The Sun.
London, England, 1839-12-30 00:00:00

VENTNOR, ISLE OF WIGHT, Dec. 29

(FlOll A CORRESPONDENT.)✓
The landslip near Barney Wild's new hotel increased
so on Friday as to render it necessary to stop Carriages
proceeding to Ventnor by new Steephill shoot; the
chasm in that part is not above a foot in width, but it
appears to he very deep ; great fears are entertained
by many for the inn and the houses in the immediate
neighbourhood, 'vhich the passage of heavy carriages so
near are likely to heighten. This must not be construed
to the village of Ventnor being about to take its de-
parture on a sea voyage ; it is a mere crack in the cliff,
occasioned by the heavy rains, and which, in the opinion
of maey well-informed, will extend very little farther ;
and of all, that it can only affact the two or three
houses directly under it. We are thus particular to
remove any fears from the minds of the numerous
strangers residing here, for the benefit of their health.
There is a similar cleft in the road near Black-chine,
and several in other parts. The land has slipped also
we hear '.at Cowes ; and Oak-hill house, lately occupied
by Lords A. Fitzclarence and Delawarr, is considered
in danger.
DELAY OF THE LONDON MAIL.—We understand
that the London mail reaches Southampton between
three and four o'clock in the morning, yet we do not
receive our letters much before twelve ; it does not
arrive at Ventnor till eleven, and leaves again at
two ; and, what with the time required for sorting and
delivering, it is hardly time to reply to a letter by the
same post. The great delay is stated to be between
Southampton and Cowes, as it does not reach the latter
place till near nine o'clock, full five hours after its
arrival at Southampton—this, for a distance of twelve
miles, is rather too much in the old style, particularly
if it is true, that to expedite it over these twelve miles
Government has increased the amount paid for its con-
veyance from 90/. to 300/.
It has been objected by our Tory friends against the
possibility of there ever being a penny postage, that a
person could now send four letters in one from Ventnor
to London for fourpenee, and that if they had to write
to four persons in London they would do so—thus the
revenue would be ruined. They forget the letters
would have then to be repeated. with the extra trouble,
and the expense the same at last. Who, if they could
do it for one penny, would not send a separate letter
to each? Why, even a Tory would.
The land is in such a state from the continued rains
that the farmers have been unable to get their wheats in
—great doubts exist if those who were thought the
fortunate few as having succeeded, are in a situation
preferable now to the others. The wheats that are
up look bad, the land is covered with water, with
every prospect of a frost setting in. The wind has got
to the N. We had a sharp frost last night, and we
have had no rain for the last 24 hours, in which time
the barometer has got up nearly an inch, but this is not
much to be depended on, as, during the fall, it pointed
to fair when it was foul, and for the last few days it has
changed its place, and is following the weather at a
respectful distance. The cattle are 'suffering greatly.