The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-03 00:00:00

MAILS DUE.

`: ustralia and Mauritius, via Southampton . . June 18.
via Marseilles June 12.
Liraxil and Cape Verds, by British packet. June 5.
ape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena June 29.
-lima, Penang, and Singapore, via Southanipton June 2
via Marseilles June 12
ealkland Islands

Uibraltar, via Southampton .. June 2.
India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton June 2
via Marseilles June 12.
India (Bombay), via Southampton
via Marseilles Jane 5.
Portuga1....
slalta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton June 2.
via Marseilles June 5.
Newfoundland
Oporto and Vigo
U. S. and British N. America, by Brit. packet.... June S.
. by U.S. packet....
by Canadian packet. June 3.
All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Peru, i June 10
California. and British Columbia

DEATH OF SIRJOHN WATSON GORDON,P.R.S.A
AND R.A.—The announcement of the death of Sir
John Watson Gordon, which took place at Edinburgh, on
Wednesday, will be universally received as that of a far
more than local, of a truly national, loss. President of the
Royal Scottish Academy, and member of the Royal
Academy. the honour due to his unrivalled eminence in his
especial department of his art was not less freely, nor
with less pride in his genius, paid in England than in his
native country, to which he, during his whole life, so
lovingly and so beneficently clung. John Watson Gordon
was born in Edinburgh some 74 years ago. He studied at
the Academy of Trustees for the Encouragement of Manu
facture in Edinburgh. He early turned his attention to
that branch of his art in which he has achieved so high a
reputation. He first exhibited in the Royal Academy in
1827, continuing to do so up to the present exhibition.
In 1841 he was elected associate, and in 18.51 member
of the Royal Academy. He has filled the chair of Presi-
dent of the Royal Scottish Academy, which owes to him
so much of its vitality and its position, since the death of Sir
W. Allan, in 1850. In that year, also, he was appointed
limner to her Majesty, for Scotland, on which occasion he
received the honour of knighthood. Sir John was unmar-
ried.—Scotsman.

A NEW GIGANTIC BALLOON.—Mr. Coxwell has
just completed a new balloon, which is somewhat
larger than the one in which ho has made the high ascents,
in company with Mr. Gliisher. Like its celebrated prede-
cessor, the present machine has been constructed at Tot-
tenham—this time under canvas, on the aeronaut's pre-
mises, and we may add entirely from Mr. Coxwell's own
resources, both as regards artistic and pecuniary ability.
There is a peculiarity about this balloon which admits of a
vast increase of capacity, should enlargement be at any time
necessary, in order to compete with continental " Geants."
This novelty consists of the telescopic elongation, so to
speak, of the balloon, by means of indiarubber cloth intro-
duced when required into the equator. Messrs. Fanshawe
and Jacques, of the Tottenham Indiarubber Works,
are trying a few experiments to ascertain which is the most
suitable material for Mr Cox well's purpose; and they have
permitted their designer, Mr Williams, to attend to Mr.
Coxwell's requirements, and also to execute an immense
figure of Britannia, as a specimen decoration to the balloon,
to be transferred thereupon when it shall have achieved its
first ascent. The magnificent addition to act °static art will
be inflated in the centre transept of the Crystal Palace, on
the 6th, 7th, and Bth inst. It is rumoured that the novel
idea of a concert inside the balloon is to be carried into effect
each day during the exhibition. An engine of two-horse
power will keep up a continual supply of fresh air, so that
the orchestral department may not be inconvenienced.
Some interesting experiments on the propagation of sound
will be connected with this balloon concert, and thus, like
most of Mr Coxwell's undertakings, amusement will be
asniciated with science.-7ottenham Advertiser, June 1.

MADRID, May 31.—Advices from Peru state that
the Government of that country seemed disposed to
give satisfaction to Spain.