The Sun. — London, England, 1844-08-23 00:00:00

PY batliu mu; Tiroeitti, tit prepriOori of tqvifrn. Tho :-.!aUs were aninly farnishid by theUtjr es n: trtiroDuulaesb of K( the Duche ss Lady Charlotto Denison, the 110 n. Allis y, Evans,' and other ladies, warm sup Porters of the In:;:ituta,n. The tu:al number of children in the Soe:ety's two eAabliihments (town and c9untry) i s q 9 ,), and since the establishment of the S-)- eletY upwards of 1,009 boys and 600 girls have been plated out or apprenticed. COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) COWES, AUGUST 22. ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE. ARRIVALS. , -Aug. 18.--Dram, cutter, G. Bentinek, Esq., from -utt rtmouth and other ports. 20 th.—ElizAeth, cutter, lion. Augustus Moreton, ' llll6 dg - 0, and proceeded to Weymouth ; Romulus, cuter, Lord Wharneliffe 'Southampton. FAILINGS. - Aug. 2 0.—Kestrel, ketch, Commodore Lord Yarbo rough, for 'Weymouth and other western ports ; Flirt, schooner Sir B. R. Graham, Burt., ditto ; Owen Gli-n -`!°Nver, cutter, N. Ber•Aell, Esq., ditto ; Naiad, cutter, . b u.ohu Quant oc k, E sq., di tto ; N ymp h , cutter , Si r J o h n 34 Yle.Y, Bart., ditto ; Corsair, cutter, John Congreve, ditto ; Medina, cutter, A. J. Hambrough, Esq., ditto. 21 st.—Rdcon, -yawl, John Beardmore, Esq., Ports mouth and coast of France ; Charlotte, cutter, lion. W. White Hodg es , W e y mout h an d ot h er wes t e r n ports ; Ariadne, cutter, M. ,T. Higgens, Esq., ditto ; Dream, cutter, G. B en ti ne k, Esq., ditto ; Georgian, schooner, NV * Lyon, Esq , ditto. 22 d. — Zephyrotta, schooner, Henry Hope, Esq., Wey nn!uth and other western ports ; Phantom, cutter, Sir William Curtis Bart., ditto ; Brilliant, schooner, G. H. -Ackers, Esq., ditto ; Emerald, cutter, J. L. Symonds, Plymouth. AT AND ABOUT THE STATION. Cutters—Pc -ad, Sparrow-hawk, Ann, Alarm, llebe, beaflower, Whim, Aurora, Osprey, Snake, and Romulus. Schooners—Galatea,Xarifa, Hawk, Camilla., and Gem. On Saturday last the Queen's Cup of 100 Guineas has sailed for by the Alarm and Owen Glendower ; they started at eleven A.M., and came in as follows : Alarm 6ll. 23m. 15sec. P.m. Owen Glendower On the same evening a brilliant display of fireworks Was set off frotn the following yachts :—KeStrel, Lord Yarborough ; Syren, Sir Thomas Wilson ; Brilliant, G. IL Ackers, Esq. ; Flirt, Sir B. R. Graham, Bart. ; Zephyretta, H. Hope, E,q. ; Sparrow-hawk, Thomas Hallifax, Esq. ; Wave, Marqui s Thomas Hallifax, jun., Esq. ; brough, E sq. The castle of Blandford ; Medina, A. J. Ham a N. Barwell, Esq., at East Cowes, was beritill.Y illuminated with blue and red lights. PI . "Y ° I our noblemen and gentlemen have left us for 4 1 1 1"t ' &e., and are not expected to return before backribe'daY next. The Royal yacht is not expected seas° dire that time. As usual at this period of the and 11 , 1 ,' w e have many changes ; several families leaving, a n d ( ( ) ) 'ers arriving for the bathing season (September —et°b er). The town is very far from full. us VrQ b 'The the following. visitors and their families with ; -i-hc Duchess of Montrose, the Marquis of Angle the Ma rc hi oness Wellesley, the Marquis of Bland .,..°r(l, Lord Dill on, Lord Clonbrock, Lor d Ca d ogan, Si r dames Graham, Sir William Montagu, Sir Bellingham rahant, Sir H. Webster, Lady Stradhroke, H. Hope, Thomas Hallifax, Esq., Lady Fitzgerald, Lord tPitzhardi nge, Sir C. Egerton, Lord E. Bruce, Lord A. a get, Lord S ea h am, John M i l l s, E sq., Thomas Legit, r(1- John C ongreve, Esq., Lord L ova i n, A . Hill , E sq., . Oswald, Esq ALP. ,Spencer de Horsey, Esq., &c. -lIIPWRECK. AND PIRACY NEAR TANGIERS.—The Robert and Ann, of Newcastle, William Venus, master, bound to Alexandria, with coke and coals, was steering 4 fair course through the Gutt of Gibraltar, on the night (If the Ist instant, when the weather came on so thick that the crew could hardly see from the head to the stern of the vessel ; and having gat into a strong current, W ere dri ven on shore, at eleven o'clock, near Cape Spar otel. Th e cre w got akedge out, and for four hours la ured unsuccessfully to haul her off. About this time e weather began to clear up, when the crow, to their surprise discovered another vessel within pistol-shot, acti • • Yin a similar situation to their own. She proved t ° be the s b o , en, of Plymouth, William Turner, master, 0 2 1 11 " from Swanse a t o M essena , and also laden with - s• The t vvo masters consulted together, and it was det ermined that two of the crew of each vessel should be dispatched to Tangiers to get assistance. The men Pulled off for that purpose, and just as they rounded C ape S ii eel t Spartel was ob se rved by her Majesty's steamer n a a ;I a ' \\r aid' vessel was on her way to Tangiers dispatches. The officer in command desired them to retur n to their vessels. and he would send off t a b s s e itaance i mmediately on his arrival at Tangiers. On f neat's crew re - approac hi ng t h e stran d e d s hip s th e y bnc'unad fir e decks covere d w ith M oors an d A ra b s; and lan d and red at from the shore immediately pulled off the hatpin at icl again made for Tangiers. About two hours ards the boat again fell in with the Ueda; which, tt:g delivered her dispatches, was returning to assist o tea v • essel s• The Hecla took the boat in tow; and o to ethe 11‘ Robert amounting, an- Ann, the Moors made off, and, b er with a bod of armed companions on the beach, great a s the men say, to at least a thousand (a number of them mounted on camels and horses) g r eat inland. Finding that both vessels had been stri PPed, and that the captains and remainder of the Cre ws had disappeared, the Hecla returned to Tangiers, /vh ere, to the satisfaction of all, it was found that the havingt/v°p and their men had previously arrived, to leave pulled there in boats. They had been compelled g —J eave the vessels in consequence of one party on shore firi ng on them to cover another armed party who were a dvancing t o b oar d. Th e ca ptains and crews were for warded to Gibraltar, in the liecla, and were brought in the Montrose mail-steamer to Southampton. The crew crthe S yren got re-shipped at that port ; an d t h e ot h er fi"s ew vvere forwardeMariners'd to London by th to e receive local a further gent of "i i , Sh ipwrecked ssj.tanee.—K en ti s h Mercury. ,"RoNrat's INesoEsT.—Yesterday afternoon an l e:l ue st was held before Mr. Higgs, at the Plough Tavern, bay-street, Lincoln's Inn-fields, on the body of Thomas iu ki e n i Lucas, aged thirty-two, who died rather suddenly evi4 n - g e s „eol!ege hospital on Tuesday last. From the and g i a e .'t appeared that the deceased was a plumber beeti - ,i zl er, and lived in Drury-court, Strand. He had ho o d work on Thursday se'nnight in the neighbour rain.' P r rious to which he had got wet through with i rov e , "° Went home and complained of sore throat and a and his wife procured a draught and gargle from -r ge°u in the neighbourhood. Ile gradually became , l ot ; r() : lii rs i e i c e i d ll Sund a y, w h e n lie was quite delirious. On o ld aY afternoon he was taken to the hospital, when he izabeth frantic throughout the night, and died the I:l• °wi ng mornina• about half-past seven. The wife, Ql, Lucas, was called, and deposed that about 4n , n months ago an execution was put in their house, ev erY article of furniture was sold, since which time tr i3th witness and deceased had not slept in a bed. Dis less, the death of a sister, and having a child now in the la i t il o g '3 College Hospital, had caused deceased to drink h.:3:: Dlr. Daniels, of King's College Hospital, stated a ti Tl no had made a post mortem axamination of the body, t hat an found Effusion of blood outside the brain, and I he deceased's death had been caused by delirium a r"ten3 . The jury said they were satisfied, and returned v erdict of "llieS by the visitation of God, brought on °Y delirium ll emens." : 131 tisToi. AND - EXETER RAILWAY. kx, e —Yesterday the h o b_ nth half•yearly meeting of the above mn was wi ' l 9 at the White Lion Hotel, Bristol. The-report, M e i ji was read, ccAninenced by congratulating the pro • ors on the Opening of the line throughout to Exeter 1, 1 A, 112, r„cot: last, i t w h u a 3 8 , anticipating by more than a year the w d stipulated in their engagements with the Great Company. The amount of rent and n 4r e of toll due to them by the Great Western Corn , 4 3 , for the half-year was stated at 33,473/. l 3s. 5d., the 71.1.°4 earnin,,s b• 41 ., 59 IGO/. Os. lid. ; which was most in 6. l l% ftetA) ".Y, ' conside b r: the short period during which e i caipts for the distance beyond Beautbridge were st a t e u 4 d. The engineer's report also showed that the I7of the line was excellent. All accounts with con etors and others were so nearly closed as to justify the th l , re l ?tors ill stating, that the cost of the construction of .' ; ' ll e would not exceed the amount authorised by the a °l. „ - a1 Act of incorporation. Part of the -sums paid on debentures at five per cent. interest had been s e - , ( ` °IT, and new securities contracted for at four per c ent the lenders psying for the stamp; the remaining ' c'r i t , i on of the debentures would be similarly provided for ti ; l 7ey fell due. The report recommended them to con -111 e i for the pr esen t th e di v id e nd of 11. Bs. per share, J ear but looked forward shortly to be enabled to de ‘,tiaro a all inercai e d di v id en d. The report then went on %no:tin-lend the f o rmation of various branches, and a balance-°f hy stating that on the 30th of June there was in a ' a tlee-of 107,3 0 0/. Os. 4d in the banker's hands and etnsbeeurities bearing interest. A variety of resolutions f ar t a n d Yno• tl • • f the report, and one _le various portions o ta r , 1 Z f ormation of a committee to present the Seem- Pa .:l J. 13 . Radham, with a testimonial, were then ssaa u nanimously, and the meeting separated. -La ta wav ACCIDENT.—An accident, Which was for.: o tun n , a a t elY unattended by serious consequences, occurred stajunday night On the Drogheda Railway, at the Lusk aq ilinusu!tll;p l p o e n a g rs ol t i l e i ) at when the last train (which was from Drogheda had arrived at the the station, the driver ran it several perches a-head „„`° platform erected at the station, and in conse 'truce of this he was obliged to back the engine so as In ble Passengers to alight, and others to get places. wet le retrograde movement the train was pushed too for to a nd another movement in advance was then made bri ng it to its proper place. At the moment that this 14 ' 4 , 1 4:ani on took place, an engine, with some carriages e , t at : nt t i l o l ' n °we up, and th e driver, seeing the first train t ; supposed it was starting. and without slack firis' trail g the s p eed of his engine, pushed on, and just as the stopped it was struck by the after one. The • tr a ll i se q ue nees were, that all the carriages in the first actin were dashed violently against each other, the pas :tnecartsizere pitched to and fro, and the utmost con and confusion prevailed. Several persons avnu red to get out of the carriages, and for several w a _9tes terror and excitement prevailed, and nothing heard but screaming alarms. When this subsided, ~a v ever, it was ascertained that few were hurt at all, °though several were bruised, that none were dan :r7,lely tonered. After a long delay the train was deur°,,d roceed and reached town of course consi hrozl3_lY after it was due. None of the carriages were talu Zu• At an early hour yesterday, Mr. Eccersly, the gatilog,ing director, left town for the purpose of investi the matter. M`• Car or A WI TALE .—O n F r id a y, w hil e the ij u u ` ri v of one o f t h e Dublin trawlers were fishing off i neas aa °Fes county of Waterford, they captured a whale, half 111 thic uringkness thirty-six feet in len g th, an d seven f ee t an d a . THE suN, LONDON', rnxpsy EV/INlN'ti) AUGUST 28, 1 44. LITERATURE. REVELATIONS OF RUSSIA. 2 Vas. Co/burn, • London, 1M44. A portion of thi3 work has already made its appear ance in the pages of the _Neu; Monthly and United Service Magazines, where it attracted no ordinary at tention, from the circumstantial character of its de tails, as well as from their freedom and boldness. In consequence, no doubt, of this succeL-s, the author was induced. to continue it, and we now have it in its com pleted form. Some of the " Revelations"—provided that their accuracy may be relied on—are not a little curious and interesting, especially those which relate to the Russian navy, of whose efficiency a very indif ferent opinion is expressed. In the event of a war with England, we are told that the fleet of Nicholas would offer no more effective resistance to any thing like an equal British force, than the Chinese junks have done. Of the public character of the Emperor, the author expresses himself in terms decidedly untavourable, though at the same time he does justice to his sterling qualities as a man ; but speaking of him in his imperial capacity, he tells us that, without being either better or worse than the average of his predecessors, he bids fair to do more injury to mankind than all of them put together; and adds that, though during the nineteen years of his reign, only seven men have been condemned to death, yet probably more than in all the preceding reigns have in reality perished by the hands of the executioner. " Whole companies of Polish prisoners have been flogged to death ; the knout, which tears away in strips the muscles from the bone, has been inflicted on thousands and ~► thousands for political offences; and, on the lowest computation, two hundred and fifty thousand unhappy wretches have been sent on their weary journey to Siberia!" Yet the man who could b.e guilty of these atrocities is the same who, but the other day, was eagerly courted by our aristocracy, and received as a welcome guest within the regal halls of Windsor Castle ! How readily the world forgives the most heinous acts when perpetrated by a crowned head ! Wholesale murder —a crime of so flagrant a die when committed by ordinary humanity—is, it seems, a mere venial trans gression if a monarch be the transgressor ! How true are the words of Shakspeare !—" That in the Cap tain's but a choleric word, which in the soldier is flat blasphemy." We close our brief and hasty notice with same statistics respecting the Russian army : " The regular cavalry of the Russian empire consists of forty-eight regiments of the line, twelve of the guards, and twelve of the grenadier corps ; one of Caucasian dragoons, and one model regiment, of nine squadrons of 160 men each, of which eight take the field : it thus amounts, on paper, to upwards of 94,000 men who take the field, and to 103,000, inclusive of those in depot— in reality, probably, to 85,000 men. The irregular ca valry amounts to about 135,000 men, and is composed of the Cossacks of the Ural, the Don, and Black Sea, the Kirguise, the Tartars, the Bashkirs, and other tribes. Of these about 90,000 are as well disciplined as the line. The Russian cavalry of the line is decidedly inferior to its infantry—especially all that part of it which is purely Muscovite, or composed of the natives of Old Russia. The passive qualities which render the Russian formid able as an infantry soldier do not so advantageously ap ply to the horseman ; in whom an active and fiery va lour is as necessary an element of excellence as obediei,ce and discipline. The Russian peasant is also by habit no rider ; though horses everywhere abound in his country, he drives, but seldom mounts them. It is true that a portion of the Russian regular cavalry is re cruited from the Ukraine, and other populations, Cos sack, or of Cossack origin ' • and so far it is good, for the Cossack is brave, warlike, hardy, and thoroughly accus tomed to the horse, which he backs from his earliest childhood. But as this is only partially the case, on the whole the regular cavalry of the Russian army may be considered as a very inefficient force ; and such it un questionably proved itself in almost every engagement of the late Polish war, when opposed to that of the Poles. " In general the whole army of the line presents a very wretched appearance ; the dirty brownish-grey great-coats, the usual dusky and shabby habilaments of the soldiers, their sallow complexions, their half starved meagre frames, and the mean appearance of their officers, are fsr from offering an imposing spec tacle. With the imperial guards the case is different : it is seen for the first time at a review, they strike the beholder almost with awe ; for though he may have seen many finer regiments than any which pass before him, nowhere in the world can he have seen so large a body of fine-looking troops together. The imperial guard, which has always been the bobby of the Russian sovereigns, and is so peculiarly of the present Emperor Nicholas and of his brother Michael, consists of 41,000 infantry and artillery, and of 15,000 cavalry, and, with addition of the regiments of the young guard, or grena dier corps, does not fall short of 120,000 men. This force is stationed in the government of St. Petersburgh, principally in and about the capital, and is under the command of the Grand Duke Michael. The guards, the picked men from the whole army, are all either five feet eleven inches in height, or ex ceeding that stature. On the first view an observer is struck to find them all dark, and bearing to each other as remarkable a similitude as the sheep of a flock. When his eye wanders over thousands of faces, he can not readily point out one man who might not pass for brother of the one most dissiitnilar to him ; they seem as if nature had moulded them all by ukase, according to a given pattern ; and the precision and uniformity of their attitude and equipment, make one man look the reflection of the one beside him. This similitude of per sonal appearance he afterwards finds to be much owing to their general dusky and sallow complexions (proba bly produced by the excessive warmth of the artificial atmosphere in which they live, and the abuse of the steam-bath), as well as to the black moustache, of ex actly the same cut and trim, and which, whatever its original colour, receives the same dark gloss by being anointed and plastered with an unctuous compound, something similar to our English cart-grease. This is applied by order. An " ukase " also fixes the length of a soldier's or an officer's hair at a finger's width, and de termines on which side it must be brushed, and how low the whiskers may be allowed to invade the cheek. These orders are the same for the general as for the drummer. As long as we see these soldiers of the guards em bodied, they are very imposing. High of stature—of martial, though'rigidly stiff carriage—they are clad in tasteful uniforms, of which the materials, though coarse, have been fashioned with all the skill of art, and fitted to each man individually ; they are worthy of having come from the bands of the late King of Prussia, of whom' the Emperor Alexander said that Fortune had spoiled an admirable master-tailor in giving him his crown. There is one effect, however, strikingly ludicrous, in the attempt to improve the figures of both soldiers and officers:—their trousers are tightened so much by a band at the waist, that the stomach protrudes most ungracefully, particularly in the soldier, who eats enormous quantities of his black bread. When we come to examine the soldier after the review, without his " making up," we are surprised to find how miserable a creature he is—how meagre, narrow-chested, and ill shaped—what a want of muscle, sinew, and elasticity to animate that great body, which reminds one of an over grown schoolboy—how different from the healthy cheek, the athletic form, and the symmetrical figure of our own life-guardsman. There is scarcely in these regiments, which are considered as the pride of the imperial army, one man in ten whose shape is not glaringly defective." THE VICTORY. 3 Vols. Colburn, London, 1844. We have here a collection of stories purporting to be told from time to time by the members of the ward-room mess of the Victory, by way of beguiling the long dark winter evenings. The tales have all more or less of a naval character about them, and are told with spirit, though not always with good taste. The author, who signs himself "The Old Sailor," not unfrequently mistakes mere coarseness for broad hu mour, and evidently conceives that he is writing with force and energy when he is simply indulging in exag geration. Some of his characters—especially that of Mr. Openhawle, the veteran master u,ro skilfully and consistently pourtrayed, and others possess neither mark nor likelihood. In his tale entitled "Le Blanche Nef," which refers to the period of the reign of Henry the Second, we find one or two pleasing snatches of poetry, which show the author to have an ear for the music of rhythm. TEE PIGS AND THE GRENADIER GUARDS.—The following occurrence caused a considerabledealof amuse ment to a number of her Majesty's lieges, on Monday evening last. A company of the Grenadier Guards was proceeding along Gloucester-place, Portman•square, to wards their barracks, on return from drill in Hyde Park, when they suddenly came in contact with a drove of pigs, of which a genuine Hibernian had the care. At the same moment the band struck up " When we went a gipsying, a long time ago," and the pigs, taking fright at the music, ran amongst the soldiers, three of whom were completely " floored." One of the swinish multi tude scampered into the hall of a gentleman's house, where he ran against and nearly knocked down the foot man. Inspector Tedman, of the D divison, opportunely arrived at the spot, and while endeavouring to assist the brave Guards, he was himself laid prostrate by one of the sturdiest grunters then and there assembled. The ranks were thrown into complete disorder, as were also Paddy's pigs, but after a time the military and the swine were got together, and the soldiery resumed their march. Paddy, the pig-driver, swore vengeance against all musi cians, and asserted that Captain Warner himself could not, by his " infernal machine," have caused greater confusion than that which lie had witnessed. SUICIDE OF AN OCTOGENARIAN.—On Wednesday afternoon Charles Hurst, aged eighty-two years, who lived by himself, in a cottage in Dog and Fox-court, Wimbledon, was found hanging from the bannisters, stiff* and cold. No reason can at present be assigned for the act. Information of the circumstance has been sent to Mr. Chater, the coroner. INSECT REVENGE.—At Leintwardine, last week, a swarm of bees, which had been brushed off the mouth of the hive where they had clustered, became so irri tated, that they set upon everything in their way, and stung to death twenty-six chickens and young ducks. The old poultry got •out of their road, or they would probably have shared the same fate. After sundry gyra tions, and other onslaughts upon man and beast, the night approaching, they returned quietly to the hive.— Scotsman. RoME, AuG. B.—The wife of Prince Don Pros pero Sciarra Colonna, born Princess Donna Maria Pig natelli di Monte Leone, in Sicily, died here suddenly, in her 42d year. This distinguished lady was the last branch of the celebrated Cortes family, to which Fer dinand Cortes, the conqueror of Mexico, belonged.— AI/go/wine Zeilung. CLOSE OF THE OPERA SEASON. On Tuesday evening her - Majesty's Theatre closed for the season—a season, to the full, as brilliant and as successful as that of 1813, and one which reflects even greater credit .on the managerial talents of Mr. Lumley. No accidents occurred during the course of the season of 1843 to interfere with the arrange ments which had been announced at its commence- ment ; but in 1844, from the very first night of the season, a series of events, which no human foresight could have provided against, occurred to interfere with the previously-announced arrangements, and 'occurred, too, at exactly those periods which rendered it of all things the most difficult to provide against their consequences. Such, however, was the tact of Mr. Lumley, that he turned his very difficulties into sources of triumph, and neither the illness of Forna sari, at the commencement of the season, nor the accidents which occurred to Perrot and Montassu during its progress, were sufficient to damp his energies, or to stop him in his onward course. The season commenced on the 9th of March, not with a second-rate company, as was the case during the time that Laporte swayed the destinies of this theatre, but with Persiani as prima donna, with Carlotta Grisi a 3 premiere danseuse. Signor Corelli the first of second tenors, and who will ere long rank as a first tenor, made his debiit on that evening, and laid the foundation of that fame with the English public, which has increased, is increasing, and which, with ordinary care on his part, will continue to in crease. The beautiful ballet of Esmeralda was also produced on this occasion, and repeated, we be lieve, every evening during the stay of Carlotta Grisi. The next noticeable event was the debiit of Favanti in La Cenerentola, and notwithstanding the disparaging observations of a certain clique who have chosen to make a dead set at this young lady, we adhere to the opinions which we first formed of her talents and powers, and presage for her, if she gives herself fair play, a brilliant future. Nature has done everything for her—her voice is one of the most powerful, and at the same time most perfect, voices ever heard, but as a race-horse requires more training than a hack, so does a brilliant voice require more constant drill ing than the voice of ordinary powers. That she is willing to undergo the drudgery which every great singer must undergo in order to become great, we hope and believe, for on Tuesday night we observed a marked improvement in her style. Her Pippo, too, one of her latest perform ances, was most artistical; and neither in Pippo, nor in her performance of Tuesday, was that defec tive intonation perceptible of which so much has beer► attempted to be made. Her occasional defective in tonation is, we believe, mainly to be attributed to nervous timidity, for we have frequently observed, that when she has received the encouragement of applause, that defect has entirely disappeared, and whenever she has been encouraged by an encore, she has invariably re peated the air in a more perfect manner than she performed it at first. When, therefore, she shall have acquired that confidence in herself in which every debutante must be necessarily deficient, she will take rank among the very first of her profession. After Easter we had Grisi, Lablache, Fornasari, and Mario, added to the corps. The first novelty pro duced was Zampa, which, notwithstanding the mag nificent acting and singing of Fornasari as the pirate chief, had not a very long run. This was to be attri buted to a variety of causes—first, to the unfortunate fiasco of Felice in this character at the commence ment of the season ; secondly, to the fact that the plot of the piece bears too close a resemblance to that of Don Giovanni; and lastly, to the circumstance that the music was originally composed, not to Italian, but to French words. The attempt, however, to vary the repertory of the theatre by naturalising a celebrated foreign opera, was most laudable. Shortly after Easter, Carlotta Grisi left us, and Cerito came. Ondine and Alma were revived in their pristine splendour, and the beautiful diver tissement of La Vivandiere was produced. Then came the operatic novelty, par excellence, of the season, Costa's opera of Don Carlos, the run of which was in terrupted by the arrival of Moriani, the first tenor of Europe, and for securing whose services Mr. Lumley is worthy of all praise. At this period, too, the ballet department was reinforced by the engagement of Fanny Ellsler, who, with Fanny Cerito, has ap peared every night of the season up to its close. We have heard it made a matter of complaint by those who are determined not to be pleased with anything as it is, that so few new operas have been produced ; but when we can see the old operas supported as they have been during the present season, we must confess that we have no great desire for new ones, and the public seem to be of this opinion likewise, for every night the house has been crowded to the ceiling. Besides, the fault is not with the manager—where was he to go for novelty ? Donizzetti has ceased even to plagiarise effectively, and since Don Pasquale he has produced nothing of note. Rossini has ceased to write ; and as to Ricci, the success of his Corrado d'Altamurra holds out no inducement to the management to repeat the experiment of in troducing his operas to the British public. It was announced at one time that Persiani's Fantasma was in preparation, but judging from the report of those who have seen that opera in Paris, we think Mr. Lumley exercised a judicious discretion in not pro- ducing it, as long as he found the old and favourite operas filled his house every eveniug. The fact is, there is no great maestro of the present day, nor is there any young composer who exhibits any promise, if we except Verdi, whose operas—l Lombardi and Hernani—:have, it is said, recently produced a furore in Italy. Perhaps, during the course of the ensuing season, Mr. Lumley may afford us an opportunity of judging for ourselves of the merits of Signor Verdi. In the meanwhile, we thank him for having produced the masterpieces of Cimarosa, of Mozart, of Rossini, and of Bellini, in the manner in which he has pro duced them ; and while he gives us the lilatrinwnio Segretto, the Don Giovanni, the Barbiere, the Semi ramide, the Cenerentola, the Garza Ladra, the Norma, and the Sonnambula, supported by Grisi, Persiani, Favanti, Fornasari, Lablache, and Mario, we shall not quarrel with him because he does not produce La Fantasma, nor should we have complained even if he had left Corrado d'Altainurra alone in his glory. Nothing can exceed the liberality and spirit with which the management has been conducted during the past season—neither pains nor expense have been spared to make her Majesty's Theatre the first lyrical theatre in Europe. The orchestra, under the able direction of Costa, numbers among its mem bers the elite of the instrumentalists in this country — never has it been so strong, and, at the same time, never so select. The choruses have been most efficient, and most admirably disciplined ; while the ballet has been certainly superior to any other ballet in Europe. The scenery has exhibited a series of the most beauti ful and magnificent creations from the pencils of the Grieves, and the general business of the stage has been attended to in a manner which contrasts most favourably with the slovenly way in which such mat ters were managed in days of yore. Neither has the audience-part of the house been neglected; every ar rangement possible has been made to secure the com fort of the visitors to the theatre, and great as has been Mr. Lumley's success during the past season, it has not been one jot greater than his untiring efforts to secure the greatest possible amount of amusement and comfort for his subscribers, deserves. THE NEW INSOLVENT DEBTORS ACT...--KiNGS.• GATE-STREET COURT OF REQUESTS.—At the time the above Act received the royal assent, there were twenty one debtors who had been confined in Whitecross-street prison, having been sent there from Kingsgate-street Court of Requests. The day following the attachment of the royal signature to the Act, the whole of them prepared petitions, which were presented to Mr. Com missioner Heath, the Judge of that Court, who received them on the Monday. They were on that and the subsequent day taken into his consideration, when, on the Wednesday, separate orders were signed by the Learned Commissioner for their discharge. The powers of the Act which constitutes this Court extends to debt under V., and the term of imprisonment to twenty days. No special meeting has been held by the Commissioners on the new Act. Westminster Court of Requests.— This Court is governed by a Local Act, which received the signature of his late Majesty King William, on the 19th of August, 1836. When the last Act was passed, there Was no application to the Commissioner by any debtor for his discharge from prison, from which it is supposed that there was no person c , ,nnected with the authority of that Court who was incarcerated. The powers of the Westminster Court of Requests reach to debts under 51. The Commissioners had no power to imprison beyond seven days, and which included the day imprisonment commenced, and that when it ended. At the time the Act was passing the Legislature, there was then a very prevalent disposition to abolish imprisonment for debt, on which account the length of imprisonment was limited in the clause of the Act to seven days. COURT CIRCULAR, WINDSOR, TIIURSDAY.—Her Majesty and the in fant Prince are perfectly well. Prince Albert walked this morning in the slopes and pleasure-grounds adjoining the Castle. In the afternoon his Royal Highness, attended by Colonel Wylde, went out rabbit shooting in the royal pre serves. Her Royal highness the Duchess of Gloucester ar rived at Frogmore Lodge this morning, and after lunching with the Duchess of Kent, went to the Castle about three o'clock (accompanied by the Duchess of Kent), on a visit to the Queen and Prince Albert. The Duchess of Gloucester was attended by Lady Caroline Murray, and the Duchess of Kent by Lady Charlotte Dundas and the Countess Wratislaw. Shortly before four o'clockller Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, attended by her Lady in Waiting, took her departure from the Castle. The Prince of Wales and the Princess Alice, ac companied by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, were taken a carriage drive in the forenoon. The Princess Royal was also taken out on a pony. In the after noon the Royal Family were again taken airings. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, attended by Baron Knesebeck, left Alton Towers, Staffordshire, the seat of the Earl of Shrewsbury, yesterday, for the resi dence of the Duke of Cambridge, at Kew. Sir Robert Peel arrived at his residence in White hall-gardens, yesterday evening, from his seat, Dray ton Manor, Staffordshire. Mr. Charles de Godefrsy, Hanseatic Minister at the Court of Berlin, has arrived at Stevens's Hotel, Bond-street. His Excellency the Turkish Ambassador transacted business yesterday, at .the office of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. CORONER'S INQUEST. SUICIDE.—At a few minutes after six o'clock on Wed nesday morning, a shipwright, in proceeding to his work at the Deptford Dockyard, had his attention drawn to two women walking along the towing path of the Grand Surrey Canal, near Deptford-bridge. Their appearance at such an early hour, and in a loaality not much fre quented, even during the day, excited his suspicions, and induced him to watch their movements. Scarcely had five minutes elapsed before they stopped, and clasping each other's hands, precipitated themselves into the centre of the canal. He instantly shouted for help, andwith all speed hastened to the spot, but by the time he had gained it they had both diappeared. Without waiting to divest himself of any of his clothes, he pl unge d into that part where he had seen them go down, and succeeded in grasping one of the unfortunate creatures, and after much exertion managed to swim ashore with her. Having placed her on the bank, he again dived under the water, with the hope of regaining the other unfortunate woman, but after many attempts he failed in discovering her body. By this time several persons had come to his assistance, and by their united efforts effected the resuscitation of the one preserved. The un happy girl would have again attempted her life, had not the police secured her, and for her better protection she was removed to the IZotherhithe station, where she stated her name to be Mary Ann Kendall, aged 20, residing at Deptford, and that her unfortunate com panion, who had accomplished her destruction, was her sister Eliza, 19 years of age. The body of her unhappy sister was found in the course of the morning, and at one o'clock yesterday an inquest on the body was held at the Trinity Arms public- house, Deptford, when the following evidence was adduced : Richard Edwards, a lighterman, deposed, that on Wednesday morning, at about twenty minutas past six o'clock, hearing an alarm that two young women had thrown themselves into the canal, he jumped into a boat and rowed to the spot with the drags. On arriving ho found that one had been got out, and was standing on the bank, held by two men. He then used the drags and found the body in the course of two hours after wards. Jane Kendall said—l am the sister of the deceased, and live with my father, at Deptford. I am the eldest of four girls, and am twenty-four years of age. Eliza (the deceased) would have been nineteen next month, and Mary Ann, pointing to her sister, is twenty. My mother has been dead five years. My father is a ship scraper, but has been out of work f9r some time. The deceased was a single woman, and the last time I saw her alive was on Tuesday afternoon, about two o'clock, when I left her with Mary Ann at home to go for some work. On my return at four o'clock they had gone out, leaving word that they had both gone up High-street, and would soon return. Hours passing by without re turning, I began to fear that something had happened to them, and I went out for the purpose of making in quiry about them, and after searching for them till nine o'clock without finding them, I went home, and being much fatigued soon went to bed. On rising the next morning at half-past six o'clock, I learned that they had come home in the course of the night, but had gone out again—a neighbour having seen them leave the house at about half-past five o'clock. I still feared something would happen to them, and shortly afterwards a little girl came running into the house aid told me that two women had jumped into the canal, and from the descrip tion she gave me of their dress I was positive they were my sisters.:l never knew my sisters to stop out all night before. The CORONER.—Do you know any motive that could have induced them to make away with themselves ? The witness merely hung down her head, and replied —I do not. A Juror—lf, as you say, your father was out of work, how were you all supported ? Witness—We all worked at home, Sir, when we could get anything to do. At best it was but scanty. THE CORONER—Pray, what kind of work was it ? Witness—Slops—slop shirts, Sir. On them we totally depended for subsistence, my father and all. A Juror—Then how much were you paid for them ? Witness—Five farthings a piece, Sir ; but sometimes we got threepenny ones, which required the best work, out of which amount we had to purchase the trimmings. The same Juror—How many of the five-farthing ones could you make in a day ? Witness—lf we all worked hard, Sir,:we could make eight each, but it was very rare that we could get enough to do. The CORONER—Then, what is the utmost you can make a-week at shirt-making ? Witness—lf I stuck to it, and had as much as I could do, I might earn four shillings, but I should have to work very hard. A Juror—Then, how did you manage when you had not sufficient work ? Witness—What there was waa divided between my sister Mary Ann and myself. The deceased had not worked for the last week. The same Juror—Were you in want, then, if the de ceased had nothing to do ? Witness—Not in particular want, Sir ; there was victuals in the house, but I have known the deceased of late to fast several days. The CORONER—Had your sisters anything to eat on the Tuesday before they went out ? Witness—Yes, Sir, a breakfast. . _. The CORONER—Any dinner ? Witness—No, Sir ;it was not a usual thing for them to have dinners, as they could not afford it. All we had was two meals a day, —breakfast at eight o'clock, and a meal, which we called supper, at six o'clock in the evening. A Juror—What rent had you to pay ? Witness-ss. a week, Sir. The CORONEtt—What has been the state of the de ceased's mind of late ? Witness—We have all observed her as being very melancholy. Formerly she was very cheerful and had an overflow of spirits, but the toil and privation she had recently undergone had worked a complete change. A Juror here mentioned to the Coroner that he had heard that the deceased girl had been taken to a police court a few weeks ago, and had been fined. He wished to know if such was the fact ? The witness said such was the case. She had had a quarrel with another woman and was fined 35., the amount of costs ; but the magistreste, hearing of her distressed condi tion, gave her a fortnight to pay it in. She was not able to raise the sum, being out of work the whole week, and on last Wednesday-week a policeman called and told her that if she did not pay the money by the fol lowing Wednesday, she would go to prison. The juryman who put the question then declared his opinion that the above threat was the cause of her de stroying herself. The witness remarked that she did not think it was the threat, but another unfortunate affair. She had borrowed a trifle from the rent-money, and, being unable to make it up, she pawned some of the shirts in trusted to them to make, or their chattels would have been seized. The CORONER adjourned the inquest, in order to procure other important evidence respecting this dis tressing affair. DEATH IN THE QUEEN'S PRISON.--Yesterday an inquest was held before Mr. W. Payne, in the Queen's Prison, on the body of Mr. William'Dormer Gilbert, aged 63, the well-known optician, formerly of Leaden hall-street. Mr. Thomas Morton, of Woburn-place, the surgeon to the prison, stated that the deceased was brought to the prison on the 23d of July, and witness saw him the following morning. He was suffering from cancer of the bowels, under which he said he had been labouring for many years. His stomach was in such a state that he rejected all food, and he was quite worn out. The case was an entirely hopeless one. He died about one on Tuesday last, from the effects of the disease His death arose entirely from natural causes. Mr. Welch, the deceased's solicitor, said he h:d received the kindest treatment in the prison, and was allowed to re main in the receiving ward. He had lately got involved, and that preyed on his mind, as he feared he could not be released, except through the Insolvent Court, and he could not for some time get a creditor to arrest him. He at last did ; but witness had his discharge six weeks ago. Deceased, however, would not leave, saying he was so kindly treated that he hoped soon to be able to go before the court. Verdict, " Died from cancer of the bowels." THE CAM ERONIANS.—This gallant and distin guished corps being under orders for their removal from Edinburgh Castle to Newcastle-upon. Tyne, the 4th, 6th, and 7th companies, under Major Hogarth, embarked at Granton yesterday for that place. A further detach ment will embark on Menclay next, and the remainder, including head-quarters, on Thursday week. The re giment has now been a twelvemonth in our barracks, during which period the most friendly relations have subsisted between the entire corps and the inhabi tants ; the officers having been forward in promoting and countenancing every occasion of public interest and en joyment, whilst the men have been remarkable for their correct and conciliatory deportment. Accordingly, the de parture of the first detachment yesterday was signalised by the presence of a dense crowd of the inhabitants, who seemed to evince a high degree of interest and regretful feeling on the occasion. The vicissitudes which have marked the services of this corps, from its first enrolment to the present day, form one of the most remarkable chapters in the history of the British army. During the opera tions in China, the latest service in which the corps was engaged, they landed at Chusan 950 strong ; and in about six months were reduced, through sickness and death, to only about 300 effective men. A general en listment of natives of all parts of the United Kingdom consequently took place, but since their arrival in this country Scotchmen only have been enlisted, agricultu rists being preferred. Seventy young men have re cently been advertised for, and of this number, we un derstand, upwards of twenty have already been obtained. The Cameronians are to be replaced here by the 87th, from Glasgow, a portion of which regiment was ex pected to arrive last night.—Edinburgh Observer of Tuesday. FATAL ACCIDENT ON TIIE THAMES.—At an early hour yesterday morning a lamentable occurrence took place near Wilford Hatchard. Four gentlemen, Messrs. John and Thomas Hayes, of West Wilford. Mr. J. Staines, of Sutton, and Mr. William Peters, of the Hyde Farm, proceeded to angle in the Thames. The two latter gentlemen occupied a punt, Mr. Peters fishing with ground tackle, whilst Mr. Staines commenced trolling. The gentlemen were stationed at each end of the punt, Mr. Peters being seated on a campstool. Whilst in the act of throwing his line, Mr. Staines, who is somewhat bulky, caused the punt to incline suddenly, and the action threw Mr. Peters from his seat into the water, and he sunk immediately. The tide was running rapidly at the time, and when the unfortunate gentleman appeared at the surface, he had been carried a cons iderable . distance down the river. Both punts were propelled with every possible expedition in the direction of Mr. 1 eters, who unhappily could not swim, but before they reached the spot Mr. Peters had again disappeared.boats g Several every put off, and were rapidly rowed in the direction was supposed the body of that gentleman might . again appearen effort was made with drags , and every other available means, the body had nut been discovered up to six o'clock t em o a n n the was n surface, ot a g but ai o the a e e n ;body an o d fthe although unfortunate a e g t yesterday evening. PUBLIC WORKS AT AND NEA,II LIVERPOOL. (From the Manchester Guardian.) Probably there are no places in the kingdom, not even excepting the metropolis, where a larger amount of money is in process of expenditure in the con struction of public works than there is at this moment in Liverpool and Birkenhead. Almost in every direction on both banks of the Mersey, huge preparations meet the eye; and without entering into details, which would necessarily occupy much space, some idea of their extent may be gathered from an outline of the expenditure. In some of the follow ing items the estimates include the cost of land. In Liverpool there are the following works now in pro gress :—Assize Courts (corporation), cost 800,000/. ; New Gaol (corporation), cost 100,000/. ; Albert Dock and Warehouses (dock committee), 600,0001.; New North Dock Works, including land and junction with Leeds Canal (dock committee), 1,500,0001.; reservoirs, Green-lane, and correipond ing works (highway commissioners), 50,000/. ; Indus trial Schools at liirkdale (select vestry), :JO,OOOl. ; Gas Extension (New Gas Company),l4o,ooo/. ; Shaw-street Park (private shareholders), '2,500/. ; making a gross total 0f2,500,0001. All this is, of course, independent of many other works, some in progress and others in contemplation, with prospects of almost immediate commencement. Amongst those in progress may be reckoned Prince's Park, now forming by Mr. Richard Vaughan Yates, at the south end of the town ; the new Presbyterian Church in Myrtle-street ; ,•-the Female Orphan Asylum; the Catholic Female Orphan Asylum; the New Northern Hospital (towards which Mr. Brown recently contributed 1,0000 ; St. Martin's Schools, the Catholic Magdalen Asylum at Much Woolton, and St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Edmund-street. Besides other works in contemplation, we may mention the Daily Courts, on the site of Islington market (now discontinued); the intended additional railway tunnel to the north end of the town, by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company ; an additional merchandise station for the Grand Junction Railway Company ; the enlargement of the Lime-street terminus ; and some improvements on the Bridgewater preperty. These various works altogether will probably absorb not less than another million. So that, in the whole, between three and four millions of money will have to be raised and expended before the various present designs for the promotion of charity, the convenience of commerce, and the improvement of the town, are completed. But, if much is going on in Liverpool in this way, more, in proportion to population and means, is doing on the Cheshire side of the water, at Birkenhead. Here, indeed, a town is rapidly rising, which will not be excelled in useful or ornamental elements by any place in the kingdom; and the progress of which, in buildings, as well as inhabi tants, during the last four or five years, has been un precedented. The magnitude of the public works in pro gress at Birkenhead may be inferred from the follow ing abstract, which is taken from the estimates : New Market (commissioners), 20,000/. ; Town-hall (commissioners), 10,000/. ; Park (commissioners), 25,0001.; Docks in Wallasea Pool (commissioners, as trustees), 400,000/. ; Dock Warehouses on the mar gin of Wallasea Pool (private company), 600,000/. ; Tunnel from Monk's Ferry to Grange-lane (Chester and Birkenhead Railway), 20,000/. ; making a gross total of 1,075,0001.; and, further, a proposal has been made, which is now under the consideration of the Finance Committee of the Liverpool cor poration, to buy the freehold of all their Wal lasea estate, and pay for it in ready money ! Besides the works named as being in pro gress, a cemetery and infirmary are contemplated, to which may be added a design for the erection of one or more churches. On the two former, we believe, it is intended to expend about 15,0001. In these items we have said nothing about the sums being ex pended in sewerage and laying mains for water and gas; they are very large, and in this present year they will exceed any of the past. After these state ments, it will be admitted, we think, that there are very few, if any, places where the progression in works of a public nature is greater than in Liverpool and Birkenhead ; and that, if there is any rivalry be tween them, it should only be as to which shall best accommodate the public. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION. The following circular has been issued to the several bishops by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England:— ' Resolved—That, until further public notice, the ' published resolutions of the Commissioners, relating to grants out of their funds, be suspended ; except in ' the case of local claims upon tithes, &c., and except also as hereinafter mentioned. " That application for grants in augmentation of income be entertained in the case of new churches already built, or in course of building, or the whole means of building which shall have been provided on or before the Ist day of August instant, in expecta tion of aid from the Commissioners ; and that all such applications, if made before the Ist of October next, be respectively taken into consideration as early as the state of the funds will allow. " That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to each bishop, with a request for the earliest informa tion in his power as to the probable number of such applications in his diocese." The reason for this is apparent by the latter part of the following paper, recently laid before the House of Lords by the Commissioners, in compliance with an order, on the motion of Lord Clanricarde, for a return of all sums in their hands not appropriated to any par ticular purpose : " The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England are unable, for the following reasons, to return any sums now under their control, as not appropriated to any particular purpose, in respect either of the epis copal fund, or of the fund applicable to the augnsenta tioß of small livings : " 1. The episcopal fund is formed by fixed contri butions from the larger bishoprics, out of which fixed annual payments are made, in augmentation of the incomes of the smaller. " An annual surplus of about 6,0001., which, ac cording to the calculation made at the date of the Episcopal Act in 1836, is estimated as likely to arise, when the debtor and creditor sides of the ac count shall both be in full operation, by vacancies having occurred in all the paying and all the re ceiving sees, is liable to be varied in amount, either by increase or diminution, upon septennial revision of the episcopal payments and receipts ; the first of which revisions is now about to take place, upon new returns of income made this year. " The contribution from larger sees already vacated having hitherto exceeded in amount the augmenta tions required for smaller sees, there has been, and still is, an annual. surplus, amounting, at present, to about the same sum of 6,0001. " This surplus has, from time to time, been nearly exhausted in providing episcopal houses of residence; and the present actual balance consists of a sum in Exchequer-bills, and certain moneys due from one of the contributing bishops, amounting together to about 12,0001. "But neither this balance, not the existing surplus annual income .can be said to be unappropriated, be• cause, by further vacancies among the receiving sees occurring before other contributing sees fall vacant, not only may the annual surplus at any time be ab sorbed, but the whole annual receipts may become insufficient to meet the increased claims thus arising upon the fund ; and this contingency alone renders it impossible yet to consider any sum in band as unap propriated. "As to the common fund, applicable to the aug mentation of poor livings, the circumstances of this being his primary object would, in the present condk tion of the church, prevent the Commissioners from feeling themselves at liberty to return any sum as un appropriated ; even had the whole revenues prospec tively placed at their disposal by the Cathedral Acts, become already available. " But these revenues being dependent upon the falling in of cathedral preferments, &c., the annual income increases only gradually ; and it has been the invariable policy of the Commissioners to afford the greatest amount of relief in their power to the exist ing spiritual destitution, by pledging this growing income, in perpetuity, from time to time as it accrues. The extent to which this principle has and ncar ried appears from the list of 562 benefices churches already augmented by the Commissioners, which their has recently been printed ; and it resuts f will r arise in the hav ing done so much that a necessity current year for supplying theother demands upon the fund, including the a uguienta . tio_ns of arc_ h.deac-on ries out of their stock; the remainder of . which may bo considered as pledged to meet benefactions towards providing houses of residence for the poor clergy. " The Commissioners are, therefore, also unable to return any unappropriated surplus in respect of this fund. By order of the Board, "CHARLES KNIGHT MURRAY, " Treasurer and Secretary. g 4 Whitehall-place, July 30, 1844." WOOLWICH DOCKYARD, AUG. 22.—An order was received and promulgated yesterday afternoon, announc ing that a number of able seamen are wanted, who will be borne on the books as extra riggers for dockyard and goneral service. The men entered are to be paid at the rate of 2s. 6d. a day for the number of days they are employed, and will be expected to go to sea at a mo ment's notice when required. Nine stokers are also re quired for the Royal Victoria and Albert yacht, and about twenty others for various steam-vessels. About 100 seamen will be engaged immediately as extra riggers at the Woolwich dockyard, and it is probable this plan will be adopted in future, to secure the services of able men at this dockyard and the other dockyards belonging to her Majesty. APPOINTMENT OF A DEPUTY COKONER.—Mr. W. Baker, jun., solicitor, and eldest son of Wm. Baker, Esq., coroner for the Eastern Division of Middlesex, has just been appointed deputy coroner, to act for his father. He commenced his official duties yesterday. Apt LEGtr) MunliErt OP CAPTAIN f,&L 4i y. The prisoner, John Kent, who has been in custody at LiverpoA since the 14 th inst., for the alleged murder of his captain, was ;Elk barged on Wednesday, a verdict of justitia6le homicide being returned by the coroner's jury ; but as [he American Consul had made a claim to hare the prisoner sent for trial to America, the informations taken before Mr. -eiou, were for warded to Sir James Graham, a view of as certaining from the law officers of the* Crown whether the prisoner ought to be liberated, or whether, if sent for trial, .he should be tried in this country or in America. An answer to the latter question was deemed of essential importance, as the American Consul here had formally demanded that he should be .sent fir trial to the United States, upon the ground that the vessel was sailing under the American flag and upon the high seas at the time of the occurrence. - yesterday morning a reply was received from Sir James Graham, inclosing the opinion of the law officers ; and shortly after it, had reached the hands of Mr. Rushton, that gen ' demon had an interview with the Lord Chief Baron on the bench of the Crown Court, to whom he :uion: wed the result.. Neither the communication itself, nor the opinion o the law officers, has been made public ; but the purport of both may be gathered pretty cor rectly from what transpired after their receipt. In the first place the grand jury would have b.;-.en discharged on Tuesday, but that the Lord Chief Baron in timated to them that the opinion of the law officers was expected yesterday morning, and that they might then be required to take the bills against Kent into considera tion. Bills for manslaughter had in the meantime been prepared, in order that, if the opinion should be to the effect that the prisoner might be tried in this country, there should be no delay in putting him on his trial. At eleven o'clock yesterday, however, after the receipt of Sir James Graham's letter, the bills were abandoned, and the grand jury discharged ; and at half-past twelve o'clock the prisoner Kent was brought up at the police court. Mr. Rushton thereupon asked whether the Ame rican Consul (who was not in attendance) had been in formed that prisoner would be brought up that day ? Mr. Ellis, the senior clerk, replied in the affirmative; he had told the consul that he should be brought up at half past twelve o'clock. Mr. Rushton then addressed the prisoner in the fol lowing terms :—" When the depositions in your case were taken before me, I told you that I should submit the evidence to high official authorities. I have done so, and it is now my duty to discharge you. From thz fact of the body of the deceaSed, Captain Halsey, having been brought within the jurisdiction of the coroner of the bo rough, it became necessary to institute a solemn inquiry into the cause of his death, and since the evidence was taken by me that inquiry has terminated. The jury were men of great respectability, and it must be consolatory to you to know that their verdict was one of 'justifiable homicide.'" The prisoner was then discharged, and left the court, accompanied by a crowd of spectators. It is said that Captain Varnum has been appointed to the command of the Thomas Bennett, in place of the deceased captain—that a new crew will be shipped en board the vessel, and that she will, shortly proceed again on her voyage to Charleston. INSPECTION OF DEPTFORD DOCKYARD BY TILE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY. — The ancient dockyard at Deptford, which is the oldest in the kingdom, and which lay for nearly thirty years in an almost desolate state, is about to be restored to its original state of activity and importance. Yesterday several of the Lords of the Ad- miralty went over the whole of the depai tments, and having inspected the carpenters and joiner's shops, the foundries, the works of the boiler-makers, the wood sawing pits, and the timber-bending coppers, they viewed the slips, numbered consecutively one, two, and three, lying upon the north-west side of the yard, immediately contiguous to the victualling Department, which is se parated by a wall from the dockyard. The slips have not been used for many years, and the whole of them are now greatly out of repair ; but we have reason to believe that orders have been received for their immediate restoration. The Noble Lords then proceeded to inspect the works in the building yard, and the forward state of the vessels now upon the stocks, as well as the excellent character of the w ork appeared very satisfactory to their Lordships. There arc now building in the dockyard at Deptford, the Terrible, which when completed will be the largest steam-frigate in the world ; and the Spitfire, of 300 tons, which was commenced on the 21st of June, in this year, and will be finished in the spring of next. The Phoenix steamer is under repair, but now nearly completed. The following are the dimensions of her Majesty's steam-frigate the Terrible : Length between the perpendiculars 226 feet, keel for tonnage 196 feet 101 inches, extreme breadth 42 feet, depth of the hold 27 feet, engine room length 75 feet, width 38 feet, depth 27 feet, diameter of the paddle-wheels 34 feet by 13, dia meter of the cylinder 6 feet, power of the engines 800 horse, weight of the engines 500 tons, coal-boxes to hold 800 tons of coals, burthen 1,847 tons, cost of boilers and engines complete 40,250/. It is expected that this noble vessel will be launched about the spring quarter-day (the sth of April, 1845.) A ROYAL RAT-WARREN.—There is a small parcel of enclosed ground, situated in the Green-park, which was at one period a pleasure-ground, annexed to the ranger's premises, but since the ranger's-lodge has been removed, and the site upon which it stood has been thrown open to the public (it forming at present a por tion of the promenade contiguous to Constitution-hill), the inclosed plot_ of ground under consideration has been quite neglected ; indeed, altogether deserted, and has become of late a notorious nursery for weeds and vermin. Situated in a bottom, nearly in a line with the spot where the old pond used to be, it is exceedingly damp, and the noxious vegetation it gives life to is n o t a greater evil than another it upholds, viz., that of its affordin,g re fuge to a dense and rapidly-increasing colony of maraud ing rats, which outlawed animals, finding themselves undisturbed, carouse in this inclosure (a perfect free warren) with the utmost assurance, aware that from the nature of the position they have taken up for their encamping ground, they may perfectly secure from the unwelcome interrup tions of dogs and other inimical annoyances. Any person passing up or down Piccadilly on that side of the way, and looking down upon the spot in question, will per ceive an opening to a dead well, and squadrons of rats, moving about in all quarters, entering and egressing from this aperture, which appears to be the central station for their operations. Those which are to be seen emerging from the well are, in almost every instance, furnished with a modicum of food, which circumstance May lead to a conclusion that this well communicates with the mansions on the opposite side of the road, for the domestics affirm that they " are eaten up with rats.. " The earth around the well is perfectly honeycombed with borrows, into and out of which these vermin are to be seen moving at all hours of the day. How long this obnoxious colony may continue undisturbed, it is hard to say ; but if they are suffered to remain much longer in quiet possession of their quarters, these expert engineers will not only sap the foundation of Constitution-hill, but will propagate to so alarming an extent by-and-by as to enable them to take forcible possession of the houses and premises opposite their present head-quarters. The Shrewsbury Trienniel Musical Festival, in aid of the funds of the Salop Infirmary, is to take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 3d, 4th, and sth of the ensuing month, under the patronage of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, the Queen Dowager, the Duke of Sutherland, the Earl of Powis, the Earl of Liverpool, Hon. R. H. Clive, J. C. Burton Borough, Esq. (High Sheriff of the county), Hon. and Rev. Lord Berwick, Sir E. J. Smythe, Bart., Sir A. Corbet, Bart., &c. Grisi, Favanti, the Misses Williams, Mario, Manvers, Signori Paltoni arid F. Lablienhe, are engaged fur the occasion. On the Tuesday a miscella neous concert will be given, and on Wednesday Haydn's Creation and Rossini's Stabat Mater will be performed, and a grand ball will on Thursday terminate the festival 'rho ball, which, from the preparations now in progress, is expected to be exceedingly brilliant, is under the pa tronage of the Duchess of Sutherland, 'Viscountess Fielding, Viscountess Newport, Lady Harriet Olive, Lady Charlotte Lister, Lady Louisa Cotes, Lady Cur bet, Lady Leighton, Lady Smythe, Lady Worsley, Lady Jenkins, lion. Mrs. Leighton, and a numerous list of fashionables. Most of the vocalist, will, immediately after the termination of the second day, proceed to con tinue their tour in the provinces. LONDON AND CROYDON RAILWAY.—An extraordi nary meeting of the Directors and Proprietors of the Croydon Railway Company was held yesterday, in the large room over the station at London-bridge, for the purpose of authorising the Directors of the Croydon Company to purchase the Croydon and Epsom Railway, or any shares or interest therein, and to create such an additional number of shares, and to borrow such addi tional capital, by mortgage of the Epsom Railway, or byiebond,acompletinght be considered necessary for compl e ti ng such purchase. W. A. Wilkinson, Esq., took the chair, and stated that for the construction of the line to Epsom, on the atmospheric principle, a sum of 200,0001. will be required. A further sum of 130,0001. would be required to carry the line to London-bridge. Several deficiencies had been discovered in the estimates for the works on the the C ab r o oy ve do a n line, dditi and in order onaicapital,thtcover the Directors Dire hse e t tor e sp , r a o n v d obtain at n o raise 400,000/., by creating new third shares at 91. each, which would bear interest at the rate of 51. per cent., or could be converted into whole shares, at the rate of 27/. per share. These shares were to be granted to the ori ginal shareholders at the rate of one to one. Resolutions were passed, authorising the Directors to carry this pro ject into effect. ACCIDENT FROM THE BURSTING OF A BOILER.— A terrible accident, which no foresight could have pre vented. has just happened, says a Brussels journal, at the coal-works of Haut Flenu. One of the six boilers of the engine used in clearing the mine of its waters burst, and killed instantaneously, as if he had been struck by lightning, a mason who was at work on the opposite side of the building. The chief engineer, who WR S walking above the boilers, was throwu to a distance of between six and seven yards against a glass door, but was not even bruised. The steam passed through the broken glass into an adjoining room, threw a workman who was in it-against the wall, and caused him some severe tbruises. He, however, was not quite disabled, annastened with the engineer to run to the pistons and stop the engine, thus preventing the evil from becoming much greater. They were not yet ir, time to save the stoker, who was completely parbo , :ied, but able tikun across the fields and throw nisr:if into se a , resew reseoilirAof cold water. When taken out a hi ne A undressed, the whole of his skin come away with Lis eiothes, not a particle being left on his body, and his state is considered to be most dangerous. Two other workmen were more or less hurt, but neither of them seriously. ]D ECR EASE' OF CRIME IN LIVERPOOL.—From offi cialtdocuments it appears that a considerable decrease has (lately taken place In the number of prisoners con- Ifined in the borough prison of Liverpool. The average number is now only 540, whilst twelve or eighteen months ago the number was 680. This decrease is mainly to be attributed to the great revival of trade ' which has taken place in Liver foci. .7 st► ENCAMPMENT OF THE lOWAY INDIANS. GRAND INDIAN ARCHERY FETE AND FES TIVAL AT LORDS' CRICKET-GROUND. An extraordinary and novel entertainment is an nounced for Monday next, and to be continued du ring the week, at Lords' Cricket-ground, St. John's wood, for the purpose of exhibiting the loway Indians encamped in their " wigwams," and also for the better illustration of their domestic life, mode of war fare, peculiar rites and ceremonies, and likewise their wild and exciting sports and pastimes, characteristic dances, songs, &c. ; in fact, a perfect representation of Indian forest life. A grand archery fete in addi tion will take place on each of the days, to which the members of all the leading archery clubs have been invited to witness the Indians display their skill in shooting with the bow and arrow in competition for several prizes. The chiefs and " braves" of the party will also engage in a match at " ball-play," a game of the most exciting and amusing description, and requiring great skill. It is a pastime peculiar to the North American tribes , and is played with a ball stick, which each player holds in both hands as he runs, catching the ball as it is flying in a little hoop or ring at its end from which he throws the ball home to his goal or wicket. The ceremony of forming the encampment is also novel and curi ous , p ar ti cu larly tho mode in which the " wigwams " are raised by the "squaws," unassisted by the males ; and this, Mr. Cat lin states, is the invariable practice throughout the seve ral tribes of North American . Indians, th e women per forming all such species of toil, as the chiefs and war riors only engage in war, and in procuring food for their families by hunting or fishing. Be fore the tents are raised a benediction of the " Great Spirit " is invoked by the "Medicine" or "Mystery Man," the Indians believ ing that sickness and death would attend them unless this rite was performed. The party will also give several of the dances characteristic of the tribe. The " Opening, or Welcome Dance," is given in full dress, in compliment to strangers o r friend s v i s iti ng th e i r village, and also when taking farewell. The first part of the " War Dance is called the " App roac hi ng Dance," in which their actions exhibit the mode of approaching an enemy by hunting their track ; and in tracing them up, skulking after them, and, at last, with the war-whoop sounded, of r us hi ng upon th em for the attack. For this aance they change their costume to what is called the war-dress and war-paint. The "Eagle Dance" is given as a part of the war-dance, in compliment to the valour of the war-eagle, the bird that conquers all others of its species in their country, and from the tail of which they procure the beautiful plumes which adorn their heads. In the " Wild Horse Dance" the modes of chase, entrapping, and taming the horse, are signi ficantly acted out, their native prairies being stocked with wild horses, which the Indians catch, and use in war and in the chase. The loways will shortly de part for Paris, the French authorities having given permission for Mr. Catlin's Indian collection to be admitted duty free. PRINCE EDWARD OP SAXE WEIMAR.-11i4 Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, nephew to the Queen Dowager, arrived at Douglas's Hotel hore on Monday afternoon, per mail from London. He spent several hours yesterday inspecting the city, accompanied only by Sir Hugh Dalrymple. He leaves Edinburgh this morning for Perthshire, to join the shooting party of the Duke of Leeds at Braemar.—Scotsinan of Wed nesday. REV. DR. BURNS, OF PAISLEY.—The Rev. Dr. Church congregation i n T oronto , Upper Canada. A Burns, of Paisley, has received a call from the Free very able and impr ess i ve appeal has b een a dd re ssed to the Rev. Doctor and his congregation by the people of Toronto, in which th ey employ the most persuasive ar guments in favour of his translation. WIGTOWN, AUG. 17.—Around our good borough shearing has commenced in earnest, and but for the un toward weather, a considerable breadth would have fallen to the sickle. H arvest w i l l b e prett y gen eral next week in the lower di strict, comprehend i ng t h e neigh bourhood of Garli estown and the Isle o f Whith o rn, where portions of grain have already been cut. The wheat crop has a very good appearance in general ; but it, as well as the other grain, is laid and broken down by the weather in too many instances, and will require an additional outlay i n t h e reaping from or di nary years. may u An average crop e , — e expected with seasonable wea ther. Potatoes nave a v er y p rom i s i ng appearance, and as there are three a ddi t i onal potato mills in t h e course o f erection, it is anticipated that fair prices will be realised at raising time. Turnips are not growing so well in pro portion as potatoes ; but dry weather and genial sun shine would put all t o r i ghts. We understan d t h at Pro fessor Johnston i s t o deliver lectures here on the after noons of Tuesday and Wednesday next, and that a large number of the cultivators of the soil are expected to be present.—Ayr Observer. TIIE WE ATUE R. --- I - larvest has partially commenced in this district, and but for the backward state of the weather, considerable progress would have been made ere this. A great deal of rain has fallen iu the course of the last fortnight, an d grain in various quarters is much laid in conseq uence. Should such weather as has b r oke upon us thi s mo • rning— sunshine, with cool breezes —continue fora short time, the sickle will be employed to good purpose. The crops, notwithstanding the wet, are in good condition ; and a fair yield is everywhere calculated upon. A gentleman who was in Straiton parish last week, informs us that at the sale at Tairlaw, on Thursday, oats brought from 41. to 61. an acre. Though perhaps somewhat late for the season, they were luxuriant both in head and straw. The green crops, generally, were rich and heavy, particularly some fields of turnips near the villag e of Straiton. Potatoes from their exuberance of folia ge , indicate abundance. In the upper districts the farmers have been vastly benefited by the introduction of guano, which can be conveyed at little cost to any distance, Formerly they were much In want Or InUnure, Lne c. - tifilage or dung from tale towns being too expensive to admit of anything like a return for the outlay.—Ayr Observer. THE NORFOLK YEOMANRY CAVALRY.— On Sa turday last a court of inquiry was held at the Shire hall, consisting of the lion. W. R. Rous, F. Keppel, Esq., and John Stracey, Esq., three deputy-lieute nants of this county, to inquire into the state of disci. allowances, and general conduct of the Norfolk Yeomanry C ava l ry, or Prince Albert's Own. John Stracey, Esq, u e!ected chairman. Aline, the appointments, pay, The proceedings w ere he ld with closed d oors . Th e in quiry or i g inated in consequen ce o f a charge made by p A l l i a n jr Loftus, the commandant of the corps, against o b n bfre: a hru c at co gilihf unt of the corps by means of Captain Mott, for inciting certain officers to resign, and deprive her Majesty ototthf'agacthtaaiepmnirtsataisoerrviLceosf.tusDhuarding madethe course of the investigation a number of written charges Mott, in justifica tionihnins by Major Loftus. this city, were afterwards from tl h e dishonoured, for which he had previously re ceivedvas Government,ii attendanceand for a o f discipline in availing himself of certain were s l a several hNe,eeesrpoeat fal submittedtnpheaeeyschargeseni heaonrfstgoes charge his own, which breach private ach letters in his capacity as commanding officer. Mr. J. Hilling Barnard, of . to substantiate, by his testimony, certain charges as to the bill transactions made by Captain Mott, in ready money his defence, against Major Loft us , b ut the honour able court declined examining Mr. Barnard, as they were of opinion that these transactions, which were of a pecuniary nature. and some of which Captain Mott detailed in his defence, were of a private character, and consequently not recognisable by that court, which was instituted for the sole purpose of making inquiries respecting the Yeomanry Cavalry. The result of the inquiry has not, wither is it lik e l y it will, transpire liter for some time, but in m y affairs a co ur t o f i nqu i ry, such as that held on Saturday, would be understood as a preliminary step to a cetirt-martial. The proceedings of the court, with their tomments, will be tr ansm itt e d to the War-office. The rroceedings occupied nearly six hours.—Norwich Mercary. PORT OF CAuusLEThe Lords of the Treasury having approved of Cirlisle for the warehousing of tobacco removed coastwise under bond from the ports of importation for the purpose of b e i ng ta k en out fur home consumption, or for shits' stores, upon suitable premises being e provid • d for the deposit of the article, the Com missioners of the Custons have by their order approved of premises for the recepton of such tobacco, and have din cted the same to be ctnimunicated to their officers at the port of London, and tie collectors and controllers at the several outports of ,he United Kingdom, for their information and governmet. '7 oral . tbo ke gate, p SG ran' ;e s i s tate!: f v l 10 4 DL °/