The Sun.
London, England, 1837-09-28 00:00:00

cations, he h, . endeavoured to show was a rational system.
Ha did not fall into the error of calling the brain a singl'
organ, or comparing it with other brains with which it
nothing to do ; but he compared one part of the sam
brain with other parts, and by observing the difference in
the shapes of heads and the difference in individuals,
he was able to come to a conclusion. Many objected
that size was a pleasure of power. Phrenologists did
not say that mere size was criterion of power. If they
came to compare the heads of different individual", they
would find that such was not the case. His system was
equally tested by comparison with the same head and with
the same part of another. Now, the only question re-
specting this science was, was it true, or was it not ? As
to the question that injurious results arose from such opi-
nions, he thought it was ant wortity o physologic:<l investi-
gation. It was a great oversight not to recoiiecL that the
works of nature were the works of the Creator, and that
every fact ascertained in nature was really but a line written
.by the Lord in his own book:--(Hear.) To determine
then, whether these facts be true or not., there were two
orders of testimony—the testimony of others and of
ourselves. The testimony of others, of scientific authors,
was long against this science ; but so far from that being
the case now, it was extraordinary the number of scientific
men that had given in to these opinions—of men who had
attained
.a certain age, and yet received a new science. He
weak? say, if one distinguished man, and that man before
an opponent, came round to an adhesion to the theory,
it overcame the opposition of one hundred other men
who bad not investigated it, and knew nothing about it,
and would know nothing about it. He would appeal to
the junior part of the audience, to think and examine
for the nuelves. When they came to think of and ex-
amine into this science, be would venture to say, they
would find in it some of the most physiological truths of
any which had yet been presented to their notice. But
they must go to the trouble of studying and inquiring into
the subject. He should conclude by a reference simply to
the character of the opposition which bad been offered to
phrenology, and the character of the actual evidence in its
favour. A man undertook to speak or write against phre-
nology ; put a skull into that man's hand, and ask him to
point out the phrenological characters and name than ;
atk an opponent to do this, and they would not find a sin-
gle opponent who could point out six organs in the head.
He undertook to decide that a thing was wrong, without
knowing what it wa§4hat was wreng,7—(Hear.) When a
gentleman gave him proofthat he really knew the subject,
he should listen to him with great deference, but not other-
wise. Again on the nature of the evidence, and he would
conclude. Cases were recorded against this science of in-
dividual failure by persons of incompetent skill to decide.
He contended that the affirmative evidence outweighed a
thousand times the evidence of their opponents.

THE CACHUCHA AT RIO JANEIRO.

Little more than two months ago a marriage was much
talked of in the upper circles of Rio Janeiro—thatof Count
Alphonso de Zumiga, a youth of 23, with the Marchioness
d'Ossara, a widow, who still retained some vestiges of de-
parted beauty. The Marchioness' great affection for the
Count was generally acknowledged, but it was not less uni-
versally known that he sought but to secure her large fortune,
and all his precautions had been unable to conceal his violent
attachment to Riccardina Snares, a young and beautiful Por-
tuguese dancer, whom the enthusiastic frequenters of the
Brazilian Opera proclaimed a match for the combined ac-
complishments of Taglioni and Fanny Elsler.
On the 17th of Juiy last a new opera, in which Riccar-
dina was to dance the Cita Ilea, attracted an overwhelming
house. Riccardina appeared, and was received with tu-
multuous applause. The acclamations became louder still
when, on concluding the Cachuc I, she advanred striking
her castanets towards the orchestra. But at the moment
she saluted the admiring audience poor Riccardina shrieked
and fell backwards. She was carried off the stage in hor-
ribit: convulsions and uttering fearful shrieks, and the
curtain dropped. The report soon spread all over the
house that a,:;tiafortis had been cast upon her, and that
she was dreadfully burnt. The whole house were trans-
ported With rage ant indignation. The instinct of
the multitude immediately p,;_inted out the Marchioness
d'Ossara as the perpetrator of the deed. She at-
tended to the performance. The
cro;yd rushcd to the
box ; it was deserted, but on the red veiv.:t that orna-
mented some part of it yellowish stains were dete:ted, de-
noting the action of a corrosive liquid. All doubt 'X"
now removed. The infuriated spectators devasted the box.
The curtain rose ; the manager came forward and confirmed
the fatal news. " Signora Riccardina," said he, "is in tilt.;
most deplorable condition. Her arms, her face, and her
bosom are fearfully burnt ; it is to be feared tl;at she will
be disfigured for life." The yell; became tremendous ;
deafening shouts of " Revenge !" " Down with the wretch 1"
" Viva la Republica!" were uttered from all quarters.
In the meantime a young man, who had precipitately
left the theatre, entered the Marchioness' house, and was
soon in her presence. Moved at his sudden appearane,
but striving to dissemble her agitation ; " Dear Alphonse,"
said she, " to what circumstance am I iodel,ted for this
happy, visit. :-"Tie Count looked at her with fury, but
could not utter a word. " You are untvell, Sir ?" added
the Marchioness. " And Riccardina Soares r said he,

gnashing his teeth. " Riccardina !" replied the Marchio-
ness, smiling ; " Riecardina is a person of so much talent
that the public never can admire her as much as she de-
serves." The Count, after examining her for some seconds
in silence, broke out kith fearful violence. " How came those
stains on your dress, Senora? Why is that gown burnt ?
. . In vain would you deny the crime ; y m that
have done the deed." " Well. then," returned the terrified
Marchioness, " it is I ; bit if it be a crime it is the crime
of love," and, extending her hinds, she endeavoured to
appease him. The Count seizad a cushion and violently
forced it over her face and head. As :11? struggled she
upset a table, and the noise brought up her attendants.
The Count rushed out, a doctor was called in, but the

Marchioness had expired. On the same day the Count
iris seized in his house and taken to prison. As for Riccar-
dina Soares, slight hopes are entertained of her recovery.
The corrosive liquid had attacked the jugular artery, and no-
thing could save her life but an operation of the most dan-
gerous nature, which was about to be attempted.

Tuesday the ballot, as appointed at the Vestry
meeting of the parish of Stepney on Saturday last, to decide
the question of a Church-rate, took place at the parish
Church, commencing at nine o'clock in the morning, and
finally closing at six in the afternoon. The most perfect
arrangements had been made by the churchwardens for
taking the bal'ot fairly. The parish was divided into three
districts, Mile-end Old Town, Mile-end New Town, and
Ratcliffe. To these were appropriated five ballot boxes ;
each presided over by a competent person appointed by the
churchwardens, and two influential persons, chosen by the
respective parties to act as scrutineers. It is impossible t o
describe the intense anxiety and excitement which prevailed
throughout this highly populous district during the de v.
Committee-rooms had been formed in different parts of the
parish, and the several avenues leading to the Church pre-
sented a scene only to be equalled by .Stepney-,green
a contested election for the Tower Hamlets. Hundreds of
individuals were employed in distributing slips of pavr with
the words, " For the Rate," " Against the Rite,"
each party anxiously endeavoured to thrust .into the hands
of the several vot:e.s as they arrived. Those who rxet
led
themselves against the rate were evidently acting- on the
voluntary principle,' whilst the opposite party appeared
to have been hired for the occasion. N)twithstaring the
immense number of individuals who had asembled, the
most perfect ham mony was preserved. At eight o'clock
Mr. Hall, the Chairman, declared the motion for the rate
to be lost by a majority of 185. The Tory party, by some
species of trickery, endeavoured to claim a majority in their
favour, which only excited the laughter of the r opponents.
Chc meeting afterwards quietly separated, after giving three
cheers, for their success.
DEAL, SEPT. 24.—1 t has blown very strong from
the eastward the last three days, and still continues, which
has prevented arrivals from the westward. This morning
a brig was observed at the off part of Goodwin Sands, and
front the course she was then steering, it was evident to
our boatmen, if she did not alter that course, she must
run on shore on the sand, and I regret to add their appre-
hensions were soon realised, which caused a great many of
our boats to be launched, and proceed off immediately to
render her assistance. On their approach to the vessel
they observed a boat bottom upwards, in which it appears
seven of the crew left the vessel after she struck. Ttie
chief mate, carpenter, steward, and a seaman were drowned
by the boat upsetting. The boatswain and two seamen
have been picked up by our boatmen, and landed here. in
a very exhausted condition. The brig proves to be the
Konig der 21rederlanden, of and from Amsterdam for Bata-
via. it is reported that the remainder of the crew are
saved, and carried into Ramsgate ; also that the female
passengers that were on hoard were unfortunately drowned.
The vessel has gone to pieces ; several boats have brought
onshore different articles from the wreck.
WITCITCRAFT.7—At the Town-hall, Abergavennv,
on Wednesday, Sybil.Baynum, an elderly woman, appeared
to answer the charge of Elizabeth Walker, a young married
person, about 25, living in the hamlet.Liwundee, near Aber-
gat enny, who stated that on Friday last she was emploYed
in company with others in a field 'gleaning, when the woman
Baytium 'came up to her and called her a witeb,-_ likewise
.saying that coMplainant's mother, who is recently dead, Wits
also one, and bad bewitched some cows, and that the
daughter was possessed of the saute power, which she ex •
ercised in various lays. The defendant further attempted
with a penknife to Stab.plaintiff, so as to draw her blood and
prevent her witcheries having effect ; had not the other
persons interfered she would have carried her purpose into
execution. The Magistrates boned over the defendant to keep
the peace towards the complainant.—Hereford Times.