The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-26 00:00:00

stamped it years ago.

Several musical celebrities passed through Berlin
last week—Verdi, on his way to St. Petersburg ; Mme.
Lombord, on her way to Moscow ; and Von Flotow, who
was going to Paris to superintend the performance of his
work, " Stradella," at the Grand Opera there.

Tamburini, the celebrated baritone, has arrived
at Nice, where he intends passing the winter season with
his son-in-law Gardoni, who recently arrived there from

London.

Lightning fell on Thursday on a floating prison
for convicts, anchored in the Roads of Toulon. After
having traversed the roof and pierced the two decks, the
electric fluid escaped without having caused any further in-
jury except having set fire to some timber, which was easily
extinguished. But it is not easy to describe the horror
experienced by 800 convicts when they perceived 4t.
spark flying from one end to the ""-
bar to which their ,1-- •
DF ' "--

_ electric
..er of the massive iron
—.ins Were attached.
•F MR. FORBF,S MACKENZIE—We re-
gret to record the sudden death of Mr. William Forbes
Mackenzie of Portmore. Mr. Mackenzie had been at "The
Glen " on a visit to Mr. Charles Tennant, and had retired
to bed on Tuesday night apparently in his ,usual health.
On his attendant calling him
yesterday morning, he found
him dead in bed. Mr. Forbes Mackenzie was returned for
Peeblesshire in 1837, and retained his seat for that consti-
tuency till the general election of 1852, When he was suc-
ceeded by his brother-in-law Sir Graham Montgomery.
At that time, Mr. Mackenzie, having been a Lord of the
Treasury in the Ministry of Lord Derby, offered himself for
Liverpool, and was returned, though in a month or two
unseated upon petition, for bribery and treating. As a
legislator, Mr. Forbes Mackenzie's name threatens to live
longest in connection with the
parentage of the Public-
11"uses Act of 1852--though, we believe, the demerit of
that Act really belongs to Lord Kinnaird and (we
riev
to say), to our otherwise reasonabletownsman, Mr g.
W. e
S.C. After 1118
uncap, S
retirement from Parliament,
D
Mr. Forbes. Mackenzie took little part in public affairs.—
's'cOhrin4n.

The long pending separation movement has been
abandoned, and the state of feeling between the
two provinces had become very favourable.

The weather had been very boisterous, and rain
had fallen incessantly. The rivers throughout a
great portion of the colony were dangerously
swollen. Bridges had been washed away, and the
roads in some parts completely destroyed.
The destruction of private property had been
enormous. The damage was estimated at £50,000.
The shipping had also suffered severely.
On the Bth ult. the brigantine Marietta and the
barks Kate and Crystal Palace were driven ashore
in Table Bay, and became total wrocks. The crews
were saved.

The steamer Golden Fleece, from Calcutta, put
into Sinian's Bay on tke 12th inst., totally dis-
masted. The captain was killed.

The breakwater and dock works withstood the

gales.

The Norman arrived in Table Bay on the 12th.
The Ariel reached Simon's Bay on the 21st from the

West Coast.

No despatches had been received from Dr.
Livingstone's expedition at Cape Town,
Mr. Robert Moffat, jun., died near Durruman.
The Rev. J. S. Moffat was returning, with his wife,
dangerously ill.
The Coquette, from. Rio, had arrived at Simon's

Bay.
Business at the Cape was still very dull.

THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS.

The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation
Company have received the following telegram :—.
MARSEILLES, FRIDAY MORNING.
" The Tectis, with the above mails, arrived at
Marseilles at 7 a.m. this day.
" The mails were to leave for London at 11 a.m."