The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-19 00:00:00

PANAMA.

PANAMA, JAN. 15.--Were you to see Panama now
you would be astounded. It is no longer the dull,
wretched place you left only a few months since. We
have rat th's moment at least 500 on the Isthmus,
wending their weary way towards the new El Do-
rado of California, and hundreds more are expected ;
for we have yet to arrive at Chagres,* that we know
of, the steamers Appleton, Isth►uus, and Oens, and a
number of sailing vessels. Those already arrived
there are the Falcon and Crescent City steamers, and
three or four merchant vessels. They have, however,
brought us—(at least, so say the Panama natives)—a
fatal present; for the Asiatic cholera -I- is at Gor-
gone and Cruces.t As yet we have not had any case
here, and I hope that the refreshing breezes prevail-
ing at this season of the year, and which keep the
town well ventilated, will impede the dire infection
from scourging us. My mind is made up for the
worst. I must be like the artilleryn an, and die at
the cannon's breech. My duties do not permit me
to think for one moment of leaving my post, and
here I remain to see the last of it, while the major
part of the respectable inhabitants are moving away
to the country as fast as they can go. The active
and invaluable agent of the Steam Navigation Com-
pany told me he would have sent his family away, but
they would not go without him ; so they must share
his danger, as he is resolved not to abandon his
important public duties. I very much fear that this
detestable climate will prove fatal to numbers of the
gold-seekers. Four out of the seven who came out
with me are lying buried in the slimy soil of that
abominable village, Chagres. There is nothing new
on this coast, nor in New Granada at present. Every
one is anxiously waiting for the presidential election,
and there is little doubt that Lopez will be the next
president. Then indeed, as sailors say, we may look
out for squalls. It is rumoured that Mosquera, the
actual President, has made proposals to :the Govern-
ment of the United States to cede to North America
the Isthmus for a sum of money. This report has
been well received here, for there is no tie of any kind,
whether of political or commercial interest, existing
between the people of the Isthmus and their fellow-
citizens of the interior, and I have no doubt that the
stars and stripes will be seen waving over the Isth-
mus of Panama sooner or later. Rumours are also
afloat of a project to divide Equador between Peru
and New Granada.

* Chagres is the Atlantic port of Panama. It is a
negro village, inhabited principally by Sam boes and Mu-
lattoes, trembling with ague or consumed by fever
throughout the year. The heat is excessive and the
rain incessant. The appearance of those New Granada
citizens is the most ghastly. They subsist by carrying
passengers up the river in canoes which they shove along
the margin with poles, stark naked.
t The yellow fever is endemic at Panama.
Two hamlets on the banks of the river.

Cot Salwey, M.P., was unavoidably prevented by
urgent private business from voting in favour of Mr.
Hume's motion " for submitting a financial statement of
revenues and expenditure before voting the supplies,"
also for his amendment on the Navy Estimates.
CHAPTER OF TIIE ORDER OF THE GARTER.—
The chapter of this illustrious order, which it was un-
derstood was delayed for the arrival of the Earl of
Clarendon from Ireland, will take place in a few days
after her Majesty's return to town from Osborne. The
knights to be elected are, the Earl of Clarendon, in the
room of the late Earl of Carlisle, and Earl Spencer, in
the room of the late Earl Talbot.
ANECDOTE OF SIR CHARLES NAPIER, G.C.B.—
The following highly interesting and characteristic inci-
dent of the hero of Sinde will prove not only a source
of gratification to his friends, but alto to the public,
showing that under the stern exterior of the warrior the
distressed are not forgotten. On Thursday morning the
Commander-in-Chiet of the armies in India arrived at
the Waterloo terminus of the South-Western Railway,
en route for the Isle of Wight, on his special visit to
her Majesty. Sir Charles Napier arrived some time
before the train was ready, and passed his time by walk-
ing about the platform. Whilst he was thus waiting
his attention was drawn to a poor woman who appeared
to be in a state of depression. Sir Charles Napier at
once made up to her and entered into conversation, in the
course of which, in all probability, he learned her his-
tory and the object of her proposed visit to Portsmouth;
whatever it was, it awakened the sympathy of the gal-
lant hero, who returned to the booking•oice, and paid
fur a second-class ticket for Portsmouth, which he
handed to the poor woman, besides presenting her with
a sovereign. Had the poor woman known who was her
benefactor the gift would have been doubly enhanced.
She saw (we trust) in the future conqueror of the Pun-
jaub and the Affghans only an elderly private-looking
individual.

GENERAL SIR CIIARLES NAPIER, BART., G.C.B.
—W e understand Sir Charles Napier has appointed as
his military secretary that able and distinguished officer
Captain Pitt Kennedy, of the Royal Engineers, in addi-
tion to Major Mtomurdo, of the 78th Highlanders, and
Major William Napier, who accompany him as his
aides-de-camp. Whe❑ Sir Charles arrives in India,
he will be joined by Sir Guy Campbell and ;Captain
Byng, who are serving with their regiments in India, to
members of his staff. Colonel George Napier, eldest
son to Sir George, will shortly follow his gallant and
distinguished uncle as an extra aide-de- camp.
COMMAND IN INDIA.—We are told that on the
Ministc rs concluding their deliberations on the subject
of the disastrous news from India, his Grace the Com-
mander-in-Chief was requested, through Lord Fitzroy
Somerset, to furnish the Board of Control with the
names of three officers whom he might deem to be equal
to the crisis, and the three names furnished by his Grace
were Sir Charles Napier—Sir Charles Napier—Sir
Charles Napier.—John
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston gave a grand
dinner party on Saturday evening, at their residence in
Carlton-gardens, the guests at which included his Ex-
cellency the Danish Minister and the Countess Hilda
Reventlow, General Oxholm and the Count de Treshouw

(envoys from the Danish Court on the Schleswig-Hol-
stein question), his Excellency the Sardinian Minister, the
Earl and Countess of Minto and Lady Charlotte Elliot,
the Countess of Tankerville, Viscountess Jocelyn, Lord
Eddisbury, Lord Edward Fitzalan Howard, Sir George
Shee, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. W. Cowper, and Mr. Charles
Clifford. The Noble Viscountess had subsequently an
evening party, which was honoured with the presence
of a very large number of the leading members of the
aristocracy, and nearly the whole of the corps diplomatique.
The Right lion. the Speaker of the House of
Commons held his first levee tor the present session on
Saturday evening, at his mansion in Eaton-square, on
which occasion the Right Hon. Gentleman was honoured
with the presence of a very large number of leading
members of the Legislature.
Lord John Russell entertained the following dis-
tinguished party at dinner on Saturday evening, at his
mansion in Chesham-place:—His Excellency the Am-
bassador from the French Republic, his Excellency the
Dutch Minister and Madlle. Sehimmelpenniuck, his Ex-
cellency the Austrian Minister and the Countess Col-
loredo, his Excellency the Belgian Minister and Madame
Van do Weyer, the Marquis and Marchioness of Lans-
downe, the Countess Dowager of Morley, the Earl Gran-
ville, the Earl Grosvenor, and Viscount Anson.
DEATH OF THE COUNTESS DOWAGER OF MUL-
GRAVE.—W e have to announce the demise of the Coun-
tess Dowager of Mulgrave (mother of his Excellency the
Marquis of Normanby), who expired somewhat suddenly
on Saturday evening, at her residence in Eaton-square.
The deceased Countess, Martha Sophia, was daughter of
the late Mr. Christopher Thompson Mating, and married
Henry, first Earl of Mulgrave, October 20, 1795, by
whom her ladyship had a family of ten children, seven of
whom survive the venerable Countess namely, the
Marquis of Normanby, the Hon. Charles P. Phipps
(secretary to his Royal Highness Prince Albert), the
Ladies Katharine, Sophia, and Charlotte Phipps, the
lion. Edmund Phipps, and the Hon. and Rev. Augustus
Phipps.

DEATII OF TIIE BLACK PRINCE.—Louis Christophe,
the soi-disunt Prince of Hayti, who figured so promi-
nently towards the close of last year at some of our
police• courts, died on Sunday last in the workhouse of
St. George's-in-the-East, and was buried there on Wed-
nesday. The Black Prince, as he called himself, had
been several times committed as a rogue and vagabond,
and had been fur some time in the workhouse.

IMPROVEMENTS IN HUNGERFORD MARiST.—The
extensive improvements which have been for some time
in progress in this market are now completed, and the
handsome and commodious range of shops on each side
appropriated fur the sale of fish are now opened. The
new erections add greatly to the completeness and
architectural proportions of the market, and the shops,
being fitted up in a uniform and tasteful manner, with
handsome marble slabs in front, and well stocked with
every kind of fish in season (of the best quality, and at
moderate prices) present a most attractive appearance.
The objection which has hitherto existed on the part of
the public—of being obliged to descend by staircase to
the lower area of the market—is now entirely obviated.
The new fish shops being on a level with the Strand, the
public may now, without inconvenience or exposure to
the weather, purchase the various commodities offered
for sale in the several departments of the market. The
access to the steam-boat pier and bridge, and the nearestsout_
South-
Western foot passage to the York-road Station of the $
Western Railway, being through the market, will noh
doubt render it a point of great attraction and con-
course during the ensuing summer.
HIGHLAND SOCIETY.—The anniversary of the
he Freemasons' by the members of this society at tr
numerous " gather-
ever-memorable battle of Alexandria will be celebrated
Ta-
vern, on Wednesday next. A
in conysequence of his Royal
arm
ing" is anticipated this I,year,
a (the descendant by blood
Highness the Prince of
The Prince presence. has
honour t
of the house of
,o.ftival
the Highlands, and
e kilt, in which costume his Royal
a true heart for all that belongs to
th
sometimes wears Stuart)having accepted an invitation to
with his
highness will no doubt appear on the ensuing glorious
anniversary of a battle in which all fought well, but es-
pecially. the 42d llighlanders, who performed the crown-
ing achievement of the day—the capture of the famous
standard of the Invincibles, subsequently known as the
Imperial Guard. The gallant Lord Saltoun (himself an
old 42d man) has consented to preside, and his Lord-
ship will be supported by General Sir James M`Donnell,
the "Chisholm," the Right Hon. Fox Maule, &e.
The Dauntless, Patt, from China to London, got on
shore off Dungeness Lighthouse during a thick fog
yesterday, but was expected off at high water.
MILFORD, MARCH 17.—The Venus schooner, laden
with coals, with lore-mast gone by the board, and main-
mast bead carried away, and abandoned, was towed in
here to-day by the James, of Kinsale. She is supposed
to be the Venus, Fitzgerald, of Cork, which was aban-
douKl off Waterford 11th inst.

MARYLEBONE VESTRY.
COST OF TEE METROPOLITAN PRISONS.
On Saturday, the Per. Dr. Spry having taken th.
chair,
Sir PETER LAURIE laid before the vestry the follow•
ing statement of the cost of the metropolitan prisons :
Coldbath-fields cost 10,6481. annually; the number of'
prisoners averaged 1,000, and their maintenance Was
331. per head. Westminster House of Correction cos
13,6721. a year; its prisoners numbered 700, and their
maintenance was 231. a head. In the House of Deten-
tion there were 122 prisoners, at a cost of 8,459 L 125..
or 691. a head ; including 3,600/, which the erection of
the building cost, each prisoner cost the country 841.
each. He hoped the county would not submit to such
an extravagant outlay for the support of prisoners, and
referred these facts to the county and police rate cons.
mittee.