The Sun. — London, England, 1842-12-30 00:00:00

MONEY and COMM E., '4 - '4;111, NEWS. CITY, THURSDAY EVENING. In favour of the warehousing system in America, , 'which would be a great boon to those engaged in . the trade, we find the example of England freely adduced on the other side of the Atlantic, while it is said that as connected with the' tariff it will he de servedly among the first measures which will engage the attention of Congress at the approaching session, having been brought to the notice of that body in the message of the President :—" The advantages reaped _ from this system in England," says one, " have been so many and so obvious, that it is a matter of surprise the merchants of America should have so long remained without such an arrangement. The sytem was first introduced at the port of London alone, by the Act of 1803, on the most important articles of Wrest India produce, which were admitted to be warehoused with out the payment of duty. The power thus imparted was at first acted upon with the greatest caution. The construction and situation of the warehouses in the different ports of the kingdom were such, that it Was considered inconsistent with the interests of the revenue to grant them the same privileges that were extended to the London Docks. The advantages had also not become sufficiently obvious for the merchants to make any efforts for obtaining an extension of the Privilege. In process of time the, merchants, per ceiving the great benefit to be derived from it, have exerted themselves from time to time." The follow ing is a list of the ports now enjoying the privilege, With the dates of their obtiining it:— London Liverpool . 12 other ports lBO5 Stockton 5 .. .... 1806 Shoreham 3 Colchester . lBOB 3 other ports in lB2l 2 ports in.......... 1822 ... Poole 6 ports in Ireland 1824 8 ports in Ireland... 1825 What would the commerce of England now he, if . "eash duties were enforced, and no bonding were '':allowed ? The English market lost none of the buoyancy . Which characterised it in the earlier part of the day, and tcitheabundance of money, which on stock is at- tainable at 11 to 2 per cent, may be in part attributed the firmness both of the funded and unfunded debts, l 'fhe latter, in addition, being said to be rather scarce to-day: ReduCed Annuities were again taken by the Government broker. Consols for the opening were ! 'done at - 938 to g 4; Exchequer Bills touched 595. and .tr 60s. premium; India Bonds 50s. to 525. premium. e Three-and-a-Half per Cents. Reduced were = steady at 104 to 1011. The Canada Guaranteed Pebentures improved to 14 premium. The Foreign market was rather brisk this after noon, and for the new account there appeared to be some disposition to advance the quotations. The Spanish Account is said to be bearish. The Five per Cent. Bonds realised 181 to and the Three per Cents. left off at 24k. Portu guese Converted were at 34i for the 16th of January, and the Three per Cents. at 24 to 24k. Mexican Stock was worth 311 to 32 ; Colombian 22; Peruvian 19 to .1s- ; Buenos Ayres 25 ; and Brazilian 71i, being all a shade higher. Belgian Bonds realised 1011 ; Russian 114 ; and Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. 6 24 to 53, being firmer. Some disposition was manifested to effect sales in Railway Shares, and this caused them to have a less firm appearance. The bargains this afternoon were in Eastern Counties debentures at 21 premium, in Great Western at 241-, in the New Ditto at 13-I to 131, in the Birmingham New at 31i, in the Northern and Eastern Scrip at 4* to 5, and in .the Paris and Rouen at 6to * premium. Brighton were 131, and lilackwall 11* discount. In the advices by the Columbia steamer, as re ceived in the City this afternoon, there is nothing of particular interest beyond what appears in another Part of The Sun, as the private letters have not yet been delivered. The navigation was on the eve, of elosing in Canada, a number of vessels having left Quebec in company, to one or two of which accidents had occurred. (From The Sun of Last Night.) _ _ The Cotton-market at Liverpooc was animated' again yesterday, and the sales were extensive, amountin g 8,000 bales, at full quotations.—ln Rail- Way Shares Brighton were in demand, but others hot ; so good. Birmingham and Gloucester Scrip Tealiied 13; Great Western, 90; Birmingham, 189; Brighton, 361; Manchester and Birmingham, 20 ; Paris and Rouen, 261 ; and South Eastern, 18. There are no arrivals to-day from any quarter, ex cept by the usual continental mails. ,The Belgian budget bas been adopted - in its en • trey by the Chambers, there having been only one dissentient voice. „Aizcounts from the Havannah, indirect, state that the Government had sent vessels, well armed, to clear the.neighbouring seas of the numerous pirates that infested it. The Public Securities have been very firm to-day, and an advance has taken place in the value of Con sols, which have touched 93; to 94. The very different tone of the French journals, and the dezni-official explanations given this morning through tbe columns of a Morning Contem porary, of all the , charges brought against the .French Consul, has helped to strengthen our Stock market. Exchequer Bills have also risen, the price f having got up to 535. and 595. premium; East India '''Monds have realised 495. to 50s. premium. The Re duced Three-and-a-Half per Cents. have improved to _lOl3 and 1013, and the Three per - Cent. Annuities ' have been advanced to 943 and 941. The Canada Guaranteed Debt has advanced to 13 premium. • In the Foreign house there has been less doing. The rise of the last two days in the Spanish securities has, as we anticipated, brought forward sellers, and A.etives are not quoted higher than 181 to 183, while the Three per Cents. bring 241 to 241. Portuguese Converted Bonds touched 34 to 3 and a pamphlet that has just appeared, translated irom the Dutch, and recommending investments in this security, has led some credulous people to risk their money, taking the chapter of accidents. Mexican Stock has been at an improvement to 311 and 313 ; Buenos Ayres Bonds are 26 ; and Peruvian, 193 ; the Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. have been at 523 ; and the Five per Cents. at 1003 to 101*. In the Share Market the transactions have been v limited. Brighton are 131 dis.; Edinburgh `and Glasgow, 2 dis.; Northern and Eastern, 10 dis.; - Paris end Rouen, 4 to 4/ prem.; and South Eastern, 271 PRICES OF IRISH STOCKS, DUBLIN, DEC. 27. Three pet . Cent. Consols.. Ditto, New, 1830.... Rank Stock • • . 174 MANCHESTEIt STOCK EXCHANGE, DEC. 28.—We have had a good inquiry for the Rail way Shares, and a fair business would have been done if the markets had not been so bare of stock :—Manchester and Birmingham, 20 ; Huddersfield Canal, 103; South Eastern Scrip, 173 to 173; Midland Counties Fifths, 6s. to Bs. prem. ; Veweastle and Darlington Junction, 43 to 43. CLOSING PRICES. BRITISH FUNDS. India Stock Ditto Bonds ....... 52 pm Ditto Old Annuities Ditto New Annuities — Ex. Bills, 1,000/....2d 6o>m Ditto BOW.— Ditto Small Bank Stock fur Acct. India Stock for Om— Consols for Opg. ...... 94 V FUNDS. !Ditto, 5 per cent. iDitto, New Ditto Prussian, 5 per cent. Russian, 5 pei cent...., 113 i Ditto, Aletallic ..... Spanish, 5 per cent...... 181 Ditto Deferred.... . FrerA, 5 per cent. —f. —e. Exchange —f. —c French, 3 per cent —f. —c. Dad), 2i per cent. 53 Ditto, 5 per cent. 100 L Hank stock 3 per Cant. Red. ...., 94A 3 per Cent. Cons 3 11 per Cent. Red ..... lO l% ""w 3i per Cent — ' 9 w 5 per Cen' 1-qng Annuities to expire Jan. 1860... 3ct, 1859 an. 1660 — POREIG tstrian, 5 per cent 1 1e'lgian,rs per cent loli Brazilian Bonds... 7l Buenos Ayres 6 per cent. 25 Chilian, 6 per cent. Colombian, 6 per cent — Ditto, 1824 22 Cuba Bonds, 6 per cent — Danish, 3 per :ent Creek, 1825, 5 per cent — Mexican, 5 per cent 32 Ditto, 6 per cent. 1837 Pernvian,lB2s,ll per et. 191 SHARES. Bristol and Exeter (70 paid) ...... 481 Eastern Counties (23 paid) ... •• Ditto Debentures ( paid) lOl Edinburgh and Glasgow (50 paid) ..• ... 48 Great Western, ( 65 paid) Ditto New Shares (50 paid) London am" Brighton (50 paid) • •• •• 36i London and . 1 11ackwall ( paid) .......... 54 London and B + .-zningharn (90) ...... ........ Ditto New Shares ( 2 paid) ..... • 33i London and South Western (4116 s 10d pd) 62 Northern and Eastern ( 45 paid) Ditto Scrip ( 5 paid) • 10 N '.h Midland Railway (400) _lord didlana , Paris and Rouen (20 paid) South Eastern and Dover. (50 paid) 22A Ditto Scrip naid) . l7i GREAT NORTH OF ENGLAND RAILWAY. Traffic returns for the week ending Dec. 24, 11842 Passengers Merchandise 5lO 0 2 £1,332 7 8 Corresponding week last year ..,.1,200 0 9 Darlington, Dec. 28. W. O'BRIEN. Secretary. LETHENDY CASE.—The action of damages, at Mr. Clark's instance, against the majoritv of the Presby tery of Dunkeld, for refusing to take him on trials, &c. which was set down for trial by a jury in the first division of the Court of Session to-day, has been dis charged. The Lord President, after communicating for a few minutes with the Dean of Faculty and Mr. :Rutherford, stated yesterday publicly from the bench, that the Court, with consent of the counsel for the parties, deemed it proper to postpone this trial. The recson for this we understand is, that three other ilpp c; rtant causes, involving much of the law which is - appli e c\ble to this case, are expected to be heard and decided immediately after the Court meets ; and hence th s Lethendy case will not be tried till the Spring sits qns's.—Scotsman. 4 ?r5,71 WA PA Fl' ; ', 7 -4 f`-g*, 410 kti AND Vtablic ottlon, " Who rung may read.' rom.ErGN - . Great commercial distress is felt at Paris at present. In the course of last year there had been a great di minution of the exports, which a is mainly attributed to the financial crisis in the United States, and to the elevation of the American tariff, which has had the effect of restraining the commercial intercourse between France and North America. - The French Cabinet, it is said, have agreed to a plan for suppressing the manufacture of beet-root sugar in France, and granting a compensation to the manufacturers. The Council-General of the Bank of France had fixed at 72 per share the dividend of the last six months of 1842. The subscription opened for erecting a bronze statue of the Duke of Orleans on the Royal-square of Algiers amounted on the 15th to 42,219 f. A crowd of people from Lampurdan, with the Al calde of Figueiras at their head, have sought an asylum in France. M. Manuel Carsy, the, President of the insurgent Junta, had arrived at Marseilles, where he was preparing for the press an account of the insur rection of Barcelona. Two aides-de-camp and the physician of the Re gent of Spain were sent by him on the 19th to visit the wounded lying in the military hospital of Barce lona. They presented, in the name of the Regent, two dollars to each soldier, three to the sergeants, and a month's pay to each officer. A soldier, belonging to the provincial regiment of Barcelona, convicted of having stolen a pair of ear rings, valued at 20 dollars, and four dollars in silver, in a house where he was billetted, was sentenced to death, and executed on the 20th. The following appears in the Courrier de Goieve of the 24th instant :—" It is pretty publicly declared that a conspiracy has been formed against the State, and that the insurgents intend acting by night and by surprise ; they intend, as is declared; to arrest the members of the Government, to seize on the Hotel de Ville and the gates of the town, to form a provisional government, and to act afterwards as may seem fit." The hundredth anniversary of the birthday of Prince Blucher was celebrated at Dusseldorf, on the 15th instant, by a brilliant entertainment, at which not only many comrades of the deceased veteran, but nearly all the officers of the garrison, were preseut. ' In almost every large city in Prussia, the day appears to have been celebrated in a similar manner. The Carlsruhe Gazette states that, notwithstanding the reports to the contrary, the negotiations for a commercial union between Franee and Belgium were still continued, and the French Government, in order to obviate the objections made by the European Powers, had proposed that the existing French tariff should be maintained for some years to come, that the same tariff should be adopted by Belgium, and that the protection of the frontiers should be confided to Belgian Custom-house officers. PUBLIC OPINION. We find the following in the Chronicle :—" It is tolerably clear that the great Tory landowners have been applying the screw to Sir Robert Peel. The time is fast approaching when it will be known whether he will be allowed to' consult the welfare of the country, or whether he will renounce the princi ples he professed last, session, and become the passive instrument of a short-sighted and mistaken avarice. We say short-sighted avarice, for on what can agri culturists depend for prices but the ability of con- sumers. It the returns from foreign trade fall off, the inanufacturers have less with which they can go to the market for food, and prices must come down. Prices were high during the war, because the manufacturing population received high wages, and. rapidly increased in numbers. There was no hindrance to importation, for the duty was nominal, but prices remained high here, because the people were able to pay them. Had the scarcity, which continued for some years after the beginning of the revolutionary war, occurred during a period of unprosperous trade, a great part of the population must have been fed as paupers.' In reference to the state of affairs in Spain, the Times observes :—" It is the first wish of the Brltish Government to see the whole policy of the SpaniSh Cabinet continue to be conducted on those fixed prin ciples of international truth and justice which can alone maintain its moral dignity and establish its claim to the whole support of Europe. England ceases not to express her readiness to afford to the fullest extent all the support which she has already given to Spain in various former emergencies : to that support she attaches but one condition—namely, that Spain will act on principles which England may her self avow. She espouses the cause of Spain, not for the purpose of establishing British influence in the Peninsula, still less for that of offering a captious and irritable resistance to the supposed designs of France, but with the hope that her alliance may tend to check unwise councils at home, and to ward off aggressions from abroad. With these views, the present Go vernment of this country has nothing to fear from a comparison with those who make their artificial en thusiasm for Spain the cloak of their own political passions, and who have even stooped to the propaga tion of statements as false as the imputations they profess to draw from them." The Herald thus alludes to Lord Manners's late Puseyitp pamphlet :—" It is pleasant and gladsome to have tho attention diverted from the squabbles of party politics, controversies about tariffs and customs duties, disquisitions on cheapness, and discussions on pauperism, to the consideration of happier and more joyous means of national improvement which are to be found in the observance of those holidays which our forefathers rejoiced to keep, and in the restoration of those sports and pastimes for which England was once so famous. Lord John Manners has caused this diversion, by his agreeable little essay, entitled ' A Plea for National Holidays,' reprinted in Monday's Herald, and we thank him for it. If Lord John be a Puseyite, his Puseyism has taken a very delightful turn ; and the realisation of his object would again make the Church of England the church of the poor. For just as Puritanism, Calvinism, and democracy have soured the temper, injured the manners, and deadened the kindliness of Englishmen, have the happiness of the people the brotherhood of all classes, the generous and confiding connection and dependence between employed and employer, and, above all, the affectionate regard between the priesthood and the people, declined. If Puseyism will aim at the revi vification of old English social feelings, respectful loyalty, and veneration, every sound. thinking and right judging man in England will willingly accept the appellation of Puseyite. ' The Advertiser has the following remarks on the working of the new Insolvent Act :—" It is highly expedient that the creditor shall enjoy the best means of obtaining the payment of his just demands, which, in other terms, may be stated to be the recovery of his own property. The present law, while it affects to facilitate this object, causes the dissipation of the debtor's substance in unnecessary expenses preparatory to going into the Court, and in his subsistence while prevented from pursuing that business by which alone the debt could be paid. In addition to this positive loss for the profit of a third party, unconnected with the principal transaction, that is, the attorneys, the creditor, in above nine cases out of ten, has to pay the costs of the action and arrest. It is not possible to conceive anything sore iniquitous, that is at the same time so ridiculous, as this procedure for the recovery of debt. The law is so far inefficient, considered as a measure for obtaining justice in the recovery of pro perty from a man who declares himself insolvent, that the dividends declared from this source do not amount in the average to one farthing in the pound. The creditor, therefore, obtains nothing'; but in order to place the debtor in a state of imprisonment, he is obliged to undertake a process at law, of which the expenses fall upon himself, and add to the original loss. At the same time the debtor, in order to pro cure his release, is obliged to expend money on the third unconnected party, which, with the charges of his subsistence in a state of inactivity, might have gone toward liquidating the debt. The powers of the Commissioners of the Insolvent Court are contrary to the Constitution of the country, and detrimental to the interests of both debtor and creditor. By com mitting the decision of cases to these persons, both are deprived of the benefit of the trial by Jury, under tho direction of a competent and independent Judge ; while the law which regulates bail, inflicts a term of imprisonment considered unnecessary in criminal eases, the adjudication of which is of greater import ance to the community than civil transactions. It places the debtor in a worse situation than a criminal, and by its absurd requisitions as to the kind of bail to be accepted, has the effect, in very numerous in stances, of preventing debtors from pursuing their occupations, from the success of which the creditors might entertain hopes of recovering the whole or a portion of the property sunk in the debt. This is the only Court in Europe in which property is not deemed a sufficient representative of property, and in which the recovery of the value of a thing lost is pre vented by the refusal of its eqinvalent in favour a fewofa doubtful pledge of appearance. These are of the arguments which have been urged at different times for a revision of the laws of debtor and creditor; but any one Of&nlis — suficient to cause a man to admire, at the force of that professional prejudice which maintains that a system disfigured by iniquity and monstrous folly, is well enough, and requires no correction. A fellow-feeling for the only party who benefit by the plunder of both debtor and creditor, may reconcile some men to tolerate any species of abuse; but if we may judge from the sympathy ex pressed for poor prisoners in general, an expectation prevails that Lord Cottenham's promised motion for the abolition of arrest for debt should receive Parlia mentary sanction:: 4 TUE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 30, 1842. TVZONEY-T:f.tAl3E-ComurrAncE. A meeting Of the Pave vial Reform Association of St. James's, Westminster, was held at the Crown Tavern, Soho, on Tuesday, when a committee was appointed for the formation of a branch Anti-Corn-law Association for that district. The inhabitants of "the Eighth District" of the Metropolitan Anti-Corn-law Association, assembled at the King's Arms Tavern, Kensington, last night, Mr. Sidney Smith addressed the meeting, which afterwards adjourned to Wednesday next. Another strike has taken place at the colleries of the Dundyvan works, near Coatbridge, by which 200 men, with their wives and dependents, become un employed. _ _ _ COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, THURSDAY.—The Queen end Prince Albert took their accustomed early walk in the Home Park. His Royal Highness the Prince afterwards rode out, attended by Major-General Wemyss, S;r• Ed %.% ar d Bowater, Mr. G. E. Anson, Hon. Colonel Grey, and Captain Francis Seymour. Met at Upton, found a hare on Mr. Mascn's farm, ran by Stoke-park up to 13retwells, from thence made up by the village of Burnham to Dorney Wood, skirted it, and ran on to East Burnham Beeches, 55 minutes, without a check. His Royal Highness rode his favourite horse Han nibal, and was close to the hounds through the whole of the run. A better or a faster run with fox hounds was never seen. Besides his Royal Highness and Suite, there were a few of the neighbouring yeomen. The Earl of Lincoln arrived on a visit to her Majesty. Viscount Canning took his departure from the Castle to day. Covers are laid this evening for thirteen. The Royal dinner party is expected to include the Lady in Waiting, Hon. Miss Lister, Hon. Miss Liddell, Earl of Lincoln, Marquis of )monde, Captain F. Seymour, Hon. C. A. Murray, Captain Meynell, Hon. Colonel Grey, and Sir Edward Bowater. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge ar rived in town yesterday from his residence at Kew, and paid a visit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, at. Gloucester House. M. Fortique, th"O Venezuelan Minister, transacted business yesterday at the Foreign-office. His Excel lency the Turkish Ambassador also transacted busi ness yesterday at the Foreign-office. The Earl of Minto has left Farrance's Hotel, Bel grave-street, for his seat, Minto House, North Britain LITERATURE. COLLEGE LIFE. 3 Yoh. Coburn, London, 1842. The author of this lively production is already favourably known to the public by some clever sketches of University life and character, which appeared some months since in the pages of the New Monthly Magazine. His present work is not unworthy of these, and presents " College Life" with as much spirit as fidelity. The sketch of the Rev. Doctor Pomponius Atticus . Potts, the sporting Oxford Don, who,used to manage to get a little shooting during term-time by slipping through his stable-yard, " which communicated with the highway, by means of a pair of back-gatcs," is evidently a portrait taken direct from some living original ; but indeed all the author's sketches wear this appearance; and hence the interest that they possess for the majority of readers. Those who are fond of a hearty laugh, will derive much amusement from the perusal of these highly humourous VOlumes. THE COMMISSIONER. Curry, Dullin, 1842. There are many ingenious hits at the follies and vices of the day in this story, which is as full of arch satire as any of Peacock's novels. It is also embellished with numerous clever plates, and has already been published in Monthly Parts, which are here all bound together, and form a handsome octavo volume. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S-YESTERDAY. Yesterday was, beyond all doubt, the dullest day of the season ; the number of subscribers present 'were under twenty, and the betting in keeping with the at tendance :-1.000 to 30 and 875 to 25 were laid against Mr. Bell's Winesour; 1,000 to 20, twice, agst Colonel Peel's St. Valentine ; 500 to 13 agst the Duke of Graf ton's Oxygen colt; 1,000 to 15 agst Mr. Eddison's Ches terfield; and 2,000 to 30 agst Lord Orford's Mercy colt. FARMER'S CLUB-HOUSE IN LONDON.—A meeting of the Provisional Committee, formed for the purpose of considering the propriety of establishing a Farmere' Club-house. n London, was held, pursuant to notice, on Thursday last. About 16 members of the Commit , tee attended. There were also several gentlemen pre sent who took an interest in the subject, but who were not members of the Committee. The chair was taken by J. Hudson, Esq„ Castleacre, Norfolk. The object of the meeting having been stated, a lengthened discus sion took place in reference to the amount 'of entrance fee and annual subscription, and also as to the locality in which a .Club-house should be situated, so as to meet the convenience of farmers visiting the metroplis, and much useful information upon the subject was elicited. There was not the slightest difference of opinion on the advantages of establishing a farmer's club-house. Some of the members were desirous of having a high entrance fee, with a view to form a fund for erecting a building at some future period; but the snore general feeling appeared to be that both the entrance fee and the subscription should be kept as low as possible. Resolutions were agreed upon, and the Committee broke up. On Friday morning another meeting was held, and two resolutions were passed : first—" That it was highly desirable that a club-house should be established, the Members to pay an entrance fee and an annual subscription ;" and, secondly—" That the provisional Committe e be requested to give their best attention to the subject, to prepare a prospectus, and adbpt such means as they may deem best calculated to ensure the success of the object." It is stated that the Committee will go ac tively to work without delay, and that it will not be long before the prospectuses are issued.— York Courant. DEATH or FRANCIS M'CRACKEN, ESQ.—We have to record the death of this estimable and highly-re spected citizen; who had attained his 81st year. He was the last survivor of the Belfast First Volunteer Company, which enrolled 26th March, 1778 ; and had been for upwards of sixty years a merchant of the town of Belfast. Throughout his long life, his in tegrity and personal worth secured for him the respect of his fellown-townsmen.—Northern Whig. BRIGHTON, DEc. 28.—Among our latest arrivals are the Hon. General St. John,' in Brunswick square ; Sir David Roche, at the Bedford Hotel ; Lieutenant-General Sir John Gardiner, at the New Steyne Hotel ; General Mahon, Mrs. Admiral Byron, and Lieut.-Colonel Hunt, at the New Steyne Hotel; Mr. Urquhart, at the Albion ; Sir Cresswell Cress well, at the Norfolk ; the Earl of Pomfret, on a visit to Lady Borough, in Regency. square ; Mr. J. Bal four, M.P., on a visit to the Lady Emily Balfour, at Byam House; Lord and Lady Walpole, and Sir Fleetwood and Lady Pellew, are at the Albion Hotel. The Earl and Countess of Beauchamp left yesterday for London. Viscount Dilly has also taken his de parture from Brunswick-square. Lady White Ridley will quit the Norfolk Hotel to-day for Worthing. The Earl of Harrowby is among our recent arrivals in Kemp Town. LORD EDWARD SOMERSET.—We have heard that it is proposed to erect, by subscription, a magnificent monument which shall commemorate the distin guished services of the late General Lord Edward Somerset. Wd have much pleasure in making this communication, as we are convinced that in the county of Gloucester, with which his Lordship was so long and intimately connected, 'the undertaking will be hailed with great satisfaction, and will be generally and cordially supported.—Bath Chronicle. Last_ week an employe of the Custom-house at Dunkirk, having need of a little sand, went and took some from the bottom of the wall of the 13elvidere. Some boys who were playing on the rampart above, seeing the man stoop down, imagined that he was hiding money, and, as soon as he was gone, hastened down to turn over the sand. They had not raked long with their hands when they perceived two little feet stick ing up. Frightened at the discovery, they ran away, but some other persons in passing saw the feet, and drew out the body of a newly born child; the head was fractured in various places, and suspicion was ex cited against a girl who had left her home one or two days before. Orders were given to arrest her, but she, on seeing At, soldier and policeman approach, threw herself into the sea. The soldier saved her, and she is at present in custody. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. POOR-RATE.—A Petty Session was held at the Lamb and Lark Inn, Keynsham, on Friday last, when an appeal was brought by the Great Western Railway Company against the amount for which they had been assessed in respect of that portion of their line which passes through the parish of Keynsham. Mr. F. Ward and Mr. Knapp attended on behalf of the Company, and Mr. J. L. Simmons supported the in terest of the parish. After hearing the arguments of both parties, the Magistrates dismissed the appeal„ confirming the rate as claimed by the parish, namely 1,200/. per mile fur three miles, in the present in stance amounting to 901., or nearly one-fourth of the whole rate. We understand that the Company intend further to appeal to the Somerset Quarter Sessions.— Bath Chronicle. ASHFORD—CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE.--A few days since the inhabitants of th;s town were duly informed by placard, that a purse containing two checques and cash. together amounting to 761. 10s., had been lost by Mr. Paine. miller and paper-manufacturer, and the greatest vigilance was adopted to detect the possessors of the unduly acquired property. As last Tuesday week was the market day, it was thought probable that the cheques might be presented at the banks, but the day passed without intelligence of them. On Mr. Paine's return to his residence he felt strongly im pressed with the conviction that he had laid his purse on the dressing-room table. The next day a rat hunt took place in the mill, and while clearing out a lumber room, at the distance of nearly 50 yards, a rat-hole was discovered filled with pieces of paper, &c. This, on being cleared out, discovered the lost purse, with its contents uninjured, which:must have been conveyed the above distance through several frequented rooms. Dover Chronicle. PROVINCIAL THEATRIcALs.--TRURO THEATRE On Monday, a most extraordinary occurrence cut short the evening's amusem en t s . The curtain had just fallen at th e close of the third act of Othello, when a sudden uproar behind the scenes announced the performance of some parts not in the play-bill. After some minutes of suspense, the Moor himself, bearing on his cheek and visage evident marks of a recent scuffle, came forwardand explained the cause of the confusion, It appeared that the person to whom had been assigned the part of Cassio, not trusting to his own powers to do justice to the character, had qua lified himself to enact the drunken scene by ample potations, forgetting that it was necessary he should be sober when the scene was over. Loosing all com mand of himself off the stage, having probably been excited by his feigned quarrel, he knocked down the manager, furiously attacked the rest of the company, and finally made his escape in full costume. After some delay two or three scenes minus Cassio were got through, and the spectators, after having been pre sented with free tickets of admission to the next per formance, quitted the house. Wynne, the delinquent, has not since been heard of.—Fulnimdh Packet. CIIA RG E OF WILFUL MURDER.—Wednesday infor mation was forwarded to Bow-street, and thence to the various metropolitan and city police-offices and stations, that a man, named James Crowley, of Warwickshire, stood charged with having committed wilful murder on Christ:nas-day last; the full particulars of which, however, were not appended to the information. Crowley is described as follows, viz. :-5 feet 9 inches high, stout made, has a mark or seam over one of his eyebrows, good looking, and of gentlemanly appearance, and when last seen was dressed in a dark cloth coat, black shining boots, and leather leggings. After -committing the murder, he absconded, taking with him a horse of the follow ing description :—A bright bay, switch tail, nearly thorough bred, one hip down, black legs, ewe necked, and about fifteen hands one inch high. A reward of 20/. will be paid for the apprehension of-the murderer, on application to Mr. B. Johnson, churchwarden, Sperm], Warwickshire. ATROCIOUS MURDER AT SPER NALL, NEAR STUDLEY. (Abridged from the Worcestershire Chronicle.) In the last two Chronicles it has been our painful duty to record the particulars of a most lamentable tragedy at Rouse - Lench, and this week we have to lay before our readers an account of a far more atro cious deed, committed on Sunday last (Christmas day), at Spernall, in Warwickshire, not ten miles dis tant from the scene of the Rouse Lench tragedy, Spernall lying near the Worcestershire border, on the river Arrow, about three Miles north.of Alcester, a short distance off the road leading from, that town to Birmingham, and midway between Studley Castle, the seat of Sir F. L. H. H. Goodricke, Bart., and Coughton Court, the seat of Sir Robert Throckmor ton, Bart., one of whose tenants, Mr. Crowley, a respectable farmer residing at Spernall, is the un happy father of the murderer. The murdered man was one of Mr. Crowley's labourers, and, horrid to relate, met his fate at the hand of the man who, but for his fatal interference would, in all probability, have imbrued his hands in his father's blood, and thus, if possible, have increased his crime by standing forth an unnatural parricide, instead of an ordinary mur derer. The murderer (James Crowley) has long been on bad terms with his father, on account (as he would have it to appear) of the partiality shown by the old gentleman towards other members of his faVy, to his (James's) detriment ; but according to others (and the subsequent conduct of the unhappy young man goes far to prove their reason to be the real one) on account of his violent, dissipated, extravagant, and- undutiful conduct. Be that as it may, the father at length became so terrified at the behaviour of his graceless son, that he was com pelled, from prudential motives, to have some one reside in the house capable of protecting him from such unnatural violence. The individual selected for this extraordinary but necessary duty was one of his labourers, a fine young man, named ' Tilsley, standing six feet ,in height, though not more than twenty year s o f age; an d in order' to give him additional authority, he was regularly sworn in as a constable. As soon as these precautionary steps had been taken, Mr. Crowley 'eXperienced sense • of something like security and tranquillity, feelings ,to.which he had long been a stranger, but, as will be seen in the sequel, the ominous calm was only the forerunner of the storm which was about to burst upon him, and bring his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. On Sunday last, the unhappy young man proceeded from his lodgings in the neighbourhood to the farm, apparently with the intention of shooting Crowley, as he took a double-barrelled gun with him. On arriv ing at the house, he behaved in such a' violent manner as to cause the greatest alarm to the inmates, and on Tilsley and two others approaching to arrest him, he suddenly turned round, and, fiercely exclaiming " D—n your eyes, I'll shoot you I" rai se d th e p i ece to his shoulder, fired, and in an instant poor Tilsley fell to the ground a frightful corpse. The report of the gun of course brought the whole of the family to the spot, and the scene which ensued when they beheld the lifeless body of their protector weltering in his blood—and deprived of life, too, by one so nearly allied to then by the ties of nature— may be better imagined than described. As soon as assistance arrived, the body was conveyed to an 'ad joining building, to await the Coroner's inquest, which was held yesterday (Tuesday), by W. 0. Hunt, Esq., of Stratford-upon-Avon, one of the Warwickshire Coroners, and a respectable Jury, but the result had not reached us when we went to press. The sensation which this awful deed has created in the neighbourhood is, as might naturally be expected, very great, and many for miles round will long re member Christmas-day in 142. The public sympathy is increased by the fact that poor Tilsley, though so young, was a married man, and has left a widow and two children to lament his untimely end. From another account it appears that a reward of 401. has been offered for his apprehension. The perpetrator of this dreadful crime is a remark ably fine, handsome, gentlemanly-looking young man, about 30 years of age, with light brown hair, and light eyes, and a forehead and countenance which would seein to promise very different conduct to that which he has shown through life ; he has, too, received, and in some respects done credit to, a better education than the generality of persons in his statio:i obtain. He some time since wrote a pamphlet of 16 pages (the letters in which are dated May and December, 1841) on the subject of fends in his family, and endeavoured therein to prove himself a deeply injured young man. This attempt failed with people who knew that his father allowed 1/. per week to maintain him in idleness, and the keep of a horse to ride for his recreation. The pamphlet is written in a manner which evinced some ability, but bore in its tone evidence of the jealous disposition of the writer, amounting almost to. monomania, on the subject of wrongs towards himself, and preference towards his brothers or sisters, on the part of his father. This feeling continually increasing, and gradually filling his mind, prod uce d f requen t quarrels, and at lengt resulted in the awful cri me h ere recorded. Ilis conduct some time since induced his father to offer terms before mentioned for his absence from the farm, and he had lodged with a blacksmith in the neigh-1 bourhood until the day of the murder. It was stated at the Broomsgrove Petty Sessions, yesterday, that the murderer has been apprehended, but our latest accounts from the scene of the tragedy do not confirm the statement, and the last reports re ceived at the County Police Station, in this city, also state that he has not yet been taken. Should he not be hoard off soon, we shall incline to the opinion (for which his previous excited state of mind affords ample justification) that he has added to his other cranes that of suicide. The Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster, with the Bishop of Chester, Earl and Countess Gros venor, Lord Belgrave Lord and Lady Parker, Lord Robert Grosvenor, and the clergymen resident in the neighbourhood of Eaton Hall, attendel the annual examination of the scholars educated at the Grosvenor schools, established through the munificence of the Noble Marquis and Marchioness. The prizes were awarded by the Marquis and Marchioness personally to the young persons who had distinguished themselves in their learning. As is usual, an excellent dinner of what is termed " old English fare" was provided at the expense of the Noble Marquis. TILE EARL or LONSDALE.—This venerable and much respected Nobleman will complete his eighty fifth year on Saturday next, when his Lordship's birth day will be celebrated with the customary rejoicings, on his estates in Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Rutlandshire, by his tenantry. On Thursday last, as is the Noble Earl's usual custom, the poor aged and infirm persons and the labourers on his estate at Lowther Castle, were presented with blankets and various articlos of clothing suitable for this season of the year, and four oxen were slaughtered, to be dis tributed amongst those families to whom the gift would prove acceptable. A letter fram Rome says :—" It is well known that Lord Shrewsbury is having a church built at Ascott, near Birmingham, dedicated to St. Gillers. llis Lordship, a generous and liberal protector of the fine arts, and particularly those referring to religion, has entrusted to the clever painter, Edward Hauser, of Basle, the Execution of a magnificent painting, which is to be the principal ornament of that church, the building of which has been entrusted to Mr. Puggein." The Marchioness of Lansdowne, on Saturday last, regaled the children educated in the school maintained by her Ladyship at Bowood, for the young children of the cot tagers. A substantial repast was laid out in the conservatory, and the wants of the youthful recipients of the bounty of the Marchioness were attended on both by the Marquis and Marchioness. After, doing justice to the excellent faro provided through the liberality of their patrons, the assemblage broke up. POETRY OF BOCCACClO.—Boccaccio having seen the Platonic sonnets of his master Petrarch, in a fit of despair committed all his poetry to the flames, except a-single poem, of which his own good taste had long taught him to entertain a more favourable opinion. This piece, thus happily rescued from destruction, is at present so scarce and so little known, even in Italy, as to have left its author but a slender proportion of that eminent degree of poetical reputation which he might have so justly claimed from so extraordinary a performance. It is an heroic poem, in twelve books, entitled "Le Thescide," and written in the octave stanza, called by the Italians ottava rima, which Boc caccio adopted from the old French chansons, and here first introduced among his countrymen.—Wharton's History of English Poetry. THE FEATHERED TRIBE OUT OF THEIR RECKON ING.—Within the last few days, sparrows, in several instances, have been seen busily engaged in building their nests. They have been thus observed at dif ferent farmsteads in East Lothian, and also in the neighbourhood of Musselburgh. The crows, too, have shown indications of pairing. As a further proof of the mildness of the season, certain kinds of trees are pretty full blossom, which, in all like lihood, will be nipped ere long.—Edinburgh Observer. It is currently rumoured, but requires confirma tion, that our much-esteemed neighbour, Rear-Ad iniral Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart., of Gatcombe house, is to succeed Sir John Louis as Superintendent of Malta dockyard. SCARCITY OF FUEL. Firewood is said to be so scarce in some parts of the Middle States, that a man with a wooden leg is afraid to venture out after dark, for fear of being robbed of it.— w York paper. ANOTHER SIGN OF THE TIMES.—We recently stated that the Sovereign day coach from this city to London, via Oxford and the Great Western Railway, instead of running daily, would only run for four days in the week, and we have' now to state that it has al together ceased to run, Friday having vvitnesse 1 its last journey.— Tliorcestershire Chronicle. S SPARRING. 4#7742E41. THE CHAMPION OF ENGLAND ANDIA: IL/ AMERICAN GIANT. . 0• -. '44-1 On Wednesday, Caunt, the pugilist, who assu title of "Champion of England," simply becau the present degraded state of the " Rine there i •• " - member of the fraternity who could be relied or c g c nia fight out an honest battle for the distinction —took a benefit by an exhibition of sparring—at the National Baths, Westminster Bridge-road. We believe the principal object of the exhibition was, to give the ad mirers of this branch of athletics an opportunity of seeing, foot to foot, in the same arena, the two largest men that ever stood opposed to each other in the pugi listic ring in England, with or without the gloves. On the present occasion, the great swimming bath of this extensive building was drained, and converted into a commodious theatre, with a respect able tier of boxes upon each side, the more select of which were occupied by a number of military, titled, and otherwise distinguished patrons of the art. There were altogether about 2,500 persons present; and whatever may be known of some part of the company to those whose duty it is to look out for suspicious charac ters, to our inexperienced eves the appearance of the as semblage in the pit, the cheapest and least fashionable quarter, was extremely decent, and the conduct throughout particularly quiet and orderly. After a great number of pugilists of minor note had set to, with infinitely varied skill and spirit, some being, rewarded with vehement applause and abundant showers of copper and silver coin, whilst others (but few certainly) were hooted off for clumsi ness and slinking, the two great men mounted the stage. They were of course greeted in a very en thusiastic manner; nor, indeed, was it possible to look upon two such fine forms without admiration. They were stripped to the waist, as in the real fight, and wore light breeches and stockings, and what are called high-low shoes. Caunt wore the belt of the Champion of. England, and Freeman, the giant's, waist was encircled with a star-studded belt, em blematic, of course, of his assumed character of American champion. The best idea we could sug gest of Caunt's appearance would be a figure between the Antinous and the Hercules. The man seems to about twenty-six or twenty-eight years of age, with a countenance of a somewhat military character (which is aided by the formal cut of his whiskers), but a very animated and good-humoured expression. He is six feet three inches high, with a development of form, in every outline and proportion a model for the statuary. Although he cannot weigh less than fourteen stone in what is called fighting con dition, his movements are as quick, light, .and graceful, as those of the best harlequi n . The ;and Giant, who stands the enormous height of six feet eleven inches, and is about twenty-four years of age, seemed to have the advantage over his opponent chiefly in height ; for although Freeman's figure would be pronounced almost faultless in its proportions, yet, in some points, his develop ment is inferior to that of Caunt. The deltoid muscles of the latter are much faller in proportion, and give a robustness to the upper part of the figure, more in keeping with the greatness of the rest. In Freeman, the shoulder slopes off from the neck, which gives some appearance of slenderness to that portion of the body. They set to with great spirit, displaying science, quickness, and steadiness of the highest order. It is quite absurd to say that Freeman is deficient of science, and that he owes his invincibility to the length of roach. In fact, his strength is such, that a well meant blow from him would put an end to the contest with any mon living. But his length did not prevent Count from getting at him —and giving some heavy facers too; which were very handsomely returned. It was plain, indeed, that neither of them put out his strength; and thi4 was as •it always should be in such mere trials of skill. It takes away all that could be of in terest in the exhibition, to see two fellows (as most of the young ones here last night) thumping away for the very life, to try how much miychief could be-done with the gloves on. But it would be great injustice to the champions to say that they trifled. It was no such thing. They sparred in a spirited, manly way, each bringing out to the best of his powers all the • science his opponent was master of. rhcy were ap plauded most enthusiastically. Just before Freeman stripped to enter the ring he threw a somerset with his boots on, swinging his body by the hands from the rails. His weight is said to be 18 stone.. It is said that attempts have been made to induce these men to make a match, but that in consequence of some relationship between them, they will not fight. It is quits clear if they do, and fight honestly, neither Caunt's strength nor science will avail—one blow from Freeman would decide the matter, and that blow ho can give. It is no less clear that his battles with Perry were protracted more by his mercy than by the slinking tactics of the " Slasher." A r.:_ami G ACCIDENT ON to LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILW A Y.—BAIGHTON, WEDNESDAY.— Yesterday morning, about a quarter before twolve, an alarming accident occurred on the Shoreham branch of the London and Brighton Railway. It appears th.a the train was proceeding to Shoreham drawn by .an engine called "The Brighton." Shortly after passing the Hove Station, about two miles from Brighton, several of the tubes of the engine burst with a loud report. A number of persons were immediately attracted to the spot, when it was found that the engine -driver, named William Cavan, was most severely scalded on the legs and abdomen. The stoker and Mr. Meredith, one of the chief engineers to the Company, who happened to be on the tender at the time, miraculously escaped unhurt. The connecting-rods and other parts of the machinery were found by the policeman stationed at Hove, at a considerable distance from the spot where the accident occurred. Although Cavan is severely scalded, it is expected he will in a short time be able to resume his duty. SINGULAR ACCIDENT.—OH Monday last a singular accident happened to a child two years of age, son of Mr. Avery, a miller, residing at Summer's-hill, Warbleton, Sussex. The infant was left in a room for a few minutes, when he took up a small penknife, left open in a chair, and inflicted a dreadful cut in his abdomen, from which the bowels protruded. Medical assistance was immediately procured, and the wound sewed up, and hopes are entertained that the little sufferer may recover. Thirteen families have been thrown on the parish of St. James's, Clerkenwell, for support, within the last few days, in con sequence o f t h e male parents having deserted them. The authorities of the parish haveoffered a reward of thirteen guineas for the ap prehension of the deserters, some of whom were trades men in comfortable circumstances. A funeral procession was proceeding, last week, to the cemetery of Loyasse, near Lyons, when suddenly a herd of oxen came in view. One of them broke away, and dashed forward into the midst of the mourning train. The ofans de chow and the priests attempted to seek for safety in flight, but the animal did not give them time to execute their purpose. One of the priests was knocked down, several of the boys trampled on, the coffin thrown to the ground, and all put in confusion. After a time all were placed on their legs again, and some precautions being taken in letting the herd pass, the precession proceeded to its destination. COVENT-GARDEN SAVINGS RAN . At the last meeting of the governors of this bank the following balance-sheet was laid before them, including the accounts to the last month :—Receipts in the gross 35,3251. 12s. 4d.; deposits for the past year, 6,8221. 13s. ; repaid, 7,7291. Is. Bd.; interest added, 8901. Os. 6d. • due to depositors, 27,596/. 12s. 4d.; invested with the Commissioners of the National Debt, 27,5311. 17s. sd. ; with the bankers, 2431 ss. 9d. At the close of 1841 the sum of 27,6121. 19s. 3d. was due to the depositors, making a difference of 16/. 9s. Id. between the years 1841 and 1842. The bank is opened chiefly for the benefit of the market-gardeners and others whose pursuits connect them with Covent garden. TAILORS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.—A meeting of the Committee of this Institution entrusted with the disposal of a balance remaining in the hands of the treasurer, since the st r ik e i n 1834, was h e ld on Wednes day, at the officesin Sackville-street, when it w asagreed that the said balance should be applied towards the support of the alms-houses in connexion with the In stitution. TIIE MODEL PRISON, PENTONVILLE.—The dietary rules ard regulations for the government of this cri minal establishment having at length received the ap proval of the Secretary of State, it is now definitively settled that the prison shall ,be tenanted by the pri son:Ts who may be convicted of felony, and receive the sentence of seven years' transportation at the ensuing Epiphany Sessions, which commence gene rally throughout the country at the beginning of next week. By the rules of the prison the terms of captivity will extend from two to three years, but this will in a great measure depend upon the conduct of the convict, for in case of refractory behaviour he will be at once removed from Pentonville to the hulks, to undergo the full term of his sentence. The convicts will be employed in various useful trades, for which purpose each cell is provided with gas, which is so arranged as to afford a good and sufficient light. The hours of labour are from six in the morning until nine in the evening in summer, and from seven until eight in winter. The convict. dress is dark grey, with the letters " P.P." embroidered in red on the collar. A county gaol upon the same plan as the Model Prison is forthwith to be erected at Reading, and a similar one at Gloucester, whilst a third is now.nearly ready for occupation at Bath. WIT IN lIUMBLE LIFE.-^A lady cnxions to get the sure direction to a particular plrce, asked a cab man her erbest way, and was answered, " Why, ma'am, I think th e b est wa y is to take a cab?' The Marquis of Sligo's health is nearly re-establish ed. His Lordship takes the air daily in the vicinity of Westport House. ECCLESIASTICAL. The Rev. Bernard Smith of Leadenham, Stamford, has become a convert to Roman Catholicism, and re signed his living of 9001. per annum._ LAW AND POLICE. James Cooke, a dealer in horses, was charged at Bow-street with fraudulently obtaining a horse, chaise, and harness, value 501., from Mr. James Sykes, of Amen-corner. Various other charges have to be brought against him, and he stands remanded. Shaw Riley was finally examined at the Wands worth Police-office on the charge of embezzling various sums of money, amounting to 501., and upwards, the property of his employer, Mr. Frost, auctioneer, at Clapham. Ile was committed on two charges. THEATRICAL. The drama of M. Leon Gozlan, entitled Ii _Malt un Roi et une Reine, which, about a year and a half since, was prohibited at Paris, as it purported to have for its characters her Majesty the Queen of England and her Illustrious Consort, has just been produced at the Odeon, under the title of La Main Droite et la Main Gauche. The scene and personages :have :been re moved to Sweden. COMET-PASHIONABLE. The Dowager. Countess of Clanricarde is staying with the Earl of Howth, at Howth Castle. Lord St. Lawrence has recovered from his illness. The Earl and Countess of Belmore are entertaining a party at Castlecoole, their seat in Ireland. The Countess Beaumont Rochemere, since her arrival, has been residing at the house of the Mexican Minister, in Sussex-place, Regent's-park. Viscount and Viscountess Dillon, who have been residing several weeks at Brighton, have returned to town. Lord and Miss Foley left Grosvenor-square on Wed nesday for Paris. Lord and Lady Dunally and family intend passing the winter at Cheltenham, where they arrived last week from Ireland. NATIONAL BAN K. THE MISSING PARCEL OF £3,000. DUBLIN, DEc.27.—The investigation in this case was resumed today in College-street Police-office. The original sum abstracted amounted in cash and bills to 2,200/. 17s. 10d., of which the following has since been returned by letter bearing date "Liver pool," but evidently written in Dublin : Returned securities Bank post-bills Letters of credit Amount of money retained in English and Irish notes A Mr. Egan, who travelled by the Ballinasloe day coach on the day the parcel was abstracted, and who was the bearer of a parcel containing leases of pre cisely similar appearance, was in attendance, as was also a number of other witnesses connected with the bank, coach-office, &c. Mr. Curran, on the part of Mr. Egan, pressed for the examination of that gentle man which, after some consultation, the bench de clined. This case, from its many extraordinary fea tures, has created an intense interest. Mr. Egan was some time back one of the Directors of the National Bank, and resides at Monte, county Westmeath. His advocate, Mr. Curran, insisted at some length and with much ability, that the porters and others con nected with the minor departments of the coach-office had, either by a gross neglect of duty, caused the loss of the notes, or abstracted them and afterwards con cocted the conspiracy against Air. Egan, to avert the consequences from themselves. Mr. Baker, on the part of the bank, commented at some length on the general nature of the evidence, and their Worships then directed informations to be taken in the case, and a search warrant was granted in order that Mr. Egan's lodgings might be visited by the police autho rities. Mr. E. was then admitted to bail, himself in 5001. and two sureties in 2501. each. LLOYD'S SHIPPING. LONDON, DEC. 29.—Wind this day at noon, Wes terly, light breeze and hazy. DEAL, DEC. 28.—Wind N.W. moderate.—Arrd. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Arrd. from the River, Diamond, Colombia River; Lotus, Barbadoes; Medora, Ha vannah ; Huron, New Orleans. Sld. most of the out ward bound. The Ludlow has proceeded for the River in tow of a steamer. JERSEY, DEC, 26.—Arrd. Fanny, Newfoundland. PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 28.—Wind N.W. to N.N.W. —Sid. her Majesty's ship Cambridge. FALMOUTH, DEC. 28.—Wind W., light breezes. YARMOUTH, DEC. 28.—The John and Elizabeth, Erskine, from Montrose to London, which was ashore on the Corton Sand, has been assisted off and into the harbour, leaky. RAMSGATE, DEC. 28.—Arrd. Sophia and Elizabeth;, Altona for Laguayra. LOWESTOFT, DEC. 28.—The Neptune, Young, from Lynn, got in contact in the roads with a ship from Glasgow, and has received considerable damage, and must discharge to repair. LIVERPOOL, DEC. 28.—Arrd. Assam, M'Alpine, Calcutta, left St. Helena 11th ult. ; Ellen Preble, New Orleans, left the bar 28th ult. The Amazon, from Calcutta, had been hove down at St. Helena, had her leaks stopped, and was reloading 11th ult. SCARBOROUGH, DEC. 28.—Arrd. Jean Hastie, Spark, Miramichi. HULL, DEC. 27.—S1d. George Delius, St. Thomas. BRISTOL, DEC. 28.—Arrd. Thomas Hansford, Her bert, Aliramichi. CAPT. GROVES' FLOATING BREAKWATER. DovEn, DEC. 28.—The breakwater is moored in 3i fathoms at low water in Hay Cliff or West Bay, with the following bearings by compass : " South -East by North — ; Flag StLY on South E. by N. I N.; Flag Staff on Archcliff Fort, N. E.; Shakspeare's Cliff, W.N.W LOSS OF THE BRITISH BRIG NAIAD AND SUFFERING OF THE CREW. The British brig Naiad, from Halifax to Demera ca, was fallen in with Nov. 11, in lat. 28, 10, ion. 58, 1 0, full of water, and the only survivor taken off by tl Shawmut, arrived at Boston from Rio Janeiro. The survivor, - William Fosdick, states that they left Hali fax for Demerara on Sept. 14, and on the 22d, in lat.. 292, were capsized in a heavy squall, under close , reefed topsails at the time, she righted next day, full. of water, with loss of spars and mainmast. A little flour was washed up from the hold, which they col lected and dried in the sun and ate ; everything was done by Fosdick to keep up the spirits of his compa nions (seven in number), but they all drooped and. died except one, who, with Fosdick, went into the maintop in a very stormy night. It coming on to rain_ • ' Fosdick touched his companion in order to rouse him. to obtain a few drops of water as it fell, but found him. dead. In the morning he cut him loose, and he fell. into the sea. Ile then remained six days before the Shawmut hove in sight, and when taken on board he , was unable to speak or walk, but the medical skill of the captain saved his life. THE LATE GALE AT THE CAPE. A letter has been received at - Lloyd's, from the Colonial-office, dated Dec. 27, inst., inclosing a copy of a letter from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and a copy of the Port Captain's report upon the gale of the Bth and 9th September last; but whick, with the exception of the following extracts, contains; nothing beyond what has already been made known : " The barometer fell gradually on Thursday, this Bth inst. (Sept.) and towards evening it blew stronw from the northward. The wind increased rapidty after dark, and at midnight the squalls were exceedi ingly violent. The barometer continued falling un til Friday morning, when the mercury begun to rise, but the wind continued unabated, and at nom th( :re was the worst sea running into the lay th it I hr ,ve ever witnessed ; in fact, the anchorage was a contint ra tion of breakers. _ " There had been a succession of squally weatl per and northwardly winds for several days previa us, which accounts for`' the unusually high and break ing sea, which caused so much damage." A letter has also been received at Lloyd's from the French Consul-General, enclosing three slips. of papers found in bottles picked up on the Fri coast, and transmitted by order of the Minister of Marine. They are not, hewever, of consequence, but the great attention of the French authorities-. on the subject on this • and several occasions past,. —is highly commendable, and deserving of attention. S DUTII SEA FISHERY. The Winslow, arrived at Sydney, New S outh Wales, August 18th, with 650 barrels. The H igh lander, of Hobart Town, was at Nargoty Island, with 200 barrels sperm. VESSELS SPOKEN WlTH.—England, Liverpo of to New Orleans, lat. 50, lon. 20; Swift, of Guernsey, 26st inst, lat. 50, lon. 17, by the Charlotte, arrived at Falmouth. DEATH OF ARCHDEACON WRANGHAM.—We are sorry to have to announce the death of Archdeacon Wrangham, which event took place on the 27th inst., at his residence in Chester, in the 74th year of his age. This venerable and distinguishel man. - was ArchdeacOn of the East aiding of York, Chaplain to the Archbishop of York, Canon of York-and Chesiter, and Rector of Hunmanby, in Yorkshire, and of D; id ton, in Cheshire. ADELAIDE GALLERY. COMBUSTION BY REFRACTED ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. Last evening Dr. Atkins delivered a lecture upon the Boccius Light, which he illustrated by experi ments of great novelty and interest, with the Colos sal Burning Lens, lately brought into use in this In , ; stitution. The Learned Gentleman commenced by stating that all bodies are divided into combustible and incombustible, oxygen being the only supporter of combustion, and the atmospheric air itself sup porting combustion only by means of the oxygen which it contains. A change takes place, in the oxygen by its combination with the burning bodies, so that it becomes incapable of supporting respira tion or combustion, and affects vegetable colours, which were before unaffected by it. All combustible matters commonly burnt are composed of carbon and hydrogen. The Lecturer separated.the oxygen and hydrogen composing water, and burnt the latter ; after which he produced water by the deflagration of the two gases. In producing artificial light, un less solid matter is introduced into the flame, the latter is but slightly luminous. He showed that the flame of oxygen and hydrogen burnt together gives little light, although possessin g great heating power, but when that flame is applied a piece of lime, the light produced is very great. The object, therefore, sought in the improved method of procuring arti ficial light, has been to bring the flame to act upon solid matter, so that it becomes incandescent, in the most convenient way to produce the greatest amount of light, with the least consumption of materials. The mode of illumination, now most familiarly known as the Bude light, was first exhibited by the late Sir Humphrey Davy, at the Royal Institution, and the failure of its first application to the lighting of the House of Commons, by Mr. Gurney, was occasioned by the difficulty of regulating the amount of light and procuring the necessary supply of oxygen. Gurney and Boccius at the same time devised new kinds of burners, to remove that defect. By. the contrivance of the latter inventor, of which the lecturer gave a de tailed description, the supply of oxygen is rendered unnecessary, and there is no smoke; the light being obtained at one-fourth of the expense required for the same amount of light as was produced on Mr. Gurney's plan. For the better understanding of the experi ments which he was about to make with the Colossal Burning Lens, it was necessary to explain that each of the seven rays into which a pencil of solar light may be divided by the prism, consists of three distinct portions—an illuminating, a calorific, and a chemical ray. External to the red ray is the greatest amount of heating, or calorific rays ; and external to the violet, the greatest amount of chemical rays. It had long been doubted, and even denied, that artificial light could transmit heat through ' glass and cad transparent bodies—in other words, it was .held that bodies diaphthermous to the rays of the sun were not diaphthermous to those of artificial light. It was shown, however, by Meloni, that glass allowed a small quantity of heat .to accompany those rays, but not so much in proportion as accompanied the solar in their passage through the same material. Now, the important point in the 'discovery- which Dr. Atkins had made by means of the , -Cotaossel, Lens, was that the heat of artificial light is refracted, reflected, and transmitted by glass. It is reflected from a para bolic reflector to the lens, in pas.7ing through which it is refracted, and then transmitted to, and concentrated in, the focus on the other side. In this, the resem blance of the Drummond Light to that of the sun was greater than was found in any other mode of artificial illumination. His success in making the discovery was to be attributed to the great powers of this une qualled lens. The history of the instrument was curious, and not without interest. It is believed to be the same that was originally constructed for the destruction of the Emperor Maximilian, by concentrating the rays of the sun upon his head as he passed in procession through a city of the Netherlands, the thirteen provinces of which became subject to the oppressive yoke of Austria by Maximilian's marriage with the heiress of Charles of Burgundy. The design was discovered, and the constructor of the in strument was put to death. This occurred shortly before the end of the fifteenth century, so that the lens is about 350 years old. It was some time in the oossession of the illustrious Lavoisier ; from whom it passed into the hands of a Frenchman, who sold it for a small sum to the founders of this institution. Here some experiments were made with it by Mr. Maugham, who succeeded in melting thine ounces - of copper in its focus by the sun's rays. It was after wards laid aside as useless, or employed only to re present a revolving signal on the top of Mr. J. L. Stephens' signal telegraph for railways. The pre sent talented proprietor of the Adelaide Gallery found it amongst the lumber, and in testing its great powers succeeded, on Monday last, for the first time, in burning phosphorus in its focus by refracted artificial light, thus determining an important and long dis puted question in natural philosophy. The Lec turer repeated the experiment last evening With perfect success, and to the great satisfaction of a crowded audience. The Colossal Lens is three feet in diameter, and weighs three cwt. Such another could not now be made in this country, as the regulations of the Government would not allow the necessary proportion of lead to be used in the manufacture of the glass. ALARMING FIRE AT CROYDON.. --Wednesday infor mation was received at the chief station of the Brigade Force in Watling-street, of a destructive fire breaking out, about one o'clock in the morning, at the Greyhound Inn, opposite the Town-hall, Croydon. The first to raise the alarm was Mrs. Martin (wife of the proprietor), who had retired to bed, and was awoke by the smoke; but the exact spot of the fi re, could not be found until the inmates had effected an escape, when, upon the police entering, they dis covered the flames burning fiercely in the cellars under the counting-house. The alarm-bell in the town being immediately rung, plenty of assistance was soon on the spot, and, after some exertion, the fire was prevented from extending further than the cellars. It is supposed to have been occasioned by .a spark falling from a candle into a heap of sawdust on the previous day, while some coals were being unloaded into the cellar. The amount of damage was reported to be between 2001. and 3001. SUPPOSED MURDER AT SALISRURY.—On Tuesday morning man , named Samuel Bruton, was found a lab ouring dead a t h is lodging,in a yard leading out of Giant-street, under circumstances which lead to the suspicion of his having Com e b y hi s d ea th i n a violent manner. The unfortunate man lodged at the house of a person named Greek, an d on T ues d ay morning, about six o'clock, upon the latter being called up by a Mr. Spreadbury, in whose employ he was in the capacity of housekeeper and porter, the de ceased was found lying on the stairs quite dead, with his neckcloth closely twisted round his neck as if he had been strangled. A Coroner's inquest was held upon the body in the course of the day, and several witnesses were examined, from whose evidence it ap peared that a cry of murder had been heard to pro ceed from Greek's house on Monday night, and also that Greek had frequently made use of several sus picious observations respecting the deceased. Greek . was taken into custody immediately, and remains so still, the Coroner's inquest having bee n adjourned for the purpose of obtaining further evidence. A biography of the late King of Pru ss ia, Frederick William 111., is announced by a Berlin. journal. It is written by the Protestant Bishop, Dr. Eylert, who during his late Majesty's life w as at the. head of that Church, and admitted to close intimacy with his So vereign. Dr. Eylert gives some details of the visit of the Dukes of Orleans and Nemours•to Berlin, and among others relates the following anecdote When the French Princes came to take leave of the King, the:Duke of Orleans several times made an attempt to kiss his Majesty's hand, but Frederick William would not admit him to pay this mark of homage. The Duke then earnestly entreated him to accept it, saying that the King of the French had expressly, on his leaving Paris, commanded him to kiss the hand of the Soverei4n who had, during twenty years, main taine l peace in France. Upon this, the King of Prussia not only gave his hand to be kissed by the Duke of Orleans, but, at the same time, embraced him Cordially."