The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-02-04 00:00:00

NEW SOUTH WALES.

We have been favoured with a few late Sydney Papers.
They contain, however, little of interest to the English
reader. The Sydney Gazette of the 14th of August has
the following notice of the proceedings of the Colonial
Bible Society :
Synxmv. Aro. 14.
This week we have only just time to notice, that the seventh
anniversary of the Colonial Bible Society was held yesterday in the
Church of St. Philip. His Excellency the Patron (Sir Thomas
Brisbane, E.T.D.), accompanied by Major Goulbum, Colonial
Secretary, honoured the Meeting with his presence; as did also the
Hon. the Judge of the Supreme Court (Mr. Justice Field), one of
the Viet-Presidents. Several of the Clergy and Missionaries were
present, via. the Rev. Messrs. Cowper, Hill, Fulton, Hassan,
Lang, Carton°, and Walker; together with a pretty fair assem-
bler of ladies, as well as many of the most respectable inhabitants
in Sydney. The Report was read by the Rev. Secretary, and or-
dered, as usual, to be printed. Major Goulburn was unanimously
elected to the office of President of the Institution, in the room of
his Honour Lieutenant-Governor Erskine, who has proceeded to
England; and Win. Wemyss, Esq. Deputy Commissa-s -General,
was chosen to be one,of the Vice-Presidents- The Society is far
hots Wog Irra railiegfellbsg sestasaaskis likely to become gradu-
ally more prosperous fiat eVet. We are happy to add that his
Excellency was pleased is manifest tokens of real satisfaction at
the establishment of this noble Institution—an Institution that is
calculated to assist ifi diffusing religion and morality throughout
the most remote and unenlightened regions of the earth. The first
excepted, this Meeting was allowed to be one of the most lively,
attractive, and profitable, that has been witnessed. " Thus we hope
to pamper."
A CLEVER THIEF.
srnstmv. Aura. 13.
Very likely many of our readers may not be aware as to the num-
ber of ribs in a bullock ; it has been ascertained to be thirteen on
I each side, io all twenty-six, for which information the ignorant are
indebted to the praiseworthy zeal of Mr. Charles Tompson. On
' Saturday last Mr. Tampion had occasion to cite a certain butcher,
whose surname commences with a letter something in the shape of
the figure tl, before a Bench of Magistrates, upon the following
charge, which, by the bye, is said to be no uncommon trick :—The
complainant employed this honest butcher to exercise his profes-
sional skill in the way of slaughtering a certain number of cattle
every morning ; the weight of each carcase to be ascertained after
I slaughter. Front some motive or other, perhaps laudable enough,
one of the profession betrayed a mystery in the business to 31r.
Tompson, viz. that it was no way unusual, in the course of prac-
tice, to make an excision of one of the ribs on each side, leaving
the poor beast only twenty-four. This operation was performed so
skilfully, that none but an experienced hand could possibly detect
the loss of the absent rib, which weighed from al to :Whs. includ-
ing the beef. The complainant, upon the receipt of this intelli-
gence, told figure tl (so we will call the artful fellow) that such a
course of proceeding was the case, but at the same time couched his
pointed observations with so much delicacy, as to avoid the appear-
ante of imputation. Indeed 31r.8 cut an bold a figure in the busi-
ness, as not even to take the interested hint, as the sequel will
prove. Some cattle were killed ; they were examined ; and, to the
surprise of the ow the thirteenth rib had eloped. 31r. romp-
son said that the /*ploy or the assistant must be the robber.
" No, no," says the manager in the concern, " lie has not done
any such thin"."g "Then," said 111 r. Tocnpson, "you have."
For toe sake of reposing so petty a delinquent to the world, Mr.
'fonipson brought the strait before the ,Magistracy, who directed
two prutossiottal individuals to examine into and report on the case.
The result of the examination turned out to be, that figure 8 was
adjudged arei/ro of the crime of stealing, front the carcasses of the
beasts so slaughtered, the thirteenth rib. No sentence was passed
on the criminal, as the case is not laid down in Bum ; but he was
directed to make ample restitution to the complainant, who declared
himself well paid tin behalf of the public) in the exposure of the
offender. The delinquent avows that if disgrace is to come down
on him for these profitable alliances in a long-established business,
rather than make such a blunder or misfake in the profession again,
he will part with his last and choicest rib.

MOST JMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
The Learned President, Sir liumphr• Davy, Bart. in a paper on
the cause of the corrosion and decay of copper used for coveting the
bottoms of shine, read before the Royal nociety,tas pointed out •
simple, effectual, ant weapon* methotil of remedying this era).
The cause, Itt , was a weak thernicsil action, which is
constantly exerted Ilikwcan the saline contents of sea-wafer and the
copper, and whick,' whatever may be the nature of the copper,
sooner or later destanys it, which is thus noticed in the last number
of the Phitanplitorrtlfarzine:
" The same general principle of the manner in which chemical
changes may he exalted, dratmycd, or suspended, by electrieal
powers, which led him to the discovery of the decomposition of the
alkalies and the dohs, likewise afforded him this new and more
preened discovery. fle finds that a very small surface of tin, or
other oxidabie metal, anywhere in contact with a large surface or
copper, renders it •• negatively electrical, that sea-water has no ac.
on upon it ; and n little mans of tin brought even in communi-
radon by a wire IV • large plate of copper, entirely preserves it.
By the desire of lord, of the Admiralty, he is now bringing
this di to all - ice on ships of war. It is needless to

rt. dbwovery prectio -..lps of war. ic
point out the eats ad economical advantages of a result which
moat add so much ti the pemraneney and strength of our navy and
shipping, and be so • to our maritime and commercial in.
taws."

The following is an extract of a letter from the Agents
to Lloyd's at Havre, dated Jan. 30, respecting captures
made at sea during the late Spanish war:—
" We beg love to acquaint you, fer the information of the
Committee for Managing the Afinirs of Lloyd's, that the Commis-
'on appointed by this Government, In execution of an ordinanetsof
the King, under date of the 25th of this month, for the purpose of
liquidating the losses 'sustained by the French commerce, by reason
of captures made at iea during the late Spanish WST. has been of
announced in the illonifrur as definitively organised. As it
is doubtless the intention cf the British I 'nderwriters interested in
these losses to set fifth duir claims to the-, sums which may other.
wise be paid over to merchants already indemnified by them, we
take leave to make a respectful otter of our services, for the purpose
of obtaining that justice they may coesider themselves entitled to
reclaim."

The comet may now be seen in the evening, a little to l,
the eastward of the Polar star, between the constellation of
the Greater and Lessa Bear. The tail, which is faint, is
most visible when the eye is directed to a spot near the
comet, rather than to the comet itself.—Edinbargh Paper.

SHIPPING. INTELLIGENCE.

CUSTOM-HOUSE, ft..&

ENTERED INWARDS. „ •
Jenne Maria, Simons (De Bit, broker), from Ostend.
Hebe, lord (Chisman. broker), from Merles. •
Earl of Clancarty, Itlowle broker). from Rotterdam.
New Blessing, Jones (Burnett, broker), from 3lalaga.
Success. Driver (Butcher, broken, from Gottenburgh.
Nile, Baker (Ilaslope, broker). from St. Domingo.
Ann, Harrison (Smut and Co. brokers), from Demerara.
Vallenia, Kinsman (Cheap. broker), from ditto.
Royal Eagle, (iibb (,hatlheld, broker), front St. Michael's.
Kinneraley Castle, Crouch (Sunbv, broker), from Virginia.
Morninglield, 31elville (Dowson, broker), limn %ante.
Fall. 2.—ENTERED OtiTW•Rl)s. The Two Sisters, for
Dublin ; Pacific, for Hatrnos Ayres; Archimedes, for 3larseilles ;
Rawlins, for Jamaica.
CLEARING OrTWARDS.—The Prince of Waterloo, for Ostend;
and Promise, for Cadiz.
GaavgaExn, lea 2.—Arrived the Kinnersley Castle, Crouch,
from Virginia; hlomingtield, 3lelville, from Cephalonia; Bril-
liant, Clark, from Cadiz; Vallenia, Kinronan, from Demerara;
Ark, Christian, from Sierra Leone; Royal Eagle, Gibbs, from
St. Michael's; Earl Clancarty, Towle. from Rotterdam ; Eliza,
Atherden, from ditto; Earl Bathurst, Gibbs. from ditto; Nelly,
Vivins, from Messina; Henry and Sarah, Bartlett, from the
Brazils. Sailed the Comely, Gray, for Genoa, &e.

FROM LLOYD'S LIST.
FALMOUTH, FEB. I.—Arrived the Betsey, Miller, from Aux
Cayes, sailed 14th December; and Duke of Marlborough packet,
from Lisbon in six dart.
PORTSMOUTH. FEB. 2.—Sailed his Majesty's ship 31enai, for
Halifax; Juno, Tuit, for Bermuda; and Turners, header, for
Cape Coast Castle. A few of the outward-bound got under
weigh this morning, with the wind at E., but it backed again
to S. l-.
DEAL, FEll.l.—During the night of the 30th ult part of the
rigging and materials front the wreck of the Marianne Ilenriette,
of Stockholm, were landed here by several Deal boats.
FEB. 2.—Came down from the River, and remain, the
Alfred, Laughton, for Van Dieman's Land ; and Clarkson, Ful-
lerton, for Jamaica. A ship has brought up off the North Fore-
land, supposed to be the Henry Davison, for Jamaica.
Cowes, FEB. 2.—None of the outward-bound vessels that
weighed today have been able to get out of the Needles.
Dov Ell, FEB. I.—The Jorge Marshal, Hall, from Rotterdam
to Dundalk, came in here yesterday. She felt in the Jorge Mid.,
the day after her misfortune, found her very leaky, kept by her
sonic time ; one of her men had his arm broken by the Pactolus
running on board of her, but they still had five able men left to
work the pumps. Captain Hall offered them every assistance, and
even to see them safe into Howe, but they declined it, being then
only 16 leagues distance, with a favourable wind.
Lternroot., FEB. I. trrived the Exchange, 'Porter, from
Virginia ; Juno, Mortimer, from Savannah ; President, ll'atson;
and Camillus, Promo, horn Oporto ; and Tolson, Simpson, from
Pernambuco. Sailed, the Christopher, Doyle; and Golden Fleece,
Engliah, for Bahia ; Buenos Ayres packet, Guthrie, for Valpa-
raiso ; Agnos„ Farrel, for Jamaica ; Laura, Lilburn, for Barba-
does ; Richard, !Janney ; and Ike. Jincson. for Demerara ; Tri.
ton, Sharp, for Sierra hone; Ne York, Maxwell, tor New
York; Lancashire Witch, Neal, for 'boa; and Margaret, ICH.
Samson, fur Charente.
BRISTOL, FEB. 2 —The Hope, of and from Newport for
Bridgewater, founded on the Gore Sand, in Bridgewater Bay,
22d ult. Crew saved.
FISH/WARD. JAN. 20.—The Expedition, Griffiths, of Cardigan,
bound to Bristol, received damage in coming into this pier yes-
terday.
BS IDLINGTON, Fen. I—The Recovery, Miller, of South
Shields, has been got off, and is now In this harbour, with much
damage. The Vulcan, Potts, coal-laden, put in here yesterday
with four feet water in her hold, having struck on Sunderland Bar.
GaItEENOCE, JAN.3l.—Arrived mere this day, the Catherine
Swn, from Nassau, N. P. ; sailed thence 24th oh. Left loading,
the Favorite, Killock, for Liverpool, and the Cleopatra, }lodic,
for London, to sail about the 3d inst.
Se.Uars, JAN. 22.—An English schooner from Liverpool,name
unknown, is at our quarantine ground.
CONSTANTINOPLE, DEC. ..U.—The Thalia, Pagler, which
arrived here 16th inst. from London and Marseilles, has been
formally refused a passage into the Black Sea, on the ground of
her size exceeding that stipulated by treaty, and even that which
has occasionally been tolerated beyond it ; she is therefore on the
point of returning to Marseilles.
PARIS, JAW. 211.—8 y accounts from Macao of the 20th July,
the Neptune, Corrneer, of Bordeaux, is lost on the coast of Cochin
China. Crew saved.
JAN. 29.—The Victoire, logrouce, hound to Rouen, was totally
lost on the 3d.Jan. on the rocks near the Island of Winans. Crew
saved.
JAN. 30.—The Marie Perrine, Goettec, from Bordeaux to Rouen,
is lost near L'Orient ; crew and part of the cargo saved, By ad-
vices from Bayonne of the 24th Jan. &client weather for three
days had been experienced there. A galliot belonging to Rostock,
Jurgen. master, in ballast, bound to Bayonne, wan lost at Bou-
caud. A vessel, supposed to be an American, was on shore on the
coast of Grayau. The ship Sophie, from Oldenburgh to Bordeaux,
wan wrecked on Isle Dien.
The Bustler, Leader, from Plymouth to Lisbon, was on shore
near Paulette an the ult. bat was expected to be got off the
next spring tides.
The Margaret and 'Ann, Hall, from London to Smyrna, was
spoken with on the 13th ult. off Cape St. Vincent.
Extract of a letter from the agents to Lloyd's, at Bordeaux,
I dated the 27th Jan.—" The Roberts, Harrington, from Sunder-
lard to this port, was totally lost off the ('ardouen rocks, in a He-
mendous gale, on the 23d inst. and all hands perished. Part of the
wreck hiving floated on shore on Sunday evening was the first inti-
mation we had of it. Should any other particulars come to hand
we will give it instantly. Fears are entertained for the Abeona,
Usher, from Havre for this port, she having been out twenty-four
dayls"
A piece of a vessel's stern was picked up neat the Goodwin
Sands yesterday, with "Volant" painted on at.
The Perseverance, of London, Moresby, which wu taken away
front Truxillo by the crew of a Peruvian armed brig, has been
carried into Guayaquil by the supercargo, where the pirates were
hung, and the Perseverance sailed on the 29th of August for
II It anchaco.
The Sylvia, Buxell, from London to Cape Coast Castle, is lost
on the Bissagos Shoal*, windward coast of Africa.
The Jonge AINIa, lkrkells, front Rotterdam for Newry, was
run on board of near the North Foreland, en Thursday night, by
the Partolus. Bedford, front Hamburgh, and it is feared found-
ered. The master and one of the crew saved themselves by jump-
ing on board the Pactolus. Six men were left in the Jonge
Midst.
The Spanish Patriot, Down, from Oporto to Bristol. in wrecked
on the CAletlibh coast, between Dude and Romantic. Crew saved,
but little of the cargo expected to be landed.
On the night of the 22d ult. the sloop Hope, of and from New.
port, laden with coals, bound to Bridgewater, foundered on the
Gore Send, in Bridgewater Bay. Crew saved, by taking to the
boat. On the same night several vessels were driven ashore ; but
have since been got eff without much damage.