The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-23 00:00:00

NAVAL IN TELLIGhISTCE.

PORTSAWITTEf, WEDNESDA Y.—A new lifeboat or
raft was exhibited in this harbour to-day, ordered to
be reported upon by Captain Chads, C. 8., of the
Excellent. This raft is the invention of Mr. George
F. Parrett, of the Treasury, and is termed " the
tubular life raft." When shut up it assumes the ap-
pearance of a flat-bottomed boat, occupying about
the space of a " longboat" on board ship. A keel, or
rather platform, below the boat is connected to a spar
above by means of a central pivot through the boat,
and three stanchions at each end. The keel and spar
revolve on rollers, and are, therefore, easily placed
athwart midships. Four wings,are then hauled out
to the end of the keel, thus forming a square. Each
wing contains a large tube of vulcanized India rubber,
inflated by means of an air pump at either end of the
boat. The wings carry out a surface of netting,
and which netting also extends on the exterior of the
tubes. The boat also contains lockers for provisions.
It is scarcely necessary to add that when the machine
is properly unfolded and inflated a large number of
persons could be safely placed until assistance could
be rendered in case of a shipwreck. A square space
covered prevents it from capsizing, and the tubes are
of such a magnitude that the boat cannot sink, even
when filled with water. The official experiment was
made of the boat or raft's capabilities this day at one
o'clock, alongside the Excellent, by the inventor, in
the presence of Captain Chads and a large body of
other officers. The raft was expanded and the tubes
inflated, and it was ready for use in about 10 minutes.
Captain Chads then directed 50 men to be placed on
the extremity, on one side wing, which was done, but
without any visible effect as to capsizing. 60 more
were then placed inside the boat, and about 50 more
were added on the other side or wing, all of whom
could safely hold on in any sea. The trial appeared
to us to carry conviction of its success, although as to
what Captain Chads's report may be we know no-
thing. But the invention, springing out of a vivid
recollection of the perils in which the inventor was
personally placed, when shipwrecked some time ago,
when he saw upwards of 100 persons sink without
help before his eyes, certainly evinces great merit,
and appears very simple and handy. A trial in a
dangerous sea would, we believe, still better develop
its excellences and capabilities.
SHEERNESS, WEDNESDAY MORNING.- Her Ma-
jesty's iron screw troop-ship Megmra, 6, Commander
Johnson, has completed the alterations deemed re-
quisite by the report of the officers who recently sur-
veyed her internal arrangements, and is expected to
leave the port to-morrow (Thursday) for Woolwich,
to receive stores and embark troops. It was estimated
she could conveniently accommodate 400 soldiers in
addition to her own crew. With the view, however,
that sufficient space should be allotted to every
person on board, and with a due consideration to the
individual comfort of each, the authorities have issued
orders that the number of troops to be placed on
board shall not exceed 350. On her late voyage to
the Cape she conveyed 750 souls besides her own
crew and the requisite stores.
Her Majesty's paddle. wheel steam-sloop Barracouta,
commanded pro tem. by Captain the Hon. S. T. Car-
negie, arrived here yesterday noon from Portsmouth.
The officers and crew who have served in her
during her attendance on the royal squadron, and
her voyage to and from Madeira, will forthwith
be transferred to their own vessel, the Horatio
screw steam guardship, the Barracouta resuming
her former position as one of the advanced steam
squadron of reserve. _ _ _

Her Majesty's paddle-wbeel steam-vessel Adder ar-
rived here yesterday at 8.45. A.M., having on board
Captain Richards, of the Boscawen, guard-ship of or-
dinary at Chatham, and other officers, whose attend-
ance was required at a court-martial on board the
Waterloo, 120, flag-ship.
Her Majesty's brig Bittern, 12, Commander Van-
sittart, is reported ready to leave the fitting basin on
the 25th inst.

A court-martial took place yesterday on board the
Waterloo, flag-ship, to try an ordinary seaman named
Banks on a charge of desertion. The proceedings
were of brief duration. Tne prisoner having been
found guilty of the charge preferred against him was
sentenced to imprisonment for the space of six months.
DEVONPORT, SEPT. 21.—Captain Matson, of the
Ilighflyer, came on shore (after the ship was at anchor),
and paid his respects to the commander in chief and
the commodore superintendent of the dockyard, and
after returning on board put to sea about 7 30 F.M.
on Monday.
St. George, ordinary guard-ship, Captain Nias, has
been paid wages this day (Tuesday) by Commodore
Seymour.

APPOINTMENT.
Assistant Surgeon—C. A. thicket, to the Victory.

NORWICH MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

NORWICH, SEPT. 22.—Yesterday evening, though
the weather was cold and uncomfortable, St. An-
drew's-hall was well filled, and presented a goodly
display of the rank, fashion, and beauty of the city
and county. Most of the seats, however, in the
patron's gallery, were unoccupied. The Lord Bishop
of the diocese and Baron Alderson were present, and
many gentlemen who appeared to be foreigners.
The orchestra contained about 100 instrumentalists,
chiefly from London, and 300 of the chorus. The
singing of Herr Formes, Sims Reeves, and Madame
Viardot Garcia was highly appreciated, and led to
several encores; but many pieces most tastefully
executed by other vocalists received less than a fair
share of applause. The second part of the evening's
entertainment—Mrs. Fanny Kemble's reading of the
Midsummer Night's Dream, with Mendelssohn's
music, disappointed great numbers. Mrs. Kemble
exerted herself to the utmost, and for the first hour
made her fine voice ring through the hall. But the
most consummate art, compass, and modulation of
voice, could not sustain the interest of a drama so
devoid of action to the end. The entrancing fairy-
like music introduced at intervals, and played in
first-rate style by the band, did not prevent the per-
formance from being wearisome, and after eleven
o'clock the galleries presented quite a deserted
appearance.
This (Wednesday) morning, although the weather
was extremely fine, the hall was not more than half
filled, a circumstance which is, no doubt, partly attri-
butable to the fact that Dr. Bexfield's
much oratorio, Israel
Restored, announced for this mornin, had been very
recently performed before a full hall, at one of the
Choral Society's concerts. A.larger number of
ladies and gentlemen, however, occupied the patron's
gallery than on the previous evening. The perform-
ance of Israel Restored was well received.
As a tribute of respect to the memory of the late
Duke of Wellington,
the following selection from
Hof andel's oratorio Samson was given after the
oratorio :

Ye sons of Israel now lament
Your spear is broke, your brow unbent,
Your glory's fled—
Among the dead
Our hero lies,
For ever closed his eyes.
DEAD DIARCII.--CholllB.
Glorious hero, may thy grave
Peace and honour ever have:
Atter all thy pains and woes,
Rest eternal, sweet repose."
A full hall is confidently expected this evening,
when a selection of miscelleneoua music will be
performed.

SHAmE.—An Irish lady wrote to her lover, begging
him to send her some money. She added by way of
post-
script, a I am so ashamed of the request I have made in this
letter, that I sent after the postman to get it bad, but the
Beriritut could riot overtake him."