have in each instance contributed to render these portraits among the most pleasing contents of the " Keepsake." " A Steamer entering Folkstone Harbour during a heavy gale," will alio excite great interest, albeit an interest of a somewhat differe — nt character. Views of Paris, and fancy pictures complete the pictorial con tents of the " Keepsake " for 1849, which will, we doubt not, be kindly welcomed in the drawing-room and boudoir. James Wilson is suspected and arrested. Mary Bar ton is subpoenaed to give evidence on the trial. On her appearance in the witness-box, Wilson buries his face in his hands, heartbroken, because he thinks that she who never loved him, must hate him now, believing him to he the murderer of her lover. We will not spoil a most exquisite passage by giving a fragment of Mary's evidence. It cannct fail to elicit the admiration and the sympathy of all who read it. " All her falser self Slipt from her like a robe, And left her woman." All her coquettish vanity, all her ambitious dreams forgotten, she avails herself of questions opportunely put to her, and in a simple, artless, but unhesitating language, tells the story of her love. The judge, the jury, the eager listening crowd, are all forgotten, she only sees the heart-broken prisoner, and hastens to efface the memory of her former misconduct, and afford him the only consolation in her power. She who had refused James Wilson when he was blessed with friends, and fortune, and prosperity, stands forward in the open court of justice to own her love for him when universally ex ecrated, and all but condemned to death. Said we not rightly that the author of " Mary Barton" lays bare, with a masterly hand, the secret movement of the heart ? After what we have said, it is surely not ne cessary to commend "Mary Barton" to the attention of our readers. GLIMPSES of the BEAUTIFUL, and ether Poems. By James Henderson. Poetry is übiquity, and that übiquity both in the actual and ideal universe. Wherever the grass grows or the sunbeams glitter, wherever a life moves—be it the life of a gnat or a leviathan—wherever a mind thinks, or a heart throbs, there is poetry. The chil dren of the frozen north and of the sultry south have alike the blessing and solace of poetic faculties, they have their scops and their scalds, their bards and their troubadours. The influence of Apollo is felt in either extremity of the hemisphere, like the palpita tions of the ocean— " - icing the pole, Or, in the torrid zone, dark heaving." We have here a book of verses, filling 192 pages, from the hand of a citizen of Glasgow. Most of the contents have already appeared, according to a statement made in the author's brief and modest pre face, in the columns of the public journals ; but, as they will doubtless prove new to the majority of the readers in England, that circumstance cannot militate against the book as a novelty. Several of the verses have struck us as being characterised by an odd vigour, such, for example, as the " Theme of th• Thoughtless," at page 26, in which the writer reveals a surprising facility both in the trickeries of rhyme and rhythm. Others of the effusions, such as " The Clouds " (p. 92), " The Dream of my Heart " (p. 145), and " The Ocean Graves " (p. 161), evince considerable powers, both of pathetic feeling and graceful composition. A want of space, at the present moment, alone prevents us from affording, by a lengthened quotation, some notion of the poetical abilities of Mr. Henderson. SOMETHING FOR THE CHILDLEN; a Gift Book .for all Occasions. By J. W. Green, with II- lustrcritions by George Meeso;n. Mr. Green is already favourably known to the juvenile public as the author of many excellent works. The present is, perhaps, the best that he has yet produced ; it might well be entitled something of everything—moral tales—natural history—tales of travel—accounts of various cities and water ing places both in England and on the continent, all are to be found in this admirable little work, and all written in a plain understand able yet most captivating style, which'cannot fail to make the work popular with children. Mr. Green is the Peter Parley of the old world. The book is beautifully illustrated by Meesom, and is one of the nicest presents that those who like "to take something for the children" can make to them. THE COMIC ALMANAC for 1849. Edited by Horace Mayhew. illustrated by George Cruihshanh. This is the oldest, and still continues to be one of the very best comic annuals. The robe of Rigdum Funnidos hath fallen worthily on the shoulders of Horace Mayhew, who hath here dished up a rare banquet of fun, for which George Cruikshank has provided the plates. FUNERAL OF Sin JOHN [BARROW, BART..--The funeral of the venerable Sir John Barrow, Bart., took place yesterday forenoon, when his mortal remains were removed from New-street, Spring-gardens, for interment in the Camden Cemetery, belonging to the parish of St. Martin-in-the Fields. The funeral cortege consisted of a: hearse and four, and two mourning coaches. The mourners were Sir George Barrow, Bart., Mr. J. Bar row, Mr. P. Barrow, sons, and Mr. R. B. Batty, grand son of the deceased, the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker, Sir George Staunton, Bart., M.P., and Sir Ben jamin Brodie.! KING'S COLLEGE, ABERDEEN.—The Senate of this college have unanimously re-elected the Earl of Elles mere Lord Rector of the university. CAPTAIN MARRTAT AS A MIDSHIPMAN.-011 the 23d of September, 1806, he entered the navy of a first class boy, on board the Impdcieuse, 44 guns, commanded by the illustrious Lord Cochrane. During his service under this gallant officer, which lasted until the 18th of October, 1809, ho took part in more than fifty engage ments, in which many ships of war and merchant men were cut out, off the coast of France and in the Mediterranean. Having chased a ship in the Bay of Arcupon, which sought safety under the guns of a battery, Lord Cochrane resolved to cut her out, and young Marryat was one of the boarding party. He followed closely the first lieutenant who headed the expedition, and who at length, after his party had sus tained a severe loss, succeeded in gaining the deck of the enemy. He had scarcely done so when, struck by thirteen musket balls, he fell back a corpse, knocking ' down his follower in his fall, who was trampled on and almost suffocated by his shipmates, who, burning to revenge their leader, rushed forward with im petuous bravery. The vessel captured, an examination took place of the bodies of the killed and wounded. Marryat numbered among the former, and being in a state of stupor, was unable to deny the doom assigned to him. But soon arrived the surgeon and his assist ants, and with them came a midshipman who bore no goodwill to Marryat. This worthy youth, seeing the supposed lifeless body of his comrade, gave it a slight kick, saying, " Here is a young cock that has done crowing! Well, for a wonder, this chap has cheated the gallows!" This salutation, with its comment, re vived the almost expiring energies of the other, who faintly exclaimed, " You are a liar!" a retort which, notwithstanding the melancholy scene around, produced a roar of laughter.—Bentley's Miscellany. HERRING AND SPRATS.—Wednesday morning, three Avoch boats sent to the Inverness market a large quantity of young herring and sprats, caught during the night off Bunchrew, in the Beauly Firth. The former were sold at ten for a penny, and the latter were still cheaper. In a very few hours the market was cleared— the cheapness and novelty of the article induced many of the visitors to make small investments. The boats bad also a few grown herring, which were early disposed of. This is the first capture this season of young herring and sprats in that neighbourhood. Yesterday several boats had successful takes in the Moray Firth, between Munlochy Bay and Chanonry Point, some of which were brought to the Dingwall market to-day, and sold at twenty for 6d.—Ross - shire Advertiser. TUE OIL FISIIERIES.—The vessel Truelove, ar rived from Davis' Straits, has brought 74 tuns of oil and three and three-quarters tons weight of whalefins ; and the vessel Abram, also arrived from Davis' Straits, has brought 35 tuns of oil and two tons weight of whalefins, the production of that northern region. The vessel Herefordshire, arrived from Newfoundland, has brought 387 casks of oil, 4,648 seal skins, and some packages of other skins, furs, fish, caplin, berries, and cranberries; the vessel Hazard, from the same place, 320 casks of cod oil, one cask of seal oil, and some packages of cod sounds; and the vessel Friendship, also from St. John's, New foundland, has brought 324 casks of oil and other mer chandize, the production of that coast of North America. GUTTA PERCLIA.—This grade continues to be imp , ported in very large quantities, in order to meet the numerous and extensive demands which are made for it to bo appropriated to the very many purposes to which it is now found to be applicable. A vessel just arrived in the decks from Singapore has brought what we believe to be the largest importation which has been made at one time, consisting of 3,294 packages, 710 lumps, and 10,441 blocks of the article. BRISTOL A FREE POET.—As a striking proof of the good effect of the " free port " measure which has been recently carried at Bristol, we may mention that during the past week the foreign arrivals were quadrupled, whilst it was intimated by the first American ship which has arrived under the new tariff that several ships in the different harbours of America are loading for that port. Comment on these facts is scarcely necessary. STEERING COMPASS.—Captain Sir Samuel Brovrnhas invented a refLcting, or we should say rather a reflected compass for ships to steer by, and th e Admiralty have ordered its merits to be tested on b oar d t h e St. V incent 120, flag-ship of Sir Charles N a pi er . Mr. Biddlecombe, the master of that ship, is to have charge of it, and to report his opinions with r espect to its use and applica bility for service in the navy. We shall endeavour to describe it. At the top of a metal staff some seven or eight feet in height, placed on a stand (altogether some thing similar to the stand of a fire-screen) is a compass slung as an overh ea d compass, w i t h t h e face downward; about five feet further down the staff (the same height from the deck at which the binnacle compass usually stands) is a projecting circular disc of looking-glass or highly-polished steel, which being placed on the same plane, and exactly opposite the card of the compass at the top of the staff reflects it; and it is by this reflected card that the man at the helm (or wheel) is to steer. The principal object of the invention is to place the compass clear of all local attraction, so that the needle may tra verse in its true position. Captain Sir Thomas Brown had it on the platform at the King' Stairs, in this dock yard, on Tuesday, and explained its properties and uses to the Commander-in -Chief, Admiral the Hon. Sir Bluden Capel, and likewise to Rear Admiral Superinten dent Prescott.—Devonport Independent. SUBSTITUTE FOR CREAM IN TEA OR COFFEE. — Beat the white of an egg to a froth—put to it a very sma ll l um p of butter, and mix well; then turn the coffee to it gradually so that it may not curdle. If perfectly done it will be an excellent substitute for cream. — Sidney's Emiliranes Journal. MEMORANDA OF A MUSICIAN. BY GEORGE J. 0. ALLMANN. " Notes, notes, forsooth, and noting!" SHMISPERE. No. 111. SEBASTIAN BACH. If Music possesses among the works of her numerous Expositors any that deserve to be, and will doubtless be, immortal, they may truly be said to he found in greater abundance among the writings of this the greatest theoretician that ever breathed. And these works will prove their own undying worth from the very principle which they contain --the living essence of truth, of science, and natural feeling—truth, which extends over countless worlds and immeasurable time—science, which is the foundation and the resolution of that which is and that which will be —and natural feeling, which creates the emotion to understand and appreciate the uttermost sublimity of thought. True it is that the French taste for the unreal instead of the true and solid science, and the Italian natural ixstinct, if I may use the term, for a simple rhythmical form of melody, which so vilely influenced the European schools of instrumental music, had very nearly spread its baneful effects on the family of this glorious old fuguist, for it did not escape the infection, and his " well-tempered clavier" was forsaken for the flimsier and less satisfactory works of Hullmandel, Schobert, and Paradies ; but-- those dear buts how opportune they are—but it was only for a time. The honest, deepbrowed old organist —the Milton of Musicians—the colossal king who towered above all in the realms of music, was sought for and found, the period of usurpation and neglect bewailed—yes, sought for and restored " to his own again," like the Swiss champions of their superstitious age, with deep penitence ; for he who was calmly, even sadly, awaiting, as in the silence of the tombs, the moment when he should be summoned—he, both in his heart and in his art a Prophet, ANEW that the time must arrive—to claim and recover his olden, his rightful heritage, and was it otherwise ? 0 World ! 0 Time I I ask ye! If ye could reply your solemn voices would cry with the deep clangour of the eternal trump, " Aye!" for To •day he stands before ye and us, his gigantic form, as vigorous, unlessened, and unhurt by the neglect of the one and the devastating doom of the other of ye, as the youngest enthusiast who crowds with worshipful heart to honour, and whose spirit breathes, while it partakes, of the Immortality of JOHN SEBAS TIAN Bees ! And shall we not say the same of the To morrow? Verily we may a little vary the beautifal thought: . . "Death! ere thou hast kill'd another Wise and great and good as he Time shall aim a shaft at thee." THE HARP. The harp is generally, and with every apparent truthfulness, considered to be the most venerable musical instrument extant; for from sacred history we learn that Jubal (the seventh in descent from Adam) was deno minated the father of all those who woke strains from the kinnor or lyre. David, the second 'antelitish king, was a great master of the harp, and the instrument upon which he performed before Saul was called in Hebrew " Kinnor" or " hazeer," meaning an instrument of ten strings; and no nation has equalled the Ancient Britons in their veneration of, and in the perfection which they attained on the tilyn, It formed an important adjunct to all Druidical processions and religious celebrations. Giraldus Cnmbrensis, who flourished about 1180, wrote, " Travellers in Britain (Wales) who arrive at early hours are entertained by the conversation of young women and by airs on the harp all along the evening, for every family of but little consequence possesses its damsels and harps assigned for that purpose!" The present harp in use in Wales contains three rows of strings, invented in the fourteenth century, the extreme rows tuned iu unison, the middle bearing the flats and sharps. M. Simon, a native of Brussels, invented the pedals rather more than eighty years ago, and it is to M. Erard, who improved considerably on the inventor, that the credit of introducing the double action is duo. This is simply effected by each pedal raising a note either a whole tone or a semitone, which renders the instruments of the present day almost perfect, for their compass exceeds six octaves, and the pitch can be raised or lowered by means of the pedals, ready at the per former's pleasure, while the most difficult compositions of Beethoven, &c., can be played on them with as much ease as on the pianoforte. WHO WAS THE ORIGINATOR OF THE OPERA? Opinions differ as to the time when the first attempt to establish the opera was made. But most incline to believe that a Florentine poet named Rinuncini composed a kind of serenata or musical pastoral called " Daphne," which was performed with so much success, that he afterwards wrote the opera of Euridice, which was re presented at the Teatro Reale di Firenze in the year 1600, on the occasion of the espousals of Henry the Fourth of France and Maria de Medici. The music, which was considered to have contributed mainly to their fame, was written by a composer by name Jacopo Peri. An opera entitled L' Orfeo, Favola in Musica (Orpheus, a fable, with music,) was produced in 1607, and is believed to have been the first that was ever printed. But how opposite to modern operas was the construction of this drama. In its representation the accompaniment of the whole orchestra was very rarely required, the airs sung by the various performers being assisted by a few instruments of different kinds assigned to each character, so that if one heroine had several airs to sing, these airs would all be scored similarly—so with the rest of the persone. The overture was merely a brief prelude, about eight or twelve bars, all a breve time in length, and to this, which was played over thrice before the rising of the curtain, succeeded the prologue, which, by orthodox regulations, consisted of five dia logues in recitativo, which acted a part like the chorus in the Greek dramas, and explained the argument of the play, to attract attention and enjoin silence. The opera then commenced with a dialogue in recitative, delivered by a shepherd, which was directly followed by a chorus in five parts in strict counterpoint, accompanied by all the instruments, which the singers were directed to follow. Other, and semi -choruses, were sung, &mem ranied only by guitars, violins, and flutes. There were no solo airs, but recitatives, choruses, ritornellas or symphonies, trios, and duets formed the wh o l e of this opera, which ccncluded with a Moresca, or Moorish dance, by all the characters. A STRAIN FROM THE SICK MUSICIAN. Fair Artemis! thy pale, chaste beam is glancing Into my chamber, through the lattice panes : Its stream of argent light keeps ever dancing, Like fairy feet upon enchanted planes; While I, upon my sick couch, fevered, lie, And feel my fever vanish while thou meet , at mine eye! Etherially fair art thou I—not glaring With the red glow that paints the face of day! But pur• and holy art thou, never scaring Those who thy presence seek, with frowns, away! But rather smiles ineffable dost shed, With which the Spirit of the Beautiful is fed! 0! pensive Queen! I gaze upon thy beauty, And, on my restless couch, I turn and sigh, I close mine eyes, their lids fail in their duty; They WILL NOT slumber when thou'rt shining by. The wakeful vigil which thou now dost keep Hath banished from my bed the Angel-form of Sleep! Yet, do not quit thy path of lucent glory! I hang upon thy smile, so calm, so bright, As Mortals on the dreamy Poet's story, Drinking the Essence of his wondrous Light! Thou art my Spirit-love! for tky cold kiss Woke Passion first within my breast! 0 Artemis! G. J. 0. A. MOZ ART. The musician of Saltaburg was not more undeniably the possessor of extraordinary and unmistakeable genius than he was of a firm yet becomingly modest respect for his own judgment in that divine art in which he so pre-eminently excelled. So great were every one's ex pectations raised in favour of his opera "Di• Emporung" (II Seraglio), that the Emperor Joseph the Second made a point of attending at the theatre on the night of its first production. At the termination of the performanc e the Emperor, commanding the composer's presence, said to him, " Your opera is a very fine one, my dear Mozart, but you must confess that it is somewhat overcrowded with notes!" " Exactly as crowded, Sire, as I intended it should be," replied our compcser, at the same time making a bow in such a manner as to denote his con , fideuce i❑ his own knowledge of what produced best the expression he intended to convey. II AN DEL. In my Memoranda, No. 2, I related a circumstance illustrative of Hander's love of good cheer, but I did not call to mind at that time the following trait in the character of this wondertully inspired musician. Pos sessing a great appetite, he required uncommonly frequent and large supplies of sustenance. Whenever he dined alone at a tavern he used to bespeak dinner " for tree!" (three). At the appointed time he would ask, " Is de tinner reaty?" and on receiving the answer, "As soon as the company come, Si r, " woul d reply smacking his lips," Con strepito, den pring up de tinner prestissimo, Ibe de go m b any I" H ow true i s t h e re flection— " Tempora mutantur—" and, even as Horace discovered its truth a thousand years agone, so do we now, and that " Nos mutamur in Mi.'," _ _ is as veritable a fact as when that Great Satirist flou rished. Only pause for a moment to think if our Mo dern Timotheus were to give way, before our young and b e loved Queen and her Co urt, to the vehemence of th at anger to which , it is said, he frequently did before th e Prince and Princess of Wales. Nevertheless, it i s t r ue , if the Maids of Honour or any other female attendants talked during the performance of the oratorios at Carl- Vizi House, so that their voices reached our composer, he not only, it is feared, swore, but called names, and yet at such times the Princess of Wales with her usual benig nity would exclaim, " Hush ! hush ! Handel, is in a passion." NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. SIR C. NAPIER'S SQUADRON.—PORTSMOUTH, WED NESDAY.—It blew a heavy gale with squalls of rain from the westward last night, which made the squadron under Sir Charles Napier get their top-gallant masts on deck ; the wind has somewhat lulled, but it still blows strong, with foul weather, therefore there is no probability of the squadron putting to sea. The Rifleman hoisted the white ensign and pendant yesterday; she is now in dock " all standing," and will come out again about the Ist of December. The Superb, 80, was re-commissioned at 11 A.M. to day by Csptain E. Purcell. Her marines were embarked fiom Clarence-yard aethe same time. She paid of yes terday in an unprecedentedly creditable manner, which speaks more for the character and discipline of the crew than volumes of eulogy could. She had not a man drunk or disorderly out of the entire crew (720). Two men were indebted to the Crown (instead of having money to receive) for slops, &c., and were ordered on board the Victory, to work out the amount each respectively owed, but their shipmates came forward and made up the money, and it is question which was the happier of the two parties—Jack relieved or Jack relieving. The Rifleman, screw steam schooner, Lieutenant.. Commander S. L. Crofton, was docked this morning to examine some leakage which has been manifesting itself in her run, near the propeller. This vessel has been placed under the orders of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, and consequently hoisted a white ensign and pendant this morning. The Plumper screw-steamer, Commander Nolloth, completed her adjustment of compasses this morning, and her crew were paid two months' wages in advanee. Letters have been received here from Woolwich, stating that the Arrogant, 46, screw-frigate, in her pas sage from Deptford to Woolwich, on Monday, went eight knots through the water. The Monkey tug pre ceded her at starting to tow, but it was soon evident she was only in the way. The Arrogant steered easily, and answered her helm quickly. The log was hove three times; both the line and glass having been carefully looked to beforehand, there was no mistake therefore about this nnlooked-for achievement in point of speed. Mr. Penn, the engine -maker, was on board at the time; the engines answer admirably, and work most perfectly and harmoniously. After next springs a trial down the river, with guns and seagoing stores on board, will be made. Her trip on Monday augurs well. The Kingfisher, 12, Commander Harvey, arrived at Madeira from this port on Monday, the 13th inst., last from Plymouth, whence she sailed on the 3d. She was thepla c e c d h o i I n c r q a u a b ra e n t g i n e r e o p n o r h t e e d r arrival n g i I n a n e d o . n s e s q h u e e n s c a e i e o d f again on Tuesday afternoon, and will touch at St. Ni cholas and Sierra Leone, whence she proceeds to Ascen sion. She had several cases of sickness on board, but chiefly colds occasioned by changes of climate. She experienced very bad weather in the Bay of Biscay. The Peterel packet arrived in six days. She only re mained long enough to get provisions and water. The labourers and artisans of the dockyard were mustered this afternoon by the Admiral-Superintendent and principal officers of the yard. As it is customary to do this at the end of every quarter, no surprise would have been excited had it taken place a month later; but in the middle of the quarter it has caused anything but a pleasurable sensation, those most concerned anti cipating considerable reductions. APPOINTMENTS. .Captain the Right Hon. Charles Philip Earl of Hard wteke (182. 4), to the Vengeance, 84-gun ship, at N a pl e s , vice Lushington, to the superintendence of the Bombay marine. The gallant Earl and family left Southampton yesterday in the Euxine packet for Malta. Captain Edward Purcell (1828) to the Superb 80-gun ship, at Portsmouth. Captain Purcell took up his ap pointment, and hoisted his pennant on board the Superb, yesterday. morning, in Portsmouth harbour. The Superb is to have the reduced complement of 466, officers and men, at present. Commander William C. Aldham (1844), at present in the Vengeance, to the Superb. Commander Aldham will return to England on being relieve& Commander John W. Tarleton (1846), to the Ven geance, 84, vice Aldham. Commander Tarleton takes passage in the Rosamond steam-sloop, from Plymouth, to join his ship. Surgeon—J. Lardner (1838), to the Superb. Paymaster and Purser—G. V. Oughton (1807), to the Superb. Mate—George Pideock, to the Hastings flag-ship, in the East Indie s . Assistant-Surgeons—Geo. Duncan, M.D. (1845), G. E. Nicholas, M.D., to the Superb; E. Lawless (1845), to the Mohawk steam-vessel, on the lakes of Canada. Clerk-in-Charge—G. L. A. Warren, to the Ardent steam-packet on the Mediterranean station. Midshipman—J. G. C. Evered, to the Superb. Master's Assistant—J. P. Clements, to the Superb. Clerk's Assistant—John Weeks, to the Victory flag ship, at Portsmouth. Carpenter—George Johnson, to the Superb. Boatswain—W. Smith, to the Superb. Augustus J. King ston , who was acting mate of the Acorn, 16, paid off some months since, from the East Indies, and who passed in seamanship January, 1848, but whose name does not appear among the 100 mates in the Navy List, "by authority," has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Commander William S. Hall, promoted some months since has been appointed to study steam, at Woolwich. Midshipman Harry Huxham, to the Inconstant, 36, at the Pacific. Gunners—William Buckle (acting), to the Excellent; Joseph T. Earl, to the Illustrious, ordinary depot-ship at Portsmouth. In our naval intelligence of yesterday we stated that " A rather curious incident took place with regard to the Sampson. It has been a standing order ever since the Amphion, 32, Captain James Fellow, was blown up in Hamoaze, Plymouth, for all vessels to remove their powder before coming into any harbour containing an arsenal. It has been repeatedly violated ; but, by way of exemplifying Shakspere's adage of ' keeping the word of promise to the ear, and breaking it to the sense,' the Sampson's powder, ` to prevent accident,' was taken out abreast of the doc kyard, with her steam still up, after she had been four hours in harbour." This is an unfounded statement. The steam was not up when the powder was taken out of the Sampson. So soon as the vessel was made fast the fires were all raked out, and this was done at least one hour before the powder ma gazine was opened ; and not only was the steam not up, but we can positively assert that every fire, including even the fire in the captain's cabin, was extinguished some time before they commenced to " take out" the powder. PLYMOUTH, Nov. 28.—The following is an extract from a letter written by an officer on board her Majesty's ship Plover, and received here on Friday last:—" We arrived at Madeira on the 16th February, after a most boisterous passage—nothing but heavy gales of wind ; and had the old craft not been a good sea boat (being so deep in the water), Z fear very few would have been left to tell the tale. We lost our head-rails, and were other wise very severely knocked about. After repairing damages, we sailed again on the evening of the 17th, with a fine breeze; but in getting under way, the fort fired three shots at us. We immediately hove to, and the first lieutenant went on shore to ascertain the cause, and found that the governor directed the officer in com mand of the fort to be placed under arrest (by our con sul's request), fearing the fire might be returned. On the first lieutenant's return we made sail, and e got ig h t t o e e n the m L o r i n e e b i y n t e w a l e n a n t s y fi and delig htdays, ; detain cr o s s e e d d the linein 18 deg., 58 sec. W., and got the S.E. trade, with fine weather, until we got off Rio de Janeiro, when the weather became very bad, and on passing the River Plate, came on to blow very hard, and on nearing the THE 1300 K OF BEAUTY. "The Book of Beauty for 1849," like its last year's predecessor is also styled the " Regal Gallery," for it also is filled with portraits of the Queens of England. 'Whether or not these portraits be very accurate likenesses, we are not able to say, but very certainly they are well fitted to take their places in a book of beauty.' The twelve royal ladies here pourtrayed, with hardly three exceptions, are conspicuous for their exceeding loveliness a loveliness to which the various artists—Bouvier, Corbould, Wright, Newen ham, and Warren, have done ample justice. Sir W. Ress's very excellent likeness of her Majesty forms the frontispiece to the "Book of Beauty." Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, the terrible Isabella of France, wife of Edward 11., the gentle Anne of Bohemia, good Queen Anne, Katherine of France, whose broken French is so familiar to us as set forth.by Shakspere; Margaret of Anjou, the gal lant defender of a hopeless cause; Elizabeth of York, Margaret of France, Katharine of Arragon, and Anne, the Queen of James 1., are the eleven royal ladies whoie portraits adorn the "Book of Beauty," and whose very interesting and most diversified memoirs constitute its literary contents. Let not the lovers of the light literature with which Annual. ordinarily abound, shrink back in alarm from an Annual filled with history, for we can assure them that the various memoirs from the pens of Lady Blessington, Miss Power, Mr. Curling, Mrs. O wen , & c ., are no f orma l historical epitomes, but most interesting, agreeable, and amusing chronicles of anecdote and adventure. The "Book of Beauty" is, as usual, bound in blue and gold, and more truly deserves the appellation of a book of beauty than any of its predecessors. LITERATURE. MARY BARTON; a Tale of Manchester Life. 2 Vols. " Mary Barton," unpretending as is its appellation, is, without doubt, one of the most interesting, and in many respects the most admirable, of the many works of -fiction which have recently made their appearance. A work of fiction we call it, for the narrative is, of course, fictitious, but the characters are life-like, the pictures of humble life are real, and, above all, the passion and the pathos are eminently truthful. To give in a few words the best description, and the highest eulogium of " Mary Barton," we may say that it affords a most graphic sketch of the habits and thoughts and feelings of the important class to which it relates— one of the most important classes of the community— and, at the same time, in the most delicate and mas terly manner it reveals the secret workings of the hu man heart, which are the same among all classes. From the very first chapter of the first volume, where we join the humble tea party at John Barton's hos pitable board, we feel ourselves actually mingling in the scenes of which we read, we inhale the smoky atmosphere of the manufacturing city, we join in the jovial mirth of the factory-workers in their days of plenty, and we sympathise most heartily in their despairing desolation, when idleness has succeeded to employment, and starvation to prosperity. " The short and simple annals of the poor" are here set forth by one well fitted for, and well worthy of, the task. Nothing is " extenuated," ' nor aught set down in malice." The wrongs and the wrong-doings of both employers and employed are gently touched upon, and those wrongs and wrong-doings are most effectively illustrated by an awfully tragic incident—an inci dent which throws a gloom over many pages of the narrative, but which at the same time invests it with most heart-thrilling interest and a most solemn beauty. Not the sorrows of the poor only employ the loving hand which has inscribed "Mary Bart , ii, not the sorrows of the poor only draw tears from the eyes which dwell upon its pages, the chapter which details with a most horrible minute ness the incidents which transpired in Mr. Carson's mansion on the evening of his son's murder, is, per haps, one of the most natural pieces of writing that ever was penned. Our space will not permit us to enter more fully into the merits of the story. We must bestow one remaining consideration upon the heroine herself. She is well worthy of all consideration. The character of Mary Barton, as here portrayed, affords an inimitable illus tration of the complicated workings of a woman's heart. Mary is not described as an all-perfect he roine : early deprived of a mother's care—spoilt by an indulgent father—conscious of great personal attractions, Mary is for a time unworthily influenced by coquetry and ambition. She scorns the affection of a noble-hearted youth in her own sphere of life, who is devoted to her, and for whom she, in spite of herself, entertains a most tender regard, and thus doing violence to her natural inclinations she listens with satisfaction to th© loving professions of Henry Carson, the son of the great proprietor, her am bitious desire of becoming a wealthy " lady" render ing her wilfully blind to the worth of the man she really loves, and the worthlessness of the " gentle man who is deceiving her. It is not our purpose to epitomise all the history of Mary Barton, but there is one "situation" towards the close of the narrative which possesses such powerful and unusual in terest, and which is, in fact, in every way so admirable, that we should hardly consider ourselves as doing justice to the author of " Mary Barton " if we did not, however briefly, allude to it. James Wilson, Mary's humble lover, declares his affection, and meets with a most decisive rejection from his ambitious mistress ; but no sooner are the words uttered, and Wilson has left her in despair, than Mary's woman's heart triumphs over her girlish vanity ; she feels that she loves Wilson, and would give the world to recal her words. It is too late, however, he is gone, and the same woman's heart which would rejoice over his return forbids her to recal him. Mary dismisses her " gentleman" lover, and waits in almost hopeless anxiety for chance to reveal to Wil son what she dares not volunteer to tell him. Our brief summary does but inadequate justice to this most truthful delineation of those "Hopes and fears which nourish hope, An undistinguishable throng, And gentle wishes long subdued, Subdued and cherished long." To come, however, to the grand scene, the master , piece of the novel—Henry Carson is murdered, and - -: 4 ' POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. On Monday last Dr. Bachhoffuer commenced a course of appropriate and highly interesting lectures on elec tricity for the purpose of showing its scientific and social bearings. The principal feature in his lecture, as may be imagined, was the application of this agen t to light giving purposes. In his experiments he succeeded most admirably in keeping up a steady light, equal to 250 wax candles. The result was most brilliant and effective. The learned Doctor very properly sta t ed that it was not his object to depreciate the labours of those gentlemen who were securing their disc overies b y patent right, but merely to show by the usual experiments of the lecture table how valuable such a light would be could it ever be rendered permanent and economic. The lecture room was crowded by a highly respectable audience, who appeared to be greatly delighted by the Profeaser'S discourse. 3 4 11% 25 to to to to --- to --- to to -- to --, CO :0 `.O .0 ;0 -• 0 ..' 0 . 0 .... 0 ...... 0 .....r 0 - D - ) -- ) -- 1) --- ) ....... 1 ) - ) - > -- , -... 1 --"'" I- -- ~, ~ g 1 1. is ,~