The Sun.
London, England, 1830-04-12 00:00:00

DEPTFORD DOCK-YARD.

The establishment of this ancient and celebrated
naval arsenal is nearly broken up, and the change it
has made in Deptford is very apparent from the
number of unemployed hands and empty houses.
Most of the artisans and petty officeris have been
discharged or superannuated, with the exception of
about 150, who have been drafted into the dock-
yards of Plymouth, Chatham, Pembroke, and others.
Mr. Byrne, the boatswain of the yard, is the only
officer who still holds his situation, which he va-
cates as soon as the Worcester, a frigate of 30 guns,
now under the operation of coppering, shall be
launched. This, it is expected, will take place in
about a month. The extensive range of buildings
forming the left side of the yard are now occupied
by a strong body of Marines, several hundred in
number. Deptford is, however, to be the rendez-
zous for the Royal yachts, and will still be used as
a receiving and store-yard for the navy; and we be-
lieve it is intended to permit merchant-vessels to
repair here.
This dock was one of the earliest established in Eng-
land, and is the scene of many remarkable events. It was
formed by Henry VIII. at the commencement of his
reign, who erected a storehouse for the Royal Navy.
In 1515 Sir Thomas Spert, commander of the great
ship Henry Grace Dieu, here founded the patriotic
and benevolent Trinity Society. Queen Elizabeth,
in 1581, visited Drake at Deptford, after his return
from his first voyage round the world, and conferred
on him the honour of knighthood. in 1698 Peter
the Great of Russia worked in the dock-yard as a
shipwright. It consists of two wet docks—one two
acres in extent, the other one and a half; with all
the requisite outbuildings and storehouses for a
great nay'', arsenal. Vessels of minor cla.e, as small
frigates, sloops of war, and bomb ships, have been
constructed here, though many stately vessels have
issued from its slips, amongst which are the Windsor
Castle and Neptune, of 90 guns each ; the Bombay,
74 ; and the Queen Charlotte, 110.

The alterations and removals which we have
stated have already caused a material depression in
trade along the banks of the river, and it is also
conjectured will materially affect the several parishes
where the discharged shipwrights and labourers re-
sided.

Nothing can exceed the magnificence of de-
coration with which Lord HisaTroau has completed the
internal arrangements of Dorchester House. The suite
of state rooms is hung with crimson Genoa velvet, re-
lieved with gilt mouldings and eneoignures ; and the
ceilings are profusely enriched with carving and gilded
cornices. In the music room the ground of the ceiling
is of gold, fretted with has reliefs of flowers.—Court
Journal.

A PUZZLING TEXT.--A gentleman in De-
vonshire suspecting his servant did not attend divine ter-
vice, as he had desired him, and for which purpose be
had leave every Sunday afternoon. gave JOHN to undei-
st Ind lie should in future expect him to remember time
text Accordingly, as soon as Join( returned home on
the following Sabbath he called him into the parlour, and
without comment desired to know in what part of the
scriptures the minister had taken his text? " Why, Sir,"
answered JOHN, scratching hie head by way of refreshing
his memory, " I—l—let me see! Oh ! Why—where—
let me see, if I could but recollect where they make silk
handkerchiefs I could tell you, sir !" " Bat celona, I sup-
pose, you mean !"said his master, rather angrily. " That's
it, sir," cried JOHN in ecstacy—" that's it, sir ! Thessa-
lonians ! but as for the chapter and verse, hang me," raid
JOHN, "it I can recollect them !"