The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-26 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—ln June last-I read a long advertisement in your
valuable paper from a company who came before the public
to invite subscriptions, to station a " Floating Telegraph
Lightship and Storeship," S.W. of the Scilly Isles, in the
track of vessels homeward and outward bound from the
British and St. George's Channels. _ _ _

I have daily expected to have seen a notice of such light-
ship being ready, since at the time of coming before the
public the scheme was well supported both by-the Press
and the leading shipowners and merchants of London.
This vessel would doubtless prove of great service to the
shipping generally; and the bad weather that has lately been
prevalent in the Channel has suggested my asking, through
your columns, whether this company is still in existence,
or whether it has been abandoned ?
In addition to placing a lightship, &c., the scheme to
which I allude provided for a powerful steam-tug in Scilly,
and a submarine telegraphic cable to the ship anchored
at sea.
Had there been such a station in the Atlantic during the
past few weeks a large number of lives and a considerable
amount of property might, doubtless, have been saved, and
not only proved of great service to the shipping generally,
but also have proved very remunerative to those who
might have embarked in what I can call by no better name
than a most " useful and humane undertaking."
I need only mention a few cases that have lately occurred
to show the great number of lives and the amount of pro-
perty which is constantly in danger off the Scilly Isles, and
which by timely assistance (which can only be rendered by
a vessel being placed as proposed) would doubtless be saved.
First, among others, was the large ship, " Floating
Light," from Bombay, which is presumed was knocking
about for some time in a disabled state, finally going down.
Next, the " Ra.ypoot," from Liverpool to Bombay, dis-
masted and towed round to the Thames. The " Marie A.
Sidonie," of Brest, was passed, abandoned, off Scilly. The
"Armenian," steamer, on the 6th inst., fell in with a
derelict new ship " Phryne" and put a crew on
board. On the 19th instant, the "Venetian," screw
steamer, from Alexandria, put into Scilly with
loss of boats, &c., and part cargo. On 17th instant the
Araxes, screw steamer, towed in the Glaucus, from Per-
nambuco to Liverpool, having decks swept and loss of
some of her crew. The schooner Cupid, from Para to
Liverpool, also put in, short of provisions, and loss of bul-
warks, &c. These are only a few of the casualties which
have occurred, and without doubt a lightship, with a tele-
graph to the main land, would have been the means of
their obtaining assistance long before they were in the
disabled position in which they were found.
For the interest of shipping I hope this scheme has not
been abandoned:
Apologising for intruding upon your valuable space, I
am your obedient servant,
ONE CONNECTED WITH SHIPPING.
Great Yarmouth, 25th Jan., 1865.

THE WEATHER IN THE PARKS.—The ice in the
metropolitan parks was in such a dangerous state yesterday
that skating could not be carried on; but although placards
were posted cautioning people not to venture upon it, and
the Society's men pointed out the hazard which would be
incurred, some hundreds of persons risked their lives by
walking upon the ice. The consequence was that several
were immersed and ran a narrow chance of losing their
lives. A party of ladies and gentlemen endeavoured to
skate on the pond facing Kensington Palace, and would
not leave the ice, despite repeated warnings, until six of
their number fell in.
DROWNED WHILE ENDEAVOURING TO SAVE LIFE.
—An exciting scene and melancholy accident was
witnessed on Sunday afternoon in Shobrooke Park, about
a mile from Crediton. The ornamental water was thinly
covered with ice, and a large number of persons, including
many children, ventured . upon it. About five o'clock in
the afternoon the frail covering was broken, and a score of
children were immersed. Several boys near the edge
scrambled out, others were dragged out, and at last only
two little girls, named Howard and Inch, were left in dan-
ger. A young man, of the name of Modgridge, in the em-
ploy of Mr. Pope, hatter, and a native of Exmouth, went
into the water to try to save the children. But in full
view of the horrified crowd he lost his balance, fell over on
his head, was drawn under the ice, and it was plain to all
that he was past hope. The girls were still struggling in
the water, but two more volunteers, Lang and Gribble,
both young men, plunged in to the rescue, and succeeded
in bringing the two girls to land. They were greatly ex-
hausted and insensible, but the restoratives applied were
successful. Constables commenced a search for the body of
Modgridge, which was found about 9 o'clock that night,
and taken to the Crediton Inn to await an inquest. The
people of the neighbourhood are less than Devonshire men
if they do not in some prominent and effectual way mark
their appreciation of the heroic conduct of the deceased, and
of the other two, who faced the same danger, but with a
different result.

Ae,
/*/
IA DIEN
VD

HER MAJESTY.

OSBORNE, + ceS'
The Queen and Princess of Wales drove out
terday. ,d
Princess Helena and Princess Louise drove 'til
walked in the grounds. ,v 6.
The Dean of Windsor and the Hon. Mrs.
lesley have left Osborne.

Jan.

The Princess De La Tour d'Auvergne,niother°ta
the Ambassador from France, is expected at Albert-Pt
House to-day from Paris. arse
The Duke and Duchess of Montrose have aril
in Belgrave-square from a tour of visits.
The Marchioness of Ely gave the first of a Seri,'.,
of dancing parties last evening at her residencein rrincerpo
gate, which was attended by several of the diplomatic eqiils
and most of the aristocracy at present in London. Pr°
y 3
commenced shortly after ten o'clock to Coote and irjulle
band, and was kept up till an advanced hour. ipge
The Earl and Countess of Clarendon Nvl-1'
town to-day for The Grove, near Watford.
Lord Harris is about to receive a diStl"l°
party at his seat, Belmont, Feversham, Kent. Taos),
The Countess de Charette (nee de Fits-u
died in childbed at Rome on Monday morning. The
her husband, commands the battalion of the 13°11—
Zouaves.

The Right Hon. Benjamin and Mrs. 319„(1',
have passed through London from Hughenden „,-"--ft°e4
Bucks, on a visit to the Marquis and Marchioness of ps'
at Burghley House, Stamford. upalier
The Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Excu'''it
gave a dinner last evening at his residence in Cgpr.-g°ot,
house-terrace to a party, including Lord Clarence
the Dean of Westminster, the Right Hon. R. LoWe'
Mr. Gilpin, M.P., the Rev. Dr. Hessey, Mr. Fowler' hen"
Mr. Panizzi, Mr. R. Burnett, Mr. RepinKpon, Mr.
son, Mr. Palgra,ve, Mr. Ryan, and Mr. W. H. Glads'°-e,i. ej,
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, of Dale-park, Aran'
and two daughters, have left for a tour in Italy. vApt•
Lady Easthope, second wife of Sir John
hope, Bart., and widow of Major Longley, of the
Artillery, died on Tuesday last. tb
MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—The marriage %,3
Earl of Coventry and Lady Blanche Craven, `o3.y
daughter of the Earl Craven, was solemnised Yeste The
morning at St. George's Church, Hanover-scinnre',4lol
bridegroom and the ',friends of both families asse-,01)
at the church by 11 o'clock, and shortly afterwarc/sr;"
joined by the bride, accompanied by her mother, the 't
the
tess Craven. The bride was received by her father 810
church door, and attended by eight youthful ladieSiipioo
acted the
tab as bridesmaids, proceeded at once to the 001;
le, in front of which a very numerous iol
friends of both families, had assembled, including 101
others the Earl and Countess of Clarendon and LadY
Villiers, the Countess of Verulam and Lady Harriet-00
ston, Viscount and Viscountess Folkestone and 11°Ilig lf'
Bouverie, the Countess of Sefton and Lady Cecilia'A";ig
neux, Viscount Chelsea, Lady Caroline Townley 01;0
Townley, Viscount Uffington, Sir Henry and Lady "icip,a(l
Des Voeux, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Coventry, Hon.
Lady Maria Ponsonby, Mr. Oswald and Miss Osistbei,
Quin, Mr. Cecil Boothby, Mr. James Oswald, NlisB .g',Telsll
Viscount and Viscountess Grey de Wilton, LadYTtie
Bruce, Hon. Mrs. Grimston and Miss Grimston, Se; er'
Hon. and Rev. Edward Grimston, uncle of the hri"o'f
formed the religious rite. After the registration
edo
marriage the wedding party left the church, and lliiesse haler
to the Earl and Countess Craven's mansion in
street, Berkeley-square, to partake of an elegant hre7l?
At two o'clock the newly wedded couple took their
4,7 peg
ture for Croome Court, the Earl of Coventry's 5e3,,"
Upton, Worcestershire, there to pass the honern°°-.
yep
tensive preparations have been made at Croome I re'
Coventry's tenantry to give the noble couple a bey*"
ception.

re"

THE LATE MR. CHAS. G-REVILtE.—The - 0.00
of this gentleman were on Tuesday consigned to tlit) 410,
beside the remains of his mother, Lady Charlotte ale' der)
in the beautiful chapel attached to the Countess Pclitcliell'i
of Ellesmere's seat at Hatchford in Surrey. The brother
was entirely devoid of display. Mr. H. Greville7:nteil
of the deceased, was chief mourner. The °'l,3-1-„i'll
(Dowager) of Ellesmere and other members of the t
were present in the chapel.
ri,,, Oaf,.
REPRESENTATION OF FINSBURY.-00 •-••-, ~ tlr
evening Mr. T. M. Torrens, one of the candidates tt'ci till
representation of the borough of Finsbury, address: )ft•
electors at the Holloway Institute, Holloway-rea:vo'
a
Wiltshire presided. After giving an exposition .- .10
litical views several questions were asked him, Whic,4ll ill
answered to the satisfaction of the meeting. Ile WP:o
favour of abolition of church rates, though a churchve
himself ; in favaur of the ballot, and against the Peron',: 9.
Bill. At the conclusion of the meeting, a resolution 0
unanimously passed to the effect that Mr. Torrens Nvt's,it' ill
and proper person to represent the borough of Final*"
Parliament. ,_ fliDer
THE RAILWAY RATES QUESTION.—The CO- s n co
of Commerce of Liverpool have received from Mr. ',,,uoges
M'Laren, of Edinburgh, an elaborate schedule of e''' 1
joro
arranged with the Scotch railways, which are Said 4°e, tlO
worked to the satisfaction of the railway conll'ae„„,'e re°.
trading community, and the local chambers of c°l-cbloa'
This schedule will be of great use to the Livere-p3gli6/',
ber of Commerce in their negotiations with tileing, ha'
railways with whom the Liverpool traders have
.---
a feud on the rates question. t fel(A
SIGNS OF THE WEATHER.—During the r pore,
days many flocks of wild fowl have been ob.as- ele
passing over the metropolis, journeying town 7 pro'
south. This is not an unusual occurrence, an bird
bably shows that hard weather has driven tile „tog
from their feeding beds in the northern and northttn on
counties. Great flights of larks have also agestet,
the nursery gardens and corn lands of the se"
suburbs. rillt3
A PAUPER HEIR TO AN IMMENSE FORT '---ti
to
guardians of the poor of St. Pancras have held iv
investigations, on Tuesday and yesterday, resPeetqwit
very singular circumstance which has transpired il3 Joseph
workhouse. There is an inmate in the house named te
Phe irtre n
Smart, 95 years of age, who claims to be the heir of
we on,
estimated at the value of £150,000 or £200,000, and C of
sisting of 1,000 acres of louse
pro and, foeming part of the toVill
a nTd
03
helpoo or
Smart
a c 1.0
0
Leicester, considerable h
with house property, in Staffords ...,
prove his title, the master of the house, Mr.
Morrison, 0 017 f
tamed the aid of a Mr. Bishop, a lawyer, and a member
the vestry, and those two travelled to Leicestershire t 0 if;
vestigato the matter. What the result of this trip
iv
did not transpire, but at all events Smart made a Wili, of
which he left £lO,OOO to Bishop, and after the payrnenvi, '
some legacies to those who had been kind to him, °ol',
tuted the master of the house his residuary legatee', beo
Morrison, in answer to questions, said the matter n8:000+
in legal hands some two or three years back. Mr. ly "a it
a lawyer, and Tiffin, one of their inquiry officers, 13,1; ill,
in hand; but, they failed, and Mr. Bishop had taken 'bile
for him. Smart had been in India for 60 years, all°1:-.0$
he
was away his ancestors died and the property'`..ht tO
stated, fell into the hands of persons who had no rig; aria
it. Smart himself, a hale, hearty man, was exams the
stated that he could prove that he was entitled to the,i'ia,
perty by registrars dating from 1699. His great g 71.0.1,
father married Lord Bathurst's daughter, and hi' '4tllo
grandfather's eldest son inherited the property. Aft,e.,l liti'l
his (Smart's) father had it, but his father was kale, ' lie
he was a boy, and he was packed off to India. Whelltio
came back he set about recovering it. Mr. Morris° OP
not tell him what to put in the will, but Mrs. gorrislo' 11
matron, guided his hand when he signed it. 3,11.' I.°„tose".
one of the surgeons, witnessed it. A resolution viltsl, par
by the board on Tuesday, with Smart's assent, to ":,-, ode;
Bishop to deliver up the will, but that gentleman IL,",1110;
yesterday and declined to do so. The board, he °9"..,- . olly
found out a mare's nest, and this was not the oratc, ltr'
they had discovered. As they had thought proPer,ppt
P
dulge in scandal he should give no explanation enci,i °'
writing. Ultimately, the matter was left in the 11°-
A
the directors of the poor. TO
A CLERGYMAN CONVICTED OF CRUEIOOO,
HORSE.—At the petty sessions, Steyning) 1", tiis
on Monday, before Colonel Carr Lloyd, chair° jaw-
Charles Goring, and the Rev. Mr. Goring, the Bey. 01
Hurst, rector of Thakeham, appeared to ausvietioa °
charges, laid by the Royal Society for the Freya' p,
Cruelty to Animals, for cruelly torturing a horse °I1„0 tie
22 last, and on the 2nd instant. It appeared that t'l3, tV
fendant was in the habit of riding a mare, althetliga Ot°
animal had a dreadful wound on the back, 1111"1,-AV,
saddle,..which kept discharging blood. These facts 'ooeo'
been represented to the society, they despatched 31 del ell:
to Thakeham, and on the 2nd instant he met the 0001;
dant riding the mare, and he requested him tO 13,15,D0 a,,ea
Upon removing the saddle and sheepskin he calle" "0 tt:i-
fendant's attention to the discharge then issuiog frooilic;
wound, and the inflammation surrounding it. rille•on ill
to wi'l ofWel;
asked permission to retain the sheepskin,
defendant replied, " Take it if you dare." o°,, aot",,
then answered, " If you object to that it will be l''''ooce)',
to take your horse and sheepskin into custody .(7.t„-o Oft/
The rev. gentleman was thus induced to say, `` you 13
take it then." The skin, which was produced ii'll 1)000
showed two patches of blood and matter, the "tv°°,,teti 111
completely saturated. The defendant, who COoduilvt n°
own case, severely cross-examined the witnesses, airrol
at all to the improvement of his position. The ell 60°0
said the charges had been fully proved, an liti gflJl
a case of the very basest cruelty e hip 1° f Ifr
doubts whether they ought not an. once to send ~,the,-,livo
House of Correction. However, they fined Wl' -fi. 'fr,,i,t
penalty, £5
apinpeeaarechd
tcoasbee, wamitahzecosts, t
htl9j
uld6gsm. i 1104: but l''
the penalties,

WM?'

bi

25
out Yea•

aila
,ove

rs.

loth°. of
'bort-P.
c arriYea

f a seriess
prince '
iatic 0;1:
D 1101!:.;
lieJ

~,ill le
ej

:_jameo:
'irliti
ront,--C

ieli
Ps",
en goo ,r
of Setre

uzr
a caritor
pag6
rico gy,
owe, .
r .9
Stab°
la tone'
Aritl3d"

ast'
)11110 Rat
ti 4

AN 0

l'aes
dates f OO
ddresse')fr•
on y_road--07,
of bis ha
In, hi 4
,`"
church:lA,io
e Pero"os
iutioo
so 0
rens wa9ff

ber
,e Cha—
na
Jr. Pull e 4
.5
.0 of ch3'
100
Said t 0
wv.,oies,
the
co r 0161,1,
711-0
Iva long 13"3

fel(
he P°t orea
obs'
the
towilara pro-
-30 an 00
tbe
311 tee
aordl-° a 00
aprearetileo.
13,0 6°l

A
TO
TY Or
r,UEL ,
lind Slt
-o)
the Revf tif
) auS" tiap 0.
Prer3/1,,, 91"
horse °-", de'
)c1 that tUa
the
altho er t
Lek, tin d
well°s
;se 0
facts -
tehed jefe't.
et 0° oto
ais° 418)
mlie
13 calledO .cv
;Slling he of
rya
it.
to Wilt ofVe
'„ 1:10
• lA7
;ill t 013— y
stody:,
in
colr:4
[Weed. bewo
the itie ted t
__ac
o IPL 40
bIIeSS esivoto)
ir
Th° C
and c° stitililci g 04,0
Nich 119'1 t°
send bill the ',1)43
hin,
.6s. in Dot V
igraenti

XECUTION OF THE PLAISTOW
MURDERER-THIS DAY.

f The execution of Ferdinand Kohl, for the murder of a
°reigter in the Plaistow-marshes, took place at Springfield
"G4°l, near Chelmsford, at 9 o'clock this morning. Not-
111ithstauding the inclemency of the weather the crowd was
I„,lnese• The wretched man ascended the scaffold with
;3711lia«Step, and protested his innocence to the last. He
fell I almostocent, so Ixelp
me God . when the drop
' and immediately the culprit was dead.

The Metropolitan District Railway•

THIS DAY.
leTlbe first ordinary general Meeting of this company was
the
a.t their offices, 2, Queen-street-place, Westminster—
m
dßight Hon. the Earl of DEVON in the chair.
After the usual preliminaries,
The noble CHAIRMAN said that, as they were assembled for
the first time at an annual meeting, it devolved on him, as
tthheir provisional chairman, to make a few observations on
-fbeir present position and future prospects of the company.
eY had not yet issued their prospectus or appealed to
the public for subscriptions towards the capital that was
orelutired for the undertaking. That was in consequence
s having been necessary to enter into various inquiries
4/1 to pay careful consideration to the peculiag, and gene-
reaaltifoenatuza of the line, so as to be enabled in their aPPli-
euPPort to lay before the public such a careful
a/14 complete prospectus as would make them acquainted
With fb
f ""e Possible demands which might be required
-sotar
the exigencies of the line. (Hear, hear.) The
Cements of the cost of the undertaking were not suf-
ficiently matured to be submitted to the public,
/3,11 t he s authorised to state that their proSpectus would
be shortly prepared, and then they would be in a position
make an appeal, which they believed, from the
Illaerits of the case, would be cordially responded to.
l ear, hear.) They remembered that a committee
tald been appointed at their last meeting to consider
lis time when they should open the subscription
3' and fortified by the additional powers conferred
'Wi. the present meeting they would be prepared to proceed
Zthout further delay. (Hear, hear.) The noble chairman
ilcluded by stating his firm
conviotion that the line would
,ralest satisfactory and remunerative. (Hear, hear.) The fol-
-4 leg noblemen and gentlemen were appointed directors:—
e Right lion. the Earl of DeVon, Chairman; Lord Naas,
tak air. Worms, the Hon. F. Lyon, M.F. ; Alderman
Lion Mr. C. Gilpin, M.P.; Mr. Henry Wolf, Colonel the
• Talbot, Mr. Wilkinson, Major Vereker, Mr. Sher-
Austin, and Mr. Baxter. M.P.
iinb'iueeephroceed. lags terminated with a. vote of thanks to the
the airman for the efficient service he had rendered to
.0 er,w,
• .pally.

kONEy NABRET

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE,

I.ICTION IN THE RATE OF DISCOUNT.

The reduction to 5 CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK.
land rate of discount,
per cent. in the Bank of Eng-
so long expected,
realised this morning. The material difference
has been
Which has existed during the past week in the value
of
money
out of doom and at the Bank of England,
float'e limited call for accommodation, and the large
ng balances of bankers and others lying idle,
Pointed to further concessions being made ; and the
aeilraost total exclusion of the authorities from the
ulirrent discount business rendered the adoption of
ofe,,measure on their part a necessity in the interests
capital Bank stock-holders. So great is the supply of
tti, and the confidence of discounters in the
for the tendency of money, that the quotation
tile ''te negotiation of the best short-dated mercan-
In - Ptaterhasbeen lowered since the official announce-
Drell '''°k Place 6 to 4 per cent. But there is little.
iirehability that for many days yet any greater faci-
iieliN will be afforded, because the number of bills
this 4 for • • • of the measure adopted
in anticipation
ciornin
very large, and an
actual • g must have been
now
exisc, 14quiry for accommodation is thereforeit
is,
the—eted to prevail for some time to come.
As
VithiPh,e,gress Which monetary affairs has made
am '' 'Le Past month is exceedingly satisfactory,
tered-31,trade cannot now be said to be much fet
toNt. by discount restrictions, it is hoped that the
DroPortio ercens °i the country will expand to greater
Ilas% be allowance of interest for deposit accounts
itlehldine.ll reduced by the principal discount houses,
,E3eMessrs43lltit ' -7‘ Mesara. Alexander Cunliffes and Co.,
4ii verend' Gurney, and Co., the National
c
at ea-u,
4 ompany, gte., to 4 per cent. for money
tliclr 4l Per eent. for seven days' notice of
notice.awal7 and to
4i. per cent. for fourteen days'
4r. 11.
nt-
m *
111 N It Carman having resigned his W .
kill aS Official assignee, has joined the firm of
A PZ°l'd, and Co., the accountants.
the tankler Bum of i 1.9 000 in gold was taken into
.. '
The
lastesterday.
la the . day for receiving applications for shares
t .
for Loudonrl tish Slate Company is Wednesday, Feb. 1,
Ti, , and Saturday,the country.
~ -e hi,l, Feb. 4, for
0) shares- 'era of scrip certificates of the new (or
are required of the Agra and Masterman's Bank,
tory to depositthem at the bank, prepar a-
te
issue
, The i„ e of definitive certificates for the same.
lo this -8' of
railway
da,, _ . receipts,
4 are, In round figures, as under :-
1865. 1864
...
.„ £60,836 £57,662„, 95,579 90,783

... 19,413 17,444

... 15,596 13,220