The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-16 00:00:00

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COLONIAL CORPS.
Ist West India Regiment ............... Jamaica
2d do ••• •• ...... Bahamas
3d do
Ceylon Rifle Regiment .. ....... Ceylon
Cape Mounted Riflemen ............ ... Cape of Good Hope
Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment...... Canada
St. Helena. Regiment ...... St. Helena
Royal Newfoundland Companies...... Newfoundland
Royal Malta Fencibles ...... Malta.

painor
tShiaei
wAertannknaz
withA BART: It is
D EL:DART:Ib
nce the death of this well-
known gentleman. Over-exertion in attending the re-
cent half-yea7ly meetings of railway companies in diffe-
rent parts of the country, on behalf of the cause with
which Sir Andrew's name has long been so closely con-
nected, resulted, we understand, in fever, which termi-
nated fatally on the evening of Thursday last. The
deceased Baronet was born in 1793.—Scotsman.
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—A remarkable ex-
ample of the skill with which this important engine is
now worked by journalist enterprise in this country has
during the past week been exhibited in connxtion with
tie late banquet at Wakefield to the now Apostle of
Peace. Hitherto special engines, driven at a rapid speed,
have been employed by the managers of the metropolitan
morning journals for the quick transmission of important
intelligence to their columns. Locomotive power has
now, however, been distanced, as itself had previously
distanced the old stage-coach; and in the present day the
electric telegraph is fat assuming a most important bear-
ing on the interests of journalism. The banquet ia ques-
tion being held at a late hour in the evening, of course
some extraordinary effort was necessary to enable the
morning journals to report the proceedings fully in their
first impressions of the ensuing morning ; and, con-
sequently, some trifling arrangements having been
made on the evening of the banquet, the transmission of
the detailed report trom Wakefield to London was at-
tempted, and with striking success completed. A
resume, comprising not less than three columns of
close, small type was despatched along the wires with
fidelity and skill within the brief space of less
than four hours ; and by three o'clock on the suc-
ceeding morning copies of The limes containing the
report were issued from the press. It will be observed,
therefore, that the relative talent and effect with which
the electric telegraph is employed in this country is not
by any means inferior to that displayed in the United
States; and certainly the contrast cannot be viewed as
disparaging when allowance is made for the
difference of atmospherical condition in the
two regions under which the operator must
perform his part. Nor is the enterprise and energy of
the journalist less worthy of remark. To this we might
add other examples; hut the above will suffice, we trust,
to satisfy our readers of the ability with which the
Electric Telegraph Company performs its duties. One
point only we would further remark upon—namely, the
extent of the charges made by the company, which con-
trast so injuriously with those current in the United
States. Tbey are certainly too high—so high, indeed,
that none but wealthy journals can employ the invention
for the receipt and subsequent diffusion of information
Interesting to the public.—Liverpool Albion.
Advices from Valparaiso have been received, slit
New York, up to the 6th of February. The fever for
emigration to San Francisco still continued, although
not to such an extent as about a month previously.
There were 15 vessels loading for that port, one of
which, the Chateaubriand, had upwards of 150 passen-
gers already engaged, and would probably take 300.
The American man of-war scraw.steamer Massachusetts
had just come in with troops bound for California.
Business in Valparaiso was very dull, and money was
scarce at 1 per cent. per month.
SOUTHAMPTON, APRIL 14. —Acrd. Montrose, steamer,
Lewis, Gibraltar, left sth inst, Cadiz 6th, Lisbon 9th,
Oporto 10th, and Vigo 11th.
PADSTOW, APRIL 14.—Wind N.W.—Sld. 12th Belle,
Quebec; Voluna, ditto; 14th, Dewdrop, ditto.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
recaip.,s bearing oate AiAti 4, 1749, 1 was lad to
contrast them with the price of similar articles at the
present time, April, 1849, as near as I could arrive at
the same, and teleiving they might be acceptable to many
of your numerous readers, I herewith place them at
your disposal.

Comparison between 1749.
s. d.
1 5 0
O 14 0
0 7 6
O 1 1
O 0 6
O 12 0
O 1 2
0 17 6
O 5 7
0 3 6
O 5 0
0 13 6
O 1 4
O 3 6
0 9 0
0 3 6
2 17 0
1 0 0

Gunpos der tea, per lb.* ...
Bohea tea, per lb. ...
Coffee, per 1b.... ...
Loaf sugar, per lb. ...
Rice, per lb. ...
Lucca oil, per gallon
Raw cotton, per lb. ...
Silk stockings (men's), per pair ...
Worsted stockings, per pair ..
Cotton stockings, per pair ...
Silk gloves, per pair ...
Silk, per yard... ...
1)owlas, per yard ...
Holland, per yard ...
Fine holland shirting, per yard ..
Cambric (English), per yard ...
Muslin, per piece ...
Diaper, per piece

. . .
Brocade satin, per yard ...
Flowered damask, per yard ...
Plain damask, per yard . .
Poplin, per yard .. ...
Ribband ( various), per yard

French piper fans, each

Meckliri lice, per yard

o 18 0
O 8 8
0 4 4
0 3 10
O 2 6

0 3 6

0 14 0

China plates, each 0 3 6
China dishes, each .. 0 10 0
Set of window curtains and valiance 17 0 0
Crimson velvet easy chair and two
stools ... ... 13 0 0
Wrought bed, dimity and furniture
complete —. 29 0 0
Down beds, bolster, and pillows ... 15 0 0
Indian four-leaved screen ... ... 17 0 0
Book-case, glass doors ... ... 18 0 0
Serge, for carpet covering, &c. per
yard
Silver plate, per ounce ... 0 8 8
Nails, per thousand (various) ... 0 310
Wainscotting, per foot ... 0 1 1
Charge for dyeing stuffs, per yard ... 0 1 2
Tape, per piece 0 5 10
Thread, per lb. .. 0 15 0
Sable muff and tippet ... ... 21 0 0
Ten chairs, two arm ditto, walnut-
tree frames ... 34 0 0 10 0 0
Pier looking-glass, 72-inches, gilt ... 15 0 0 5 0 0
British wrought counterpane 2 0 0 0 16 0
Printed calico quilt ... ... 016 0 0 4' 6
Pair of blankets 1 7 0 0 16 0
Coals, per chaldron ••• ... 1 9 0 1 6 0
Beef, mutton, and pork, per stone .. 0 110 0 4 0
Moist sugar, per lb. •.. 0 0 2 0 0 4
Butter, per lb. 0 0 3 0 0 10
Bacon, per lb. 0 0 5 0 0 9
Old Cheshire cheese, per lb. ... 0 0 3 0 0 9
Raisins, per lb. ... ••• 0 0 3 0 0 5
Currants, per lb. ... 00 3 00 5
Tobacco, per lb. (various) ... 0 0 6 03 6
Oats, per bushel ... 0 1 6 0 2 6
Wheat, per bushel 0 4 0 0 8 0
British spirits, per gallon ... 0 5 6 0 13 6
Brandy, per gallon ... 0 6 6 1 . 8 0
Port wine, per gallon ••• ••• 0 5 6 013 6
Sherry, per gallon ... 0 6 6 016 0
Sasaparilla 0 0 10 0 5 6
From the preceding list it appears that articles of
agricultural produce were nearly 200 per cent. cheaper
one hundred years ago, than at the present time, even with
a free trade and an unbounded and most liberal tariff;
while articles of luxury, convenience, or usefulness were
proportionably dearer during the same period. What
enormous profits then must have been made, and what
fortunes amassed, when we now produce in our manu-
facturing districts articles of superior workmanship for
one-third, or less, than what it cost one hundred
years ago.

4 0 0

10 10 0
8 0 0
3 0 6
5 0 0

0 0 6
0 7 2
0 0 10
0 0 6
0 0 6
0 0 9
0 4 0
7 0 0

Neither, Sir, did the working man receive a portion
of these profits, or in ny way gain by high prices of
workmanship in those days, as me following extract of a
bill, out cf many, will show:-
1749. To the Right Hon. Richard Earl of Castlemain,
Dr. to Benjamin Taylor, builder.
To wainscotting, 73 yards, at 3s. 2d. per yard (now Is. 6d.)
To nails, per 1,000 at 3s. 10d. per 1,000 (now 10d.)
To foreman, 2 days, at 3s. Od. per day (now 65.)
To carpenter, 2 days, at 2s. 6d. per day (now 55.)
To bricklayer, 2 days, at 2s. Od . per (143, (now 49.)
To labourer, 2 days, at Is. Bd. per day (now 35.)
This extract is sufficient to show that high prices did
not ensure high remuneration to the working man as
far back as a hundred years ago. Our navy was at that
period more flourishing than at present, and occasion-
ally large sums divided among the crews, yet the pay
was small—disproportionately small—to the dangers and
perils encountered. The following is the beginning of an
Admiralty order:—" 1794, August, pay to 3,349 seamen
at 14s. per month, 46,886 shillings."
Apologising for the length of this letter, I remain,
Sir, &c., W. A. J.

Previous to the year 1666 tea was unknown in this coun-
try. It was first made into a decoction at coffee-houses, and
sold at a duty of threepence per gallon. In 1667 the East
India Company sent for 700 lbs. of it, which being immedi-
ately disposed of, led to a further trade in it; but the price
was at that time immensely high. In 1707 it was sold at
11. 6s. per pound. In 1768 its consumption had nearly
doubled, and it bore a duty of 2s. per lb. This beverage
having now become of almost universal demand, the Go-
vernment of that day once more raised the duty (in 1773),
And the consumption fell 75 per cent. In Mr. Pitt's Admi-
nistration (1784) the duty was reduced to ls. A change
immediately took place, the consumption rose from
5,000,0001b5. to 21,000,000 lbs. in twelve months. From
this year until the year 1804, the duty gradually increased,
it being then 100 per cent., which continued unto the termi-
nation of the Company's charter in 1843, at which time the
trade was thrown open. A free, or rather open trade, led to
an immediate increased demand, and at the end of that year
the consumption was 44,000,000 lbs., the previous twelve
months being only 31,000,00011)s. The present duty on tea
is 2s. 24d. per lb., or 200 to 400 per cent. The original cost
of tea varies from 4d. to 2s. per lb. The populatioa of China
is estimated at about one-third of the known world
(350,000,000), and their territory offers free access to our
manufactures—they admit our imports at five per cent.,
while our duty on their teas ranges from 200 to 400 per cent.
The quantity of tea used in the United Kingdom is under
2 lbs. per head per annum; less than one-half usually con-
sumed in the Channel Islands, and a mere fraction of what
the Chinese themselves use, who drink it as we do beer.
Were the duty only ls., the consumer would obtain three
pounds of tea for the same money that he now pays for two
pounds. Now, as the consumption of every pound of tea in-
volves that of five pounds of sugar, the extra duty on the
sugar, added to that on the increased quantity of tea, at ls.
duty, would yield a revenue of 4,C00,000/., according to the
most moderate calculation.

GREENWICH.
FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

During the past week thousands of the inhabitants of
London visited that beautiful spot, Greenwich, and, as a
few remarks and particulars respecting it may not be un-
interesting, I have ventured to make them, and to place
them at your service. Aud first then as to its name.
Greenwich, cr the Green Town, was named from the
verdure of its park. In the reign of Henry V. it was
only a small fishing town. Its present populousness
arose from the establishment of a royal residence within
its boundaries, to the convenience of its harbour, the
pleasantness of its situation, the convenient distance from
London, and to the peculiar facilities for travelling by
water or land from one to the other ; of which the fol-
lowing calculation of the number of visitors from London
on Sundays throughout the- summer may give some
idea:—" On an average at least 16,000 individuals resort
to Greenwich every fine Sunday throughout the summer.
On a fine Easter Sunday above 25,000, and on last Whit-
Sunday upwards of 40,000 persons were taken to and fro
by railway. The ticket taker at the London-bridge
terminus states, 'During the first three dsyri of last
Whitsun-week fair 100,000 persons were conveyed to
and fro by railway! 47,000,' he added, was the largest
number they ever carried to and fro in one day.' At the
Town Pier at Greenwich, from Sunday to Wednesday in
that week, they embarked 100,000 persons, and on
Whit-Monday alone 46,000. At the Waterman's Pier,
during that week, they landed and embarked 101,700
persons. In various conveyances, thus, it appears that
upwards of 200,000 person. have in one week visited this
spot."
One of the principal attractions is the Royal Hospital.
No fewer than four of our English Sovereigns were born
in the palace which stood on the site from which the
present edifice by gradual steps has grown—viz., Henry
VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth. For nearly
400 years it was the seene of courtly splendour. The
last King who inhabited Greenwich was Charles I.
Charles 11. began to repair it, but left it in an unfinished
state. Queen Mary, in the reign of William 111., resolved,
at the suggestion of Sir Christopher Wren, to turn it to
its present use. The King gave 2,0001., the Commis-
sioners B,OOOL The foundation of the present hospital
Was laid in 1696, and an Act was passed by which 6d.
per month of the wages of all seamen belonging to the
Royal Navy is appropriated to the benefit of the insti-
tution. The present annual income is about 90,0001.
The pensioners must be seamen or marines, disabled by
age or maimed in the Queen's service. Foreigners are
admitted who have served two years in the British navy,
and merchant seamen wounded in defending or taking
any shin, or fighting against a pirate. There are about—
Pensioners ... 2,700
Boys ... ... ... ... 800
Nurses ... 104
Officers ... 100
Wives, families, and officers'servants, 296

3,990
And every Saturday night all are expected to sleep
within the building. They are all of them old men. None
are admitted under 60, except they are maimed, and
obtain a special order. A man of 70 is almost a junior,
many are between 80 and 90, and one has arrived at 103.
Many pensioners are maimed. The following was an
accurate list inserted in the Suuday Times, Sept. 4, 1842:
Pensioners with loss of right arm ,2
Ditto left arm ... 8
Ditto both legs .. 3
Ditto right leg ... ... 29
Ditto let t leg ... ... 36
Ditto both eyes ... 61
Ditto right eye ... 44
Ditto lett eyo ... 45
Ditto ruptured ... 489

717
About 300 of the pensioners dic annually. All who die
are buried within forty. eight hours. The hospital has
an infirmary containing sixty-four rooms, each room
accommodating four patients.
The Hospital schools contain upwards of 800 boys-
-400 of whom are the children of seamen in the navy, or
non-commissioned officers and privates of the marines,
and 400 the sons of officers, seamen, and marines in the
Queen's service.
The fairs produce an immense revenue to the inha-
bitants of Greenwich, many of whom look forward to

those times as to a harvest to recompense for the pre-
vious difficulties of the year. There are 123 tuvc-rns,

OW lc-houses, and beer-shops in the piece; and during
the lairs an immense number of private houses sell tea
and coffee to the thousands of London visitors.

I shall not further enlarge, but would suggest to
those of your numerous readers who may hereafter visit
Greenwich, not to miss the pleasure they are sure to
reap by an inspection of the interior of Greenwich Hos-
pital, which is easily obtained by a :mall gratuity or
otherwise to any one about the place. W. A. J.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT
LIVERPOOL.

On Saturday forenoon, about half-past eleven o'cl ,ck,
a tire broke out in the cotton warehouse of Mr. Maxwell,
merchant, of this town, and we regret to say that in
less than two hours, so rapid was the progress of the
flames, that the entire building, together with its con
tents, which consisted of about 800 bales of cotton, was
destroyed. The building is situated in Henry-street, and
forms one of a number of warehouses for the stowage et
cotton and other produce. At the time the fire broke
out several persons were in the warehouse, engaged in
sorting cotton ; and perceiving a strong sulphurous
smell, they concluded that something was on fire. In a
few moments afterwards, and before the men had an op
portunity of ascertaining from what part the fire pro-
ceeded, a dense volume of smoke suddenly burst out in
different parts of the warehouse, and in a few minutes
the entire building was enveloped in flames, which raged
with terrific fury, threatening almost instant destruction
to the premises and contents. The fire-engines were
quickly on the spot, but the conflagration had already
attained such a height that to save the warehouse seemed
perfectly hopeless, and Mr. Maxwell, inspector of sal-
vage, and Mr. Hewit, superintendent of the fire-brigade,
consequently directed the exertions of the firemen to
the work of saving the adjacent premises, which imme-
diately join the warehouse. These latter premises form
the back part of Duke-street, one of the principal streets
in the town, and as the north wall of the warehouse
joined :the back part of several of these houses fears
were entertained for the safety of the latter. The hose
was therefore conveyed through the front of these houses
in order to prevent the conflagration communicating with
them. Fortunately by this means the houses in question
were entirely saved, and the fire was confined to the
warehouse itself. In about an hour after the flames first
broke out the roof of the warehouse fell in, and the
entire premises were a heap of ruins, nothing but the
bare walls remaining, which are said to be in a very
dangerous state, and the probability is that
it will be considered necessary to take them
down. We seldom remember to have seen a
fire in this town where the work of destruction
was so rapid or fierce. The flames, indeed, raged with
terrific violence. So powerful were they that the houses
on the opposite side of the street were much scorched
with the heat conveyed, and we regret to say that during
the progress of the fire a stone window sill attached to a
window opposite cracked, and a heavy portion of it fell
upon the head of a pour man who was passing at the
moment, which knocked him down and dreadfully frac-
tured his skull. He was at once picked up and taken to
the Southern Hospital in a state of insensibility, where
he died in the course of the afternoon. The warehouse
was full of cotton, the greater part of which was alto-
gether consumed by the flames. We learn that the
cotton (which was also the property of Mr. Maxwell)
was insured in the Royal Insurance, the Liverpool and
London, and the Norwich Union offices for 3,000/., chiefly
in the two former offices. We did not ascertain whether
the warehouse was insured or not, The nature of the
origin of the fire has not been ascertained, but it is
rumoured that it was the work of an incendiary, and that
a boy was seen to throw a rocket amongst the cotton a
few minutes betore the flames broke out, and imme-
diately afterwards ran away.