The Sun. — London, England, 1848-04-24 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMNIONS, April 22. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of Saturday.) Mr. MORGAN JOHN O'CONNELL—The state of the country was far from saiisfactory, and he could not help stating that tke Government had not introduced those measures for the benefit. of Ireland which, owing to their conduct whilst in opposition, the people of that conntry had a right to expect. They had expected a poor-law suitable for the country, but their expectations had not been realised; and the reclamation of waste lands, with other important measures, had been aban doned ' • a nd the difficulties which the Government stated they bad to contend with were of their own creating. The lion in their path was one of their own raising. The wants of Ireland at this moment were rather more of a material than political nature. The people of Ire land wanted more employment rather than the further extension of the franchise. The Usher of the Black Rod then appeared at the bar, and summoned the House to the House of Peers, to hear the Royal Assent given, by commission, to se veral Bills. The SPEAKER, accompanied by several Hon. Mem bers, proceded to the House of Lords, and having returned, Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL proceeded to state that he believed that, notwithstanding the violent language held by some parties in Ireland towards this country, there was still a considerable fund of good feeling towards this country. Sir G. GREY said the Hon. Gentleman had given a right interpretation of the sentiments of his Noble Friend.—(Hear, hear.) He was most anxious to argue , the matter in the House ot Commons, and not to resort to force, except force were arrayed against the Govern ment. After the recess, no doubt, measures would be introduced by the Government which would give satis faction to every reasonable man in Ireland, as they were calculated to remedy the substantial grievances of that country. Mr. C. ANSTEY deprecated the violent means which were being taken by certain parties in Ireland, and con sidered that the violence which they were resorting to would be tantamount to the abandonment of the repeal cause. Mr. F. O'CONNOR said the present excited and dis contented state of the people of Ireland was the conse quence of the education which they received from O'Connell and their other leaders. Lord Brougham after the three glorious days in France, during the former revolution, taught the people not to respect the Crown ; for he said, in soliciting the sweet voices of the electors of the %Vest Riding, that if kings were arbitrary towards their people that their heads would soon roll in the gutters, for boys to play at ball with.—(Laughter.) The people of this country were kept in the dark with respect to the real condition ot the people, in proof of which he related the following story, which he said a Noble la.rd, formerly the Member for North Staffordshire, could confirm. A gentleman called upon him some years ago, and after saying that he was going • to Ireland as a " commissioner" for one or the news papers, solici , ed employment in a similar capacity for the N rthern Stir. He declined to do so, on the ground that as the letters would no doubt be correct, he could copy them from the newspaper whose " commissioner" he was. " Oh," said the gentleman, " they will not suit your newspaper. I must give one version for the paper for which I am specially going to Ireland, and I could give you another."—(Loud laughter.) He believed now that the Biil for securing the Crown and Government had received the royal assent, that the Government were traitors to the Crown for proposing such a measure, and allowing it to go out to the world that the monarchy was so weak as to require further powers to support it. The Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY wished to know when it was the intention of the lion. Member to bring in a Bill, leave for which he had some time since obtained, upon the subject of the Chartist Land Company. Mr. F. O'CONNOR said that it was his intention to do so immediately after the Easter recess. DENMARK AND PRUSSIA. Mr. IIIi,QUHART gave notice tha; he would o n th e lieh of May, move for a return of papers connecteu with the present state of Prussia and Denmark. REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE. Mr. HUME gave notice that he would, on the 23d of May, bring before the House a motion with respect to the state of the representation of the people in (hut House. Alit. COCHRANE'S PAUPER PROCESSION. Mr. J. A. SMITH said that he had seen an adver tisement in one of the morning newspapers to the effect that the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State foe the Home Department had given his assent to a certain: large procession taking place on Monday to the Home- office, for the purpose of accompanying a petition. He wished to know whether such was the case. Sir G. GREY—In answer to the question put to me by the Hon. Member, I beg to state that I have seen this day a letter which has been published in the Morning Advertiser, signed by Mr. Charles Cochrane, stating that there would be a large assemblage—l believe they have been rated as highly as 90,000 persons—who were to proceed, accompanied by five large petitions, in proces sion. to the Home-office, and adding " that th. Secretary of State had Most considerately declarers that he would offer no opposition to such procession." That allegation, I beg to state, is totally without the least shadow of foundation, and Mr. Cochrane has been told, more than three weeks since, that no procession whatever could be allowed, and that no petition coul, be received by the Secretary of State if accompanied large numbers of persons; but if sent, in the usual way. to the Secretary of State's office, or brought by a smal , number of persons only, it would be received. Mr. Cochrane was al.lo informed that it would not be con venient to receive the address in the Easter week but that after that time, if presented in the usual was, it would be attended to. In consequence of the appear once of the advertisements upon the subject, the Com missioners of Police have received instructions, whicl they are prepared to Carry into effect, in order t, prevent any procession from passing through the streets, which would prove a serious inconvenience to th. trade and industry of the public at large. I do not Wiese that any such number as that stated could b. culled together by Mr. Cochrane. The statement whicl that gentleman has made with respect to my sanctioning the procession is totally without foundation, an, effectual measures will be taken by the police to gol such procession if he should attempt to carry it out. With respect to the subject for which the procession is ostensibly designed, viz., that of the condition of th• vagrant poor—it is one well deserving of the most serious attention, and there is at present under the con sideration of the Poor law Commissioners measure calculated to place that class of persons in an improved position under proper government. It is not necessary, however, to the due consideration of this subject that any such measures as that advocated by Mr. Cochrane should be. carried into effect.—(Hear, hear.) DESTITUTE POOR (IRELAND) BILL. Sir Cr. GREY obtained leave to bring in a Bill to - compel parties, before they evict, to give seven days' notice to the tenant and the nearest board of guardians, in order that food and shelter may be provided for them. THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS. Mr. C. BERKELEY inquired if it was the intention of the Government to introduce any measure with re spect to these laws this session ? Sir G. GREY replied that the subject was under the consideration of the Government. SITES FOR CHURCHES. Mr. HUME presented a petition in favour of the Bil' for granting sites for churches. The House then adjourned. A few days ago the commune oir§ R in a Garonne) was the scene of extraordinarecve (Haut. Fouque, proprietor of the forest, happening to t nts. 11. the house of the mayor , a cro w d assembled around n o g uttering threatening cries , and throwing stones in th , r oom in which ?J Fouque was. The mayor, ha v i e : vainly attempted to calm the people, endeavoured to enable M. Fouque to escape, but the people surrounded the house on all sides. At length they forced open ti- o , gates, and filled the cou rt y ard. M. Fouque then de. %landed that some of the rioters should be presented to him to explain what they desired. After some little hesitation they dernanc:ed the immediate repayment or all the fines which M. Fouqi.4 had caused to be inflicted, receipts for the amount of all th e judgments obtained 1)) him, and the abandonment of all pending prosecutions. At three o'clock other individuals arrived in a state of great irritation and made further demands. Not being able to give them all the money they asked, M Fouque expressed a wish to send one of his keepers to St. Gaudens to get the required sum; but the people re fused, and compelled him to write to two of the principal persons of Cierp to come with money. At eight o'cleck these pe rs o ns arr i ve d, and as it was not possible for t hem to Procure the whole sum demanded they brought with the m alt they . possessed in gold and silver articles. This did not sae 34. poIi ZAI the rioters, and they next demanded that a l nd take an en ould abandon the property of the forest, portant sums which,ement to repay the commune the itn suit with him. he it had disbursed in a recent law M. Fouqu4 was threats uttered were so violent that which had been obil preged pare t( c i . comply, and he signed a deed sign. the following declara ' He was then compelled te signed this deed willingly tuat"—" I declare that I have cons a e n i. d n with . all my heart, in order to discharge my forced or recommended. the commune of I t:t e, without being either Signac for the kind reception attkh it has given me, and beg it to give me similar rece ; e ons in future." He for 200 f,, after which was next constrained to sign a bill detained ten he was allowed to depart, after hours, the must terrible vengeance being against hini if either he or his keepers should appear in the forest. An investigation • . e intonture to re these extra• ordinary proceedings was subsequently set on f oot 1. ) - the legal authorities, and two of the ringleaders of the crowd were a rrested.—Galignani. - As some labourers, employed by John Goodall Esq., on his Belvidere estate, near Whitau - ch, were or ; Saturday last digging up the roots of a fine old ash-tree they had recently felled, several pieces of silver coin wele discovered by them, and carefully taken out of the earth, where it is believed they must have lain buried many years. One of the pieces is in a beautiful state of preservation, and is of the reign of Charles IL The others, which are a little defaced, appear to have been coins in circulation in the reign of William 11. It is conceived that these coins must have been deposited at the root of the tree by the hand ;of the planter, at the time of its being planted.—Shropshire Journal. HOSIERY AND LACE TRADES. In the cotton hosiery trade, deApite the agitation and unsettled state of public affairs, the hands in general have work, more or less, few being wholly unemployed that seek for it; but every effort is made by numbers of men to leave the stocking-making business, which is now considered the worst paid of any description of labour in this or the neighbouring counties. The silk-glove hands are also pretty well employed. The drawer, pantaloon, and shirt trade is also in a tolerable state, and several shops that were nearly standing have now full employment. The cut-up cotton hose branch is by no means worse. The troubled state of the times is, however, felt in the wrought hose branch, which, in some villages in this county, has further declined. The system of paying in truck is extending, and is fast becoming a most intolerable grievance which requires all the energy of the ma gistrates to repress the baneful practice. The silk hose trade, we regret to state, has not yet felt any amendment from the return of the English gentry ; but they most assuredly will do, as large quantities of fancy silk hose, of almost every description, have been sold and consumed in Paris, some of them of descriptions not known to the English workmen. The cotton bobbin net trade is yet in a de pressed state, and a general gloom pervades the workmen and most of the machine owners, al though we hear in some quarters that the stocks are upon the move, the principal machine owner in this vicinity having made some extensive consignments ; but, as usual, every species of craft is used by the manufacturers to keep this increased de inand from the knowledge of the public. The making of lace muslins, we are glad to perceive, is again upon the increase. Some of the machines are engaged in making cotton ribbons, which are much esteemed by females, the peculiarly fine quality of cotton used giving it a glossa exceeding what has hitherto been seen in cotton fabrics. The ribbons are extremely cheap. The French lace-trade seems in a stagnant calm : the providing for so large a body to proceed to Australia has had a most tranquillising effect, not only in Calais, but in Nottingham —as, providing, this measure of mercy had not been adopted, the local workmen would have been driven to utter 'espair by such an influx of hands. The cotton warp once of such high importance to Nottingham, is still in a lingering condition. The silk branch, though 'getter, is in a depressed s t a te, especially when com pared with former years. However, there is still hope for this body of workmen, as articles are now made from coarse frames of hard-spun cotton, which closely re semble those so generally made by the hand and the knitting-pins. We have heard but little lately of bobbin .pr warp velvet, but we believe that it is not quite aban ,loned.—Nottingham Journal. DEMAND FOR PIKES. A circumstance has been related to me, this morning, well worthy of observation, as exhibiting -he peculiarities of our times—a circumstance which, when coming before Government, will serve to indi cate their true position. My authority is such that I i_ian vouch for its accuracy. A Mr. —, a traveller For a cutlery establishment in Sheffield, called a few days ago on a respectable ironmonger in Dublin, to solicit orders, and obtain the settlement of the firm's running account. The account was presented, and the Dublin gentleman stated that, although the credit had a little time to run, he would have it arranged luring the- day in the usual manner. He stated, however, that his stock being extensive, and business very flat, his orders would be comparatively small, and that if Mr. would leave his list he would mark out what he required. This was done, and Nlr. was turning from the shop, when the man of iron inquired, " By-the•bye, could you fur nish me with any pikes ? They are the only things in demand ROW. Mr. under the impression that his customer was jesting, laughingly replied," Oh, to be sure ;" and immediately left. On returning to street, an order for a varied assortment of goods was put into his hands, and at the foot of it was written, " 1,800 pikes, according to sample," a model pike-head being handed to the traveller, with direc tions to have them manufactured precisely after that fashion. Mr. inquired if the customer was -erious. " Serious !" replied the ironmonger ; " I never was more serious in my life. Didn't you tell me that you could provide the pikes ?" "Certainly I (lid," said Mr. —, " but I really thought you were jesting at that time. I certainly will take no order of the kind from any man." " Then," returned the Dublin merchant, " I cancel the entire order. Do not send me any other article I have noted. I won't receive them if you do." Mr. was surprised, but made up his mind on the instant, that, order or no order, he would be content with the settlement of - he account. The subject was accordingly mentioned ; hut Dublin met Sheffield by declaring that, since the order for the pikes was refused, he would not pay a farthing of money until the last moment of the 4eneral credit, no matter what discount would be illowed. He stuck inexorably to this, and Mr. left the metropolis minus bath cash and order for goods. I look upon this circumstance as a promoni tory symptom of the coming fever, and one which tells forcibly of the present state of the national patient. Pikes and penknives, or neither—that is the order of the day in Dublin, so far as respects English cutlery establishments.—North British Mail. SUICIDE.—An inquest was held on Thursday at it. George's Hospital, before Mr. Bedford, on the body f Hoary Vaughan, aged 21, a confectioner, who lrowned himself in the Serpentine. Josiah Vaughan, of %Tauxhall-street, Lambeth, said the deceased (his brother) had been out of work for the last five months, tnd all that time had lived in his house, and depended won him for support. On Thursday morning, while mitness was from home at his work, the deco aced and ais (witness's) wife ran away together to Portsmouth, ~ he latter taking with her the money saved to pay the rent. The next day his wife returned, followed by the ',Teased, who attempted to shoot her because she would not go back and live with him. He levelled a loaded pistol at her head, and pulled the trigger, but the pistol ortunately missed fire. He heard nothing more of the lecetved until Saturday, when a messenger brought him Nord that he had thrown himself into the Serpentine, oaving previously left in his hat on the bridge a letter lirected to witness. In this letter he acknowledged laving seduced his sister-in-law, and stated that as she had refused to live with him his life had become a burthen to him. Witness believed that the deceased tor some time past had not been right in his mind. Verdict —Temporary insanity. . . - A very deplorable event occurred at Easton, near Stamford, on the lath instant. A man named Wilkin son, a labouring plasterer, aged about 45, in a state of frenzy made an attempt on the lives of his two children. The unfortunate man had been for about eight weeks in a desponding state, and had been regularly attended by 11r. Charles Simpson, who finding him very docile, did not consider any restraint necessary, beyond ordinary surveillance, to prevent his making an attempt on his own life. Taking advantage of his wife's absence up stairs, Wilkinson took up an instrument used by him in his business (having a hammer at one end and a kind of hatchet at the other), and began to chop at both the children. Their screams brought their mother down stairs, and she succeeded in wresting the weapon from her husband, not, however, before he had inflicted five horrible wounds on the head of the younger, as well as a deep gash on the wrist. Wilkinson has been since con veyed to Camberwell Lunatic Asylum, there being no room for him either at Northampton, or Leicester, or Nottingham asylums.—Stamferd Mercury. SOUTH DEVON RAILWAT.—PLTMOUTH, APRIL 20. —During the last few days the works on the line have been greatly retarded by the state of the weather. Novertheless every exertion is being made to open the line to Lairs as early as possible. The uprights for the electric telegraph are erected to within one mile of Brent,k. and th e a tt ac hi ng t h e w i r e s will commence next week. The viaducts have been tested by an engine and several say, to st and laden trucks, and appear, as the navvies '():1:81 p o l l y e m arn o d u t t h ia station the line will be opened work very well. A locomotive will elhlwadehole line, trom Totnes down to Lairs is raid that thereqiteonnoot , this week, and it is believed that r i e e a about t thebee been given g o i f ve ll n ay to . the Government ;ion. There will ins p ec tore t n h o at the line is ready for inspec- Ight go ids will be goods station at the Laira, but Such articles as willcar rie deoover the line at once—all parcels, and also fish, whieh e n u o nd the denomination of im portant item of traffic by rail frowm fo rms 'l a large and im- DISTRESSING SUICIDE. riam Plymouth. —An inquest was held this afternoon:bunt, THURSDAY. Plymouth Citadel, before J. Edmon ci Zthe Sehool-r oons , on the body of William Robinson, a colo ur -sergeant tile coroner,rgeant the 35th Regiment. The deceased h a d r i se n in that morn ing at gun-fire, and called the roll of his comp an y , P rivate soldier, about six o'clock, went to the a pr' . A at -- the sergeants mess, and there saw the deceased on n his knees. He at first thought it was a soldier, who, after bein' intoxicated the night previous, had repaired there for the purposes of nature! and, acting on that convic tion, he said to the, deceased, "Come, come, you have been long enough here." The soldier, after re maining there a short time, saw deceased's braces were round his neck; and on a closer examination, he found • He from the door. that he was susp ended immediately gave info rm ation of the circums tance, and the deceased was A towel hd been ned a f ter wards cut d on 'pair of braces communicated faste from over the door, and a neck, and he then hung on the towel to the deceased's . . in the Mauritius, at- The deceased, while his knees. t hroat, the mark ocea his . tempted suicide by cutting neck. Th e • being perceptible on his e jury ,ioned by the act in h saity returned a verdict of " Temp orar y T ortations of IM PORTATIO NS OF APPLES.-e n ; .m . p Apples from Belgium, as well as F rance, are just now :particularly numerous and extensive. One vessel, just arrived, h as b rought need} 600 cases of the fruit, form ing an entire cargo; ani another vessel has brought 415 '' 43 eB, comprisin g an entire carg o of the article. The ,1, portati on o f the fruit from Gravelines, and that portio n f France, areicul pa t" l r ar y large and numerous. Infor ma ti on has been forwarded to the metropoli tan police-offices o f ployed by a house the following desperate means ens a police-constable ;— The breaker to escape from the custody of others of his class , prisoner, it appears, with two of Edrington, and been committed by the magis tratestor housebreaking, sad d r Birmingham, to Warwick gaol whilst proceeding to the latter place from Birmingham by the railway-train, in charge of police-sergeant P earsa l l quimlike, through the window , h e suddenly vau lt e d, barbs indow of the carriage. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. MALTA, APRIL 14.—The affairs of Sicily being brought to such a termination as warranted Lord Minto to return to Rome and Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker to leave the waters of Naples (at which place he arrived from Palermo on the sth inst.), the British fleet—composed of the Hibernia, 104, Capt. P. Richards, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker ; Trafalgar, 120, Captain C. Hope ; Van guard, 80, Captain G. F. Rich ; Rodney, 92, Captain C. Collier ; Superb, 80, Captain Corry ; Vengeance, 84, Captain Lushington ; and Terrible steam-frigate, Captain W. Ramsay—left Naples on Sunday arid Monday last, and after rendezvousing off Marittimo, arrived in Malta harbour on Wednesday last in beau tiful style and in their order of seniority. The Ter rible accompanied the fleet under sail, having discon nected her engines, and proved a beautiful vessel under canvas. ...____ A portion of the squadron yet remains on the Sici lian and Italian coast, and is thus divided : At Naples— Sidon and Porcupine steam ships. At Palermo—Gladiator steam-frigate. At Messina—Thetis, 36, and Hecate steamer. At Syracuse—Harlequin brig. The news brought by the fleet is not of any impor tance, and nothing, not known before, has transpired as to the political causes which led to its departure. On the flag-ship arriving off the mouth of the harbour, her Majesty's ship Queen exchanged salutes with Sir W. Parker. Oa Monday a signal was made for the Vanguard, Superb, and Vengeance to try rate of sailing; the weather was beautiful but the wind very light, yet after eight hours the Vanguard was the victor in the struggle, beating the Superb by about eight knots, and the Superb paid a similar compliment to the Vengeance, which was thought to have stood a chance of being first at the winning post. The Superb was not in very good trim. 'We hear of the following changes that have taken place, or are about to be made, in the personnel of the fleet : Lieutenant Boys to the Hibernia, from the Tra falgar ; Lieutenant Parker, from the Hibernia to the Superb ; Lieutenant Charles Sullivan, from the Superb to the Trafalgar; Lieutenant Fead, from the Hibernia to the Superb, vice Simpson ; Lieutenant Reynolds, from the Trafalgar to the Terrible, vice Need. Assistant-Surgeon R. E. Smart, from the Trafalgar to the Hibernia, vice Wells promoted. It is also said that Lieutenant G. 0. Willes, son of the late Captain Willes, will receive the appoint ment to the Spitfire steamer, vice Macdonald pro moted ; and Mr. Auret will be promoted to the rank of Paymaster and Purser, vice Milner deceased. A melancholy accident happened to a sailor of the Trafalgar on her passage to Malta—he fell off the foreyard arm and was killed instantaneously. We learn that her Majesty's steamer Trafalgar will be the first to leave the Mediterranean. She will convey Rear-Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis to England, and will sail at the end of the month. Her departure will be much regretted on this station. The French mail steamer Lougsor arrived here ou the 7th inst. from Marseilles direct, and proceeded on the following day to Alexandria and Beyrout. The French mail steamer Leonidas, from Mar seilles and ports of Italy and Sicily, arrived here on Saturday last, and on the following day proceeded to the Levant. Her Majesty's steamer Locust left port on the Bth instant with dispatches for her Majesty's British Con• sul-General at Tunis. She is hourly expected on her return. Her Majesty's surveying ship Volage left port on Saturday lust for Athens, whence she will proceed to the Levant and rejoin the research cutter, commanded by Lieutenant Lord J. Brown, and continue her surveys. The French steamer (Rost. Comp.) Bo3phore ar rived here on the 11th inst. from the Levant, and on the evening of the same day continued her route to Marseilles, touching at Leghorn. Her Majesty's steamer Oberon, which left port on the 6th inst. with dispatches for Sir W. Parker, re turned on the night of the 11th inst. She is destined to proceed to Marseilles with the India mails expected to. morrow per Hindostan. The Egyptian frigate Shiarkie, from Alexandria, arrived here on the 12th inst. She was 17 days out. 'f he United States' corvette Marion arrived here from Marseilles on the 12th inst. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Hindostan, with the India mails and passengers, is expected here to-morrow. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Tagus, with the outward India mail and passengers, together with Lyndon dates of the 3d inst ,is hourly expected. On arrival, the Tagus will put her mails and pas sengers on board the Ariel, which steamer will pro• teed to Alexandria, and the Tagus to the Levant and Black Seas. Her Majesty's steamer Ardent, with that part of the India mail sent through France, and London dates of the 7th instant, arrived during the night. The Neapolitan steamer Maria Christina, from Naples. arrived this morning. The French mail steamer Mentor, from the Levant, arrived this morning. The French mail steamer Caire, from Beyrout and Alexandria, is hourly expected. _ _ PCILTSMOUTH,am 23.—The Fairy royal yacht, Master Commander Welch, embarked her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and suite at half-past twelve yesterday afternoon, and conveyed them to Osborne on a visit to her Majesty. The usual honours were paid to her Royal Highness by the Government authorities of the port. We stated that the Earl of Auckland would pay a visit to Portsmouth on Monday. We believe his Lordship will call on Lord Palmerston, at Broad lands, whilst in the neighbourhood. Rear-Admiral Dundas, C. 8., M.P., left the Admiralty on Saturday, for Birkenhead, where he will be joined this day by Mr. Secretary Ward, M.P. The gallant Admiral is not expected to return to town before the Ist of May. In the meanwhile, it is probable that he will Nice a trip to Cork, to have a look at the squadron there. The Hon. Captain Berkeley, C. 8., M.P., is spending the Easter holidays in Wales. Captain Lord John Hay, C. 8., M.P., is staying at Redlesham Rec tory, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Captain Milne and the Hon. W. F. Cowper, M.P., remain at the Board, with Captain W. A. B. Hamilton, the Second Secre tary. Captain Henry Eden, private Secretary to Lord Auckland, is on a visit to his sister, Lady Graham, at Hampton Court. The Bellerophon, 78, Captain Baynes, C. 8., ar rived at Spithead from Gibraltar, on Saturday, at noon, the Admiralty orders countermanding her proceeding to Quebec with troops having reached her in time. Orders were awaiting at Portsmouth, directing her to come into harbour to be refitted, to take on board all her guns, to embark her additional marines, fill up her complement to 650, officers and men, and wait further orders. No doubt she will ultimately join Sir C. Napier's squadron, as will also the Powerful, 84, Capt. the Hon. IL S. Dundas, C.B. as we have before stated. The Colossus, 80, is ordered to be launched at Pembroke, on the Ist of June. We stated last week that she is to be navigated to Portsmouth and fitted as an advanced ship. The Dido, 18, Captain Maxwell, is ordered home from New Zealand to be paid off on the arrival of the Havannah, 20, Captain Erskine, on that station. The Comus, 16, Commander D'Eyncourt, on her arrival from Brazil, is to be paid off at Sheerness. TI e Seagull, 6, Lieut. Commander Dicken, at Devonport, will be ready by the 26th. An explana nation is demanded by the Admit alty respecting the extraordinary defects of this vessel. The Termagant, new screw steam frigate, now at Messrs. Young's, of Limehouse, is to have the alter ations in her stern completed as soon as possible, when she is to be c3ppered by them and sent to Portsmouth to be fitted for sea service. The Sharpshooter, steam• vessel, at Portsmouth, Lieut. Commander John C. Bailey, will not be ready for sea until the 26th. She is ordered to be employed in conveying newly-raised men, and in protecting the fisheries on the coasts of Sussex and tent. She is half a dozen shirt of her complement. The Dee, steam transport, Master Commander Filmer, left Portsmouth on Friday at noon for Madeira and the Cape, touching at Devonport for supernumeraries and officers waiting a passage. She takes out orders for the Rosamond, steam-sloop, Commander Foot, to come home. THE EAST INDIAN SQUADRON. The mail from India has brought us letters from the above squadron. Commodore Plumridge had not proceeded to China by the la s t a d v i ces, b ut was about doing 1.0. HoNG-IioNG, FEB. 27.—The Fury steam-sloop, Commander Willcox, arrived here on the sth, nine days from made anadei a g ainst splendidhieeh snor t h- ea sthe Singapore,w t h emr e h o dn a vs most n o o g ns, t s b t nl e oo a wb m l e n d .g gaal Thisl t s h aevnewst vessel passage out from England, under sail nearly the whole distance, and reached llong- Kong in less than six months from the date of her being commissioned—one-half the time of some steatLers which have been sent to this station, and six weeks less than the quickest. The Fury can steam a distance of 2,470 miles in eight days and a half, and on the lowest step of expansion 3,262 miles in 19 days, which could be made more of if a chain of operations had to be carried out. The full power was never put upon her (315 horse. power) except by way of experiment, but usually averaged from 10 6 to 11 knots on the second step of expansion after her coal is reduced to 300 tons. She is considered the best and most efficient vessel in the China seas; her rig answers admirably, her sailing qualities being such that she could cruise with any squadron, and work well off she in a sea way that her heavy g a lee un sh s o w re e . re f S r o e y q e u as e l i y s worked with an inclination of 12 to 15 degrees. Her captain is trying a plan (an invention of his own) which will, if successful, prove highly important in the service with regard to steamers, by which, at any time of a e night or day, at sea or in harbour, he can get the immersion of the ship at the midship section and both extremes to the eighth of an inch or less, so desirable in a steamer, to work the coals off to keep her in proper trim, to ascertain the immersion of paddles, and in shoal water or up rivers to know imme diately what to lighten the vessel to if necessary, and many other advantages. It is most simple, and in a few hours may be fitted to any vessel in the service. The Daedalus, 20, Captain P. Maquhe ; Childers, 12, Commander Pitman, and Medea steam-sloop, Commander Mason, were at Hong-Kong on the 6th of February. The Coluinbir.e, 12, Commander J. C. D. Hay, is at Whampoa, and the Hon. Company's steamer Pluto at Canton. The Melampus, 42, Captain J. N.. Campbell, and the Royalist, 10, Commander Gordon, arrived at H ong .Kong on the 14th of February, and Captain Campbell hoisted a broad pendant as senior officer in China. The Daedalus sailed three days after for Singapore. The Ringdove, 12, Commander Inglefield, is at Penang. The Scout, 14, Commander Johnstone, is at Amoy. The Childers, 12, Commander Pitman, was at Shanghai February the 27th. The Espiegle, 12, Commander Campbell, is at Ningpo. The Medea steam-sloop, Commander Mason, is under orders for Whampoa to relieve the Columbine, and will sail in a few days. We hear the Inflexible steam-sloop, Commander Hoseason, has been aground in the Paramatta River at Sydney. A French frigate, the Bajonnaise, was at Hong- Kong on the 27th of February, with the French Ambassador to China on board. She was going to Manilla in a short time. The Vulture steam-frigate, Captain M'Dougall, left Singapore on the Bth of February, and passed we Anjer on the 12th on her way to the Cape of Good Hope and Englan d to be paid off. PORTSMOUTH, N.E.; moderate The Waterwitch, 10 guns, on is alongside the Tartar AaTnndAemr rbreezes Rz . e s APRILaR. i SUNDAY,nQ2finelu. En 5 weather. —Wind, hulk ; she has got her topmasts on end. Her guns were put on board yesterday. C The Ranger, 8 guns , Commander J. Anderson , m i from the coast of Africa, where she has been em ployed since 1844, is ordered to this port to be paid off, without her bulkheads or internal fitttings being disturbed. Arrived—the bark Eliza Ann, J. Blyth, Master, from Savannah, with pine timber for the dockyard, and the Aid, Smallman, Master, from Devonport. The following persons have been this week super annuated, viz., Henry Heard, fireman of smiths, at 281. per annum; John Hawkins, lead man at metal mills, 34/. ; Joseph Bailey, engine-keeper, at ditto, 24/. ; ant Thomas Gardner, workman, at ditto, 231. per annum. The foundation of an official residence for Captain Mould, Royal Engineers, Director of Works, is being laid between the Pay-office and the officers of the yard residences. CHELSEA BOARD. During the past year there have been under medi cal examination at Fork Pitt 3,191 men belonging to the different regiments serving abroad. These men were sent home from the East Indies and other colonies to be pensioned off. Of that number 2,669 were placed on the Chelsea Board ; 435 were found fit to join their respective depots; and eighty seven died in the hospital. So great a number of invalids in one year has not passed that board fur some years. POLICE IN TELLIGENCE. MANSION-ROUSE. On Saturday a young man, whose name appeared upon the warrant on which he was apprehended as Bonniface Chrystie, was brought before the Lord Mayor in the custody of John Forrester, the officer, charged with having been concerned in a conspiracy to commit extensive fraud by imitating the current coin of the Republic of Colombia. Mr. Peachey, of the house of Oliverson and Co., solicitors to the Colombian Government, attended for the prosecution. John Forrester produced a warrant signed by Mr. John Burke Davis, a magistrate of Warwickshire, for the apprehension of the prisoner, to whom a parcel containing spurious coin had been forwarded by the North-Western Railway. The warrant charged the prisoner, who is no more than twenty years of age and a resident in London, with having been one of the persons engaged in the offence. The officer here produced a large parcel containing about 3,000 pieces of the spurious coin. The prisoner said his real name was Garredo, but he had received parcels in the name of Bonniface Chrystie (as we understood him). Mr. Alexander Fletcher identified the prisoner, and stated that the prisoner had received parcels and let ters iu the name of Bonniface Chrystie, directed from Birmingham. The parcels, it appeared, had been directed to a house in Lombard-street, with a clerk in which the prisoner was acquainted. John Forrester said, his object was to take the pri soner to Birmingham as soon as possible, and he should therefore be obliged to Alderman Gibbs to give him permission to do so. m m an e , r i e m ly e t t i o ll Alderman Gulas—Has th e pr i soner an ything to s e h ay ould tohavel re Tuesday next, as I shall by 'bleheobplirgiseodoteor — 37 that time be enabled to s M ay ond th a a y t or l get papers ready, calculated to show that I have been merely acting as an agent and interpreter in this matter. I a m anxious to send my statement to the Consul, and I dare say it will appear to be so satis factory that there will be no occasion for sending me to Birmingham at all. I have nothing at all to do with transactions of the kind. Mr. Peachey had no objection to have the prisoner remanded, in order that he might have the opportu• nity of preparing the explanatory papers. The prisoner was ties remanded. The spurious coin is a piece of yellow metal, of the size of a half-sovereign, with the impression of the arms of Colombia of 1832 and of I E R M Popayan. It is believed that 10,000 of them at least have been struck off. MAR LB OROUGH-STREET. A tall, aged man, very respectably dressed, was charged by a gentleman residing at Thompson's Hotel, Berkeley-square, with collecting a mob in Oxford-street, under the following peculiar circum stances : The gentleman said, that seeing so respectable an individual covered with placards, parading the streets, he conceived he was not in a state of mind to be al lowed to go at large, and he applied to a constable, and eventually caused the defendant to be brought to the court to be questioned by the magistrate. Mr. BINGHAM wished to know what was the pur port of the placards on the back and front of the de fendant and round his hat, and was told that the front placard was headed, "To the Rich. Failure of the Potato crop._—The wet season will produce another failure of the potato crop ; and then, Lord have mercy on the poor." On the placard at his back was as fol. lows : A Scale of Prophecies for 2,290 years, price twopence ; to be had of the bearer." On the hat was, " Prophecies fulfilled.—James v. 9." Mr. BINGHAM asked the defendant if he had any friends to whom he could apply ? The defendant said he was independent of his friends. He could produce the first testimonials from parties in London and in Scotland. If the magistrate sent to Mr. Wil liams, No. 52, Regent-street, he would receive rea sonable- satisfaction. He wished to know why he had been taken into custody, ;and asked to have the name of the gentleman who had given him in charge. Mr. BINGHAM said, he should perhaps render the last proceeding unnecessary by a few words which he intended to address to him. In London a man might preach as much as he liked, and pretty nearly what he liked. A man might also advertise anything he had to sell how and in what manner he liked; and, strange to say, the more unusu al the way he preached or advertised the more certain he was to attract pub lic attention. But. then, the liberty of preaching and advertising must be taken w ith this qualification— that a man either preaching or a dvertising must take care not to inconvenience person s or bloc k up a public thoroughfare. Now, if a man of the def endant's ap pearance chose to hang a placa rd on t he f front_ and back of a go o d coa t—the same way as placards were seen hung on a beggar's coat—it would naturally follow that such an unusual act would attract a good deal of public notice, especially if 'th e p art y walked about the streets o f London. If' the defendant had not actually broken the law, he had gone sufficiently far to justify the proceedings that had taken place. With this caution he should order the defendant to be dis charged this time. The defendant wished to know where he was entitled to walk without molestation to exhibit his warnings. Mr. 13 1soaAlt—Why, on a very cold or a very wet day you may walk in the middle of Hyde Park. I don't think you can do much harm there. The prophet was then set at liberty. WORSHIP-STREET . Amongat th e " reman d e d cases appointed for re examination at this Court on Saturday, was one I preferred against a well dressed man, named Henry Southcombe, who was charged on the preceding Wednesday with having, by false and fraudulent re presentations, obtained a large quantity of expensive household furniture from an upholsterer named Cut bill, in Worship-s iva re, Finsbury, and who was liberated upon entering into his own recognizance to appear on Saturday. The prisoner was now three times called in the usual manner, but did not appear ; And • Mr. Vann, the solicitor, who was accompanied by • several tradesmen, anxious to prefer charges against him, intitnate.t that there was not the remotest pro bability that he would ever again present himself ;it that court, as he (the solicitor) was furnished with evidence which would conclusively establish the fact that a widely-ramified conspiracy had been carried on by Southcombe and others to obtain goods from tradesmen in various parts of the metropolis to an enormous extent. Amongst the sufferers who were able to establish clear cases of fraudulent collusion against the parties were Mr. Miller, a furniture dealer, in Old-street-road, from whom goods had been ob tained to the amount of El.; Mr. Parkinson, an iron monger in Oxford-street ; Messrs. Townes and Packer, the pianoforte manufacturers, and various other tradesmen, all of whom had parted with their property upon the faith of similar representations and by like devices. After the goods had been sur reptitiously removed from the west end, diligent inquiries were made to find them, an.), it was at last discovered that they had been in the first instance carried off to the house of a carman at King's-cross; but it appeared that the instant the prisoner Southcombe had been liberated at this court, he went straight to that pl ice and rapidly removed them again to a house in Win . .:.ester-street, Penton villa, where he had advised his clients to proceed im mediately, and take forcible possession of all they could identify, or in a few hours the property would again disappear. In the meantime, however, he was instructed to apply for the issue of warrants for the apprehension forthwith of all the parties concerned in the conspiracy, as he considered it monstrous that they should be allowed to escape justice any longer and carry on such a wholesale system of depredation with impunity. Mr. ARNOLD repeated his opinion as to the insuffi ciency of the law to meet such cases, and though he concurred in the propriety of the course intimated as 1 , to the forcible re-possession of the property so obtained by its owners, and that the parties, if indicted for conspiracy, should be proceeded against in a superior ceurt, declined granting the warrants for their appre hension, as they might be given into custody when ever they could be met with. Mr. Vann thanked the magistrate, and withdrew with his clients, but returned in the course of two hours, by which time Southcombe had still not ap peared, and reported that the tradesmen upon pro ceeding to the house in Winchester-street, could hear nothing of Southcombe, and had been told by a woman who answered them, that no such property had been deposited there ; but upon their expressing a positive determination to force their way in, she reluctantly admitted them, and then each one select ing his own, and by mutual assistance, they succeeded at length in recovering two waggon loads of their goods, which they had carried off triumphantly, whether legally or mot, though a large amount of property still remained undiscovered. SOUTHWARK. John Smith and Henry Wallis, two young men, were charged with being found on the premises be longing to the South Eastern Railway Company, and attempting to break into one of the warehouses. It appeared that a number of the arches near the terminus of the railway have been rec'ntly used as warehouses for the deposit of luggage and machinery the majority of which have been enclosed and locked up ; but very lately a number of them have been broken open and valuable property stolen therefrom. Policeman 85 M, having heard of the robberies, kept a sharp lookout. That morning, a little after two o'clock, when passing the warehouse in which the prisoners were found, he heard a noise inside, and looked over the gate and saw a light moving about, which satisfied him that thieves were there. He pro cured assistance, and when they entered the place leading to th e w are h ouses th e y di scovere d the pri soner Smith attempting to force open a warehouse door, and the other prisoner was crouched up in a . corner. On Smith was f oun d a " j e mmy," a piece of candle, and some lucifer matches; and cn Wallis, a crowbar. The prisoners were committed for 2 month. HAM ERSMI 7H. Alice Lee, a pretty-looking young gipsy, with a child in her arms, was charged with fortune-telling. Susan Grant, a simple-looking young woman, about 24 years of age, stated that the prisoner came, on the 7th of February last, to her master's house in Ladbroke-square, and, after a little conversation, offered to read her fortune. Prisoner told com plainant that she must first cross her hand with a piece of silver. Witness then gave her half-a-crown, when the prisoner left, saying she would go and look at the book ; afterwards she returned, and said witness must cross her hand with a piece Of gold. She gave her a sovereign ; and the prisoner told her she must put another piece of gold, with a card, into her bosom, and keep it there until she saw her again. When she called again she said she must have the piece of gold that was in her bosom, and she would go and " rule the planets." She took the second sovereign away with her, but came again, and said she must have witness's best gown, which she also took away with her. She afterwards had another gown, a shawl, several new articles of body linen, stockings, &c., all of which, she said, were absolutely necessary for properly ruling the planets, and she promised to re turn them the next day. She, however, never set eyes on her again until she happened to meet her that day in Kensington, with one of the gowns on, and the shawls wrapped round the child. The prisoner said the young woman had given her the money and things for telling her fortune and finding her a sweetheart. The MAGISTRATE, having elicited that the com plainant had been educated at the Kensington National School, expressed his surprise at her credulity. The prisoner was committed to the House of Cor rection, with hard labour, for three months. LAUNCII OF A NEW IRON STEAMER.—A splendid iron steamer, built by Messrs. Harvey and Co., was launched from their yard at Hayle Foundry, on Tues day afternoon last, about four o'clock. The weather was rather unpropitious, and there were not so many specta tors present as on a former occasion. The vessel glided off her stocks %ithout the least impediment, obstruction, or accident. Mr. Jabes Bickle had the honour to stand sponsor on the occasion, and, with a bottle of wine dashed at her bows just as she started, christened her the Dordrecht. She is intended for a tow-boat on the River Rhine. Her length at the water-line is 197 feet; ex treme length, 205 feet; breadth, 23 feet; extreme breadth with the paddle boxes, 47 feet 3 inches; depth in the hold, 11 feet; her present weight is calculated to he about 150 tons, and she draws only 15 inches of water. Her engines are 2.50 horse power, and when on board, together with the whole of her machinery and stores, will draw only 4i feet of water. She is calculated to tow 1,000 tons ei knots an hour against a stream that runs 4i knots an hour. She was Lid down in October last, and is expected to be completed shortly, thus show• ing what can be done at Hayle in case of emergency, us others of large dimensions can now be executed in less time if required.— Cornwall Royal Gazette. HEARTLESS CONDUCT OF ♦N AMERICAN CAPTAIN. —On Sunday last the Lady Pirie arrived at the Mum bles roadstead, from Cuba, bringing with her a cargo of 500 tons of copper ore. On her return voyage, on the 18th March, in latitude 28 deg. 10 min., longitude 57, she fell in with the boats belonging to a French barque, called the Taporica, of Havre, in which were the master, nine French seamen, and three passengers, all of whom wei a safely landed on their arrival here. It appeared that the barque, while on her voyage from Guadeloupe to Marseilles, had sprung a leak, and eventually sank. The crew and passengers were obliged to take to the three boats, and had been at sea for nine days, having endured the greatest privations, when they fell in with Capt. Parker, who did all in his power to administer to their comforts. It appeared that just previous to the sinking of the barque, an American vessel was within a short distance, on seeing which the master of the barque hoisted a signal of distress. The American also made a signal that the Frenchman was observed by him; but instead of exhibiting any of the true feeling so charac teristic of the British seaman, evinced by Capt. Parker, the American master steered off his vessel, taking no further notice of the sufferers, and leaving them under such lamentable circumstances to the mercy of the elements.—Cumbrian. THE WILL FORGERS.—The three prisoners con victed of the will forgery were removed from Taunton for Bath immediately after the close of the trial. They were conveyed from Taunton Castle to the station in one of the omnibuses, Daniel Ford and Lewis being chained together, and John Ford being similarly se cured with a lad convicted of sending a threatening letter. On the platform at the station Daniel appeared to be very excited; he used some very strong language respecting several of the witnesses, charging them with false swearing, and expressed himself as very indignant at the conduct of the juror who left the court during Mr. Stone's address. While sitting on a form waiting the arrival of the train, Daniel asked a bystander to lend him his stick, intimating his intention of using it about the person of one of the witnesses near him. Some one near him asked what good that would do him ? " Oh," he replied, with a leer, "it would be a gratification." Lewis was very quiet, and appeared lilt a man wbo did not admire his prospects. John Ford was very dejected; he seemed to be quite spirit-broken, and, in appearance, those who knew him said he Wag greatly changed. Green, the man convicted of uttering the forged notes in Bath, was one of the company. lie was also heavily ironed. At he sat on a form, he enthe. voured to hide his chains with his pocket handkerchief. , 1 A respectably dressed female met him On the platrorm, and was in close conversation till the arrival of the train. The prisoners still remain in the Batli gaol until direc tions are received from the Home-office respecting their future destination. On the arrival of the prisoners at the Bath eta'ion, Daniel Fo:3 seixNl the opportunity when near Mr. Wintle, one of the prosecutors, to deal out to him a heavy blow on the bead. A gentleman close by, who witnessed ti;s assault. raised a stick which ho had in his h an d, an d reta li ate d b y a bl ow on F or d' s head. The g uar d w h o h a d hi m i n custo dy a lso found it necessary to inflict s ome c h as ti sem ent on his prisoner to bring him under subjection.—Bath Chronicle. EMIGRATION.—On Tuesday last a great number of individ ua l s left this place by the steamer, on their way to Aberdeen, Greenock, and other ports, where they in tend embarking for America. There were a good few from Wick, but the greater number were from the couu try.—John o' Groat Journal. OPERATIONS OF THE HYDRO GRAPHIC DEPARTNIENT OF THE ADMI, RALTy—l'!ii. IR COST. Of all branches of our public expenditure there is scarcely any of the cost of which less complaint can with justice be made than of the hydrographic de partment of the Admiralty. That cur maritime sur veys.—and especially those of our own shores—are shamefully backward, is less the fault of this depart ment than of our wise legislators. While money h is been squandered with a lavish hand on the most Quixotic jobs, no Members of Parliament have ever called attention to the true economy of a systematic and liberal expenditure in completing our marine surveys. The consequence has been that tor a con • siaerable time they were in a manner clandestinely and timidly carried on by the Admiralty, at the ur gent -olicitation of a few zealous individuals. The faults of the establishment are owing to its unrecognised or half recognised character. It is semi-private, and consequently there is more than the average amount of favouritistn in bestowing employ ment. Money is advanced with a timid hand, and consequently there is want of comprehensiveness and system in its operations. The parties upon whom the management has in a great measure devolved arecon scious that but for their really disinterested and stre nuous efforts, nothing at all would have been done, are naturally jealous of the credit due to them, arid disposed to repel as an affront any suggestions of improvement. Hence it comes that the materials which have accumulated in the department are frag mentary, though excellent ; that while the special sur veys, thanks to the general ability of our naval officers, are admirably executed, the combinations of them in the office with a view to construct general charts are miserable even to contempt; and that the skill and efficiency of the department, after making one rapid stride, have been for some time stationary. It is but fair to add that for the backwardness of many of our home surveys not the hvdrographical depart ment, but the slow progress of the Ordnance survey is legitimately responsible. The marine surveys of our coasts cannot have the least precision given them till fixed points have been obtained from the land survey. For the slow process of the Ordnance sur vey, again, not the officers engaged on it, but, as in the case of the marine surveys, the want of a conti nual national interest manifested by legislative at tention is to blame. The sketch given of the hydro graphical department would, with the change of a few words, accurately describe the survey branch of the Ordnance establishment. From some returns recently laid before Parlia • ment, on the motion of Mr. Hume (Sessional Paper, 1848, No. 232), we learn that the expenditure of the hydrographical department (exclusive of Artie and Antart.ic expeditions) has been :—ln 1837.8, 68,517/ ; in 1838-9, 59.202/.; in 1839-40, 58,8621.; in 1840-1, 52,5171. ; in 1841-2, 91,832/. ; in 1842.3, 142,235/. ; in'lB43- 4, 134,126/. ; in 1844-5, 136,583/. ; in 1845-6, 1i8,782/.; and in 1846 7, 123,6781. What has been effected by means of this outlay will be seen front the following report by Admiral Beaufort, on which we have at present only two re marks to offer. The first is, that much more might be done to bring the Admiralty charts into common use in the commercial marine. The second is, that the services of the East India Company's officers, in the survey s of the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and elsewhere, are shamefully underrated in the report — a circumstance which betrays an unwillingness to do justice to another service most discreditable to the gallant officer. A RETURN OF SURVEYS UNDERTAKEN BY THE HYDRO GRAPHIC DEPARTMEe,T OF THE ADMIRALTY, BE TWEEN THE YEARS 1838 AND 1847 INCLUSIVE. 1838.—1 n that year the survey s in progress were the following :—At Home : River Thames, her Majesty's steam-vessel Boxer; c oas t of Wales, hired beats; North Sea, her Majesty's ship Fairy and tender ; Solway Frith, hired boats ; Orkneys, her Majesty's ship Mastiff, and tender ; north-east coast of Scotland, hired boats; coast of Ireland, hired boats; Lough Derr, hired boats; Irish Channel, her Majesty's steam-vessel African. Abroad : Mediterranean, her Majesty's ships Beacon and Magpie ; west coast of Africa, her Majesty's ships Etna and Raven ; West Indies, her Majesty's ships Thunder and Lark ; St. Lawrence River and Gulf, hired schooner; wet coast of South America, her Majesty's ships Sulphur and Starling ; north-west coast of Australia and Bass Strait, her Majesty's ship Beagle. 1839.—The surveys were the same as in 1838, ex cept of the west coast of Africa, which was discon tinued in consequence of the sickness which prevailed I in the vessels ; and that at home—the party employed on the survey of the coast of Vales proceeded to the coast of Cornwall. 1840.—The same surveys continued, except that the Lough Derg party was transferred to the navigable parts of the river Shannon ; and that of the Solway Frith was extended along the west coast of Scotland. 1841.—The same arrangement, except that circum stances requiring the immediate survey of Ports mouth and Spithead, the Cornwall party was removed to that duty in the Sylvia cutter ; and that abroad, her Majesty's ships Sulphur and Starling quitted South America, and were employed in surveying the waters of China, and in co-operating with our squadron there. 1842 —To the above surveys the important inves tigation of the Barrier Reefs of Australia and Torres Strait was this year added in the Fly and Bramble ; the Philomel was sent to examine the harbours of the Falkland Islands, and a survey of the Azores was commenced by the Styx steamer; the Sulphur and Starling quitted the survey of the coast of China, bat leaving the Plover and Royalist to continue that work. At home, the Shearwater steam vessel was appointed to the North Sea surrey in the place of the Fairy (unhappily lost at the close of 1841), and the Rocket steam-vessel was substituted fur the Sylvia at Portsmouth and Spithead. 1843.—The Rocket was replaced by the Fearless steamer; the Shearwater steamer was sent to the West Scotland survey, and the Blazer steamer to the North Sea, instead of the Shearwater. The survey of the coast of Lancashire and Cumberland was com menced in hired boats. Abroad, the survey of the dangerous Gulf of Fundy was commenced by the Columbia steamer, and the Beagle returned from her survey of Bass Strait, and of the coast of Australia. 1844.—At home the south and western coasts of Ireland were so little known that an additional survey was commenced in Galway Bay by means of hired boats, and the Shannon party, having finished that work, was directed to make a complete survey of Cork Harbour in the Tartarus steam-vessel, which was replaced in the Thames by the Porcupine. The Firefly was put on the soundings of the Irish Channel, of which there was no accurate chart; the Lucifer steamer was appropriated to the continuation of the east coast of Ireland survey, and the Sparrow ketch was given in lieu of hired boats for the survey of the north coast of Scotland. Abroad, with the close of the year, the survey of the Azores and the Madeiras terminated. 1845.—Her Majesty's ships Herald and Pandora were dispatched to the Pacific to continue the survey of the west coast of America from the point where that of the Sulphur and Starling broke off, and the Avon proceeded to the Bight of Benin for a like purpose. At home, the Dasher was substituted for the Fearless in the Portsmouth survey, and the Tartarus was taken from the south coast of Ireland survey, which was continued by means of hired boats. 1846.—Tne survey of the Isle of Man succeeded that of the coast of Lancashire by means of hired boats ; and the great interior lakes of Corrib and Mask in Ireland were undertaken. Abroad, the Fly returned from the survey of the Barrier Reefs of Australia, leaving the survey to be continued in her Majesty's ship Bramble and a hired vessel. The Philomel having finished the survey of the Falklands joined the squadron in the river Plata. The Avon also returned from Africa, having completed the work assigned to her; and also the Plover from China, leaving the Royalists to carry on the remaining operations. 1847.—Abroad, the Rattlesnake was sent to pro secute the survey of Torres Strait, in continuation of the work begun by the Fly ; and at the close of the year the Columbia was ordered home from the Bay of Fundy, and paid off. Her Majesty' steam-vessel Acheron was commissioned to survey the coasts and harbours of Newfoundland. At home, in the spring of the year, the Avon steamer was established for the Sparrow on the coast of Scotland, the survey of which haa advanced to Cape Wrath ; and in the autumn the Blazer, Dasher, Firefly, Lucifer, Porcupine, and Shearwater, with a new set of officers, were employed in relieving the famine on the western shores of Ire land and Scotland, the several surveys in which they had been respectively occupied being ordered to be continued in hired boats. The " Portions of the Unite Kingdom of which the Surve , . , Charts, and Sailing Directions may be considered defective," are : 1. The greater part of the south coast of England is very roughly laid down, and with none of that accurate detail which is absolutely necessary in con sidering the value of the numberless projects that are brought before the Admiralty. 2. The charts of the western coasts of Scotland, from the Mull of Cantire nearly to Cape Wrath, and all the Hebrides, are in a most disgraceful state, not only in that hydrographic minuteness requisite for the actual safety of its navigation, but in geographic positions, many of which are several miles out, even in latitude. 3. Two large intervals of the western coast of Ireland have never been surveyed, and the charts are mere eye-sketches. 4. The south-eastern coast of Ireland, between Waterford and Cork, is nearly in the same state. S. A full investigation of the tidal streams of the English Channel is likewise a desideratum of very great importance to the navigator of these seas, and ought to be at once undertaken. These several objects might probably be accom plished with the requisite precision in ten years by seven small steam-vessels that have been lately eo)- ployed on this service, ass isted by the fou r boating officers t parties, and averaging altogether a bout 550 men and The foreign surveys that are requisite o in order coast inn the o enure correct charts and sailing directionswould globe, and could scarcely be enume rated here necessary reaeonable space ; but those most u r g entl y n t e ted to be taken up by this country may be thus sa 1. The Eastern Islands of the Mediterranean, t fao og. with the coast of Syria and Egypt , and as _ much 'rench include a very large portion of eve r y Sea. the northern shore of Africa us would meet the survey which, having ccommenced with Algiersd along d Morocce, will very probably be con tinue eastern Barbary and Tunis. fshed, of Africa has been sufficiently surveyed and pu . b 1 but as far as Cape Formosa, in the Bight of 13eeio; part 2. From the Strait of Gibraltar the western coast us there is much legitimate traffic in the easternhsouth. of that great bight, as well as further to t , more Good Hope re ward, both it and many of the ports and on this side of the Cape of quire careful arid connected examination. ony are 3. The charts of the whole of the Cape Cols there exceedingly defective, as the numerous P o rtugues e amply testify, and from thence to the ly any tin"b , • settlementa of Delagoa we know scarce the whole 4. From Delagoa to the Red Sea, and ent e e "e d on anchorages contour of Madagascar are sufficiently represv. our charts for the general purposes of g `•' ' la mer though many further researches along the coast might still be profitably made. Gulf of Persia, and many detached portioiti e East Indies, have been already executed by _h tha le t ° the 5. The Red Sea, part of the coast of Art:bloat, the pany's officers, and no doubt it is intended coasts of Malabar and Coromandel undertaken by the same hands. The lon g 11 ` requir e peninsula and the Strait of Malacca will eit h much time and skill to complete, and to combinew each other those parts that have been surv e y ed- b e tter 6. With the China Sea we are daily becoming ; for acquainted, but much is still to be done the%,_.115 probably not one of the multitude of rocks anidin its with which it is almost covered is put exac! l y two or right position ; and while some are repeated shall so.oo 1%11)64 there' three times, others have been omitted. A sea' slo w fore, which is traversed by so many large an d % ea rly' vessels, and so replete with dangers, ought to and efficiently undertaken. e lleatt 7. On the coast of China the charts are ex° river from Canton round to the mouth of the gr eat kn ose Yang- tse-Kiang; but of the Yellow Sea We nd t he very little, and still less of the Cores, JaP an tL o isa coast of Tartary, and up to the confines of the se‘' empire. l3°B 8. The southern passages into the China seas ay e never been examined with the care they deserve ; 00 , all that is known of what ore called the Eastern 1- 01ily sages through the Great Malay the results of the casual observations and 3 101 "' made years age by industrious seamen. the Ari 9. The islands and surrounding shores of ports o Archipelago, erei.,..he furs Sea, if better known, would offer many p o _ cae r refuge, and probably an increased opening to cons cial enterprise. fir c av for surveyed, lo Th steam-vessels to and from Sydney, e bu S t t b ra e i f t ore of it Tbeoororemseshtahse bgereenatsahtigisbfavv,zoia also its contiguous coasts of New Guinea slum i more intimately known. kustre 11. The whole circuit of the reat island of - „ t i c s character, 11 has been well explored, and th _general for of its several shores are eufficiently known 0 00 1 general purposes ; but far more minute surfer, „ re . immediate waters and maritime resources fu.t!.lrtera cede their being inhabited, beginning vvith theeless,oo coast, along which the tide of colonisation r` to be alreaey creeping. its approach_ld he a re bu t 12. The shores of Tasmania, in like mann er ' ere es very roughly laid down, and even to this daY t ewies no chart of the harbour an d e ntrance to Hobart -e its capital and principal seat of trade. t b ee° 13. A full survey or New Zealand has Ps rio ts commenced, and will no doubt answer all the of both the settler and the navigator. Fac ia° 14. In advancing to the eastward across the which Ocean there are many groups of islands with which our merchant vessels have occasional traffic, or in _ cor e, the whaling vessels refit, and which ought , then co ffi to be more eciently examined and charts c harteu their benefit. e go' 15. On the opposite side of the Pacific sometv;eco grass has been made in surveying the coast be Fu ca; the Russian territory and the Strait of Juan d el dry' but with the long interval between the Oree - o re trict and the entrance of the Gulf of California w 0 0 very superficially acquainted, and but little is kn se nt of the interior of that extensive gulf. In the P re rf to state of those countries it does not appear neees ee '' cs o push our survey into the inner waters; but there be no doubt that the coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, es New Grenada, w hi c h contai n m an y v aluable har bou if and innumerable trading p or t s , oug ht to be minu te and connectedly surveyed. 16. From the E qua t or t o C ape H orn , and from etnmpeledniadtiedlysuwravneytedofbas beta America, a obalilevtehdatby th is thence round to th e Ri ver Pl a t a on t h e eastern side, already i Fitzroy. 17. Some parts of the great empire of Brazil lee owe to the labours of the Baron de Roussin and other French officers, but there is much yet to be done oe that coast between the Plata and the Amazon rivers , and again along Guayana and Venezuela up to th e mouth of the Orinco. 18. The shores of the main land between Trinidad Island and the Gulf of Mexico have been charted s ° ",. published by the Admiralty; but many of the W i el " India islands are still wanting to complete a whole' some knowledge cf those seas. 19. The United States are carrying on an elabo re• t i survey of their own coasts, and to the northwar d h o them, a part of the Bay of Fundy has been done ourselves, as well as all the shores of Nova Scotl7 Canada, and Newfoundland ; and when these surveL, are finished we shall only want to complet e , e f eastern coast of America, those of Labrador anu,ht Hudson Bay, which, b e i ng i n o ur possession , °li e to appear in our charts with s o me degree of trabe In rep y to the latter part of this clause it n' e l r t he stated, that on an average of the last few Yea rs w ea Admiralty have e m pl o y e d on f ore i gn survey in' vessels and about 950 men ; and, t h a t howeve - b cumbent on thi s country to take the lead .0 gue A; v ie efforts, still this amount of force, if properir buted and constantly employed, may be fairly' con t l dered as our full share of that great duty w hi ,f,., o el maritime nations owe to the interests - of nav e . The Admiralty surveys, charts, and sailing dir tions have ' oeen rendered available to the merearie its marine by selling them at very low prices, ans "eiee order i,, to prevent any mistake on that head, the P : h invariably printed on each chart, plan, or 1 ;., or double e largest sizes that are graven, viz., antieu r s 'egs,, elephant, are sold for Sc. ,the size next siis and so on down to the small plans for whic h 6w ity charged. F or th e sa l e o f the charts the Adm ir . 9 th employ a genera l agent (B ate, 21, P ou ltry), Wi " commission of 40 in ell P r per cent. Sub-agents ell p° of the United Kingdom are appointed by that ho e with an allowanceof 25 per cent., and when a lts .f. tions are m a d e i n any p l ate, correct i mpr ession s ' - ot given in exch ange f or a ll the copies which the age may have on h an d, an d w hi c h ar immediately celled in this office. f th e The several objects stated in th e l as t clause ° ic ed order of the House of Commons would be atte tha by placing a competent person at the head °I. the hydraulic departmentof use the East India House to London. He ought to be a seaman, in order the select the points of inf • 'dby t ormation reuire t he navigator, and he ought to be a surveyor,the (ere may know how to express with precision that e es mation. The C our t of Directors h av e always I': the patrons of useful science • they have several o°-"or and experienced offi cers i n their marine ; and s e , { s ee moderate moderate establish men t wou ld soon g i ve a Ile" to eastern hydrography. F. BEAUFORT, Rear-Admi t ' March 2, 1848. Hydrographer. BIRTHS. attid' On the 10th of October l as t, a t W e lli ngton, New Zesil the lady of Charles Clifford, Esq., of a son. „ g er al d On the 18th inst. , the l a d y of the Rev. George -r"— Galaher, of a daughter. 1 On the 19th inst., a t Alonkton, Farleigh, Airs. Igo Browne, of a daughte r . Qlllißd On the 20th inst., at Upper Gow er - s t ree t, Mrs. N Ballantine, of a dau g hter. RIB On the 91st inst., i n S outh.strest, the lady a the - Hon. Edward Strutt, of a daughter. l' aOn Om 10th inst., th e w if e of W. H. Yell, Esq., o f 8 r e , th" On the 15th inst., at Montagu -street, P or t ma n-sclu s " lady of the Rev. Charles Vansittart, of a daughter. 101 4 On the 15th inst., at Ospriuge, the wife of Williat o Esq., of a daughte r . On the 18th inst., a t C arlton-villas, /hide-vale, Dirg".9l. Atelier, of a son. j On the 18th inst., at Chertsey, the lady of George - •• Escif, Esq., of a son. MARRIED. C Ol. On the 15th of February, at the Cathedral Churc h. 1. 0.• cotta, Major C arr , D eputy Judge aldvocate-General , to Sophia, youngeßt daughter of the late G. Mainwaritli..:./ On the 18th inst., Anne Lucy: Lady Nugent. Nti On the 20th inst., in Guildtard-street, Horace, the i °l nly son of the Lord Chief Baron. On the 12th inst., at Brompton, Catherine, daug hter of the late Admiral George Mackenzie, aged 86. On the 10th inst., at Turin, the Hon. Lady burr 9 widow of Li eutenant - General Sir John 0 urray. Bart. Sic On the Mb inst., in Fred er i c k- s t ree t, N ew hall-hill' mingliam, Mr. Thomas Linen, aged 77. On the 17th inst., at Gloucester, Major Francis W en l, l l l9. On the 18th inst., a t Dowdeswell House, near Cheltenham Gloucestershire, Mrs. Rogers, aged 88. o irXo pgeni.'.". • On the 19th inst., in HanoTer-terrace, Harriet, relict of the late J. It. Rip, Esq., aed 13 3 m .str iett On the lath inst., Blucher El le w y all, Esq., g of Jud" Brunswick-square, aged 34. ° London: Printed and Published by MURDO illy No. 112, Strand, Printer, at, The Sun Usage, `',;rity , Strand, in the Precin c t o f t h e S avoy, i n th e cm— Middleeex, Monday, April 25, IE4B.