The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-20 00:00:00

PAPER FROM WOOD FIBRE.

In consequence of the scarcity of rags, and a prohibi-
tion of their exportation from various continental states
to this country, some alarm has been excited respecting
a deficiency in the supply of paper to meet the en-
lightened requirements of the age ; and this is not to be
wondered at, for the diffusion of knowledge by means
of the press has become so vast, that we scarcely lthoW
anything short of a bad harvest 'Which would be so
much felt by the community as a limited production of
this valuable commodity. Various expedients have been
suggested to overcome the difficulty, but of their prac-
ticability we know yet nothing. In the midst, however,
of the different theories advanced, we have the satisfac-
tion of finding that, by the application of chemical
science, the most important results, as regards the
fabric of paper, have already been effected • nor do We
believe that, since the papyrus was first used for writing,
so important a fact has been established as that of the
manufacture of paper from wood fibre. This extraor-
dinary and valuable discovery has recently been pa-
tented by Messrs. Watt and Burgess, to whom the public
is indebted for many valuable discoveries in chemistry.
Two specimens of the raw material are before us ;
the first consists simply of deal shavings ; the second of
a pure white pulpy substance, very much resembling a
piece of cotton when first taken from the pod, only
little harder to the touch.

We are also in possession of two sheets of the mane'
factured article, which is declared by competent judges
to be equal to any sample of writing paper now selling
at 7d. per pound. It presents a beautiful surface, with
a pure colourless tint, and is free from defect or blemish
of any sort. The cost of production is stated to be
somewhat under 251. per ton, which is a saving of more
than 121. upon the price per ton of the rag paper now ill
use. When, in addition to this important difference ill
the cost, it is considered that by the substitution of cleallf
wholesome shavings, for filthy, and oftentimes infectious
rags, an immense amount of dirt, labour, and the risk
of disease are avoided, that the profit to the manufac-
turer in comparison with present prices will be inca,lcul'
able, and that the result to the public generally will be
most advantageous, there can be little doubt as to the
adoption of the discovery by manufacturers of paper'
The patent is already, we are informed, in progress to
the United States, as well as to France, Belgium, Ans.
tria, and Prussia. We may add that the pulp was pre'
pared by Messrs. Watt and Burgess, at Reading, and
that the paper was made by Mr. Stevens, of the mills ati
Hemel Hempstead.

MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION.—Among the man"
interesting groups which decorate the large room of this
'establishment, perhaps none at this particular time e°
pregnant with great events would occupy more attention
than the one called the War Group, which represents
most of the celebrated characters of the last great Euro-
pean struggle. First is the figure of Bonaparte, with
Ney and Murat. Napoleon I. is in a highly appropriate
attitude, pointing to his standard bearing the Eagle'
under which he so often led his soldiers to victory. 00
the opposite side is the Emperors of Austria, Rival*
and the King of Prussia, Prince Blucher, &c. The
whole is highly appropriate, and all the likenesses 30
most excellent, and are highly creditable to Madame
Tussaud's artistic taste and skill.
OLYMPIC THEATRE.—Late yesterday afternoon Mr'
Alfred Wigan received a telegraphic despatch from
Colonel Phipps, commanding him to attend at Windas?.
Castle last evening to perform the part of Rolando, 10
the Honeymoon, and to close his theatre, if necessarP
The theatre was closed accordingly, and copies of the
despatch were posted at the doors, together with an in-
timation that all tickets and places might be transferred
to another evening, or returned, at the option of the
holder.
MONEY ORDER OFFICES IN THE METROPOLIS Of
VICINITY.—In consequence of the inconvenience Ow
too frequently, the delay to the public in transmitting,
and receiving money orders to aad from the differeln
parts of the United Kingdom, the Postmaster-Genoa'
has issued the following list of receiving-houses through
out the metropolis and vicinity, where money orders
can be obtained to every post town in England, Wale'
Scotland, and. Ireland, if the parties when applying l°
a postmaster in the country for a money order payau'"
in London will specify at which office they wish it 0
be paid. This will be found a great convenience to the
public :,—At the chief office, Aldersgate-street,
Martin s-le-Grand. Branch offices—Stones-end,
rough ; Abchurch-lane, City ; Charing-cross, and Ol
Cavendish-street.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following
hers of the college having undergone the necessailt
examinations were admitted licentiates in midwifery 3
the meeting of the board on the 18th inst. ;-11.iessr8.
Charles James Rae, Greenock, diploma of members/liP'
dated July 18, 1853 ; Edwin Stephens Collins,
bridge, April 29, 1853 ; John James Trevor Lawrence?
Whitehall-place, Dec. 23, 1853 ; James Balfour Cock-
burn, Guernsey, May 2, 1851 ; and Win. Edward For
guson, Macclesfield, June 5, 1846.
•Y
EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.—LIVERPOOL, THintsp--
—Three first-class clipper ships sailed this morning fin
the Mersey for the golden regions, viz., the Inwthd'e
Queen, Captain Mill, for Melbourne, belonging to
Black Ball line, with 320 passengers ; the Connli
Captain Liston, of the same line, with 360 governile,
emigrants for Sydney ; and the Tayleur, Captain N°l9 rs
belonging to the White Star line, with 460 passenge
for Melbourne.
RUSSIAN WAR STEAMERS BUILDING IN BRITISH
NEWCASTLE-ON-TINE, WEDNESDAY. Two WeN
oe
steamers, 140 feet each in the keel, are building in the
Tyne, ostensibly for Russian merchants, really for
Russian Government, and their engines are being to.
cuted with great despatch in a large work in this to vire
The seafaring population in the northern coal ports 13'e
indignant, and no Russian war vessel would O'er
allowed to leave the Tyne.