The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-28 00:00:00

CREMORNE GARDENS.

The fourth and last parachute ascent for the season
took place last evening, at incomparable Cremorne.
The evening was remarkably calm, there being
scarcely any current of air perceptible. At halt-
past five o'clock M. Poitevin gave the signal for re-
leasing " Le Zodiaque," which instantly shot up-
wards a great height, and in a direction nearly west.
Immediately afterwards a return current brought it
again towards the gardens, and it almost appeared as
if the descent was likely to be made in the very spot
from which the balloon had risen. In a few minutes,
however, the balloon rose still higher, and took a
direction nearly due north, but remained in sight
about three-quarters of an hour, apparently becalmed,
and unable to get clear of the buildings on that side
of the metropolis. As darkness came on, M. Poite-
vin made a descent, which had the effect of partially
inflating the parachute, but it appeared as if a nearer
view of the ground had shown its unsuitability for
his purpose, for immediately afterwards he threw out
ballast, ascended again, and was at length lost to the
sight of the large company which had assembled upon
the occasion. About twenty minutes past six o'clock
considerable anxiety was felt as to the result, owing
to a heavy ground fog having risen, which, in con-
junction with the growing darkness of the evening,
would render it extremely difficult for M. Poitevin
to select a place for detaching the parachute. This
anxiety was at length dispelled at ten o'clock by the
appearance of Madame Poitevin in the gardens, ac-
companied by G. M. Gunter, Esq., who had fol-
lowed the balloon on horseback, and who assisted
Madame to alight in the grounds of Twyftrd Abbey,
near Acton. An attempt had been made a few
minutes previously to effect a descent, but M. Poi-
tevin was warned by some persons that it would be
dangerous, as it was exactly over the junction of the
railroads in that locality. M. Poitevin, therefore,
ascended again, and at length Madame reached terra
firma as easily and as safely as a bird alighting from
an aerial excursion. The balloon descended a short
distance farther off with like safety. Shortly after
her arrival in the gardens Madame Poitevin made
her appearance in the orchestra, and was received
with immense applause. Mr. Greig, having briefly
stated the facts connected with the descent, said he
was commissioned by the intrepid lady and her cou-
rageous husband to offer their sincere thanks for the
kindness and support they had received in England ;
and expressed his own belief that the manner in whi▪
ch
they had executed their frequent and daring aero-
nautic exploits fully entitled them to carry back wi▪ th
them to their own country the recollection of three
hearty English cheers, which were accordingly given,
with a fervour that made the earth and skies resound.
The usual entertainments were conducted with the
usual spirit, to the unflagging enjoyment of the as-
sembled thousands. That capital ballet Le Barbier
de Cadiz continues to be one of the most telling at-
tractions of the establishment, and fills the theatre
nightly with applauding crowds. Its production has
proved a grand hit on the part of Mr. Milano, whose
dancing, and that of Madlles. Therise and Annie
Cushnie, commands repeated applause. These ac-
complished artists are engaged at the Surrey Theatre
for the ensuing season ; and the unequalled contor-
tionist, Devani, one of the great lions of Cremorne, is
enrolled in the new company at Drury-lane. Un-
equalled he is as yet, but young Rochez bids fair to
come out as wonderfully one of these days.
On Thursday the Italian brothers are to execute a
double trapeze ascent, Mr. Chambers being the ma-
naging aeronaut. This astounding gymnastic feat can-
not fail to attract a large attendance, and it should
be also borne in mind by the patrons of the gardens, that
the entertainments on that evening are for the benefit of
Madlle. Pauline Violante, whose daring rope ascent
has formed the well-known finale to the brilliant per-
formances of each evening during the last two 'sea-
sons. Madlle. Violante has strong claims on public
support, considering the delight and wonder slie has
so repeatedly afforded the sight-seeing multitude.
In our notice of the brilliant Bal Masque of
Thursday last, we omitted to particularise, as it de-
served, the rare and recherche elegance of the supper-
tables which were laid out not merely in a manner
worthy of Mr. Simpson's established reputation, but
in a style that we have never seen attempted at any
similar place of amusement. A countless number of
prize dahlias were grouped in silver vases, and crowned
the crystals devoted to the sparkling Queen of Wines;
and various beautiful flowers and shrubs, elegantly
distributed, adorned the glittering salle. For taste,
splendour, and excellence of viands and wines, no
supper could surpass that which gave such visible
enjoyment to the gay and motley group who flocked
to do it justice on Thursday evening. It is to be
regretted that the lateness of the season precludes Mr.
Simpson from repeating this year his most success-
ful experiment of giving a Bal Masque at Cre-
morne.

COURT CIRCULAR.
BALMORAL, SATURDAY.

Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert
went yesterday to the top of Maven, a high hill in
the neighbourhood of Balmoral.
The Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred left Bal-
moral yesterday for the Shiel of Allt-na-Giuthsacb,
attended by Mr. Gibbs.
The Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, and the
Princess Helena, drove yesterday afternoon to Inver•
cauld, and passed the afternoon with the daughters
of Mr. and Mrs. Farquharson.
The Earl of Aberdeen left Balmoral yesSUterday.
ND AY.
Yesterday afternoon her Majesty rode towards
Gairn Shiel, attended by the Viscountess Jocelyn.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert went out deer-
stalking.
The dinner party yesterday included her Royal
Highness the Duchess of lient, her Serene Highness
the Princess Hohenlohe Langenbourg, and Lady
Augusta Bruce.
Viscount Hardinge left town yesterday for Bal-
moral.
Lieut.-Colonel Waldo Sibthorp, M.P., had an in-
terview with Mr. Secretary Walpole yesterday, at the
Home-office.
The Right Hon. J. W. Henley left town yesterday.
Dispatches were received at the Colonial office
yesterday from the Governor-General of Canada and
the Governors of the other North American Pro-
vinces.
Dispatches were received on Sunday from the Go-
vernor of Victoria.

APPOINTMENT OF MU. LOWE AS TEACHER OF
DANCING TO THE ROYAL FAMILY.— Our readers will be de-
lighted to learn that Joseph Lowe, Esq., professor of the above
delightful art in Edinburgh and Inverness, has had the
honour of a command from her Majesty to attend at Balmo-
ral, and is now engaged in giving lessons to the Princes and
Princesses. Mr. Lowe has long been known throughout
Scotland as a successful teacher of dancing. We may add
thatlMr.
Mr. Ls
appointment is the second instance of a
Scotchman having been selected for this honourable post, the
late teacher having been Mr. Thomson of Glasgow, now de-
ceased.—lnverness Courier.
CITY OF LONDON GENERAL PENSION SOCIETY.—
The thirty-fourth annual general meeting of the subscribers
to this society, founded with the object of providing a per-
manent relief in monthly pensions to decayed artisans, me-
chanics, &c., and the widows of such persons, above sixty
years of age, was held yesterday at the London Tavern,
William Kindle, Esq., treasurer, in the cha;.r. The report
showed the society had, since its establishment, dispensed
57,713/. 12s. amon 886 ponsionrls. The present number of
pensioners 52, viz.g ,27 men and 25 women, the former re-
ceiving 1/. 75., and the latter ISs per month. The receipt:
for
the year have been 9491. 2s. 10d., of which sum 719/. 2s.
iinaze.been distributed to the pensioners. The balance re-
-1,007.1g in the Bank of England is SO/. 6s. sd. A legacy o;
Three per Cent. Consols was, during the past year,
transferred to the society by the
the executors of the late Miss
another Elizabeth
sumLe bobf
sequence of this
.eA resolution was adopted, „
021:1:070hlo has also bequeathed to it in reversion
aLnedb bon
accountspen si o nweerr,'e' con.
bequest, that a ensioner,. to be called
tra p constantlyproved
the
some other routine business was disposed of, and the ,officers were -
pro-
ceedings terminated.

TRIALS OF ANCHORS AT SHEERNESS.
FOUR" II SERIES OF EXPERIMEN
STEAM TRIAL PLAN.
The Committee of Management, presided over by
the Hen. Montagu Stopford, eating commodore and
senior officer of the pot t, assembled at the dockyard at
half-past eight, A. 31,, on Taesday, the 14th instant, and
shortly afterwards embarked on board the Lizard
Steamer and proceeded to the Nore. The competing
anchors, eight in number, had been previously placed
on two dockyard lighters especially selected tor the oc-
casion, and towed by the African and Adder steamers
to the scene of operations. Here the lighters, with
standing gear attached to each, were moored in an ave-
rage depth of water a quarter less thirteen fathoms, the
African and Adder being berthed outside of them.
To the outside catheads of the steamers the opposing
anchors were affix, d, with stoppers ready to be cut at a
given signal, the ends of a chain cable 37/ fathoms in
length, previously hove through au iron-bound single
sheave-block, being attached to the anchors. The
steamers, of the joint power of 229 horses, were lashed
to the lighters, one on each side thereof, and on the
anchors being let go (a sufficient time being allowed for
their reaching the ground) were propelled astern at full
speed, the power being kept on the pendant of 23 fathoms
attached, for the purpose of testing the holding proper.
ties of the anchors at long scope of cable.
The necessary- preliminaries having been gone through,
the anchors, in accordance with the drawing for stations,
were assigned the following positions:—
Port. Starboard.
1. Rodger'(Exhibition prize) 1. Aylen's
2. Honiball's (Porter's) 2. G. W. Lenox's
3. Trotman's (improved For- 3. Admiralty (new)
ter's) 4. Mitcheson and Son's
4. Isaacs' (American)
Everything being ready, the trials commenced, and
were proceeded with in the order here given. Lieute-
nant Rodgers' Exhibition prize anchor being opposed to
Mr. Aylen's. On steam power being applied Aylen's
was run up to the block, when it was discovered not to
have taken the ground, owing, it was supposed, to the
strain being applied too quickly after its being let go,
hence the committee decided that this should be consi-
dered as no trial. The men employed on board the
lighter wore so panic-stricken that they omitted to cut
the stopper of Ayleu's anchor until after Rodgers' had
been let go, the strain of the latter in fall run bringing
Aylen's to the block. Mr. Honiball's (Porter's) was
next put in competition with Mr. G. W. Lenox's,
this trial occupied two hours and three minutes, and
was a severe one. Lenox's was drawn one link and a
half of chain in twenty minutes. At length, after a
protracted struggle. Honiball's was brought up to the
block, but not until after a large warp had been broken,
and the mooring lighter (from the heavy strain caused
by the steamers backing at full speed with a tide in
their favour, at two-and-a-half knots per hoar), was
pinned down four feet by the head. With this termi-
nated the first day's trials of the present species, the
various persons engaged therein returning to Sheerness
in the Adder and Lizard; the African, with the lighters,
remaining at the Nore.
SECOND DAY'S TRIALS, SEPT. 15.
The parties interested embarked in the steamers ap-
propriated to their use at nine A.M. On arriving at the
Nore the experiments were resumed. Mr. Trotman's
(improved Porter's) anchor being pitted against the
Admiralty anchor constructed on the plan of Sir W.
Parker, which resulted in the latter being brought home
to the block at the first trial at long scope of cable.
Mr. Isaacs' American anchor was then tested with
Mitcheson and Son's; the inferior holding power of the
former was evinced by its being drawn up to the block
at the long scope on the first trial.
Further operations were now suspended, it being
necessary to allow time for the placing of the winning
anchors in new positions for testing. This was effected
during the ensuing day, under the superintendence of
Mr. J. Aylen, the master-attendant, whose exertions and
perseverance throughout the whole or the experiments
have been most praiseworthy.
THIRD DAY'S TRIALS, SEPT. 17.
The operations commenced this morning at the usual
hour with a further trial between Mr. Aylen's and Lieu-
tenant Rodgers' Exhibition prize anchors. In this case
lull steam power was employed with 18-34 fathoms bite of
chain through the block on each anchor cast in 11
fathoms water, with a tide in favour of 2/ knots, the
steamers backing at the rate of 3/ knots. The competing
anchors held firmly. On sighting the block Aylen's
was found to have gained an advantage of one fathom
over its rival. The committee then proposed that the
steamers should go ahead for a short distance, and after-
wards astern at full speed. During the trial Commodore
Stopford superintended the steering of the steamers in
order to prevent any undue advantage being given to
either anchor by steerage way. The heavy strain brought
upon the gear caused the lighter to be pinned down up-
wards of three feet. Shortly afterwards, the steamers
working together up to 220-horse power, Rodgers' an-
chor came home, Aylen's not having started from its
original position at long scope of cable. The trial was a
most interesting one, the strain on the gear having
been greater than in any of the preceding cases. At long
scope the advantage of Aylen's anchor over its compe-
titor was so trifling, that both were considered equal in
holding power, and it was not until after a most severe
struggle at short stay peak that Rodgers' anchor gave
way.
The two rival anchors of Trotman and Mitcheson had
now to be tested against each other. Two trials were
afforded them at long scope of cable, the full power of
the steamers being put on, without the one showing
superior holding poi er to the other. At the first trial
at short stay peak both held on; at the second, however,
Mitcheson'a was brought up the block minus one-half of
the stock, which being constructed of two separate parts
shipped into the shank in dovetail grooves, the breaking
of the stock is supposed to have been caused by the
anchor embedding itself in the ground. In consequence
of this circumstance the committee decided that Mr.
Mitcheson's anchor should be further tried with
its competitor, if Mr. Miteheson chose to re-
place that portion of the stock which was carried
away. Further operations were then suspended until
the following morning. Scarcely, however, had the
committee arrived at the Nore when it was deemed
advisable, owing to the threatening appearance of the
weather, to return to port, and to defer the continua-
tion of the experiments until Monday, the 20th instant.
FOURTH DAY'S TRIALS, SEPT. 24.
At 930 Am. the African and Adder steamers pro-
ceeded to the Nore, with the lighter in tow, on board
which the anchors and gear had been placed. The Lizard
steamer, with the committee of management, followed
shortly afterwards to superintend the further experi-
ments, Lieutenant Rodgers' Exhibition prize anchor
had during the present series been twice placed in com-
petition with Mr. Aylen's anchor, proving victorious in
one instance, and being beaten in the other. In order,
therefore, to determine which possessed the greater
holding properties, a third trial took place between
them, which resulted greatly in favour of Lieutenant
Rodgers'.
Mr. G. W. Lenox's anchor having now become next
best to Lieutenant Rodgers', it became necessary to op-
pose these to each other. Both having been let go at
the Fame time, the steam power was applied, when
Lenox's brought its rival up to the block. The steamers
L zerd and Adder then returned into port, tho African
remaining at. the Noro in charge of the lighter.
FIFTH DAY'S TRIALS, SEPT. 25.
The experiments were resumed this day at 10 A )t.,
and commenced with a farther trial of Mitcheson's and
Trotman's anchors, which resulted in Trotman's being
speedily brought home.
On reference to the result of the 17th inst., it will be
seen that Mr. Trotman's anchor, after a severe contest
of some hours, brought Mr. Mitcheson's home with a
broken stock. This having been repaired at the dock-
yard, the two rivals were again placed in competition.
A struggle was expected, hut from some cause, possibly
the mere accident of the one anchor falling on its stock.
end and the other on its pee, in which position the mo-
mentum imparted by the two steam-tugs backed at full
speed is suddenly brought to bear upon them, whereby
no chance is given for the canting of the one anchor, the
few fathoms of chain fly through the block, and in a very
short space of time all contest is at an end. The result thus
far is in favour of Mitchesou's; in the former instance
to Trotman's, which makes it, so far as these trials at the
Nore are concerned, a drawn affair. Should a further
trial between these anchors be decided on, circumstances
may afford a better opportunity for deciding which of
them is the best.
Mr. Miteheson's anchor was then pitted against Mr.
G. W. Lenox's, the latter holding equally with its
competitor. At short stay peak, ,however, Lenox's
yielded to its rival—in fact, broke the ground first.
The four trial plans, in accordance with the sugges-
tions of the committee of naval officers and shipowners,
have thus been fully carried out, whereby the holding
properties quickness in taking the ground, tripping, &c..
of the competing anchors have been subjected to every
available test that the means at disposal would admit.
The results cannot fail to afford. many valuable hints for
the further improvement of this instrument, which ought
to be the most perfect within the powers of human in-
vention, more especially with reference to its peculiar
and important uses. On the anchor the safety of our
ships and their crews, when riding in furious gales,
mainly depends. The possibility of improving it, or
imparting to it that firmness and durability of construe..
tion which the trying nature of its services so imperi-
ously requires, is a matter worthy the serious attention
of scientific men. He who can render it the most per-
fect will confer a great boon on the maritime portion of
the community and on humanity.
A most important property appertaining to the rival
anchors—that of strength—has yet to be ascertained.
For this purpose they aro to be taken to Woolwich,
there to he subjected to hydraulic pressure until broken.
The labours of the committee will then terminate, with
the exception of drawing up their report, which, from
the important positions they fill, cannot fail to be chew-
teriscd by tae considerations due to the high interests
involved.
The following account of the results of the various ex-
-n pemen ts wilt afford our readers a correct idea of the
holding qualities of the several competing anchors:—
FIRST SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS (AT THE DOCKYARD).
Trotman beat Rodgers (Exhibition prize), Admiralty
(new), Honiball (Porter's), Rodgers' stream kedge, Ad-
miralty (new), 6 cwt. heavier.
Honiball beat Avien, Mitcheson.
Mitcheson beat Isaacs (American), Admiralty (new).
Rodgers' stream kedge, G. W. Lenox, Aylen.
Rodgers' beat Aylen, A diniralty (new).
Aylen beat Admiralty (nee) Isaacs (American).
Admiralty (new) beat G. W. Lenox.
SECOND SERIES OP EXPERIMENTS (ON THU nI:ACH AT
GARRISON POINT).
Trotman beat Aylen, G. W. Lenox, lioniball, Ad
miralty (new). •
lionibull heat Isaacs (American), Mitcheson.
Mitcheson beat Rodgers (Exhibition prize).
Rodgers beat Aylen (second trial).
1 , Aylen beat Rodgers (first trial).
I G. W. Lenox beat Admiralty (new).