The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-21 00:00:00

FIRST TANK.

Crustaceans.—Crabs, spider crabs, hermit crabs, prawns,
and shrimps, of several species.
SECOND TANK.

Star Fish and Sea Urchins.—Common star fish, brittle
star, palmipos, uraster, &c.
THIRD TANK.

Sea Anentonies.—Actinias of several species, including
some of the rarest aphrodite, &c. &c.

FOURTH TANK.

. Mollusca Ascidians and Fish.— Trochns, and several
other genera of British shells ; barnacles, and several
species of ascidians. The fish are the blenny, fifteen-spined
stickleback, urassa, and coitus &abatis.

FIFTH AND SIXTH TANKS
Contain, in addition to Actinias and Ascidicins, of large
size, several of the nudibranck mollusca—such as ./Eolis
and Doris ; sabella and other interesting animals.
There is no doubt that many heretofore unknown
peculiarities of the finny tribe will be brought to light
now that all their motions, &c., can be watched, while
the fish is to a certain degree at home and undisturbed.
Great credit is due to Mr. Mitchell for the pains he has
taken in the formation of this collection, which has been
attended with many difficulties ; and we trust that when
the success of this first experiment becomes certain, and
the collection is extended, that we shall have the living
wonders of the deep from distant climes presented to
our view, in addition to those of the land.

NEW CONTRACT FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF THE
AUSTRALIAN MAILS.—The Postmaster-General yesterday
completed a new contract for the conveyance of the mails
to New South Wales, Victoria (Port Philip), South
Australia, and Western Australia, for which service the
contractors will receive 1,000/. per voyage, subject to
penalties for delay, either in the departure of the vessel,
or in her arrival at the ports of destination. The vessels
contracted for are all' A 1 on Lloyd's book, s and as the
Postmaster-Gencial decided in favour of those ships that
would perform the voyage in the shortest time, they
are all first-class clippers. The first on the list is the clipper
barque Stratford, which will be dispatched on the 4th prox.
All letters intended to be forwarded by this conveyance
must be specially addressed "Per Contract Mail Packet,
Stratford," and the postage will be at the rate.of Is. the
half ounce. This ship will be followed by others equally
fast on the 4th August, 4th October, and 3d December.
In the intermediate months of July, September, and
November, the mails for the above-mentioned place will
be forwarded by the Overland India Mail as far as Sin-
gapore, from whence they will be transmitted to their
destination. The rates of postage will be the same as if
sent by the contract packets via the Cape of Good Hope.
APPRENTICING PAUPER CHILDREN TO FACTORY LA-
BOUR.—Yesterday, at the weekly meeting of the Mary-
lcbone board of guardians, held at the Workhouse, New-
road—J. Coham,'Esq. in the chair—Mr. Bishop moved
the non-confirmation of a minute, directing the inquiry
agent, Mr. Sparks, to proceed to Stockport, to investi-
gate the character of the factory of Messrs. Walmsley,
who had applied for a number of apprentices. He con-
tended, in the first place, that by the Poor-law Act, it was
illegal to apprentice children to any trading establishment
beyond 40 miles, and he looked upon the application for
children at so great a distance with much suspicion, as there
was a school at Manchester where above 4,000 children
were trained for apprenticeship, and from which a supply
could be obtained, if the place was worth anything.
Mr. Stapylon seconded the bon-confirmation of the
minute. The Rev. E. Scobell was sure the board had
no desire to evade the law, but he thought if parents
were desirous of apprenticing their children, there could
be no harm in sending the agent of the board down to
ascertain the character of the establishment from which
the application had been made. Mr. Jacob Bell consi-
dered by sending their agent that the board would be
involving itself in the responsibility. How were they
to act with those children who. had no. parents ? They
could certainly not apprentice themselves. He. thought
it would be illegal for the board to do so. The motion
for non-confirmation of the minute was negatived by a
majority of two, and the board separated.