The Press.
London, England, 1858-09-25 00:00:00

fflttrapolitan.

A MEETING OF SCIENTIFIC AND NAVAL GENTLE-
MEN was held at the offices of Mr. Wm. Rowett, of
Leadenhall, to inspect a specimen of hemp cable
which he has invented for deep-sea telegraphs, and
which he contends is free from the objections that
an iron cable is open to. He argues that, in the
first place, a hemp cable could be payed out with the
utmost ease, and would not be liable to accident
from straining; because the hemp would give with
the strain, while the strain would be confined to the
cable itself, and would not extend to the electric
wire which it contained. Moreover, when the strain
or pressure ceased, a hemp cable would compress or
contract itself, whereas when once an iron cable has
been twisted or expanded, it never returns to its
former condition. Besides, iron is far more liable to
corrupt influences than hemp while submerged ; in•
deed, experience proves that sea-water preserves
roping where it corrodes or destroys metal, and that
circumstance affords another strong reason for pre-
ferring hemp to iron in laying down deep-sea tele-
graphs. The sample produced weighs about half a
ton to the mile, and in paying out, the strain upon it
would be at the rate of 25 lbs. to the mile ; but Mr.
Rowett explained that both the weight and specific
gravity could be increased to any extent -another
advantage which hemp has over iron. It could be
so made as to require a day or a week to sink it, and
eminent scientific authorities are of opinion that the
Atlantic telegraph can only succeed with the aid of
a cable so light and flexible that it will require some
considerable time to elapse before it finds its level.
An objection was raised that a hemp cable would be
liable to perish from the influence of the water; but
Mr. Rowett anticipates that eventuality by submitting
his cable to a mineral preparation that enters into
chemical combination with the fibres of the hemp,
and renders it nermanently impervious to the actions
of animalcules or other perishable influences. It
has, moreover, the strong recommendation of
economy. It could he laid down for 861. per mile,
and foul weather would not impede its progress.
Mr. Rowett expresses his willingness to lay down a
cable to Newfoundland within four months from the
present time, and to sink it without any assistance
from Government or any foreign State.
THE SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH has now been ex-
tended to the Foreign-office. The connection was
completed on Friday evening week, and messages
will now be received direct by the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs from the various British embas-
sies throughout Europe, and vice-versa. The Secre-
tary for India will also receive his despatches from
the Governor-General at the India-house direct, a

connection with that department being about to be
established.

THE SHERIFFS ELECT will be presented, according
to immemorial custom, to the Barons of the Exche-
quer on Thursday, the 30th instant, when Mr. Baron
Watson will preside. The state procession will, as
last year, proceed to Westminster by land, leaving
the Mansion-house about one o'clock. In the eve-
ning the sheriffs will give their inauguration dinner
at Tallow Chandlers'-hall, Dowgate-hill, to which a
distinguished and numerous party of guests have
been invited.

ST. MerraEw's DAY AT CHRIST'S HOSPITAL WM duly
celebrated, according to annual custom, on Tuesday.

A

920

In the morning the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress,
aldermen, sheriffs, under sheriffs, and governors of
the several royal hospitals, proceeded in state from
the Nlansion•honse and attended Divine service at
Christ Church, Newgate-street, when a most eloquent
sermon was preached by the Rev. G. E. Pattenden,
head master of Boston school, and formerly one of
the Grecians of the hospital. After service they
repaired to the great hall in Christ's Hospital, which
was crowded with visitors. As soon as they had
taken their seats, the four senior Grecians who are
about to leave the institution for the universities, and
the senior scholars, proceeded to the delivery of their
orations according to the following programme :
Prllogue: Theophilus Mitchell. first Grecian ; who is
proceeding to Magdalen Hall, Oxford—Greek Oration on
the benefits of the Royal Hospitals : Albert Men Rogers,
fourth Grecian ; who is proceeding to Christ's College,
Cambridge—English Oration, on the same subject :
Francis Aldfred Hanbury, second Grecian ; mathematical
medallist, 1858 ; who is proceeding to Queen's College,
Cambridge—Latin Oration, on the saint subject : Alfred
Tucker, third Grecian ; Classical Medallist, 1858 ; who is
proceeding to Magdalene College, Catnhridge—Greek
lambics, Translation from Macbeth : Henry Charles
Bowker, fifth Grecian ; Mathematical Medallist, 1857 ;
Pitt Club Scholar, 1858; who is proceeding to Emmanuel
College, Cambridge—Latin Hexameters, " 'ter ad Meccain
Religtonis Causa Institutum," Richards' Prize Compo-
sition : Mortimer Sloper Howell, sixth Grocian—Latin
Alcaics, translation from " The Prophecy of Capys "
Albert Henry Allen Poulton, seventh Grecian—Greek
Sapphics, Translation of " Hohenlinden "—Mortimer
Sloper Howell, sixth Grecian—English Poem," Luckuow":
Albert Henry Allen Poulton, seventh Grecian.
The style in which the various orations, Sze., were
delivered drew forth the most hearty applause from
the numerous assemblage. A collection in aid of the
Grecians at the universities was then made, the
National Anthem was sung, and the Lord Mayor and
corporation, as well as the other visitors, retired.
THE SUCCESSFUL ASCENT of one of the four quarter
bells destined for the Great Clock Tower of the New
Palace of Westminster has been accomplished, and
the others, including the large one, are expected in
the course of a fortnight. The whole of the vast
arrangements have been made under the entire
direction of Mr. Quarm, the able Clerk of the
Works to the Palace, and it is to be hoped his
labours will be crowned with the success they
deserve.