The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-11 00:00:00

PORTRAIT OF KOSSUTH.

Incomparably the best portrait yet produced of the
illustrious patriot, Louis Kossuth, is ono which has
only just now been completed. The original painting—
taken from sittings in London—is from the hand of an
eminent artist of the French school, M. N. Illakowicz.
It represents the ex-Dictator in the costume of a Mem-
ber of the Hungarian Parliament ; and would be inte-
resting—if for nothing else—from the circumstance of
its being a work of art designed for the President of the
United States. We rejoice to observe the likeness
is now in a fairway of becoming popularised in this
country, even prior to the departure of the pic-
ture across the Atlantic. It has, with this ob-
ject in view, been admirably lithographed by the
teacher of drawing at the University College, M. N.
Pioszczynski. The engraving, we feel confident—for
the sake of the glorious Magyar, of which it is in truth
the verisimilitude—will be welcomed by thousands of our
sympathising fellow-countrymen. A good portrait of
Kossuth is a treasure worthy of preservation by Eng-
lishmen.

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION WITH THE CLUBS.—
Electric telegraphs have been laid down from the House
of Commons to various clubs at the West-end by the
European and American Telegraph Company, and were
put in operation for the first time on Monday evening.
To-day they will be extended to the office of the company
in Cornhill, and subsequently to other clubs. Each in-
stitution is to pay sixpence per message, and also a fixed
annual sum.

A FRIGHTFUL SCENE NEAR LEEDS.—About half-past
11 o'clock on Tuesday morning, the 3d inst., the inhabi-
tants of Bramley were much alarmed on fining a young
man, who had been for many years out of health, almost
reduced to a skeleton,, and of late scarcely able to walk,
standing upon the chimney of a house three storeys high.
This young man, a mason, received an injury on the head
by a fall from a high building several years ago, and as he
advanced in years he continually grew worse, and at lengthi
was compelled to give up working. He is subject to fits
daily, and after one of them he was seen, in the absence of
his parents on the roof of a house adjacent. He then got
upon another house of three storeys high adjoining, and
when he could get" no higher, immediately mounted the
chimney, and there stood for about three quarters of an
hour. He commenced reading in a stentorian voice,
which soon drew the people out of their house to
ascertain the matter. The terrified spectators shouted
at him, but he heeded it not. All were afraid to
attempt his rescue, as their own lives' must
thus become a sacrifice ; but at length some persons
volunteered to make the attempt, and obtained a ladder
and went up to him, but, as soon as they endeavoured
to touch him, he took a brick from the chimney upon
which he stood, and swore he would throw it at them. Mr.
J. Firth then made an ascent and asked him to come
down, but he took no notice of him. Finding he could do
no good, Mr. Firth also came down. The people
shed many tears, especially the females. At length the
young man's father came, and fearing no hazard ascended
the ladder, ran up the roof of the house to the chimney,
ordered his son to come down, but he replied he
would not, and that he would kill him. The father was
about to resort to physical means, but the son said he
would leap down. The father shouted " No," and the son
immediately replied that he would go down the
chimney, and just as his father had thrown off his
coat, he was, head-foremost, commencing his descent.
His father fortunately caught hold of him, brought him
from the chimney, and held him down across the roof, and
then about a score of spectators went to his aid, bound
the unfortunate young man hand and foot, and then let
him down by two long cart ropes ; and thus saved his
life. —Dr. Laycock has since pronounced him to be
in an unsound state of mind, and steps are being taken
for his future safety.—Leeds Mercury.

REFORM or THE CUSTOMS.—The committee for pro-
moting a Reform of the Customs have announced that,
apprehending further delay in the prosecution of the in-
tended measures by the Government, they contemplate
the preparation, on their own part, of a bill which shall
.embody, the various changes they consider requisite.
CHINA.—It was strongly reported in the city yesterday
afternoon that letters had been received from Shanghai
five days later th:,,n those brought by the last overland
mail, which reached to the 26th February. The advices
in question are to the 3d of March, and it is alleged that
they contain an announcement that the British residents
had provisioned their ships, and were prepared to embark
iircase•of emergency ; that the Chinese authorities had
applied to the British Consul for aid to enable them to
protect Nankin, and to quell the rebellion ' • and that
the Consul had referred the matter to the Colonial Go-
vernment at Hong Eons.