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 one 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 faiiway 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.
Ploszczynski. 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.

DREADFUL MURDER AT BACTON, NEAR
STOWMARKET, SUFFOLK.

One of the most foul and horrid murders ever perpe-
trated occurred on Sunday last at the quiet and retired
village of Bacton, near Stowmarket, in Suffolk.
The, victim of this fearful crime, Maria Steggal, was the
aged housekeeper of the still more aged rector of the parish,
the Rev. Mr. Barker.
It appears that the rev. gentleman, who is 83 or 84 years
of age, left at the usual time, on his pony, to perform the
morning service, his housekeeper being then quite well.
On his return home, he found the front door ajar. He at
once went into the kitchen, and there found his unfortu-
nate servant lying with her head in a pool of blood, her
skull fractured, and her throat cut. She was still alive,
but insensible. Messengers were immediately sent off for
medical assistance, and Mr. Freeman, of Stowmarket, was
speedily on the spot. Three others ollowed shortly after,
but the poor woman was insensible and dying. She lifted
up her arm and groaned painfully,] and died 20/minutes
after Mr. Freeman arrived.
It appears that when Mr. Barker was leaving the house
he saw a can of beer, and asked who it was for. The poor
woman answered it was for the servant who fetched the
pony. When discovered, the can was lying on the floor
near to the body, and a supposition arose that she must
have had it in her hand when the murderous villain com-
menced his assault. The-blows on the head appear to have
been effected by kicks with a heavy boot ; and a distinct
bloody impression of the large-headed nails of a labourer's
" high-low were left upon the floor. The wound in the
neck, though extensive, was no, deep, and did not involve
any important blood-vessels. The windpipe was untouched.
There was a large wound, however, extending across the
back of the cheek from the fracture in the skull downwards.
The unfortunate woman was in her 70th year, had lived
for '4O years with Mr. Barker, and was a most valued
servant.
The house did not present the appearance of much dis-
order, but the poor woman's room had evidently been care-
fully searched, but it is not know what money she had in
her possession. Three pounds and some silver were taken
from the housmaid's room. The house is situated at some
distance from the church, in a somewhat lonely situation.
The police authorities are making the most diligent in-
quiries after those who are suspected of the crime.

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-da
m.y stuhey 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
CHINA.—It was strongly reported in the city yesterday
afternoon that letters had been received from Shanghai
five days later than those brought by the last overland
mail, which reached to the 26th February. The
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
in case 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 Kong.
QUARTZ ROCK MARIPOSA GOLD MINING COMPANY.—
This company have received advices from their agents at
San Francisco, dated 31st March, that the purchase of
the " Mary Harrison," " Mariquita," and " Virginia "
gold mines, at Maxwell's Creek, on the Merced River,
had been completed, aid that the engines and other
heavy machinery had been sent to the district for imme-
diate use.