The Sun. — London, England, 1833-12-27 00:00:00

FITZROY. This house, which has relinquished its old appellation of the " Queen's," opened last night with an entirely new company, under the management of Mr. OLLIEIe and Mr. MAyinw. The entertainments commenced with the Templar, a domestic tragedy, and Who is the Right? laughableti farce; but of their respective merits it was impossible for us to form any notion, as the noisy vocife rstiun of the gods prevented anything from being audible but their own continuous roar, which lasted without miti gation till the commencement of the pantomime of Harle 2ttin Merman, which was very well received by an over flowing audience, and was certainly deserving of the ap- Probation it obtained. The tricks are very good, and the illusions, political and general, were in very good taste. 4 - 1 1 election booth is introduced upon the stage, and in the vehemence of the candidates to secure their constituents, I corpulent " plumper" is actually torn asunder, and Converted by main force into a " split vote." The per formances were not over until 1 o'clock, and were an nounced for the following evening, without a dissentient voic e . Mrs. Kiaav is the Columbine, and danced with great elegance; and young PAULO, as the Clown, is likely to rival the celebrity of his father, of whose tumbling virtues he appears to be heir and representative. The Performances commenced with a sprightly prologue en titled " Slight Confusion." THE LIVES AND PORTRAITS OF CELE RATED Wommi.—The Duchess of Abrantes, so justly distinguished by her historical Memoirs, intends to devote her future labours to the Biography of the celebrated Women of all. ages, and to open for them a Pantheon, Where they shall again live in their genius, their virtue, their talents, their services, and even their crimes, Whenever the latter, by a mixture of greatness and of energy, rise above the common standard, and form a Part of an extraordinary life, worthy of being placed Under the eyes of generations to come. The Work is to be commenced on the 10th of January, in- Read of the Ist, as hitherto announced, in the cheap and popular form of monthly parts, each of which is to contain four memoirs and four fine portraits, the latter La v i ng b ee n derived from the numerous public and private (=Clerics of Europe, which have been open to the able artists selected to illustrate this interesting publication. LIVERPOOL C O TTON-MARKET, DEC. 24. —The cotton-market continues very healthy, and prices are, on the whole, a shade higher. The sales to-day are 2,000 bags, principally American descriptions. NEW PERI ODICAL WORKS. —We are re quested to state tbat with the Magazines, on the Ist of January, will be published the btb Part of Mr. Burke's History of the British Gentry, a Companion to the peerage and Baronetage—th e J anua ry Number of Col burn's Modern Novelists, containing Flirtation, by Lady Charlotte Bury, in 3 vols., 12., bound --the Second Number of the Romance of Irish History, containing Yesterday in Ireland, by E. E. Crowe, Ebq., in 3 vols., 12 *, bound—the Second Number of the Naval and hßlitary Library of Entertainment, containing Captain Glascock's humoutous novel of " Sailors and Saints," 3 Yols., 125., bound. Payne / .); ge. Par Icor, ove. Ly. ess Cct' ritnoni' l L wbicb )edition , off Erie° is CVO oty Ely Vreeked ter Ea' list and Grand Pale an tbe A offer' ange for favour' Rowis merry' f TVar' .ne Wag Vartvic Alphdi the true the dog roan earliest and the 'lce of during ind the ccessful 'ter the suffoca• of the impos. collect pieces. Duel r little WO ly hiP 1 far as Brand with Jand of HILL), y (Mr. • Una trothed I. A iodine pence, SP/ we are s also I car, a new Clown • him n who The looked tinister then Linden, length ion by ! most le-1( t rind are of oplen -5 the Fills of Neptune," with a shoal of 'Tritons and treides ' is full of emblematic gayety a nd glitter. Here tts that .Amphitrite, having been slighted by Cassiope. the mother of Andromeda, commissions the Sea Serpent tat up the whole human race, her husband Neptune, h aving refused the modest vengeance demanded by the tended beauty of drowning the four q uarters of tll e globe. Andromeda, having been fixed on as a t trim, is fastened by 'top , s to a rock. Perseus "i ) Pears, mounted on Pegasus , a be.kutiful white "°,ny, borrowed from DUCROW. T he fi g ht takc place. The American Serpent has borrowed Uncle lot's th ree -b arre ll e d rifle, hut the Ocean God h avin g d amped the priming it misses fire, and the mons ter i* then 'ttpatehed by the sword of his antagonist. The Gods tad Goddesses descend from above, and the Infernal. t ome up from below, to celebrate the nu p tials of the h appy pair. Jove, with an eagle cowering at his feet. Fupies th e c e ntre cloud in true celestial rega lit y . At t hw period of the action Phineus, uncle to Andromeda, I M also her suitor, come to the rescue with a chosen h ued. They are all turned into stone in the act of striking, ~ P on having the head of Medusa pre sented to their view. This is extremely well managed. The group thus formed 4 . 4 fac-simile of an antique carving. According to the w itty dramatist, the assailants are turned into lith o g ra p hic li kenesses of themselves. Madame VESTRIS performed "lepart of Pcrseus. She both looked and played it well. ss FITZWALTER Was Andromeda ; Miss F E RGUSON ilmphitrite. Mr. BLAND personate d Ne p tune, and Mr. AIIES VINING the American Serpent. The house was N4vded to an overflow. ADELPIIL Last night, after the performance of the two burlettas, 7 'lle Victim, and P. P., or the Man and the Tiger, a tow pantomime was produced here, called Harlequin Ind Margery Daw, or the Saucy Slut and the See. °u'• To undertake telling the story of a Pantomine, is I t hopeless as if a person were to attempt collecting to Bother the fragments of a half-forgotten dream. So far a , Re could understand the part introductory to the tumbling, orgery Daw, from excess cf benevolence, is soon stripp , d all her worldly goods. She appeals surrounded by fairies, 14 the guise of beggars, to all of whom bread and other ,becessaties are distributed with an unsparing hand ; and, °I recompense for her charities, she is assured that she t dail through life be fully protected against the visitations t'f adversity. This assurance is given to her in a scene 111 great splendour, displaying the mists of midnight banging over the Shining River, from which issues Wavelet, the Queen of the Stream, attended by the River Fairies, Riplet, Twinkle, Current, Whirlpool, -11 ,_obble, and Streamlet, together with R iver Elves. aforgery's farm is seen at sunrise, and Margery herself in • t he midst of her poultry, enjoying the pleasure of attending t° their wants and witnessing their gambols. After a sorne what introduction, in which the usual agency of fan ciful beings is lavishly employed, the Clowns, Pantaloon, Columbine, and Harlequin are at length evolved from their swatbings, and the festive caperings and tumbling, °I the Pantomime commence. The principal part of the Pantomimic events take place in the well-known Lowther kzaar, the Civet Cat in the Strand, and a gin-shop, got 11 P with all the modern embellishments of paint, glass, . 114 1 huge gin-vats. Here a great variety of fun, mistake, md misadventure occurs. After a great deal of carousing the shop disappears in terrific fl tshas of blue ruin, and ?,,ightful goblins are seen flying away with the customers. appears to us the beat and most lively part of the p antomime, though it abounds throughout, as such a ,thing ought, with active unmeaning bustle , and vul g ar frolic of every kind. There was nothing remarkably clever in the changes; but some very extraordinary feats °I strength, activity, and posture, were displayed by the tvio Clowns, by Harlequin, Pantaloon, and Columbine. pile of the best of the tricks was a sudden tiger-like h ound of the original civet cat, which carried him far c'tter the heads of the folks in the pit, and produced much !Ildierous consternation, but he as suddenly flew back, l eaving the audience uninjured by his claws. A Swiss Pa s de deux was performed in the course of the piece by Air. &coml. and Mademoiselle Rose, who were much 4 PPlituded. Some of the scenery was very good. The Parts most deserving of notice were the trellised grottoes 411 d glittering gardens of the Queen of the S hinin g 'River ; a bird's-eye view of London by moonlight from the house-top of Mrs. Pentweazle ; and the closing scene, the Dazzling Temple of Delight. PA VILI ON. The opening piece was a domestic drama, under the titl e of The Widow's Daughter, or the Murder of 1694. Th e staple commodity of the season, the pantomime, is called The Queen of the Clover Field, or Harlequin and One, Two, Buckle my Shoe. Topazonia (Mr. PLUMER), the Xing of the Buttercups, divides his at tention between the Queen of the Clover Field and the Queen of the Daisies ; much strife ensues, but their baited powers are called in aid to protect Seraphina Plower (Miss JULIAN) from the cruelty of a country squire, who seeks to compel her to accept the hand of his son. 4rithmeticuss, an astrologer, in furtherance of the views of the squire, transforms these parties to the usual panto characters. Much credit is due to the manager for the getting up of this piece ; the scenery is unusually I Plendid, and it is a bustling affair, though furnishing little novelty in its tricks and changes. A view of Hun erford Market from the river is excellent, and a scene tailed the Carnival at Venice furnishes an opportunity for the introduction of Herr CLINE on the tight rope, and sundry tumblers and jugglers, whose performances afforded very considerable amusement. A series of views, repre senting the engagement between Admiral Napier's squa dron and the fleet of Miguel off Cape St. Vincent, were introduced. This " marinorama" does great credit to the artist, Mr. DANSON ; but it is rather oddly followed by a scene called the Lake of Oblivion. The piece was fully tUecesaful, though it certainly requires considerable curtail blent. Messrs. CHAPIN() and T. HILL were far from in different in the characters of Harlequin and Clown; and though Miss RILIKIE may not he the most gracefu l, she is decidedly the most active of Columbines. COURT CIRCULAR. Earl Grey left town yesterday for the Hoo, Den Wel wyn, Herts, on a visit to Lord D.icre. The Right Hon. Charles Grant hal an interview with the Noble Earl at his residence in Downing-street previous to his leaving town. The Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria, and their Royal Highnesses' household, attended divine ser vice on Wednesday (Christmas -day) at the Palace at Kensington. The Dean of Chester officiated. The Earl of Ripon has been indisposed at his residence on Putney Heath. Lord John Russell was expected to arrive at Woburn Abbey on Wednesday, from Devonshire. The B iron de Wessenhurg, the Austrian Special Mini ,ter, vizited Prince Lieven on Wednesday. Viscount Palmerston has returned to his seat at Broad lands, Hants. Viscount Althorp has arrived at Althorp Park, North troptonshire. FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE. ARRIVALS. The Earl and Countess of Doneraile, at Gould's London Hotel, Albemarle-street; Gen. Taylor, at ditto, from Brighton ; Sir Thomas and Lady Baker, at ditto, from Sunderland; Mon sieur and Madame Poloncieu, at ditto, from Paris. DEPARTURES. Sir Wiliam and Lady Rawlings and family, from Gould's London Hotel, Albemarle-street, for Switzerland; General and Mrs. Spencer, from the Regent's Park, for Brighton. ARRIVALS AT BATII. Lord Thurlow, Sir H. Valpy, Sir Dennez Maurice, Hon. Mr. Powell ; Colonels Baily, James ; Captains Campbell, Eolas, Stephens ; Rev. Messrs. Hartopp, Coney, Colston, Boulton ; Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Cork, Damsel!, Kington, Lam bert, Michell, Templeman, Thring, Wickham, Greason, Gee, Hartley, Williams, Fox, Houldsworth, Stephens and family, Richards, Bellew and family ; Messrs. Lee Lee, M.P., Booth, Baillie, M.P., Martin, Bennett, Elwin, Eckersall, Gordon, Hunt, Hamilton, Kingsmill, Lock, Maddock, Mitchell, Orme, Roberts, Shaw, Trotinan, Houldsworth, Hillcoat, Dyke, Tre gerthen, Hill, Richards, Vaughan, Hoffman, Stroud, Bowen, Brafton, Dark, Ledbury, Messiter ; Mesdames Bennett, Hall, Lynch, Tugwell, Hill, Dyer, Vaughan, Hall; Misses Blain ley, Davey, Hartley, James, Ludlow, Wise, Wynne, Dyer, Wilson, &c. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY) FROM LLOYD'S. DEAL, DEC. 26.—Wind N.W. to S.S.W., moderate. --Arrived the Apollo, from Berbice. PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 26.—Wind E.N.E. to S.W.— Arrived the Prince George, Shatv, from Bombay. PLYMOUTH, DEC. 25.—Wind N., moderate.—Arrived the Fly, Soper, from Newfoundland. FAI.MOUTII, DEC. 25.—Wind N.W. to N., fresh breeze•.—Arrived the Jean, M‘Millan, from Galipoli. POOLE, DEC. 26.—Arrived the William Kilson, Robbins, from Newfoundland. LIVERPOOL, DEC. 25.—Arrived the Gratitude, Hawk ins, from Demerara ; St. Louis, Storey, and Florence, Smith, from New Orleans ; Matakuset, —, from Sa. vannah ; John, Balantide, from St. Michael's; Euphemia, Nicholson, from Wtrsaw ; Antelope, Hawkins, from Seville ; Paul Pry, Skittle, from St. Übes ; John, Leisk, from Oporto ; Amelia, Bowman, and Patriot, gurney, from St. Fetersburgb ; Sisters, Todd, from Riga. Off port, the Walter Scott, —, from Charleston ; and the Venus, Butler, from St. Petersburgh. Sailed the Diana, Hawkins, for Bombay. YARMOUTH ROADS, DEC. 26.—Arrived the Venue, Simmons, from Wyburg. HARWICH, DEC. 26.—Arrived the Ellen, Us her, from Copenhagen. Coax, DEC. 24.—Arrived the Terry, White, from Richebucto ; and the Minerva, Manger, from Cadiz. VA LEN'TIA (IRELAND). —Arrived the Mary, Mateface, from Newfoundland. The Topaz, Cross, from Demerara, was on Margate Sands yesterday, but expected to be got off. The Mary Ann, Adams, from Sr. Petersburg]) and Dantzic, have been on shore, and must discharge, bound to London. The Jamaica, from Liverpool to Jamaica, is on shore in the Mersey. India, the ]and of enchantment, the treasure house from which imagination culls its brightest images of splendour, the " golden orient," peopled by the crea tions of " The Arabian Nights," has often furnished a theme for the pen of the traveller or noveli-t, but nowhere are we presented with bueb vivid de,criptioas of Anglo- Indian life as are to be met with in " The East India Sketch Book." The author is known to be a distinguished officer, who has seen much service. Hence the very spirited details of military life and wild adventure with which the volumes abound. A correspondent informs us that Mr. Alder man Thompson yesterday sent in his resignatio❑ as Chairman of Lloyd's, and that an active canvass was immediately commenced far Mr. P. M. Stewart, M.P., to fill the vacancy. Another prebendal stall in Canterbury Ca thedral, in the gift of the Crown, is vacant by the death of the Venerable Dr. Norris, who was installed in 1799. —.Kentish Gazette. THE LATE JAMES BROUGHAM, ESQ., M.P.—This gentleman was highly respected for his good sense and amiable manners, by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance; and, although he seldom spoke in Parliament, was far from being inactive as a public man. In the various contests for the representation of Westmoreland there was no man whose efforts to establish the independence of the country were more vigorous and effectual than Mr. James Brougham's, and he was naturally and deservedly popular with the high spirited yeomanry of that county. It was quite as much, we believe, on account of his own public services as of the merits of his brother, that he was chosen as the first representative of Kendal in a Reformed Parliament. The Italian Opera is to open on the Ist of February. - - TALES OF CLASSIC LORE.—It deserves to be generally known at the present period, that this work furnishes, on a new and improved plan, a delineation of the most popular fables, legends, and allegories, commemo. rated in the works of poets, painters, and sculptors. The authoress originally composed it for the amusement and instruction of her own daughters, and has very appropri ately dedicated it to the Princess Victoria. She expre-ses a hope that it will be found to exhibit a useful manual for schools and private families, as the only book of the kind calculated to be read aloud by young persons of both sexes, from its being divested of every thing obnoxious to pure feeling ; and the notes and observations annexed to each tale, will be found to afford a fund of mythological infor mation not to be derived from any other work. The Earl of Errol and the Earl of Ux bridge, and one or two other gentlemen, met at the Albion Hotel on Tuesday respecting the Hurdle Race. The race was decided in favour of Cheltenham, and the stakes were immediately given up to the winner. A Steeple Chase will take place in the vicinity of this town on the Ist of February. There are already several subscribers. Another Hurdle race, cf a novel kind, will shortly take place. Six military officers are to ride witk six naval, to run a mile and a half, and leap six hurdles. They are to wear red and blue jackets respectively, with distinguishing caps. The Earl of Errol and Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence have consented to act as stewards, and the race will come off very shortly, probably in about ten days, but the final arrangements are not yet made. It is i❑ contemplation to bring the King's stag hounds here next season. —Brighton Paper. THE IRISII NATIONAL TALES, 19 VoLS.; AND THE NAVAL AND MILITARY LIBRARY OF ENTER TAINMENT, IN 20 VoLs.—We are requested to state that complete sets may be bad of these two interesting works, which are now in course of monthly publication, on the plan of " Colburn's Modern Novelists." These works are the only ones among all the cheap Monthly Libraries that are handsomely printed in post Bvo., ae library hocks, and the price is only 4s. per vol., bound. The object of the first work is to accomplish, as far as possible, for Irish story, by collecting together all the modern celebrated works illustrative of the manners and peculiarities of the sister kingdom. The object of the second collection is to furnish a series of the choicest modern works from the pens of distinguished officers, adapted to the tastes of the members of the two services, and forming a desirable acquisition to every mess and gun room at home and abroad. Each of these publications, from its cheapness and excellence, is certainly deserving of the best support, and we have no doubt will meet with it. The Ist Set of the Irish National Tales consisted of "The Nowlans," by J. Banim, in 3 vols., and the let Set of the Naval and Military Library contained Ciptain Marryat's celebrated story of " The Naval Officer," in 3 vols. The January Set of the Irish Tales will consist of " Yesterday in Ireland," by E. E. Crowe, Esq., in 3 vole. ; and that of the Naval and Military Library will contain the hu inoutous novel of "Sailors and Saints," by the author of " The Naval Sketch Book," in 3 vole. SEA-BURKING ; OR, THE MYSTERIES OF LLOYD'S. (From Tait's Magazine.) EVERY DAY A SHIP Is LOST.—From an examination of Lloyd's Lists, from the year 1793 to the commence_ ment of 1829, it has appeared that the number of Bri tish vessels alone, lost during that period, amounted, on an average, to no less than one and a half daily. We learn, from Moreau's tables, that the number of merchant vessels employed at one time in the navigation of England and Scotland, amounts to about 20,008, having, one with another, a burden of 120 tons. O ut of 551 ships of the Royal Navy of England, lost to the country during the period above mentioned, only 160 were taken or destroyed by the enemy ; the rest hav ing either stranded or foundered, or having been burnt by accident—a striking proof that the dangers of naval warfare, however great, may be far exceeded by the storm, the hurricane, the shoal, and all the other perils of the deep. During the last great war in Europe, 32 British ships of the line went down to the bottom in the space of twenty-two ye Ire, besides seven 50-gun ships, 86 frigates, and a multitude of smaller vessels. The navies of the other European Powers, France, Holland, Spain, and Denmark, were almost annihilated during the same period, so that the aggregate of their losses must have many times exceeded that of the king dom of Great Britain. These numbers, we believe, very far exceeded what most people would have sup posed. To this immense loss of ships of war and of commerce, the imagination must he left to supply the incalculable amount of wealth swallowed up with them, and the thousands of human beings who thus found a watery grave. More strength in the building might save half of this suffering. The following account of loss and accidents of British vessels is extracted from Lloyds List of 1829 :—On foreign voyages, 157 wrecked ; 284 driven on shore, of which 221 are known to have been got off, and probably more ; 21 foundered or sunk ; 1 run down ; 35 abandoned at sea, 8 of them afterwards carried into port ; 12 condemned as unseaworthy ; 6 upset, 1 of them righted ; 27 missing, 1 of them a packet, no doubt foundered. Coasters and colliers :-109 wrecked ; 297 driven on shore, of which 121 known to have been got off, and probably many more; 67 foundered or sunk, 4 of them raised, 6 run down ; 13 abandoned, 5 of them afterwards carried in ; 3 upset, 2 of them righted ; 16 missing, no doubt foundered. During the year 4 steam.vessels were wrecked ; 4 driven on shore, but got off; and 2 sunk. SEA-BURKING TO TILE ALARMING EXTENT OF TWO THOUSAND LIVES AND UPWARDS A YEAR. The following dialogue, between two clerks, sitting on the benches of the Royal Exchange, London, was lately overheard : " Ist Clerk—What a melancholy loss that is o the Shannon whaler, with most of the crew " 2tl Clerk—Ay. " What a dreadful state for the crew to be in, for seven days and six nights, without shelter, amongst wet, cold, frost, and snow, with nothing to eat and drink but flour, raw salt beef, and salt water, and obliged to drink their own blood for thirst, until some died raving mad, and others had the very flesh rotted off their bones! " Yes. " What a pity such disasters could not be pre vented in future " It would be a pity for some, but not for all. " Why not for all ? " It would be no pity for ship-builders, ship wrights, and ship-tradesmen. " Why not ? 46 Because another vessel will be required to sup. ply the place of the Shannon, which gives employ ment to all these parties. " 6 Then, do you mean to say, that it is to the profit of all these parties that vessels should be lost ? " It is so clear, as not to admit of dispute. " But surely it would have been to the advantage of the owners that the vessel had been preserved ? " I doubt that very much. " Why so ? " Because, probably, it was insured to, or even above, its value. " I do not understand you. " Suppose, for instance, the ship to have cost, when new, 6,0001., and suppose it, during the time it lasted, to have made considerable profit, but to have much decreased in value, no person would probably have given above half value for it to pur chase; but the owner, without doing any thing dis honest, or which is not done every day, may keep it insured to the full value it cost him when new; and if it be totally lost, he gets 3,0001. more for it than he could have got from a purchaser. " Ay ; but you supposed it to have made a profit ; suppose it had not made a profit ? " Then he has the more need to get quit of it. " Then, by that reasoning, a ship-owner may often make a profit by his vessel being lost? "It is done every day. It is as common a trade as selling old clothes in Rag Fair. " Then I am sure it would have been for the advantage of the underwriters that the vessel had been preserved ? " That it most certainly would not. " How so, when the property was sacrificed in the sea ? " It requires but little reflection to discover that, if there were no losses at sea, there would be no sea insurances; and it requires just as little to see that the underwriters must get more money than they pay away, otherwise they would become bankrupt. " Please to explain yourself a little farther. " If there be a million of money paid away in Lloyd's every year, for losses at sea, there 'must be above a million received ; for instance, say a million and a half, and the half million, or surplus above what is actually paid away for losses, just goes into the pockets of the underwriters. " Then, by whom is this million and a half paid ? " By the public. " But how is it paid ? " By a tax on merchandize and all sea-borne c)mmodities. " I will again be obliged by your explaining your self. " The Shannon whaler was going to the Davis' Straits whale-fishery, and was lost on the passage out ; this, of course, made one ship less at the fishery ; and, of course, there will be one cargo less at the market; and this increases the price of whale oil and whalebone ; and if, instead of the Shannon only being lost, there be t , :venty more ships lost at the fishery, the prim of these articles will just be increased by the amount or value of twenty one vessels less at market. " I do not believe the public view the loss of ships in this light. " No. The great art is to keep them from know ing this ; otherwise Lloyd's would he deserted. " How so ? " I have already said, if there were no losses at sea there would be no sea insurances. " Had the whole crew of the Shannon been drowned, and the vessel not heard tell of, what would have been done ? " The owner or his broker would probably have gone into the roora up stairs, and offered perhaps 30, 40, 50, 60 per cent. or upwards of premium, for any person to take risks upon it, and insure its return. " What is premium ? " Money paid to induce parties to take risks. " And what would be the consequence if the vessel did not return ? " The party just loses so much over and above the premium he received, paid back for every 100/. of risk he took upon it. " And if it did return ? " Fie just pock e ts so much of premium, as he took of 1001. risks upon is. " Does either party know where the vessel is all this time ? " No. If they do, it is fraud. " Then, is this not a hazard upon an uncertain event, of which neither party knows what will be the issue ? " It is precisely so. " Could vessels be built stronger and safer, arid such melancholy accidents as the loss of the Shan non prevented in future ? " With the greatest ease. " Then why is it riot done ? " Because it would be against the interests of all the parties I have already mentioned." "Is there any proof that vessels might• be built stronger and safer ? " Yes. " Where is it ? " In men of war, or ships fitted by Government, as was the case with the Isabella and Dorothea, where (but we must keep this to ourselves) ships are not insured. " Then do you consider insurance to be the sole cause of so many merchant vessels being built unsafe and lost ? " I consider insurance to be sole cause of ir. " Would it not be to the advantage of the crews, that vessels should be stronger and safer ? Unquestionably. It would preserve them from being drowned, or losing their property. " And of passengers ? " And of passengers the same as the crews. " And of the public, where merchandize is concerned ? " Undoubtedly. " And is this known to all these parties, ship builders, ship-owners, and underwriters ? " To many of them, it is as well known as it is to me. " Why this is very like a combination by all of these parties against the interests of the public? " And so it is. " Is this the practice of trade ? " The whole principle of trade, is buying cheap and selling dear ; and of the carrying trade, in keep ing up the value of the stock, and making a profit above the expenses. This, then, does not seem to conform to those principles? " P has no more similarity to them, than throw ing the dice at Crockford's has with fair dealing. They are both speculations on a hazard, and the only earthly difference between them is, that insur ance is carried on, wick, the sanction of law, and is considered.a legal risk for the benefit of trade; the other is unprotected by law, and is considered illegal, but in principle they are both hazards of precisely the same kind. " Are there any other instances than men-of-war of vessels being strongly built ? " Yes. " What are they ? " Merchant vessels which are not insured. " How does the East India Company with their ships 1;' • • • • ♦ " To what extent do you suppose that lives are sacrificed every year, 'which might, if vessels were made stronger and safer, be preserved ? " To at least two thousand lives every year. " Why, this is little better than Burking by wholesale ? " It is precisely so, and the only difference be tween them is, that in the one case, Burking was detected, and in the other case, it is not known to the public. " And to what extent is property sacrificed every year, which might be preserved ? " To at least a million sterling a year. " Do you mean British subjects and British pro perty only. If we include all nations, the amounts will at least require to be doubled. " Upon what grounds do you make the calcu lation ? _ . . " Upon statements and calculations which have lately appeared in the newspapers. " - Then why do not the public insist on vessels being made stronger and safer, and this suffering and loss prevented ? " The public are always slow to move, even where their own safety and interests are concerned, and to the vast majority of them, these things are not known ; and when a vessel is lost, they attri• bute it to a dispensation of Divine Providence, shrug up their shoulders, bless God it was not themselves, consider it was fair sea risk, and that it could not have been prevented. " Have no attempts been made to inform the public, that vessels might be built stronger and safer? " Yes. Many. " And what has been the result ? and " The public would not look at any publication, or receive any information ou the subject. In fact, the public would as soon think of looking at a book in Hebrew or Chaldee, as they would at a book on strengthening ships. " But will ship-builders, ship-owners, under writers, and surveyors of shipping, not look at them ? " No. They all know well that it would be against their interests if ships were made stronger and safer, and therefore they are to a man interest edly prejudiced against them. " On what pretence do they object to vessels being made stronger and safer ? "On the pretence of the additional expense of building; but which is just a pretence to gull the public, and to make it pay for all vessels that are wrecked and damaged, and to fill their own pockets. " Then, if the public were made aware that their lives and property were sacrificed in the sea to fill the pockets of ship-builders, ship-owners, under writers, and surveyors of shipping, would they not take steps for their own safety ? " I doubt it very much. There is such an apathy amongst the public, and such a general feeling, that what is everybody's business is no body's business ; that, unless the whole nation could be aroused, it is most probable that nothing would be done, although the public were mr.de fully aware of these facts. " Have not many passengers been drowned in steamers since the introduction of steam navigation ? " Yes. Many. " And could similar drowrings be prevented in future ? _ _ " Yes. With ease. " Then, why does not the Legislature take up the subject ? " The Legislature is tender of interfering with the property of private parties; and it considers that if one half of the public are fleeced of their property and drowned, to fill the pockets of the other half, that is all for the benefit of trade (like the glazier's boy brreaking the windows, and the doctor breaking the glazier's boy's head, both for the benefit of trade), and that it is not their pro vince to interfere between the parties. Besides, these drownings keep down the population, which Malthus says, should be kept down to the sub sistence fund ; and they are attended with this pecu liar good consequence, that the parties never make any complaints to disturb the repose of the Legis lature afterwards, as clamorous and dissatisfied emigrants sometimes do. For all these good rea sons the Legislature declines to interfere. " But suppose a transport vessel, full of troops, to be lost, and all the troops drowned. " Then Government just sends another, to run the same risk. " But is the loss of the troops not a great loss to Government ? " No. What is the cost of a few hundreds or a few thousands of troops, drowned (the lives are considered of no value whatever), to the reve nue which Government derives from the loss of vessels ? " How does Government derive a rev enue from the loss of ve sse l s ? " It increa ses t h e sa l e of timber, hemp, flax, iron, copper, pi tc h, tar, and all material s of which vessels and th e i r equ ipments are composed , an d on which th ere are duties. It also increase s the sale of all documents connected with shipping, on which there are stamp duties, such as charters of affreightment, bill s o f lading, policies of insurance, arbitration bonds, protests, seamen's articles of agreement, apprentices' indentures, &c., and even A charge was here made by the clerk against a party in the India Hou, e , o f so strong a nature that we cannot allow it to be reported to the public without proof of its truth. Our clerk's facts and inferences well deserve attention; but we think him rather severe in his imputation of motives. Yet men, noways remarkable for inhumanity as individuals, often do strange things collec tively. We have little faith in the justice or humanity of Trustees, Directors, Commissioners, Justices of Peace, or the members of close corporations, when several act together. increases the consumpt of paper, on which there are heavy duties, and materially increases the reve venue of the post-office. " Anything else ? " Yes. The duty on exp)rts arid imports. " How does it increase the duties on exports ? " If a vessel be lost with an export cargo, ano ther cargo will be required to supply the country or place it ,vas going to. " But then, does not Government lose the duty on imports? Suppose, for instance, an East In diaman coming home from China with a cargo a teas and silks, to be lost on the passage home, does not Government lose the duties on these articles ? " No. The sovereigns of Leadenhall.street, who supply the public with these articles, exactly as the Dutch supplied spices from Amboyann, order home another vessel, belongini , to their High Nrghtinesses, with a cargo, which pays the duty in lieu of the one which was lost, and they charge the whole expense to the public. " But suppose a West Indiaman, laden with sugar, rum, and coffee, to be lost, and which was not un der the control of sovereign purveyors and sovereign carriers ? " In that case, the supply of these articles is regulated by the demand for them ; and if one vessel and cargo be lost, another gill be sent to supply the demand, and Government does not lose he duties. " But suppose a Portuguese vessel, laden with wine, or an American vessel laden with tobacco, to be lost, does not Government lose the duties ? " No. " How is that ? " Another vessel is just sent in the place of the one which was lost; and the only effect is, heighten the prime cost of the article to the pub lic, to pay the expense of the vessel and cargo which were lost, before the duties are laid on by Government. " Does this hold throughout all commerce ? Throughout the whole property in shipping, exports and imports of the kingdom. Then, it appears, Government are as much gainers by the loss of vessels as ship-builders are " They are more so, since the property of Go vernment is only nominal, and consists only of duties, for which no real value is given; but the pro perty of ship-builders is real material and work manship. " Does this account, then, for the repugnance which Government have to encourage the building of vessels stronger and safer, which do not belong to the Royal Navy? " In my opinion it does so. " Was not there a Committee of the House of Cmmons appointed to inquire into the loss of steam vessels, sometime ago ? " Yes. " And what was the result ? " A report of the House of Commons, recom mending that steamers should be built stronger, which in all prob ibility will be carried into effect in the year 1932, and, Finis. " Since you are so well informed on the subject, why do you not let the public know how easy it would be to prevent many shipwrecks and drown ings ? " Do you think I am a fool ? " No. " Then how can you expect that I, having the fear of God, arid of losing my situation, before my eyes, would furnish the public with information which might have the effect of taking my bread from me ? " How could giving the information be the means of taking your bread from you ? " If vessels were built stronger and safer, there would be fewer losses, and consequently fewer in surance-brokers, agents, and underwriters; and it then might happen that my employer might have no employment for himself, and consequently would have none for me. In fact, with all this immense establishment of Lloyd's, which is supported by the losses of vessels and merchandize, and which are paid for by a tax levied from the public, the business would almost entirely be taken away from it. " But could you not give the information to the public, without its being known where it came from ? " Would the loss of my situation not be punish ment sufficient, without losing my money, and get ting the of all parties in addition ? " You would not get the of the public. " No. But did you ever know the public to re ward its benefactor yet ? Look to James Watt ; look to Henry Bell ; look even to the great Sir Isaac Newton. No, no. A grateful and discerning public takes special care that its benefactors shall be first duly starved to death, and then it raises monu ments to perpetuate their memories. The public gratitude is very much like Falstaff's description of honour; therefore, I'm for none on't.' " I never thought our business had any connec tion with Burking by wholesale before. " It is rather a harsh expression, but it tends to the same end, that of getting money from others. " Do you consider that any vessels are lost acci dentally on purpose ? " Yes. Many. " From what reason do you suppose so ? " From the cupidity of human nature. " Please to explain yourself. " Where you see trials in the newspapers every year, almost every month, of people insuring their proper ties, and then setting fire to the premises, to defraud insurance corn panies, depend upon it the same thing is done, to a much greater extent, with shipping, with a different element, being water instead of fire ; and where a vessel is lost, accidentally on purpose, in 99 cases out of 100, detection becomes imp racti cable, and is never attempted, and the loss is effected therefore without risk. But it all comes off the shoulders of the public, who are well able to bear it. " But should not means be taken to inform the public of this? "1 question much whether the public wouV\ thank any person to inform them; since, when they are robbed, and a portion of them drowned, without the survivors suspecting that they might both be prevented,---' where ignorance is bliss, 'twou'd be folly to be wise.' " But why do not shipowners and underwriters look to prevent these losses? " For the reasons I gave you before—that it is frequently the interest of the shipowner that his vessel should be lost; and in no case where his vessel is fully insured does he need to care about it being lost; and that, if there were no losses at sea, there would be no sea insurances. And hark ! —a word in your ear; but we must keep this to ourselves—instead of a vessel and a half being lost every day, some underwriters, shipowners, and ship builders, do not care a fig if there were a vessel and a half lost every hour ; and the crew and passengers drowned, so long as it fills their Dockets. " Then, how is this crying evil to be remedied ? " Only by the public voice being loudly and clamorously raised against it; or more effectually still, by prohibiting all sea insurances, when, take my word for it, there will not be one wreck for four that take place at present ; and this would be more effectual than any interference of the Legislature, which the ingenuity of man might contrive means to evade. " But if sea insurances were prohibited, would not that check commerce ? " On the contrary, it would very much increase it. There is no difference of opinion, that if sea insurances were prohibited, vessels would be made very much stronger and safer, and at least a half of the shipwrecks which will otherwise take place would be prevented. " But would Hot that be too great a risk for the merchant and shipowner ? " No. They would then have their property preserved in fact and in reality, instead of paying a tax upon it in an insurance-office, which does not preserve it, and which is borne by the public. In deed, it we look upon merchant shipping in its true light, as a bridge connecting distant countries toge- then, it is evident the stronger and safer we can make that bridge, the less tax there will be required to be levied from passengers and good: ; an d on the other hand, the weaker and more insecure the bridge is, and the more repairs it requires, the greater tax must be levied from passengers and goods, trj keep it up, and to pay for the repairs; and which expenses must just be paid for again by the con ;timers o f the co mmolitieß, so that a stronger bridge would very much facilitate and increase, instead of checking commerce. " By your reasoning, then, it seems to be a pity that ever sea insurance was invented ? It is chargeable with the loss of hundreds cf thousands of human lives, and hundreds of milliohs of property. " I always thought it was a good thing before. " And so many who have not considered the subject think yet. But so much are the best insti tutions of men liable to be abused and perverted, that there is no doubt that the cause of three-fourths of the wrecks and damages to goods which take place in the world is owing to Insurance ! Insur ance ! Insurance ! The conversation being here ended, the clerks rose and walked away. NESTATINSTER SESSIONS-(THIS DAY.) Maria Painter, was indicted fur stealing a half crown and some copper money, the property of Robert Roach. The prosecutor, who was a carpenter's apprentice, stated that on the night of the 11th instant he met the prisoner in Sutton-street, and was invited by her to a !souse of ill-fame. lie rejected her offer, and she instantly thrut her hand into his pocket, and took out a half-crown and all the copper money he had. lie called the police, and she was given into custody. She was found Guilty. S,mtence deferred. Robert Maggs, a person of respectable appearance, was put to the bar, at the instance of his wife, Martha Alaggs, who exhibited articles of the peace against him for ill-treatment. Mr. DOANE, who appeared for Mr. Maggs, described the ill usage she had received at his hands, and the fears she en tertained for her own safety, if he were not placed under re straint. She had been married to him eleven years, and had two children by him, but for a considerable time he had not only contributed nothing towards their suppart, but he had exhibited the greatest violence towards her. The ar- tieles particularly alluded to two occasions, viz,, the 15th and 29th of November. On the former day he threatened to cut her throat with a razor, and would doubtless have eff-cted his purpose had he not been prevented by his ,ervants. Oa that night he turned her out of the house in her nightdress only, and she was found in that state by the police. On the latter day he threatened her life, and knocked her down. He swore he would burn the house and furniture, and in pursuance of that threat, he actually proceeded to set fire to the premises. He had also threatened that as soon as he had got his liberty he would turn her out Of doors. Under these circumstances, both the exhibitant's friends, and those of the defendant advisid the present proceeding, in order that the defendant's conduct might be controlled in future. The articles having been read, the CHAIRMAN asked the defendant what he had to say. The defendant declared it was all false, and he could prove it out of the mouths of his wife and the other wit nesses if they were called. The CHAIRMAN thought it was but reasonable that the exhibitant should be examined. Mr. DOANE hoped that such an unusual course would not be allowed. The CHAIRMAN said lie knew it was not usual, but where the Court entertained a doubt they were at liberty to examine the witnesses. This was a quarrel between man and wife, and it seemed at present wholly unac counted for. Mr. CLARKSON said he had bad occasion to refer to authorities on this point, and he found it laid down that articles of the peace were not traversable at all. The CHAIRMAN quoted a case, in which Lord Ellenbo rough had laid down that the articles should not be in quired into " unless the Court entertain any doubt." Several Magistrates on the Bench appeared to disagree with the Chairman, and were against the examination of the witnesses. The CHAIRMAN said, as the general opinion was against biro, he felt greatly relieved. Mr. HEATON observed, that it was inconsistent with the law of the land, that a man should be imprisoned w.thout being beard in his defence. The CHAIRMAN felt the force of the observation, but, upon taking the votes of the magistrates present, he found that lie was the only one in favour of examining the ex hibitant, there being five against him. The defendant loudly complained of the injustice of being condemned without the opportunity of examining wit , uesses, and he declared that his wife would ❑ot have re sorted to this step had she not been obiged to do it by . _ others, who were defraying the expenses of it. Mr. Doane applied for 48 hours' notice of bail, and stated that the defendant bad bee❑ in custody, in default of bail, ever since he was taken before the magistrate. The defendant was the❑ ordered to find bail for twelve months, to keep the peace, himself in 100/., and two sureties in 50/. each. He was removed in custody. Soon after the Duke of Newcastle had com pleted his recent purchase of the Hafod estate, he was informed that the small-pox was raging amongst the poor, and that no medical gentleman resided within seven miles of his mansion. The Duke immediately requested a medical gentleman at Aberystwith to attend the sick poor twice a week at the expense of his Grace, and directed that every poor person who wished it should be vaccinated. The same Nobleman has also directed his steward to em ploy all the poor labourers in draining, and other improve ments, at from 15d. to 18d. per diem. PRESENTS FOR YOUTH.—Among the many attractive works offered to notice at the present moment, perhaps there are none so preeminently worthy to be presented to the youth of England as Mr. Ward's two works, " Trernaine" and " De Vere ;" an edition of which we observe is now published at only 4s. per volume, bound. These works must be regarded as a precious legacy from an artist of the very highest order. Experience of life, not only in its higher and more brilliant colours, but also in its massive, and all its most touching shades, speaks to us throughout these works in the earnest tone cf a friend, who is truly solicitous for our happiness; and speaks in a tone often so persuasive, always se graceful, so gentle manly, and so engaging, that we unaffectedly pity the heart which it cannot penetrate, and lament the corruptioa which it cannot reform. The writer has a heart so ad mirably attuned to all the kindly sensibilities of our nature, that nothing connected with the amelioration and felicity of his species is indifferent to his feelings. We have much pleasure in stating that all the heavy part of the repairs of the bridges of the chain pier, which have been carried on under Ciptain Brown's per sonal superintendence, is completed in the most substantial manner ; the platforms of the bridge, although not en tirely laid, will be sufficiently safe and commodious for visiters to proceed to the outer pier-head on Monday next. The passage will be enclosed with stancheons and ropes, and these will remain until the pier is com pleted, which, it is expected, will be in three weeks. Brighton Gazette. Extract of a letter from Havre of the 22d inst. 1 --." The westerly winds that have constantly pre vailed for the last six weeks have kept upwards of 50 vessels of different descriptions completely bound in the port, and on the first favourable change we shall have the sight of a large fleet leaving o ur h ar b our . The weather continued very tempestuous thro u ghout last night, the gale blowing at times with ver y grea t v iolence, but this morn ing it has sub s id e d, th oug h the sea continues to roll very heavily." It is not, we believe, generally known that the bumourous Novel of " Sailors and Saints," which is announced to form the second number of the Naval and Military Library of Entertainment, now issuing in cheap monthly sets, is the production of Captain Glascock, who commanded the Orestes in the Douro, during the long series of conflicts between the Aliguelites and the Pedroites at Oporto. A POLITICAL PUN.—UOe bielt petite partie (le la France crie " Vive Louis Philippe !" tout le rests en rit (Henri).—Le Corsair. A murder of an uncommon and very shockin g kind wa s p erpe t ra t e d at the Hague o n this da y se'nui g ht. A jour ne y man blacksmith , w hile heatin g an iron rod in t smithy tire, desired an app r e ntice to brin g him some gin. This was a p ractice which the master had strictly pro - hibited, but the fellow insisted upon being obeyed. The lad remonstrated with him, and filially refused to execute his o rder, upon which the barbarian pulled the rod out of the tire, and red hot as it was, ran it against the youth's breast. The glowing iron passed quite through the young in u's lardy, an , 1 part of it came out at Lis back. Death instantly followed, and the barbarian fled, but it was ex. pe;:ted that be would soon be taken.