The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-21 00:00:00

'lad there, in fact, been injury done, and if there had, bad the plaintiff a right to claim compensation ? Un doubtedly he had. No convulsion of the air or of the earth—no volcanic eruption, like those which occurred rm the northern mountains of Italy, had caused the sub sidence of the foundations and the fissures in the walls of the houses, because they were in a perfect state of se curity until the defendant adopted a new mode c f work ing the mines. Soon after it was commenced the houses built over the mines began to crack and to subside. In 1841 thirty houses suffered • ill 1842, sixty; and at the time the action was broughl, in 1845, 115 houses were in a state of devastation. There were three strata of minerals in the mine or near the surface: "pennystone," or ironstone of an extremely solid nature, betwixt a deep Stratum of coal, and below that another stratum of in ferior ironstone, as it was looser. The old mode of working the mine did not prove injurious to the surface, as pillars were used; but when the extension of rail ways caused a demand for iron, many of the pillars were cleared away, in order to get it, and hence the subsidence of the want of proper supports. The Learned Counsel then contended that the plaintiff had an un doubted right to retain his property unmolested, it was granted him by ttle defendant's lord, and if it were to be destroyed. a the will of the lessee of the minerals below, them would be no security for life or property ; and pros'eeded to call witnesses in support of his case. Tte case will no doubt occupy the attention of the Cc:cut for three days. BAIL COURT -(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Justice ERLE and a Special Jury.) MOSEY V. DAVIDSON. This was an action brought by Mr. Boosey, a music publisher, in Holies- street, against the defendant for pub lishing a cheap edition of certain airs from Bellini's opera d La Sonnambula, of which the defendant claimed the tepyright. The opera, it appeared, was produced at Milan, in March, 1831, and it was proved by the plaintiff that the copyright of the airs in question were registered 3 .. a his name in June, 1831, at Stationers' Hall. On the part of the defendant it was contended that the airs having been published at Milan before June, 1831, the plaintiff could not be the :proprietor of the copyright, and that in order to show his right to it he ought to have proved that the airs were first published in England. The jury, however, found a verdict for the plaintiff, damages Is. BANKRUPTCY.—(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD.) IN RE DtTBBINS. This bankrupt, described as of the Somerset Hotel, in the Strand, and of Colchester, Essex, came up to pass kis last examination. Mr. Graham, the official assignee, expressed himself satisfied with the accounts; the solicitor to the assignees, however, proceeded to examine the bankrupt as to his kterest in the hotel, as it was contended that there had been a partnership between him and a person of the tame of Kimber. The bankrupt's version, however, was that he was to conduct the business, and have one-third of the profits above the first 5001. Some difficulty had been experienced by the messen gers in getting possession of the books on account of the transactions between Kimber and the bankrupt. His HONOUR allowed the bankrupt to pass his exami nation, and appointed a private meeting for the examina tion of witnesses. CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) OLD COUR T (Before Lord Chief Justice WILDE and Mr. Baron ROLFE.) INFANTICIDE.—Ann Cleveland, aged 26, described as Is spinster, and Big alias Dolly, aged 35, described as a labourer, were indicted for the wilful murder of a male child. Mr. Ballantine and Mr. Huddlestone conducted the prosecution ; and the prisoners were defended by Mr. Sergeant Allen and Messrs. Clarkson and Parry. BALLANTINE stated the case to the jury, and calld the following witnesses:— Mr. Benjamin Brooking, surgeon, No. 7, Bow-street, Covent-garden, stated that he had been called in to attend the female prisoner in her confinement, at No. 7, Wellington-street. The child was born before he ar- Tired, and was in a perfectly healthy condition. He was called in on the Friday, and the child was dead. The countenance was " suffused;" there was a pro trusion of the eyes, and the hands were clenched. The extremities of the fingers were livid, and the legs were drawn up towards the body. From these ap pearances he suspected that the child had not died from natural causes. On Saturday he made a post mortal' examination. He found that, though the body had a natural appearance, there was congestion on the lungs, paiticularly on the left lung, which had three spots of blood on it. The heart was completely empty, and the liver did not present a natural appearance. The left aide of the brain also exhibited the same appearance of congestion as the left lung. From these appearances he was decidedly of opinion that the child died of suffoca tion. Mr. James Brooking, brother to the last witness, stated that he delivered the child; that there was not more than ordinary difficulty in the parturition, and that the child was quite healthy. Mr. Guthrie, surgeon, stated that he was present at the post mortem examination, and concurred with the fint witness as to the cause of the death. Jane Johnson, 32, Stanhope street, Clare-market, stated that she knew the female prisoner about three Weeks before her confinement. She lived in the house with her, and knew her to be in the family way. The female prisoner often said to her that she knew the child Would not live, and that she hoped it. would not. She also said to her that she would have destroyed the child before it was born, but that it had gone too far. Mr. PARRY cross-examined this witness. There were two or three persons living in the house besides herself. She would rather decline answering where she lived be fore she went to Mrs. Cleveland's, as Mrs. Cleveland's Was not a respectable place. Had never seen the male prisoner until the day on which the child died. Harriet Burgess Swan stated that she had lived with the female prisoner. This was before the confinement. , The female prisoner stated to her that she would not , Provide any baby linen, as she knew the child would not live. She saw a great change in the appearance of , the child after its death. There was a discharge from the nose which induced her to make some observations. On the night of the death of the child she heard Mrs. Cleveland's bell ring, and she went up to her apartment. She found several persons there, and was told that the child was dead. She then went for Mr. Brooking, the sur geon. Mrs. Cleveland said she expected him. Believed she meant the male prisoner. She said to the witness that there was a bother about the child, and she would give her a sovereign if she would carry him a note. Saw the prisoner at Mrs. Cleveland's early and late. Saw him in Mrs. Cleveland's bed-room on Friday morning about nine o'clock, and served him with breakfast. This witness was cross- examined by Mr. Clarkson, but nothing material was elicited. Sarah Cecilia Barber said that she was a laundress, and attended at Mrs. Cleveland's in that capacity. She heard Mrs. Cleveland say that she would not get baby linen, as she did not think the child would live. She dry-nursed the child, which she took to her own place. At the request of the prisoner's Mother she brought the child to her. When she brought back the infant she tied a napkin round its head, in consequence of its having a cold, and placed it in the bed with the mother. After leaving the baby with Mrs. Cleveland, she remained away for about an hour and a half. She returned then, and took up the child, when she saw that it had a running at the nose, that it could not draw its breath freely, and was crying very much. She took away the child, but after receiving two mes sages from the mother, she brought it back ; it was about half-past three o'clock on Friday. The running at the nose had ceased on the Friday, when she brought the child to the mother. While - ;ho was below she heard a bell rung.s_e wen t Ellen . one of te t i h i e m s i e n rv t a e n ' ts,answered the bell, and h afterwards. Cleveland. up Ellen, t She had some conversation with Mrs. Cleve s Cleveland told her to take away the baby, which she . took up, and found to be dead. She told Mrs. Cleveland that the infant was dead, when Mrs. Cleveland fainted away. The surgeon was then sent for. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant ALLEN—The child was half born an hour and a half before Mr. Brocking Came. The child lived entirely upon arrowroot. The running at the nose continued till Friday morning. Ellen Driscoll, servant to Mrs. Cleveland, stated that she was in the room at the time that Mrs. Barber took up the baby and found it dead. There was on the baby a light shawl. Mrs. Cleveland said that she had not let the baby out of the bed. The hands of the child were clenched. Charles Foster said that he was a tobacconist, at 46, Chandos-street. Was at the house No. 9, Wellington street, on the Friday in question, and saw the prisoner Coming down the stairs. Gave his name as Smith at the coroner's inquest, because he did not wish to be known. Had not seen the male prisoner before. Mary Davis, a lodger in the house of Mrs. Cleveland, Whose real name was Turner, was at Mrs. Cleveland's on the 21st of May. Heard a footstep, went out, and saw the male prisoner coming down the stairs. Saw the prisoner there the day before. That was about five or six o'clock in the evening. The male prisoner, during the month that she was lodging at Mrs. Cleveland's, occupied a room there. Mr. CLARESON, who appeared for Dolly, said that as there was no evidence against the male prisoner lie would not trouble the court with any observations. Lord Chief Justice WILDE said that he did not think the evidence was of a nature to deliberate upon the charge against the male prisoner. In this opinion his Learned Brother concurred. The male prisoner was then discharged. Mr. Sergeant ALLEN then addressed the jury for the female prisoner. This was a case depending entirely Upon circumstantial evidence. They were to consider Whether those circumstances could so concur as to bring home guilt to the prisoner. Circumstances must be vague when unaccompanied by some direct evidence Where there was no such testimony. This was a charge of the gravest character, offending against all the natural feelings of humanity, and so opposed to a knowledge of the female instincts- The Foreman here interposed, and stated that the Jury were of opinion that the prisoner was not guilty. A verdict of Not Guilty was then returned, and the prisoner was discharged. BOW-STREET.—(THIS DAY.) Three brothers, named James, William, and Edward lii`E,voy, were placed at the bar before Mr. Hall, charged with assaulting policeman E 125, and several other con stables of the same division. It appeared that two of the prisoners were quarrelling in the streets on Saturday night, and the third was endeavouring to pacify them, when the constable E 125 went tip and desired them to go away quietly. They then united to etiack the coLstable, whom they butt. Most unmercifully. Ile called to the bystanders for assistance, but James M'Evoy kept off those who were to interfere. The constable was knocked down by William, and when down was kicked by Edward in a most brutal manner. A gentle man, who was looking on from a window, brought a rattle and sprung it, and two other constables, E 95 and E 109, came up. They were both ill-treated by the prisoners. They et length succeeded in captur ing them. . _ The prisoners denied that they used any violence. Mr. HALL dwelt at some length on the peculiar atro city of the case, which he said was the worst of die kind he had heard for some time, and inflicted the highest punishment the law gave him power to order, ono month's imprisonment each, without the option of paying a fine. MARLBRO'-STREET- 7 (THIS DAY.) George Dickens, a well-dressed young man, was placed at the bar, before Mr. Bingham, charged on sus picion of stealing four five pound notes and forty sove reigns, the moneys of Mr. Ferdinand Arundel, commer cial traveller, 116, Titelifield-street, Marylebone. The prosecutor stated that, previous to Monday last, he deposited about sixty pounds, consisting of four five pound notes, three of the Bristol bank and one of the Bank of England, and about forty sovereigns, in a car pet bag in his bed-room, which he always kept locked. On Wednesday last he went to the bag with the inten tion of taking out the whole of the money to pay away, when, to his great. surprise, he found the bag forced open and the money taken out. lie then informed the land lord of the house of the robbery, and asked him if he had seen any person enter his bed-room. The landlord said he had not seen any stranger enter the house, and if the robbery had been committed, it must have been by come person who lived in the house and knew witness's habits. Witness immediately suspected the prisoner, who lodged in the room adjoining his, and on making inquiries, found that he had suddenly absconded without paying his lodgings. Witness then gave information to the police, who took the prisoner into custody yesterday morning. Police constable 43 D said, on Wednesday last the prosecutor came and informed him of the robbery, and said that he suspected a person of the name of Dickens to be the thief. Witness, from information he had re ceived, proceeded to the Rising Sun public-house in High-street, Marylebone, where he was told that the prisoner had called there, and wished the land lady to take charge of thirty-one sovereigns, which she refused to do. Witness then traced the prisoner to the Waterloo Arms in the same street, where he was in formed by the landlord that the prisoner had left 31 sovereigns, in his charge on the 15th instant, and that on the ensuing day he had called and asked him for ten sovereigns. Yesterday morning he called for the re main:ler, when he was detained till witness was sent for to take him into custody. James Maddox, landlord of the Waterloo Arms, proved receiving 31 sovereigns from the prisoner on Tuesday last. The prisoner informed him that the reason he wished him to take care of the money was, that he was going into the country for a few days, and did not like to take such a large sum with him. On Thursday last he came and asked witness to give him ten sovereigns. When he came for the remainder yes terday morning witness detained him, and sent for last witness, who took him into custody. Mr. Roger Roberts sail he was landlord of the house No. 116, Titchfield-street. The prisoner had lodged with him for about two months, but suddenly absconded about a week ago. The prisoner always appeared to him to be in needy circumstances. The prisoner, in defence, said he had not the least knowledge of the robbery. He had received 351. from his father, who resided at Derby, and who had sent him the money to support him till he could get a situation. Mr. BINGHAM said at present the case looked rather suspicious against the prisoner. He should send imme diately to Derby, and should it be found oninquiry that he had received the money from his father, of course he (Mr. Bingham) should discharge him. In the mean while he should remand him till Wednesday next, but would admit him to bail, providing he could get two re spectable housekeepers to be surety for him in the sum of 1001. each, to appear on that day. The prisoner in default of bail was then locked up. THAMES.—(THIS DAY.) John Simpson, a well-known " long shore-man," was charged with the following assault on Alexander Colday : It appeared that on Saturday evening the prosecutor was going from the Minories eastward, and, as he was passing the St. Katherine Dock Hotel, nearly opposite the London Docks, the .prisoner and four other men, dressed like sailors, suddenly rushed out on him and, without saying one word, the prisoner struck him a violent blow in the face, and then endeavoured to repeat the attack. Colday parried the blows, and the men see ing a constable approach ran away. They all succeeded in making their escape but the prisoner. In answer to the charge, the prisoner declared that Mr. Colday was the aggressor, and had first struck him. He was a seaman, and got his living honestly. Mr. BALLANTINE inquired whether the prisoner was known? when Roach, the gaoler, said he WAS a well known character, and had been repeatedly in his cus tody. The farthest voyage he had ever made was the City Canal.—(Laughter.) Mr. BALLANTINE ordered the prisoner to find good bail to keep the peace till, not the next, but the follow ing Middlesex Sessions, which would have the effect of confining him for that period. He was locked up in default. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP VI. BRISTOL AND EXETER (TAUNTON AND CASTLE CARY BRANCH). The Committee met at the usual hour, and:commenced the business of the day by the examination of the Earl of Fortescue. His Lordship's evidence went to show that in his opinion the Great Western Railway was en titled to the possession of the western districts of the country, that the broad gauge was preferable to the nar row, and that it would be unwise to admit the narrow gauge into the broad gauge district, as it would cause great inconvenience from the various breaks of gauge which would result therefrom. GROUP XXX. GREAT NORTHERN (ISLE OF AHHOLIVIE EXTENSION). The Committee met at the usual hour, and was occu pied the whole of the day iu hearing evidence in favour of the proposed extension. DISASTROUS FIRE AND PRO- _ BABLE LOSS OF LIFE.—(THIS DAY.) Between the hours of two and three this morning a very destructive fire broke out in the King's Head Ta vern, Brook-street, Ratcliff, the property of Mr. John Waller, which, besides consuming a considerable amount of stock and furniture, has been attended with serious, and, it is to be feared, fatal consequences to one of the inmates. From inquiries made it appears that the fire was first discovered by the policeman on the beat, at which time it had obtained a strong hold of the lower portion of the premises. The constable raised an alarm in the usual way, and after some trouble the inmates were aroused from their slumbers, but with such vio lence was the fire progressing, that very few of the resi dents were able to descend the staircase. One person, named John Camberton, a lodger in the house, finding that the flames had cut off all escape by the stairs, jumped from the top window, and, falling on the stone flags beneath, fractured his thigh, and was otherwise so seriously injured that he was obliged to be taken to the hospital, where he at present remains in a very pre carious state. Another lodger jumped from the same window, but, with the exception of a severe shaking, was one not of the win much injured. A an t d hird hun p g art b y y got the out hdan o s f until a ladder could ' be procured, by the a means of which th e individual was saved. Owing to h timely very f notice ew b w b , t h e i s c he elapsed d se b nt to the engine stattiones engines reached the scene ; those were followed the brigad e ano ther, belonging to the West of England Company,b y the Waterloo - road. By that time , however , the greater rom portion of Mr. Waller's premises was wrapped in an immense sheet of fl ime, and the adjoining houses at first appeased doomed to destruction. Under the direc tion of their chief officers, the firemen worked most vigorously-, but they were unable to get the mastery over the conflagration until the building wee nearly destroyed, the furniture, fixtures, and stock in trade partially consumed. The total damage will amount to several hundred pounds, but fortunately Mr. Waller was insured in the Sun Fire-office for the stock, &c.; the building belongs to Messrs. Strong and Lurchin, the brewers, and it is not known whether or not it was in sured. The origin of the disaster is wrapped in mystery. ELECTION MOVEMENTS AT KNARESBOROUGH,-- The Tories here are in a complete fix. Their requisi tion to Sir Charles Slingsby, at first only a forlorn hope, a desperate plunge for life, has been declined. Indeed, how could it be otherwise, for both candidates had offered to decline coming forward if Sir Charles wished to stand, and although this was known to the prime movers of the requisition, yet they persisted in trying to induce him to violate his honour. It is expected they will try another dodge, but they cannot succeed. Mr. Westhead commenced his canvas on Friday, and he will be followed on Monday by Mr. Lascelles. Success is considered certain. THE COURT.—Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians are expected to arrive in this country, upon a visit to her Majesty, either to-morrow or Thurs day next. Should the arrival of their Belgian Majesties be delayed until the latter-named day, the Court, instead of returning to Buckingham Palace this afternoon, as it had been arranged, will prolong its . stay at Claremont for another day or two. The King and Queen of the Belgians are not expected to remain upon a visit to her Majesty beyond seven or eight days. We believe that we may now confidently state that the session will be brought to a close on or about the 15th of July, and that Parliament w ill be dissolved on the v day following the prorogation. — O bserver. l INCHESTER COLLEGE.--A meeting of the s ub • scribers to the Goddard scholarship in connexion with the above seat of learning, was held on Saturday at the Thatched Ilouse Tavern. The Earl of Eldon occupied the chair, and was supported by the Lord Bishop of Durham, Dean Chandler, the N Oxford, the Warden of Winchester Varan o College New College, Oxford, Mr. Rolfe, Mr. Justic e E'W e Sir William Heathco Baro Baron Williams,te, Sir John Awdrev, Mr. Cardwell,T M., Mr. Bramston, M.P., Mr. Stacy, Mr. Mr. Laing, some friendly discussion, the conditions proposed by th e Mr. Bridger, and the Rev. W. Short. After adopted. Wardens of the two Colleges were unanimously WEST INDIA MAILS.: SOUTHAMPTON, MONDAY MORNING. The royal mail steam-packet Trent, E. T. Sturdee, Commander, Lieutenant Densten, RN., Admiralty agent, arrived at Southampton shortly before twelve o'clock last night, after a very quick passage of 19 days from St. Thomas, experiencing fine weather throughout. She was detained a day and a half at St. Thomas for coals, or her arrival would have been one of the earliest on record. She brings 65 cabin passengers, 60 tons of coffee from Jamaica, in 70 tierces, 51 half tierces, and 200 barrels; 70 bales of sarsaparilla, 35 casks of ginger, and 1,000 ounces of gold. Her mails are of the follow ing dates:—St. Jago de Cuba, May 25; Jamaica, 24th; Jacmel, 27th; Puerto Rico, 30th; Demerara, 18th; To bago, 19th; Trinidad, 19th; Barbadoes, 24th; Granada, 25th; St. Vincent, 25th; St. Lucia, '2sth ; Martinique' 26th; Dominique, 26th; Guadaloupe, 27th; Antigua, 28th; Montserrat, 27th; Nevis, 27th; St. Kitt's, 27th; Tortola, 28th; St. Thomas, June 1; Fayal, 14th. The Royal mail steam-packet Forth will bring the next mail. By this arrival we learn that the Royal mail steam packet Reindeer was at Grenada; the Forth, on the Spanish Main, left Jamaica on the 16th of May; the Medway, in the Gulf of Mexico; the Conway, at De merara, left Barbadoes on the 9th of May; the Avon, at Jamaica, left Grenada the 11th of May. Her Majesty's ship Thetis, Captain Codrington, left Fayal for St. Michael's on the 14th of June. The Thetis was at Madeira on the arrival of the Royal mail steam packet Thames the 9th of June, from Eng land: all well. Two schooners belonging to Nassau had been " fish ing" up articles belonging to the wreck of the Tweed steam-ship, and, amongst other articles, had succeeded in recovering three hundred bottles of quicksilver, of which there was, it will be recollected, a large quan tity on board at the time this unfortunate ship was wrecked. Accounts had reached the Trent relative to the move ment of the Americans towards the city of Mexico. It appears they had taken Perote, distant about one hun dred and thirty-five miles from the city. Santa Anna, in the recent battle of Cerro Gorda, had a narrow escape. His carriage, in which was his service of plate ani a large quantity of dollars, fell into the enemy's hands. It was reported that he had received positive instruc tions from the Mexican Congress to destroy the city of Mexico by fire, rather than allow it to be captured by the Americans. The Trent boarded the Brothers, of St. Andrew's, N. 8., with timber, dismasted, water-logged, and de serted by the crew. She was in lat, 42 50 N., and long. 10 34 W. THE WEATHER.—The whole island has been blessed with refreshing rains. At Trelawny there has been fine showers, accompanied by thunder and lightning. These (the Cornwall Courier says) at the time cooled the sultry air, which has been very oppressive of late, and re• lieved the town from the clouds of dust that in windy weather nearly blinded the inhabitants. The country, too, will benefit by it, and it is to be hoped the planters will not soon again experience such drought as they did last year. The crops 'generally throughout the parish are abundant, we learn, and the produce good. We never remember to have seen the pimento trees more full of blossom than they are now. The subscription in behalf of the Irish and Scotch relief fund was still progressing. JAMAICA MARKETS. (From De Cordova's Mercantile Intelligeneer.) The business during the past fortnight was confined solely to transactions for immediate use. Our market, therefore, continues to wear the same appearance of in activity and dulness by which it was characterised at the period of dur last issue. The arrivals have been exceedingly light, and supplies are diminishing under the purchases for present con sumption; but we do not notice the slightest speculative demand. We have no improvement to report in the state of the money market. EXCHANGES ON LONDON.—Bank Bills, 30 days, 1 ; 60 days, 1 12; and 90 days, 2 per cent. discount. On New York—Merchants' Bills, 60 days, 5 per cent. premium. This being the Queen's birth-day, no business will be transacted at the banks and other public offices. BRAZIL. The following is a translation of the speech of his Majesty the Emperor of Brazil on opening the Legisla tive Chambers on the 3d of May:— " Most _Honourable and Worthy Representatives of the Nation, " The period of our re-assembling, so grateful to the country, renews the sentiment in my bosom of the lively satisfaction I always experience when I find myself in the midst of the national representatives. " Having determined, as I have announced to you, to visit the provinces of the empire, I proceeded this year to the northern part of that of Rio de Janeiro, where I witnessed with pleasure the progressive improvement in various branches of its industry; and I was highly gra tified by the proofs of attachment to my Imperial person and adhesion to the constitution of the empire, mani fested by the inhabitants. " I congratulate myself and you on the tranquillity which so happily prevails throughout the provinces. "In those of Ceara and Rio Grande del Norte, I re gret that the drought has not yet entirely disappeared, but my Government continues to supply them with necessaries in order to lessen the evils of this visitation. " I have endeavoured to maintain amicable relations and a good understanding with all the Governments in the old and new world. " The struggle between the republics of La Plata still continues. The longer it is protracted the more ardent are my wishes to see It terminated. Humanity and the interests of Brazil, so especially and deeply prejudiced by its proximity to the seat of war, require it. " The correspondence with the Legation of the United States, relative to an occurrence which took place last year, will be laid before you, occasioned by three seamen and a lieutenant belonging to the navy of that nation having been imprisoned. 1 am sorry this negotiation has not yet been brought to a conclusion, but you may rely on its being concluded in a manner. consistent with the national dignity. " The necessity becomes every day more urgent for taking measures to improve our judicial institutions, co lonisation, commerce, the recruiting of the army, and organisation of the National Guard ; I therefore direct your attention to every one of these important objects, which require your utmost zeal and care. " It is highly gratifying for me to be able to assure you that the revenue of the state is already adequate to the ordinary expenditure, and I expect, from the measures adopted by my Government, that a surplus will shortly accrue, by means of which the national debt may be pro gressively reduced. " From the reports of my Ministers and Secretaries of State you will be made acquainted with the affairs of their respective departments. " Most Worthy and Honourable Representatives of the Nation, hitherto you have have been actuated by a com mon desire to contribute efficiently to the glory and pro sperity of the empire, and by a general wish to join in the efforts of my Government in promoting so patriotic an undertaking. I expect you will continue to be actu ated by the same motives. " The session is opened." CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. We have received intelligence from the Cape of Good Hope to the 7th of April, and from Ascension to the 28th of the same month. From the frontiers of the former the last news is, that Sir H. Pottinger and Sir George Berkeley were at Fort Peddie, Sic G. Berkeley preparing for a forward move. The mouth of the Buffalo River was to be converted into a port, and an officer of engineers had been appointed to trace out there a field work. A rumour was afloat that Pato (the most refractory of the Kafir chiefs) had tendered his sub mission, but that it could only be accepted on his uncon ditional surrender. bhould this take place the war is at an end. One wing of the 9th Light Infantry, under Lieut.-Colonel Slade, had arrived at Cape Town from the frontier; the remainder of the regiment, under Major Eld, was waiting the " turn of events," at Algoa Bay. FATAL ACCIDENT TO MR. J. RosE, THE BREWER. —On Saturday an inquest was held before Mr. Lewis, the coroner for Essex, at the Coach and Horses, Leyton stone, on the body of Mr. John Rose, the well-known ale brewer of Great Ilford, who was killed, by being thrown from his gig, under the following melancholy circumstances:—lt appeared from the evidence that on Thursday afternoon last the deceased, who had been out collecting his debts, was returning home along the Ley tonstene-road, driving his horse at a gentle pace, when, on passing a waggon laden with timber, the animal sud denly took fright, and started off at full gallop. The de ceased appeared to have lost all control both over him self and the horse; for, instead of trying to pull him in, the reins seemed to fall from his hands on to the animal's back. Unrestrained, the horse kept on for some dis tance, when, in tryin g t o avo id a cart, the wheel of the gig came in contact with a wall, and the deceased was pitched out on to his head, a boy who was with him at the time being unhurt. He was picked up in an in sensible state, and carried to a neighbouring public house. Several surgeons were in attendance upon him, but he never recovered his sensibility, and died on Friday. Verdict, " Accidental death." The deceased was possessed of considerable property, and was greatly respected. DEPARTURE OF THE FOREIGN MAILS.—The fol lowing notice was issued on Saturday at the General Post-office, St. Martin's-le-Grand:—" The next mails for the Mediterranean, Egypt, Aden, Ceylon, India Hong-Kong, and China, will be made up on the evening of the 24th inst., to be forwarded by the fortnightly, closed overland mail via Marseilles. Corunna, Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, on the evening of the 26th inst., via Southampton. Next packet due, the Iberia steamer, on the 26th. Madeira, West Indies, &c., the Avon steamer, due o n th e 22d inst. (to-morrow). Bermuda, British North America, and the United States, due at Liverpool on the 30th i ns t. b y the Hibernia steamer. Toe next mails , for Sydney, N ew South Wales, Australia, Van Diemen Land, and New Zealand, will be made up on the evening of the 30th, to be f orwar d e d by the Trafalgar from Gravesend, ' LITERATURE. - - BALLADS A.ND OTHER POEMS. By Mary Howitt. An elegant and beautiful volume in external ap pearance, this collection of fugitive poems by Mary Howitt is internally rich in elegant versification and beautiful imaginings. The poetical powers of Mrs. Howitt have long since been recognised and acknow ledged : she has reaped the harvest of appreciation, and the present book is printed as much for the gra tification of those with whom its contents have been for years a favourite enjoyment as for the pleasure of those who were before unacquainted with its ex cellences. The writer, in the prime and summer of her life, has already reached the autumn of her repu tation. She is read in the homesteads of England; and, sometimes, sung in the homesteads of England ; and we believe, in not a few places, loved in the homesteads of E ng l an d ; f or M ar y Howitt has the true inspiration. She has the inspiration of sim plicity—simplicity of eloquence in the selection of her language, and simplicity of sentiment in the pensive ness and pathos of her muse. Many of Mary Howitt's smaller poems are things to be got by heart and carolled in the green fields and the twilight. They are brimming with the pleasantest associations and sometimes with the holiest and sublimest thoughts. There are fragments of verse that might be transferred to these very columns from this very book now under consideration which our readers would treasure up in their memories, and which would continually blend with their after reveries. We have not the heart to pilfer thus feloniously all the rarest jewels from the casket in which they are so fittingly enshrined. We cannot venture to huckster in a merely barren catalogue all the dainty passages that charm as much from the felicitous appropriate ness of the context as from their own intrinsic beauty. We will not condense into a meaningless prism all the gorgeous colours of this.."". IS • • • gordian shape of dazzling hue Vermillion-spotted, golden, green an d blue; Striped like a zeb ra , f rec kl e d like a pitrdt Ey d edl iv eikerasityand xquis peacock, e andallitoeiscrimstf its barr'd. theln poetical dyes the book is assure dly Ilke as : and it is assuredly like that Ath en i an se rpenVfoo, in its less attractive charact er i s ti cs . Like- afinifst everything from Mary Howitt or her husbaa, it has the sting of egotism. But this merely the passant. We must make good our assurances as to the delicate charm which pervades the volume before us by one selection at least. Here is a song then—The Barley-Mowers' Song—picked out almost hap-hazard. Does it not breathe of the perfumed country, of the corn-flag and the bean-blossom ? Has it not the chinking music of the merry scythe ? " Barley-mowers here we stand, One, two, three, a steady band; True of heart and strong of limb, Ready in our harvest trim; All crow, with spirits blithe, Now we whet the bended scythe. Rink-a-tink, rink-a-tink, rink-a- tink -a- tink ! " Side by side now, bending low, Down the swaths of barley go; Stroke by stroke, as true as chime Of the bells we keep in time: Then we whet the ringing scythe, Standing 'mid the barley lithe. rink-a-tink, rink-a-tink-a-tink! " After labour cometh ease; Sitting now beneath the trees, Round we send the barley-wine, Life-infusing, clear and fine; Then refreshed, alert and blithe, Rise we all, and whet the scythe. Rink-a tink, rink-a-tink, rink-a-tink-a-tink! " Barley-mowers must be true, Keeping still the end in view; One with all, and all with one, Working on till set of sun; Bending all with spirits blithe, Whetting all at once the scythe. Rink-a-tink, rink- a- tink, rink-a-tink-a-tink! " Day and night, and night and day, Time, the mower, will not stay: We may hear him in our path By the falling barley-swath; While we sing with spirits blithe, We may hear his ringing scythe. Rink-a- tink, rink-a-tink, rink a-tink-a-tink! " Time, the mower, cuts down all, High and low, and great and small: Fear him not, for we will grow Ready like the field we mow; Like the bending barley lithe, Ready for Time's whetted scythe. Rink-a,-tink, rink-a-tink, rink-a-tink-a-tink!" With the refrain still ringing in our ears, " Rink-a link, rink-a-tink-a-tink I" we can hardly sober down to the dogged callousness of criticism. Perforce, however, we must ; and we are especially driven to the duty by the consciousness of the many blemishes and failings which mar the very many beau ties of these ballads and miscellaneous poems. En thusiasts we know there are about Mrs. Howitt, as a songstress, who will regard such an assertion as little short of high treason. Yet, despite their convic tions, we utter that opinion with all possible distinct ness. Numerous blemishes there are in the book, and conspicuous among them are the blemishes of pla giarism. We doubt not for a moment but that most, if not all of these plagiarisms are unintentional, but plagiarisms they still remain nevertheless. Opening the work at random, we will, as a testimony of our own correctness, enumerate several of the pas sages which are manifestly transcripts of former thoughts, or have been suggested by former fancies. In Dolores Maris for instance, Mary Howitt depicts a frozen crew on a vessel in the Northern Ocean, " And the men—each one is frozen there, In the place where he did stand : The oar he pulled, the rope he threw, Is frozen in his hand." Those who have ever read the " Ancient Mariner" will recognise a similarity in the whole ghastly pic ture ; such a picture as where Coleridge says— " I looked upon the rotting sea, And drew my eyes away ; I looked upon the rotting deck, And there the dead men lay.' But the resemblance becomes more visible as the piece proceeds— " An wr d h t e h r e e r e s ' e s l d m o a m ny Where unburied men with fl es hless li mbs, Are moving to and fro ; They people the cliffs, they people the caves, rock, shaiphaduontitl,ed go, desert A ghastly company," &c. So sings Mary Howitt; and thus had sung, many years before, Samuel Taylor Coleridge— " They groaned, they stirred, they all uprose , Nor spake, nor moved their eyes ; It had been strange even in a dream, To have seen these dead men rise. The mariners all 'gan work the ropes, Where they were wont to do ; They raised their limbs like lifeless tools— We were a ghastly crew," In the companion ballad, entitled Delicke Maris, Mrs. Howitt says— " And well I wot it must be so ; Man parteth evermore The miser treasures up the earth ; The sea has all its store." Evidently borrowing from the famous lines of Shaks pere— " •••--•••-• the ooze and bottom of the deep, With sunken wreck and sunless treasury." When speaking of the Isles of the Sea Fairies, and singing— I dwelt in a hall of silvery pearl, With rainbow-light inlaid; I sate on a throne, old as the sea, Of the ruby coral made. The old carbuncle lit the dome, Where I was made a king; The crown was wrought of pale sea-gold, So was my fairy ring." Mrs. Howitt clearly has caught her inspiration from ' the deep sea revelations of Tennyson, where he chaunts in a kind of syren melody— " Who would be A mermaid fair, Singing alone, Under the sea Combing her hair In a golden curl, with a comb of pearl, On a throne?" e with the Nautilus, again, there is in the palpable pla g i ar i sm f rom t h e el fi n cr i es o f "Midsum mer Ni g h t ' s D ream ;" wh il e in the eighth verse , when speaking of .6 Th e charmed isle o f th e S even Kings, 'Tis a pl ace o f wondrous spell, " she evidently bears in recollection Sh e ll ey ' s fifth fitthtahn verse e i a V i o n y the g little lawnny islet, By anemone and vi'let, Like mosaic paver." Further on in the same poem is a monstrous plagi arism from Goethe, which we think Mrs. Howitt might really have had the delicacy to acknowledge. It is taken from the opening scene of Faust, and paraphrases one of the most exquisite and majestic phantasies of the great German minstrel, as thus — And on we went for seven days, Seven days without a night • We followed the sun still on and on, In the glow of his setting light. Down and down went the setting sun, And down and down went we ; 'Twas a splendid sail for seven days On a smooth descending sea." Within our memory we cannot call to mind a more flagrant robbery than this one from Goethe. It is beyond all exeusc or palliation, especially as Mrs. Howitt shows that she lacks not originality, as where she exclaims— " I t gladdeneth much my very soul The smallest ship to see, For I know where'er a sail is spread God speakett audibly." As a final example of the author's plagiarism, we may mention that " John Anderson" peeps out through the entire of the " Lyric of Life" called True Love, beginni,ng— , There are furrows on th y b row, wife, Thy hair is thin and grey, " &o. Among the extravagances of ide a , or , per h a p s , we should more strictly say of expression, in the miscella neous poems of Mary Howitt, there is a passage in the last of these same " Lyrics of Life" where the writer speaks of birds shouting welcomes from the leafy dingles ! Occasionally, too, her rhyming is execrable, as in the second couplet of Carlovan— " No wealth had he, Young Carlovan, save his father's book of prayer, And the golden ring of little worth which his dead mother ware." Despite these blemishes, however, the volume is beau tiful, overflowing with dainties, and filled with melo dious poetry. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. THE LATEST BETTING AT NEWCASTLE. NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE. 3 to 1 agst Dawson's lot—t. 12 to 1 agst Eryx—taken 5 to 1 agst Conspiracy—t. 14 to 1 agst Tom Tough—t. 7 to 1 agst Conjuror—taken 14 to 1 agst Inheritress—off. 10 to 1 agst Blackbird—A. 20 to 1 agst Geo. Hudson—t. 10 to 1 agst Best of Three—t. 25 to 1 agst Pilgrim—offered 10 to 1 agst Executor—taken 33 to 1 agst Wyvern—offered 10 to 1 agst Morpeth—taken .50 to 1 agst Dictator—taken COURT CIRCULAR. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Co lonel Bouverie, left Buckingham Palace at a quarter before eight o'clock on Saturday morning, for the ter minus of the London and South Western Railway at Nine Elms. The Prince was met at the terminus by their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar, attended by their suite. The illustrious party left for Gosport by a spe cial train, arrived at the Clarence Yard at half-past ten o'clock, and were received by Admiral Sir Charles Ogle and Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, and crossed to the Isle of Wight in the Fairy, commanded by Lord Adol phus Fizclarence. On landing, Prince Albert and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess proceeded to Osborne, her Majesty's marine residence. The Queen, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, and at tended by the Marchioness of Douro, left Buckingham Palace, in an open carriage and four, at ten minutes past three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, for Claremont. Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice, Baroness de Speth, Major-General Bowles, Lord Alfred Paget, and Dr. Meyer, followed in three carriages and four. Her Majesty was conducted to her carriage by Lady Caroline Cocks, Hon. Miss Paget, the Duke of Norfolk, and Lord George Lennox. The Queen and the Royal party arrived at Claremont at twenty minutes before five o'clock, escorted by a party of Light Dragoons. Her Majesty walked in Claremont Park after her arrival. The Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay arrived at Claremont in the afternoon on a visit to the Queen. His Royal Highness Prince Albert arrived at the Esher station of the South Western Railway by a special train at seven o'clock on his return from Osborne, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar and Suite, and attended by Colonel Bourerie, and proceeded to Claremont. Yesterday morning her Majesty and her Royal Consort took their accustomed early walk. The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, took airings yesterday in Claremont Park. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, and the ladies and gentlemen of the Court, attended Divine service yester day in Claremont. The Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay officiated. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and the Prin cess Helena, accompanied by the Dowager Lady Lyttel ton, took airings yesterday and on Saturday in the pleasure grounds of Buckingham Palace. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Princess Mary, attended Di vine service yesterday morning in Grosvenor Chapel. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, attended by Baroness Hammerstein and Baron Knesebeck, honoured the performance at the Royal Italian Opera House with their presence on Sa turday evening. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday afternoon at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lans downe, the Earl of Minto, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Earl of Clarendon, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Campbell, Viscount Morpeth, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Right Hon. T. B. Macaulay, and the Right Hon. H. Labouchere. The Council sat two hours. Mr. Mostyn, bad an interview with Sir George Grey on Saturday at the Home Office. Mr. Sutherland, Mr. Swift, and Mr. Weems had an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Strutt on Sa turday, at the office of the Commissioners of Railways, in Great George•street. The Duke of Wellington, the Duke and Duchess of St. Alban's, and Sir Frederick Trench attended the early service yesterday in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Rev. Dr. Wesley officiated, and preached the ser mon. At the daily service the Prayers were read by the Rev. T. Helmore, the Lessons by the Rev. W. Hall, and the Communion Service by the Rev. Dr. Wesley. The Sermon was preached by the Hon. and Rev. R. Sack villo West. The Anthem was "We will rejoice" (Croft). Sir George Smart presided at the organ. THE NAVIGATION LAWS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. have noticed in The Sun of Tuesday last, the 15th inst., in your report of the evidence given before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Navigation Laws, on Thursday, the 10th inst., that Mr. G. F. Young, when under examination, referred to two instances in which he alleged that I had been incorrect in the evidence I gave before the Committee in March last, may I request your permission to make a few re marks thereon through the medium of your columns. Mr. Young is reported to have said that " It was quite impossible that he could agree with the evidence for merly given before the Committee, by Mr. Browning, that the combination of shipwrights, in the river Thames, had enhanced the price of ships, by several pounds a ton. The total cost of labour did not, under any circum stances, exceed 41. per ton ; and he thought 21. 10s. per ton was a fair average price ; so that to talk of the com bination as enhancing the price of ships by several pounds, was perfectly absurd. With regard to another part of Mr. Browning's evidence, in which he stated that foreign vessels paid no light dues, while British ships were subject to the tax, it was most extraordinary to him that any gentle man, who knew anything of the laws of the country, could come to such a conclusion, because it was per fectly well known, that not only were all foreign ships chargeable with light-dues, but that, in accordance with the old laws, the ships of many countries were still sub ject to double dues, which, in some instances, were paid ont of the Consolidated Fund." With reference to Mr. Young's first counter state- I ment that he thought that 21. 10s. per ton was a fair average price for labour in building a ship in the Thames, under the influence of close combination, I think that few persons will be found to agree with him: I have been unable to discover one. The late Mr. Somes (who was one of the best authorities in such matters) stated in evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Commons, OR British shipping, in 1844 (in reply to question 358), relative to river .built ships, that the labour altogether per ton was from Si. to 61., and again (in answer to question 363) he stated that the difference between London labour and that of the outports was from 21. to 2/. 10s.: this amount being merely the difference of combination in London, and combination in the outports, he again states (in reply to question 351) that the London Union compels the employment of inferior men at 6s. per day, who are not worth 10d. per day ; and (to questions 341 and 342) that a prime teak ship built at Sunderland will cost him, ready for sea, Si. per ton less than a teak ship he was then building in the Thames, and that he was informed the Sunderland-built ship would be «far superior." Now, if the direct difference be from 2/. to 2/, lOs. per ton under the effects of combination, the total of the direct and indirect enhancement arising from com bination, will be found to be what I estimated it at. Then, with regard to the question of light dues. I may state that a very different LIGHT has been thrown upon this subject to that which was meant. Every one, I believe, hnows that foreign ships with cargo TO ENG- Lisu PORTS pay our light dues ; but surely Mr. Young must also know that foreign ships COMING AND GOING FOREIGN use our lights WITHOUT CONTRIBUTING TO WARDS THEM ; they may anchor in our harbours from stress of weather, without paying them ; innumerable foreign ships, GOING FOREIGN, take foreign pilots off Dungeness, &c., for Rotterdam, the Texel, &c., &c., all profiting by our lights without payment. We are excluded from the international trade of Holland, Bel gium, and the north of Europe, with the United . States. There may be commodities which a r e i n d eman d in the United States, procurable both in London and Hamburgh at the same price; and presuming that the distance, freight, loading, charges, and insurance, are the same between them respectively and a p or t i n th e United States, the fact of the foreign vessel trading from Hamburgh being able to profit by the English lights without payment, which a similar vessel trading to London is obliged to pay, is pro tanto, a bounty to foreign shipping, foreign warehousing, and fo reign trade, to the exclusion of our own. I am aware that many other instances could be cited to show that our light dues act prejudicially to British trade and navigation. I therefore considered it necessary to enumerate this minor advantage (the last in the category of those I deemed of great e r magnitude), as deserving the attention of the Committee ; my opi nion being that all ships bringing cargoes to British ports sheuld only bo charged their fair proportion of the actual expense of maintaining those lights, and that the whole system of lights urgently needed a searching in quiry and revision. I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your most obedient servant, SAMUEL BROWNING. No. 4, New Bank -buildings, City, June 18, 1847. The Queen of Portugal has written a letter with her own hand to the Duke of Palmella, in the most gracious manner commanding his return to Lisbon, and his resumption of the position which he had so long and so deservedly held in the Councils of her Majesty before he was displaced and banished by the factious and cor rupt proceedings which have brought so much trouble and calamity upon Portugal. The Duke of Palmella has been long the devoted friend of constitutional freedom, for which he struggled and risked everything in the contest between the friends of the Queen and the pretensions of Don Miguel, to whose usurpation and despotic rule he was the foremost and most consistent ene my. The renal of such a man, in a manner so gracious and so honourable, is a good omen for the cause of con stitutional freedom in Portugal, and affords one of the best evidences that can be given of the intentions of the Queen and her present advisers to persevere in a course of national and constitutional government.— Oblerver, CALED ONIAN S OCIETY, On Friday, the :18th of June (a c, l ,4ty well known Sind' cherished as the sun iversary of the glori,7oB victory work by the troops under the command of Wenigton), thin society held their ant ual festival at the Londoi2 Tavern; Robert Hepburn, E s ch •the Presid en t, i n the chair; sup ported by B. Bond Llabbell, Esq., M.P., and Captain Charles Forbes, and John Boucher, Esq., the Vice-Pre sident, acted as crottpi(.r, supported by Captain Allen and Captain Middleton, 3'lr. Rose, Mr. Hastie, Mr. Burnie. Mr. Low, Mr. Ross, Marsden, Captain Kerett, Cap tain Brett, Dr. Bury. In addition to these we observed among those present: Mr. George Bain (tbe Hon. Secre tary of the Highland Society), Mr. Hector Rose, Rev. Mr. Fisher, Rev. Redpath, Professor Cull, Mr. J. Murray, Mr. Mouatt, Mr. Wylie, Mr, Gray, Mr. Pater son, Mr. M'Lure, and other staunch friends and sup porters of the society. At seven o'cluck the President, accomponied by the members and the dicers of the society, dressed in their costume, preceied by her Majesty's piper, and the juve nile band of the Caledo,nian Asylum, playing "Highland Laddie," entered We roC'w, whien W* elegantly fitted up for the occasion, and taotefully denials-4 with shields and spears, bearing various armor ial bturingz'y 0 , 4 art pery being of clan tartan. The' side tabtes , were ernrt mented with vases of beautiful &t ors of evay descrip tion, among which appeared more prominent above the: rest the emblems of the three countries. The galleries were filled with elegantly dressed ladies. Altogether the hall had a most splendid appearance. About 00 gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner, which was placed on the table in Messrs. Bathe and Breach's best style, the fare being of the best and choicest, especially their "haggis," to which full justice was done. Mr. Guiness conducted a band of excellent performers, who played during the evening selections of Scottish music. The cloth having been withdrawn, and grace said, The PRESIDENT proposed the " Health of her Majesty the Queen and her Royal Consort,"--drank with all the honours. Air—The National Anthem—band. The next toast was, " The Prince of Wales, Lord of the Isle,"—drank with Higland h onours . The next was the " Queen Dowager and the rest of the Royal Family." " The Army and Navy" followed, Captain Allen re turning thanks for the former, and Captain Smith for the latter. The CHAIRMAN again rose, and said—Having now, like leal and true subjects, faithfully done our duty to our Queen and country, I think we may draw nearer home, and begin the evening in the " guid auld " Scot tish style, and previous to proposing the next toast, allow me to say that I am delighted to have the pleasure of meeting the members of the Caledonian Society once more, I am delighted to have the honour of finding my self surrounded by so many gentlemen distinguished not less for talents, position, and attainments, than for their philanthropy and benevolence, and who are warm supporters of Scottish charitable institutions, and amongst them I am glad to see so many English and Irish friends, who, I hope, will find an excuse for Scotch nationality at a Scottish festival; and, gentlemen, I am still more delighted to see so many of our fair friends around us. I have great pleasure in congratulating you on the present aspect of our society, and I do so with sincerity, because I have narrowly watched its steady progress. I have seen that its objects and interests are duly appreciated, and that all your laudable endeavours to keep alive the national chair teristics of your country and y our e ff or t s to promote charitable objects have been truly successful. The strongest of our peculiarities is our love of coun try, and is it not a country worth loving? Is it not famous for its mode of edu ca ti on , and its diffusion of re ligiousinstruction, famous for its pro mo ti on o f all the liberal arts and sciences, famous for its encouragement to agriculture, and industry in its thousand different forms, famous for its conservation of patriotic princi ples,--are these not the best criterion of its national strength and security? Who is there that would not love his country, under whatever circumstances it may be placed. What can be more ennobling than a love of the land of our birth—the land of our childhood—the land of our fathers—yes, dear to us is the land of mountain and of flood, with all her wild and romantic scenery, dear to us is her heather clad hills and the music of her:cataracts, dear to us her rocky peaks, where many a time and oft the blue banner has waved, upheld by the song of freedom, dear to us the recollection of the patriotic deeds of our ancestors, when in trouble some times they were called upon to support the cause of conscience and of liberty, and dearer still to us that lovely little spot in the bright green valley, beneath which slumbers in death the ashes of our fathers. On that turf I have seen the fallen tears glistening like dewdrops, while the fervent wish has been that our dust might mingle with kindred dust. We have loved our country from our birth—we will love it till our death ; and I know of no better means by which this feeling may be kept alive than through the instrumen tality of such a society as this. lam sure, gentlemen, we can all join in the feeling expressed by the bard of Caledonia— " 0 Scotia, my dear, my native soil, For whom my warmest wish to Heaven is sent," &c. I will, therefore, with your permission, propose a bumper to the toast, which is " The Caledonian Society." The CHAIRMAN begged of the company to accept the next toast he was about to propose, and when he said that it was "Prosperity to the Scottish institutions in London," he was sure that their claims were such as demanded a hearty reception ; and he would beg to attach the name of Charles Forbes to the same. Received with immense cheering and Highland honours, the juvenile pipers marching round the room, playing piobaireachd " Dhonnuil Du." Captain CHARLES FORZES returned tbanks for the cordial feeling of good-will which those present had expressed towards the Caledonian Asylum. It was among the most valuable of their institutions , its object being to provide for the offspring of those who devoted their best days in the service of their country.— (Cheers.) It was the especial aim of the managers of the asylum to provide for the education and maintenance of the children of soldiers and sailors, at the same time taking care that they were trained in such a manner as that they should inherit the national virtue of their country. Therefore it was that he said that it was one of their most valuable institutions, and he would repeat that he knew of none possessing so many and so peculiarly interesting claims to the notice of Scotchmen as the Royal Caledonian Asylum.—(Cheers.) He re gretted that the duty of thanking them for the sympathy they evinced in the institution had not fallen into abler hands, but he would say that he felt more than ordinary pleasure in expressing his humble but fervent thanks to this society for their valuable support to the parent institution, and to the company for the flattering recep tion they gave the toast. Mr. MACKIE briefly returned thanks for the Royal Highland School Society. Song—" Charlie is my darling"—Miss Birch. The Vice-President, Mr. BOUCHER, rose to propose the toast placed in his hands, which required very little introduction, as it was sure to meet with a warm recep tion. On former occasions it was their habit to make three distinct toasts, " The Land we live in," " The Land of the Shamrock," and the " Land o' Cakes," but on this occasion he was requested to join these in one, and propose as a toast, " The Rose, the Thistle, and the Shamrock." The feeling which directed this change he considered a good one, for, on occasions such as these, we experience a thrilling feeling of joy on recalling to our memory the endearing image of our native land, and the scenes in which our infancy was passed; for it matters not where the Caledonian wanders, neither time nor dis tance, prosperity or adversity, can efface the love for his country. But, though the amor patria is a charac tertistic feature in him, it has its effect more or less on the natives of other countries, for cold indeed must the heart of the Englishman or Irishman be who could look down from his native hills upon the splendid and varied pictures presented to his view, without being ready to exclaim with the immortal Scott— "Breathes there a man with soul so dead Who never to himself bath said— This is my own—my native land." He was proud to see among them so many gentlemen of both countries; and with the emblems of their coun tries on the tables, he would call upon their repre sentatives to join him in pledging a bumper to the" Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock." Mr. WyLiE, in a very clever speech, proposed the " Health of Benjamin Bond Cabbell, Esq., M.P.," allud ing to this gentleman's well-known benevolence and un bounded liberality, and, in the name of the members of the society, thanked him for his politeness and courtesy in honouring them with his company on that occasion. Mr. CABBELL, in returning thanks, remarked that, although unexpectedly called upon to address the com pany, yet he felt no difficulty in doing so, inasmuch that his knowledge of the Scottish character, for a period ex tending over forty years, gave him confidence that they would lend him their indulgence. He also was asso ciated with Scottish institutions, and it gave him infinite pleasure to be able to say that the esteem and respect in which he first held them continued to this day. He was happy in being allowed the pleasure of being pre sent among them that evening, and begged them to accept of hiscordial thanks for their kindness. The VICE-PRESIDENT proposed the next toast, "The Pipe and the Banner," which reminded him of the days when Highlanders stood shoulder to shoulder in many a deadly breach, and gathered on the field the priv , of unquestioned gallantry. But it was not to those san guinary times that he wished to call their attention ; it was to the band committee of the Caledonian Asylum, of which their gallant and highly-respected friend Captain Lamont was chairman. They had Much to admire in the character of that man, who had spent the summer of his life in the service of his king and country, and now devotes his autumn to the protection of the orphans o f those who have fallen in defence of their country's rights. The youthful pipers who afforded them so much satisfaction that evening were part of a band lately established at the Caledonian Asylum by Captain La mont, Captain Forbes, Mr. Rose, Mr. Bain, and other warm friends of the present institution. He much re gretted the absence of the chairman of the committee, but he would take the liberty of introducing the name of Hector Rose, Esq., in connexion with the pipes, so warmly patronised by those gentlemen, and the banners, under which Soule of them had served. Mr. ROSE thanked the members of the society and their friends for their kindness and th® expression of approval of their band they were pleased to make. He also regretted the absence of his Gallant Friend, who was MOM able to thank them than himself, and it was always a source of satisfaction to his friends and himself when they found that their efforts in this cause gave such approbation. Mari); other suitable toats followed or less interest. Miss Birch and her sister delighted the company during th e even i ng w i th ballads, chiefly Scottish, indeed the society are under deep obligations to this talented lady for her exertions to entertain, and the willing re sponse she gave to the encores of the company. She sang the song of " Auld Robin Gray " Birch also executed any thing we am heard, and Miss E. 131 superior to her songs very tastefully. Highland reels were das cod by some of the gentlemen present. The entertainum uts throughout the evening were most agreeable an'd pt ea sant, and the arrangements reflect great credit .'m the committee of management. Mr. Higgs acted as toastmaster, and discharged his c 'Utica very efficiently. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. COVENT GARDEN. Verdi's opera, Due Foscari, was produced here on Saturday evening, wish the following cast : The Doge Foscari Jacopo Foscari Loredano Lucretia The great feature of the performance was the Lucretia , of Grisi. It was superb. Verdi has, in this part, most unmercifully taxed the human voice by pitting it spinet drums, trumpets, ophecleide s , and trombones. Grisi, however, was m or e t h an equal to the occasion. In her opening scena, however, she gave a new reading to the part, of which, although very effective in itself, we rather doubt the correctness. The scene is that in which she enters, hurriedly followed by her maidens, who endeavour to prevent her seeking the Doge. This sceua ends with an address to the Deity. "Tu al cui sguardo onnipotensi." This is given by Grisi rather as a remonstrance against the injustice of Heaven than as a prayer. Her energy and power were terrific, and deservedly elicited rapturous applause ; but we doubt whether the submissive rendering of this pas az,,ge as a preghiera is not the more correct one, and also the more artistic, as being almost the only passage in the character in which the artiste can exhibit repose, it be ings out in strong relief, by contrast, the impels gonei passages by which it is preceded and followed. Her ccting throughout was magnificent, an d h er de scription of the death of Jacopo, in the last act, "Pie non vv was a superb piece of voc a li za ti on . Marioi'seJjac'inilcee Jacopo was and elegant exceedingly. His singing was exquisitely beautiful, and his Acting better than we have ever seen it. In the first tact he introduced the beautiful " Ah lo sento," which was written expressly for him - by Verdi, and which was heard on Saturday for the first time in this country. It is so peculiarly suited to Mario's beautifully flexible voice, and so adapted for exhibiting its peculiar beau ties, that it is par excellence his, He will be a bold man who shall attempt to sing it while Mario is on the stage. Ronconi's Doge was exceedingly - fine, both as a piece of acting and a piece_ of vocalization. The chorusses were superbly given. The principal artists were called for repeatedly during the course of the performance,, and also at the conclusion. The theatre was crowded. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—Referring to a report which has appeared i'n the Liverpool papers, and copied into your impression o f the 19th, of the inquest at Wolverton, I am desired b: r the Directors to say that they have caused inquiries t o be made relative to the statement that the " bodies of " the deceased had been plundered of moneys in their pc saes sion," and that they can find no ground for the a sser tion. No complaint has been made to them, which un doubtedly would have been the case had so disgm an occurreence taken place, except in one instance, w here it was alleged that one of the deceased had 7Z ise his possession ; and on a careful examination of his person, the amount was found in his side pocket. The Di rectors cannot learn that any " of the officers of the Company" gave any opinion in relation to the anticipated ea - .pense of the accident. By inserting this note in your. next publication, you will oblige Sir, your obedient serve nt, MARK HMS a THE ENGLISH DRAMA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sia,—l presume something will be done next sea sort to restore the falling fortunes of the British stage; and, that something must be done by some active, enterprising, right-judging manager. We want in London all the talent we can get together: otherwise we never shall have any play perfectly represented: and no one will go to see "a lame and impotent" performance maimed and halting on the stage, for want of proper support. I commend to any manager who intends to conduct an English theatre next year the following names : Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean ... in America, I believe. Mr. and Miss Vandenhoff, disengaged in London. Miss IL Faucit ... ditto. Mr. Anderson Mr. J. Walla,ek ... ... in America. ... ... ditto. Mr. Geo. Vandenhoff ... ditto, or if at home, dis engaged, though the Ame rican papers speak most highly of his talents. These, with others who might be mentioned, would give some stamina to a theatre, and ensure its plays being well cast ; for it is a certain fact that an English audience will no longer be humbugged with the whole of a tragedy or comedy lying on the shoulders of one or two persons. It is not so at the opera-houses, and why should it be so at the national theatres?—l am, Sir, &c., DRAMATICUS. Lincoln's Inn-fields, June 15, 1847. THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE BOROUGH. The names of the sufferers by the fall of the railway bridge over Great Russell-street, on Friday, have been ascertained to be— Frederick Messenger, age about 60, leather dresser, living at 60, Parish-street, Horselydown ; and Mrs. Tiaisleton, wife of a supervisor of Excise (Bris tol),residing temporarily at 31, Bridgehouse-place, New ington-causeway. The former, it appears, has three sisters, who were dependent upon his labour for their support, and the lat ter has left a family of daughters. Upon inspecting the ruins, notice could not but be taken of the very loose manner in which the work of this viaduct appears to have been constructed. The whole of the crown of the arch, which is thirty-two feet wide, oblique measurement, and twenty-five feet wide, direct span, had fallen in. The arch gives evidence, in its broken state, of having been built substantially for four bricks in thickness, and the side spandrils imme diately above the abutments appear solid ; but the re maining part of the level of the intended permanent way exhibits one mass of confused brick work, into the inter stices of which nothing more than a quantity of " con crete," seems to have been poured, but little regard having been paid to the solidity of the masonry, which, of course, was intended for the we ar , t ear , an d constant vibration of railway transit. The arc h h as b een b u i lt but a very short time, the mortar being still wet, nor was it in any way braced to the main line to s t rengthen it, or add to its permanent stability. Almost as soon as the bricks were thrown over the curve, and bef ore t h e as . phalte way on the crown was laid, preparation for the removal of the " centres" was made, and the consequence of this ill-advised haste appears to be the fall of the arch, and the loss of life we have now to place upon record. An insecurity of this very portion of the works, we are told, was spoken of by a professional gentleman but a few minutes before the accident, he having noticed the bulging of the walls. The two lads supposed to have been lost have been discovered by their parents. NEW ZEALAND WHEAT.—There was exhibited at the Exchange news room, Liverpool, on Tuesday, a cereal production that has astonished some of our agri culturists, consisting of a sample of two stalks •f New Zealand wheat in full ear. They were grown on the Farnworth estate, near Runcorn, by William Jeffrey Lochett, Esq., of Liverpool, and are nearly four feet ten inches in the stalk and seven inches in the ear. They are the first, we believe, raised in this country. The seed was imported into Liverpool last October, and in proof of its productiveness, we may mention that there will be, on a fair average, twenty-five stems to each seed. The field whence they,were taken has a beautiful appearance. HARVEST PROSPECTS.—After a very long and severe winter, and one the coldest and latest springs in memory of most men, which very much retarded vege tation, we have had some very warm and growing weather, which pushed on for a short time vegetation in a most rapid and luxuriant manner, but the long con tinuance of warm dry weather, and the rapid progress made in the growth of all growing crops, has caused them to run light and spindly, and it is not unlikely that on dry light lands the wheat crop will prove short in the straw, and a light crop. The barley and oats have suffered from the same cause, and will certainly be short in the straw, and on all dry gravels and chalks, decidedly a light crop. In some warm lands the bar ley and oats look as if they were scorched or burnt. The potatoes are looking extremely healthy and sound in the leaf ; but on examining some unsound potatoes planted for experiment, which came up well and looke healthy and sound in the leaf, on close inspection the tubers will be found of a brown colour next the old set, which in all cases is quite rotten. These discoloured tubers are evidently diseased, and the disease running. i up bay th e e fo s u t n a d lk t s h , es fr a o m m e e t p h p e ea c r o a n n n ee ezi b o n n i t w s n . i L a h m o t i h n ld e e e r x o l a m f d o r m s i e n t :, i i n n g so so lle e tß ea b r e l r in ys potatoesgrowg from n one sound of m y s l te abourer's gardens , I found them quite sound. and healthy young potatoes formed. I prey God this calamity may cease, but from appearances, as far as I can judge, I much fear it. The beans have suffered much for want of rain, and many' people complain of the green lice amongst the peas.— The Rev. G. N. Bowers, rector of St. Paul's, Covent-garden, will be the new Dean of Manchester. Dr. Bowers has attended with great care and zeal to the duties of the very important metropolitan parish of St. Paul's where he is deservedly held in high estimation. He is a ripe scholar, and a most amiable man, and has always attended to the wants of his parishioners with zeal, and care, and assiduity.— Observer. DEATH OF LIEUT.-COLONE L SIR G. T. TEMPLZ BART.—We have to announce the decease of the above Baronet, who died rather suddenly on the 7th inst., at fatemnilyn2hse:siiii'e d in 1057 Constance, in Switzerland. The deceased was son of the eighth baronet, by his first wife, daughter of George I Watson, Esq., of the United States. He was born in I 1799 , and in 1829 he married a daughter of George to be b t e he army in Bering, c4reni E e sq. formerly lie served succeeded in his tb e father sth. A n iu l s B s a2r9s. and descendedd Novemberattained th , e lB r 4 a . k o l f b from Leofric, Earl of Chester, . A ccoun t s have been re ceived of the arrival of Lord Howden at Bahia, o n the Ist May, en route to Monte Video C A o y a r o e t s. Wa l le o N r v d sli t w M de o n n t i e s Video. The the F r c an The tenth anniversa r y of t h e accession of her Ma jesty was celebrated ye s t erd ay , the usual roy al salute VII Envoy,ucno having been fired at tti Tower and in the Park, and the royal standard displayed, &c. ii nn hi i s s recent al of Fs 'cnds signe r of.Fo ity with ain Distress; and a l so t o resent -" rie p tion of 20/, THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVEN ING, JUNE 21, 1847 4 , i v.