The Sun.
London, England, 1839-10-23 00:00:00

DESTRUCTIVE TORRENTS IN

THE ALPS.

BRIEG, OCT. 3.—The site of Martigny, whence I
dated my last letter, is, like all the principal towns of
Switzerland, happily chosen. Serenely seated in a rich
angle of the valley of the Rhone, with a grand and
highly cultivated table land rising loftily above it, and
that elevated platform, which in any other country
would be itself deemed a splendid mountain, over-
topped by a superb sugar-loaf peak, hiding its head in
the clouds and frosted over with snow ; and surrounded
with many other giant hills, some clothed with verdure
and plantations, others naked in primeval fierceness ;
and with the boiling torrent of the Drance, fresh from
the inexhaustible caldrons of the great St. Bernard,
dancing at its feet, and uniting at a little distance
with the imperious Rhone, this handsomely-built
town may well boast of charms neither vulgar nor
monotonous. But it is not alone to its lovely situa-
tion, nor to the splendid scenery which the eye takes
in from its every point, that Martigny is indebted for
the number of its visitors. It is on account of its
being the great resting-place on the routes to and from
St. Bernard, Blanc, and Chamounix, and to its position
on the road to the Simplon. Chamounix is about eight
leagues distant, and the great St. Bernard much about
the same ; but as both these excursions are as well
known as those to Greenwich and Hackney, and, to
say the truth, as I feel it would be rather presumptuous
in me to attempt to " describe the indescribable," I
shall merely remark of them that either excursion can
I be made from Martigny and back, seeing everything
and seeing it well, in three days. Proceeding from
Martigny, and travelling eastwards, you find yourself
imbedded between two vast ridges of rocks, which rise
sulkily into the heavens on the north and south, and
leave you scarce sufficient way to pursue your weary
and monotonous course through the narrow valley at
their base, your only companion being the un-
gentle and angry Rhone which rushes by you with
the roar of an enraged despot. At length the
little village of St. Pierre is reached, and with
it a new and agreeable change of scene. Pasturage,
corn fields, vine plantations, and orchards succeed to
the wild wood or desert waste, and continue extending
and increasing in fertility to Sion. Here it is that, as in
a museum, the traveller may view at once all the opera-
tions and productions of nature collected together. All
that is to be found from the torrid to the frigid zone,
everything that comes to maturity in vegetation from
January to December, is in this valley, and on the
mountains that bound it, to be seen flourishing at the
same moment ; from the vine and Indian corn to the
mountain fir and willow, the latter of which is discovered
growing at a height of 9,000 feet above the level of the
sea. The singular situation of Sion, the chief town of
the Haut Valais, cradled between two rocks, and com-
manding an exquisite view to the east and west, attracts
the attention of the traveller, although its old useless
walls and decayed towers will not strike him as per-
fect models of fortification, being more for ornament
tkan use, and, in sooth, not much for either. Coming
hither I encountered various parties of the soldiers of
the Confederation, who have been withdrawn from

it by order of the Diet, and lost more than one night's
sleep by the uproarious singing and patriotic carousing
of these worthies and the boys of the Haut Valais,who
consider themselves as having gained a grand victory
over the detested enemies of the Low Valais. No-

thing could be more pleasing than my journey from
Sion to Sierre. Everywhere the happy work of har-
vest was going on. The gathering of the grapes, the
making of hay, the knocking down of walnuts, the
cutting of corn and maise,—all life and activity in
the fields—the roads crowded with carts drawn by
oxen, and laden with the ripened produce of in-
dustry and the varied soil—contributed to form a
tableau vivant such as perhaps no other country could
show at one and the same time. But this pleasurable
scene of plenty is but of short continuance, and to it
succeeds one of the most extreme contrast. Soon
after quitting Sierre all traces of cultivation vanish,
and a path so dreary, so lifeless, so strewed with
ruin above, below, on every side, it is impossible to
conceive without having seen it. Passing through this
horrid waste, and walled in on every side by misshapen
and impending rocks, burning with the feverish heat of
a torrid sun, whose rays are reflected and concentrated
by the flinty surfaces around you, and parching with
thirst caused by the fine sand with which the atmosphere
is impregnated, without a single breath of air to cool
your temples, or a single fountain of pure water to allay
your drought, and seeing nothing before you of move-
ment but the terrible Rhone, which here rages in all
the extravagance of uncontrolled power, spreading ruin
and destruction on every side, you might fancy yourself
as treading the unexplored wilds of Africa, or the sandy
deserts of Arabia. Here, during the late inundation,
the overwhelming torrent swept all before it, and of the
celebrated military road of Napoleon, a portion of at
least a hundred yards have entirely disappeared in its
vortex. And can human life endure in this wilderness ?

Look up. Behold in the very centre of this ravage
the town of Leuk, where it is seated on the mountain
side, overlooking the surrounding calamity, and apps-.
..

rently unconscious of danger. This uninviting aspect of
scenery continues with but little variation or modifica-
tion to within a few miles within Brieg. And yet it is
not without its beauties! It is nature still, in her most
untamed, unsociable, unloveable appearance, but won-
derful and dazzling with her barbaric mien and fearful
scowl. As you approach Brieg the vale for a moment
widens and gives promise of beauty and fertility, but the
mountains that enclose it, far from softening in their tone.
take a gloomier aspect and a more formidable size.
Here, in this little town, you see on every side
mountains o'er mountains hurled, and rock o'er rock,

crags that seem to be the pillars whereon the gteat
dome of heaven itself is set, and snow-covered
peaks and hoary glaciers undistinguishable from the
clouds which float around them. Here, too, you see
the devastating Rhone and roaring Saltine mixing their
troubled waters, and dashing onward with a might
irresistible and merciless, while a hundred pretty vil-
lages and innumerable cottages sit perched in situations
apparently inaccessible to human tread, like wild birds'
nests, overhanging the furious whirlpool, and reposing
in the midst of desolation. Brieg, the town which com-
mences the ascent of the Simplon on the northern side
of the Alps, bears frightful marks of the late sudden
melting of the ice,: and consequent overflowing of the
Rhone and its tributaries. The great road leading to
the town has, for a quarter of a mile, been completely
carried away by the flood which, during the 15th, 16th,
and 17th of September, covered almost the entire valley,
bearing away in its furious rage every thing that stood
in its way. Trees have been uptorn and borne down
the torrent, houses have been swept from their foun-
dations, gardens and plantations and fields have been
overspread, and, instead of the ripened crop or the
abundant pasturage, nothing but a wide desert of sand
remains for the ruined husbandman, in many places
three feet deep and upwards. This frightful debacle,
caused by the excessive heat melting the snow and
glaciers, and which far exceeded in its devastating
effects that of 1834, has done an irreparable injury to
all this part of the country, not only in thus destroying
all vegetation, but in the far greater injury of putting a
stop to the passage of travellers, which was the princi-
pal means of support of the greater number of the in-
habitants of Brieg and the towns along the Simplon
route. With respect to the insurrectionary movements
here, of which so much has been rumoured, I believe
they were little more than they " air-drawn dag-
gers of the brain," as wherever I passed all was as
cam as a moonbeam. The commissioners of the Diet
are sitting at Sion, examining into the causes of com-
plaint of these priest-driven people, and that seems to
soothe them for a time.

MARISCHAL COLLEGE.—We learn that the
Crown has instituted a Professorship of Anatomy and
one of Surgery. in Marischal College and University,
and has presented Allen Thomson, M.D., Lecturer on
Anatomy in Edinburgh, to the former Professorship,
and William Pirrie, M.D., formerly Lecturer on Ana-
tomy to King's and Marischal Colleges, to the latter.
—Aberdeen Herald.

COURT OF ALDERMEN. Yesterday John
Johnson, Esq., citizen and spectacle maker, was intro-
duced to the Court, and sworn in as Alderman of Dow-
gate Ward. A long discussion then took place upon
the subject of the most proper place in which to keep
the City Seal, which, since the unfortunate fire at the
Royal Exchange, has had no certain local habitation,
and which some people contend ought not to have even
a name. It was finally resolved to refer the subject to
a Committee, for their decision.
Mr, Torrens, son of Colonel Torrens, attended
a meeting at Loughrea to promote emigration to South
Australia, when Mr. Birmingham advised a purchase
of 4,000 acres there, and Sir John Burke subscribed
"00/., the Dowager Lady Clanricarde, 1001. Mr.
Torrens goes out as a settler next December.—Limerick
Chronicle.
VESSEL ON FIRE IN SHIELDS HARBOUR.—
The Betsy, of London, was discovered to be on fire
yesterday afternoon, in Shields harbour, whilst lying in
tier near the ferry-boat landing-place, on the south side
of the water. She was immediately towed clear of the
other vessels, and her masts cut away, at which time
the flames were rushing up the hatches, and it was
feared she would be burnt to the water's edge.—New-
castle Chronicle.
A VETERAN.—At the inspection of Chelsea
pensioners in Aberdeen district, on Tuesday se'nnight,
there appeared a venerable figure wrapped in a camlet
cloak. From deafness, he allowed his name to be called
without returning an answer, and when some one told
him of the circumstance, the old man, having gruffly
thanked him, rose to leave the Court. " You have seen
service in your day," remarked the pensioner who had
aroused him ;"it is not to-day nor yesterday that you
passed your first inspection ?" " No, indeed," answered
the old soldier ; " I was not able to serve my King in
forty-five, but I mind well on it. I was ten years old at
Culloden !" " But it was not long after till you did
serve him ?" " No, indeed," replied old one hundred
and three, as he made his way, with a firm step, out of
the Court-house, once more to " pass muster," I have
been fifty years a pensioner."—Edinburgh Courant

AIALRKET

IGENCE.

(From this London New Price Current of October 22.)
SUGAR-.The refiners have purchased sparingly of West
Indian M uscovadoes Sugar since our last report, and I
rather low er prices have been submitted to for soft de-
scriptions ; strong grey qualities have however maintained
their forme .r currency ; for mid and fine yellow kinds pre-
vious rates have been fully supported, in brown and low
yellow sorts: former rates not maintained by is for the
former, and. 6d for the latter at public sale 140 hhds Bar-
badoes sold rather cheaper for common qualities ; the bet-
ter kinds, ho wever, fetched their former value, low mid-
dling went at 61s 6d to 635, middling to good middling
649 to 65s 60', good and fine 66s to 67s 6d per cwt.
This afters oon the better descriptions suitable for the
scale brought p revious rates, but brown and low yellow kinds
barely suppsrtesd former prices ; at auction 100 hhds Bar-
badocs so'd at the rates previously established, low mid
and mid fetched 62s 6d to 64s 6d, good mid 65s to 6556 d,
good 66s to 675, and fine 67s 6d per cwt. The total sales
arc 600 hhds an d trs.
REFINED.-F. )r Refined goods reduced rates have again
been submitted t o ; standard lumps have been sold at 785
6d a 795, and brown Lumps 76s to 77s per cwt. For
Bastards quotations are rather lower ; Crushed has fetched
34s 3d to 34; 6d, 101 b Loaves 38s 6d to 393, and 141 b
Loaves 38s. In Dutch Crushed no change has taken
place ; 33s 6d is asked, deliverable at Amsterdam.
Today the operations in Refined goods for home use
were on a small sea le ; standard Lumps have been sold at
78s, and brown ones. at 76s per cwt. Treacle sells steadily
at 3ls Gd to 353 Gd iser cwt. Foreign Crushed at 34s to
34s 3d per cwt.
MAURITIUS.-For lx-own andinferior yellow kinds there
are few buyers, but prices have suffered no further depres-
sion 57s to 62; for middling low and yellow. This after-
noon there was no change in prices, but the demand pri-
vately was limited, and there was no public sale. 1,400
bags are declared for Thursday.
EAST INDIA.-For Manilla former rates were supported,
21; 6d paid for 200 casks Manilla Muscovado; there has
been no public sale Siam has supported its former cur-
rency. For Bengal of strong white quality advanced
rates have been fully supported ; 1,300 bags at public
sale sold at 66; 6d to 67s 6d for middling and good mid-
dling, 68; 6d to 69s 6d for good and fine white, and 63s
to 685 6d for damps and washed.
This afternoon there was no a'xction of any kind, and
the private sales were on a small scale, but in prices we
make no alteration. 1,500 bags Bengal are declared for
public sale to-morrow, and 1,000 baskets Java, 3,000 bags
Manilla, and 300 bags Siam for next Tuesday.
FOREIGN.-This afternoon there was an increased disin-
clination manifested to purchase Brazil, and 443 chests
and 207 brls, &c. at public sale were only partly sold on
rather easier terms; Bahia low and mid white went at
24s 6d to 275, low and mid brown 183 to 21s, mid and good
yellow 22; to 24s ; Pernams were taken in, low and good
mid white at 24s to 28s, and brown and yellow 19s to 23s
per cwt.
MOLAssEs.-West India at lower prices ; fine Antigua
at 335, fair St. Vincents 31s, and Nevis 30s. Trinidad at
29s for good fair dark but thin quality; better quality was
taken in at 30; a 31s per cwt.
COFFEE. -The importers have refrained from offering
any British Plantation at public sale, at the same time
there has not appeared much inclination on the part of the
trade to purchase privately : for the clean mid descriptions,
however, there has been some inquiry, and the purchases
by private contract have been upon the terms of this day
week.
This afternoon there was no public sale of East or West
India, and by private contract there was little passirig' the
trade generally waiting for the auctions declared for this
week; some small sales are made in good ord. csylon at
104 s 6d. The demand for Foreign limited ; 720 bags
imported direct, 3,274 do. from the Cape, offered at auc-
tion (bankrupt's effects), the whole of which were taken in,
the former at 45s a 47s for ord to good ord, being 2s under
the general valuations, and the latter at 46s 6d a 475 for
low good ord mixed, which is also lower. Some cargoes
Brest
from the Cape are daily expected, consisting of Brazil, St.
Domingo, Cuba, &c.
TALLOW.-On the spot the purchases have been on
small scale in P. Y. C., and prices have declined to 483 sa
to 49s for first quality. For delivery up to the end of the
year there has been little passing, at 47s 6d to 47s 9d; for
the spring months there are sellers at 48s, but few buyers.
This afternoon there was only a limited business doing
in P. Y. Candle on the spot or to arrive, 48s 6d is the
quotation for the former, and 47s 3d to 47s 6d for the
latter purpose; 47s 9d is asked for Spring months, but
there arc few buyers at present.
OILS.-Advanced rates required for all descriptions of
common fish oils. Cod in small quantities have bee°
disposed of by private treaty at 331, Southern at 281
to 301 and Pale Seal, at 341 to 341 10s, but it is
now obtainable at 331 to 331 10s. ; at auction on
Friday 56 tuns Newfoundland Cod taken in 331. 100
tuns Seal went at 331 to 33155 for Pale, 291 to 31t 5s for
straw, and 271 15s to 29/for yellow and brown. Sperm of
good quality at 951; 20 tuns of rather inferior quality at
auction fetched 931 to 9315 s per tun. Linseed Oil last
week 25s 3d to 25s 6d, but during the last few days prices
ha fallen to 24s 3d to 24s 6d. Rape at prices those of
thisve day week. Palm at 37s to 38; per cwt. East India
Cocoa Nut at 43s to 44s per cwt.
SPICES,-Black Pepper of common quality has sold to
a fair extent by private contract at 3id to 30 for t
, which rathees
are on a par with those of this day week; but
better kinds there are few orders.
This afternoon Cassia Lignea was in improved request ;
440 chests were offered at auction and sold rather higher,
good middling thin but false packed fetched 64s 6d to
65s 6d, and good ordinary coarse 61s 6d to 62s per cwt ; one
parcel of 300 chests of fair -mid was sold at 64s for cash.
RUM, BRANDY, AND HoLLANDS.-The Rum market has
presented a more lively appearance, and in Jamaica a fair
business has been done at previous rates; the purchases
to yesterday afternoon amounted to 400 puns, 20 to 22
per cent overproof at 5s a 5s 2d, 24 to 26 over 5s 3d a
5; 4d, 28 to 30 over 5s 5d a 5s 6d, 31 to 34 over
5s 7d a 5s Bd, 35 to 37 over 53 9d a bs lid, and favourite
marks 6s Id to 6s 3d. Leewards of strong quality have
been taken more freely, and prices are firm, but in ce disc
there has not been much passing ; 200 puns have been dis:
posed of, proofs to 6 per cent. over-proof at 3s 3d a 35 "0
5 to 8 over 3s ad a 3s 6d, 10 to 12 ever 33 8d a
3s 9d, 15 to 20 over 3s 10d a 4s 2d, and 2b to 23
over 4s 6d a4s 10d, some parcels of St. Kitts 35 over
have fetched 5s 2d, and 24 over 4s 6d. To-day there was
a fair business doing, chiefly in the better sorts, at the
rates quoted above. Geneva in good demand. British
Corn Spirits at lOs to lOs 2d.
Inrnoo.-The quarterly sales of East India have con-
cluded; the quantity declared was 6,844 chests.
Since the sales a fair business has been transacted in
East India, and 200 chests have been disposed of. For
Spanish a good demand has prevailed ; and 290 serons
Guatemala at public sale sold with spirit, at 3s to 7s 3d,
which is an advance on the rates of the last auction of 3d
to 5d per lb. 50 serons Carraccas have been offered which
sold at 5s 2d to 5s lid, which is rather lower.
This afternoon there is less life in the market; 209
scrolls Guatemala were submitted to public competition.
only two-thirds found buyers, at rather lower rates for the
better kinds, but ordinary sorts maintained their former
currency ; low Cortes to fine Sobres fetched 3s lld to
6s 9d per lb.
TEA. -In the market there has been less activity during
the last few days. Common Twankay has commanded
is lld ; Congou, of the same quality, is 10d • Hyson,
23 7d to 2s 8c1; Young Hysurf, 2s 8d to 2s 9d; dompanYn
Congou is held, for is lld for cash, and is llid with
prompt.
At auction 2,500 packages have been offered, 2,000 of
which were sold at and after the sales at prices equal to
these established at the Monthly Sale, expecting for Young
Hyson, which brought lid a 2d per lb advance ; Cong,,
preferable to but mid rather strong sold at 2s Old a 2s
but mid rather strong blackish leaf 2s 3d. Souchong b?"
mid little Souchong flavour Is 8111 a is 10d, Byron Sknie
Is 61d to Is 7-d,i Young Hyson but mid rather coars
3s 2d a 3s 3V, Ponchong but mid little coarse is 71. d 6
is B.'7d, and Caper but mid 2s Oid, Canton Bohea (for _ex':
port only), is 24d a is 34d; 500 chests Fokien Behes
subject to the is 6d duty were taken in at 25 4d.
FRUIT.-The demand continues to improve
• vforiernnceisat
kinds of fruit. The market was hare of Ne *.
Raisins last week, the importers having cleared
cout pr
vately at 425, and the trade were buyers at that pr;6s.
Zante and Cephalonia Currants have been reduced to _
To-day there was a good demand for Valentia Raisins at
4fe
COCOA.-British Plantation has been taken rather 01 r
freely by the home trade.
This afternoon 60 bags 21 barrels Trinidad at 1;11.0t,inn0.51
sold slowly, but former rates were supported ; rnidc.lls' t 7,
dark red fetched 53; to 54s : middling greyish, 51
52s ; and low middlin p cwt.
PRomioNs.-Dutchg, 0f49; fi neer quality has sold at 1003at3n.
1023, and Irish is quoted from 85; up to 94s landed.
625
con is still held firmly for high prices. Lard at 60s t°,, I"an
per cwt. Beef and Pork landed are somewhat easier
before. ss-s.

SHEFFIELD PLATED WINE C 00,5
A. B. SAVORY and SONS, Manufacturing Silversoo4'
h f°
14, Cornhill, London (opposite the Bank of En,land),,ap
choice in their warerooms a Selection of PLAIN and
MENTAL ICE PAILS, to which they wish to direct at g 1
The price of the Plain Tub-pail (now much in use), 81. the
the pair ; the Classic Vase (very neat), 10/. his. the pawl the
Victoria Pattern, 15/. the pair • the Dresden Cooler? 19apd
pair, &c., all of whic.. are strongly mounted with Silver,ro.
have Silver Shields for Engraving the Crest or Coat of 14 0,4
A pamphlet is published, with drawings of the alOvehea-
articles of plate generally, which may be had ou aPP
non, free of cost.

_ PLATE SUITED FOR PRESENTATION.;
Elegant or Splendid Silver Inkstands—Silver Waiters of elerJf
,size—Silver Cups, New and Second-hand—Fifty YarieLicl r
Silver Tea and Coffee Services—Gold Snuff Boxes---'l'lte.
Table Snuff Boxes—Silver Epergnes—Silver Bread Baske
And many other articles of Plate adapted for Presentation
Testimonials, &c., may be selected from, in the Show Rooms a'
T. COX SAVORY'S,
Working Silversmith, Goldsmith, and Watchmaker, 47, Corn'
hill, London ( Seven Doors from Gracechurch-street).
N.B. By addressing a paid letter stating the amount fstrct:l_,
testimonial required, drawings and particulars of various sr rof
suited for the price and object can be forwarded to any Par
he country.

BIRTHS.
On the 18th inst., at Raglan Rectory, the lady of W. J* /3.
Hall, Esq., of Bryntirion, near Cardigan, of a
her Grace t son. he
On the 20th inst., at Whitehall-gardes,
Duchess of Buccleueh, of a sen.
MARRIED.
On the 15th inst., at St. Marylebone Church. the Be;r:
Richard Croft, youngest son of the late Sir Richard Co'
Bart., to Charlotte Leollora, elder daughter of the late Lieute-
nontColonel Russell, of the Madras Cavalry.
DIE D.
On the 15th instant, at Vallis Cotta Frome, Sower"
ge, near
set, after a long illness, in his Slat year, George hood
George, Esq., deeply lamented by numerous friends. ,
°,in4
On the 7th iT,.
nst., at Naples, the Right Ho*. John 7.9
Lord Trimlestown, the 19th Baron 'Fin ri lestovn, of Trinuc--
town Castle, Meath, aged 66. •
---....n.....-x.r.

of
London Printed
Mthe
No. 112, Strand, at The Sun Office, No 112, ,
county of Middlesex.—Wednesclay, October '23, 1836'