The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-19 00:00:00

THE MAIL'S.

SOUTHAMPTON, Saturday, Dec. 17.--The Royal mail
steam-ship Orinoco, Captain Wilsbn, sailed this afternoon
with the usual mails for the West Indies, Central
America the Pacific, and California, in charge of Lieu-
tenant Inglis, R.N., Admiralty agent. The Orinoco
takes out 70 passengers, among whom are the Bishop of
St. Pierre (Martinique), the Count de BrOssard, Captain
Harger, Lieutenant St. John, and Ensigns Arbuckle
and Harger. A party of gentlemen connected with the
-projected Darien Ship Canal have also sailed by the
'Orinoco to make a survey of the route. They consist,
on the part of the Atlantic and Pacific Junction
CoMpany, of Dr. 'Cullen (the discoverer of the
route), ' Messrs. Gisborne, Ford Bennet, and several
assistant - engineers. ' These gentlemen are accom-
panied by Lieutenant Lingen, , on behalf of the
British Government, and will rendezvous at Port Royal,
Jamaica, where they will be joined by. a British vessel
of war, and by Lieutenant Strange, 'United States Navy,
in the American sloop of war Cyane, and by a French
steamer of war from Martinique. It is understood that
the squadron will then proceed to Caledonia Bay on the
Atlantic side of the Isthmus, where her Majesty's sur-
veying Schooner Scorpion will, it is expected, be found.
The surveying part of the expedition will, immetii-
ately on arrival, commence a detailed survey of the
route and cross the Isthmus to the • River Savana
and the Gulf of San Miguel, where a ship of war
will be ready to receive them. It .is supposed that
the objects of the expedition will be accomplished in
time to permit their return to England by May
next. On Friday evening Captain Mackinnon, R.N.,
of Lymington, who takes a great interest in the expedi-
tion, entertained the gentlemen composing it to a dinner
at Matcham's Hotel prior to their embarkation. The
Orinoco has a full cargo of valuable British and conti-
nental merchandise, specie value 2,7621., and quicksilver
value 751., on freight.' The Peninsular. and Oriental
Company's steam-ship Sultan, Captain John Weeks,
sailed at 2 p.m. to-day with the mails, 20 passengers,
and the usual cargo for Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz,
and Gibraltar. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's
screw steam-ship Douro went out on an official trial trip
to-day, with Messrs. Huges and Luke, the Govern-
ment surveyors, on board. Four runs, made at the
measured mile in Stokes' Bay, gave the following
results : •

Revolu-
Knots. Steam. Vacuum. tions.
Ist run. Speed-10.843 101 b. 261 291
2d „ „ 11.501 9 26 29
3d „ „ 10.375 10 26. 291
4th „ ~ 11.764 9 26i 281
Showing an average of 11.121 knots, equal to upwards
of 13 statute miles an hour. The Douro is a sister
vessel to the Cadiz, and is ordered to proceed to the
Indian Seas for mail services there, her departure being
fixed for the 27th inst. The Euxine; with the bulk of
the East India, China, Australian, and Mediterranean
mails, is expected to reach Southampton on the 22d or
23d inst. She will bring on freight nine boxes of gold-
dust and one case of treasure from Australia; 659 pack-
ages of silks, 33 packages of merchandise, 12 cases of
Cashmere shawls, and sundry packages of nutmegs,
ivory, tortoiseshell, &c., from India ; and 123 barrels
of elephants' tusks, 111 barrels of dates, 28 bales of flax,
and 51 packages of sundries from Alexandria.

Count Vincent de Tabasz Krosnowski, Grand Here-
ditary Commander of the Order of Malta, and one of the
first nobles of Austrian Gallicia, died a few days since
at Leipsick.
OPENING DINNER AT THE WELLINGTON HOTEL.—
The above 'establishment having been entered upon by
Mr. John Ashworth, who has fitted up the house with
great t4ste and with every regard to the comfort of
visitors, the opening was celebrated by a dinner on Tues-
day last, which, as will be seen from the subjoined bill of
fare, was of the most sumptuous character, the tables—
decked with evergreens and choice flowers—being covered
with a proftision of the richest viands. The wines were
also excellent ; indeed, all present were loud in their en-
comiums of the superior manner in which the whole
entertainment was got up. The company were most
ably presided over by John Johnson, Lsq. (St. Alk-
mund's) ; the vice•chair being occupied by Capt. Mayne
Reid, who fulfilled the duties of that office with great
tact and ability. The usual loyal and complimentary
toasts were cordially drank, and on the health of Mr.
and Mrs. Ashworth being proposed it was most enthu-
siastically received by the company, who unanimously ,
expressed their cordial good wishes for their future pro-
sperity. • In returning thanks Mr. Ashworth' expressed
his intention to maintain the superior. .character which
this establishment has already earned by devoting his
whole attention to the comfort and convenience of his
guests. The company were enlivened at intervals during
the evening by a party of excellent glee singers, as well
as by the superior singing of Mr. Smithard and others.
A social and convivial hour. was passed (after the de-
parture of the chairman) under the presidency of Capt.
Reid. The dinner was cooked in one of the celebrated
Kitcheners from the " Eagle Foundry," Leamington,
(Messrs. Harrison, Radelyffe, and Blunt) ; Mr. .
Ash-
Worth, agent. —Derbyshire Advertiser., •