The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-10 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sits,—The prevalence of disease at the present mo-
ment has induced me to write to you relative to a fact
that came under my own notice in the cell at the
Police-court, Kennington-lane, where Mr. Norton is the
sitting functionary. The circumstance in reference, I
trust, will prove iu its exposure a benefit to humanity,
for truly out of evil sometimes arises a benefit; but to
the fact at issue. I was, owing to a family feud, placed
in durance vile for three hours, or nearly so, and the
effluvia arising from the cell in gut satin was sufficient
to produce baneful effects on the strongest constitution;
for the want of proper ventilation and cleanliness in a
crowded cell, with the immediate proximity of a neces-
sary convenience without water, which it is to be hoped
wilt meet groper attention from the proper quarter in
a sanitary improvement at an important period.
I am, Sir, yours, faithfully,
VERITAS VINCIT.
Nine Elms, Vauxhall.

STEAM-BOAT TRAVELLING ONividuals stationed
TLIII
Aceordirg to the returns made by ind
for that sp. cifie purpose at the different steam-boat piers
between Chelsea and London-bridge, it was ascertained
that 324,000 persons landed and embarked from the
steam-vessels plying between those places slutin baby
hot.

Mr. WIRE (to the Town Clerk)—ls there on the list
the name of any member who was not present in the Court
on that day ?
The TOWN CLERK—Certainly not.
Mr. LOTT observed that if Aldermen who were not
present upon the formation of a committee were to be
i
elected, the principle of the established rule which re-
ferred to Aldermen as well as to commoners was totally
custom saidhe a
destroyed. Why, he asked, should the Aldermen enjoy
such a privilege?
M t
H. L.
was JONES
the
members of the Court were not 'aware of the meaning
which
o f thp: apprehended de
to
od attachthat several
to the
word " present." It was, to his knowledge—and he
spoke as an old member of the court—the usual prac-
tice to consider that an Alderman who attended the
court during any part of the day before the appoint
meet of a committee was eligible to act upon such
committee. The principle was recognised in a place
of higher authority than the Court of Common Council,
the word " present " adhering to the member,' however
short might be the duration of his stay. There was
another point to which it was necessary to call the
attention of the court. The town clerk, as officer of
the court, kept a record of its proceedings, and was
bound by the terms of his duty to enter the names of
those who were elected, and he could state whether
the Aldermen objected to had or had not entered the
court before the appointment of the committee.—(Hear.)
Mr. H. TAYLOR dia not think it necessary to consider
how the House of Commons transacted their business.
The members of that assembly might consider, for all he
knew, the words "present" and "absent" to be synony-
mous.—(A laugh.) He recollected that the motion for
the committee included the Aldermen " present," and
the Aldermen absent, who happened to be Mt mbers of
Parliament, but he could not accept of the definition of
the word "present" as meaning " absent."—(Laughter.)

The Tov;tr CLERK said it was the invariable practice,
since he had been an officer of the Corporation, to men-
tion the Aldermen who merely appeared during part of

the day as present during the idiole day, except their
absence happened to be noticed by special motion.—
(Hear, hear.)

Mr. LOTT—Then the best way in which we can speak
of an absent Alderman, is to say that he is present.—
(Laughter.)
Alderman LAWRENCE said the Aldermen were enti-
tled to some indulgence as to their attendance in that
Court in consideration of the magisterial duties, fre
quently of a very heavy nature, which they had to per-
form, and the knowledge of which had, no doubt, its
weight in establishing the rule affecting their eligibility
on committees. It happened that on the day upon
which the Irish committee was appointed, several of the
Aldermen were engaged in their official duties at the
Central Criminal Court, and one was performing the
magisterial duties of the Lord Mayor at the Mansion-
house, while another was presiding at Guildhall.
Mr. WIRE said the question was, whether the Court
would vary a practice of long continuance upon the sud-
den exception taken by one of its members without the
notice necessary to be given even in matters of an ordi-
nary nature. Ills experience convinced bim that the
mere momentary appearance of an Alderman in that
court made that functionary " present" the whole day;
and if Mr. H. L. Taylor objected to the regulation, let
notice be given of a motion on the subject.—(Hear.)
Mr. HARRISON said the Town Clef k had, by stating
the practice of the Court, decided that the mover had
acted with irregularity in raising the question, and that
' an alteration in that practice could not be achieved with-
out regular notice.
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR expressed the dissatisfaction he
felt at the extraordinary definition of the word " pre
sent," which, it now appeared, meant nothing at all, but
that a man was "not present."—(Laughter.) Be could
not tolerate so flat a departure from common sense, and
as he wished to see the Aldermen really " present" on
committees, he was desirous of making sure of their at-
tendaece by enforcing a rule which was t vidently made
in order to induce members to pay more strict attention
to their duties.

Mr. \VIRE—The question as to the omission of the
names 01 the tour Alder men cannot be put. .

The LORD MAYOR put it to the Court whether it
would be equitable to deny the privileges of the Court
to the Antenna!' who was actually engaged in periorm•
ing the magisterial tubetions of his office at the moment
committee, in which he might take a deep interest, was
in a state of formation?—(hear, hear.) It stmt.:: him
that if some rule ut the kind to which several of the
metnbers had alluded were not acted upon, the Court
might be reasonably charged with having given but little
encouragement to the zeal and energy of the magistrates.
—(Ucar, hear.) It Mr. 11. L. Taylor objected to the
existing practice that it was a practice in error, and not '
to be ju-titied, he could give notice in the usual manner,
atnl the subject could undergo timple discussion ; but
Mr. Junes was right in stating that the town clerk, who
kept the records which were to pass down to posterity,
could speak but from facts. Under these circumstances
he had to express his decision that no alteration could
take place in the existing practice as represented by the
town clerk without notice, and that, as, a matter of
course, the subject was at an end.—(Cheers.)
Upon the motion of idr. Deputy BEDFORD, the letter
of Lord Clarendon upon the subject of Ireland was
ordered to be printed and circulated amongst the mem-
bers of the Court.—Adjourned.

PUBLIC DEBT.—A return moved for by Mr. Hume
stales the actual decrease of charge of the public debt
between 1828 and 1849, at 672,4041. The decreased
charge of the long annuities, life annuities, and annuities
for terms of years, is 163.9841.
THE ARCIIALOGICAL INSTITUTE.—We are enabled
to furnish our readers exclusively with some particulars
relative to the approaching meeting of the Institute at
Salisbury. The proceedings will possess greater interest
to the learned world than at any previous anniversary.
The constitutions of Clarendon and the Anglo-Saxon
history of the district will receive a most elaborate
elucidation from two of the first Anglo-Saxon
scholars of the day. Professor Willis has intimated that
Salisbury Cathedral will afford him more materials for
illustration than any similar edifice he has yet lectured
upon. The other antiquities of the neighbourhood have
received so much attention from the literati connected
with the Institute, that some difficulty will be expe-
rienced in bringing the more important subjects within
the period allotted for the meeting. As regards rank
and number also, it is anticipated that the present anni-
versary will eclipse all its predecessors. The Marquis of
Northampton, the Lord Bishop of Oxford, and a very
numerous party of the nobility will be the gueets. of thehe
Lord Bishop of Salisbury, et the ratace, andof
Right Hon. Sidney 11,.rto:rr, at Wilton, during the meet-
ing—Hantpshire Acker. tzser.
LEAMIP.GTON, JULY T.—The summer amusements
are now at their height, and owing to the sudden close of
the London season, several arrivals of distinction are
daily occurring. Macready's farewell visit at the theatre
was a source of unbounded pleasure to the large circle
of his admirers in this county. The character which he
selected for personation was the haughty and wily
Richelieu. The great cricket match between the Wor-
cestershire and the Leamington clubs, has jnst termi-
nated in favour of the latter; the principal players
being Lord Guernsey, Major Clowes, lion. W. E. Talbot,
Hon. Mr. WrOttesh y, and Captain Lindow. Other
matches are coming off next week. The 12th instant is
to witness the first of a series of Concerts d'Ete and
Pyrotechnical Fetes; the latter being under the direc-
tion of Mr. Darby, of the Vauxhall-gardens. The en-
suing Monday will be distinguished by a second horti-
cultural show, which will take the lead amongst other
similar provincial meetings, the prises thrown open to
the widest competition, being little inferior to those of
Chiswick. These exhibitions are now becoming a rally-
point !or growers and amateurs in the midland counties.
In sporting matters, the usual executive are resolved
. that there shall be no retrograde movements—the Lea-
mington Stakes at 'Warwick, this year, surpassing its
former celebrity, there being upwards of 200 sub-
scribers. The arrivals of the week include the names of
Lord Charles llamilton, Viscountess Vulentie, Lady and
Miss Clinton, Hon. and Lady Melville, Lord Lifferd, and
an unusually large number of American families, at
sodn.
Regent ml other hotels, en route for Stratford-on -A
Admiral Sir George and Lady Cockburn, aftrer a
,be threey
Ad.
miralty .
months' sojourn at the S2a,
have just left for
TILE CAXTON TESTIMONIAL.—Yesterday evening a
meeting of the subscribers to the fund for erecting a
monument to the uferaery of
.Caxtoni held ats!
was the
Society of Arts, John- street, ltli,i ph , Mr. 11. Bettie',
M. 13. in the chair. The Rev. Ar. Milman read a re-
port, 'from which it appeared that the total amount of
subscriptions up to that time had been 450/., of which
2404 had teen paid. The expenditure had been 621.
The rapid succession of events which during the last two
years had exercised a depressing influence upon the
commerce and public enterprise of the country had, of
course, withheld many subscriptions from this fund, al-
though an appeal had been made to the heads of the
printing and publishing business. This report was re-
ceived and adopted, cud, upon the motion of Mr. Clowes,
seconded by Mr. Aymett, a resolution was agreed to au-
thorizing the expenditure of further sums in collecting
subscriptions, the result to be reported at a meeting in
the spring of 1550. The meeting thee thanked the
oiLitirgap pd iligstel

1/7 lIOP INTELLIGENGE. ,
BOnOUGH, JULY 9.—The accounts this/ orning
come very unfarotfrable. The duty has---gradually
fallen to 60,0001. We have more doing in our
market, and very few hops on sale.
MAIDSTONE.—A close examination of several pa-
rishes in this immediate locality has led to the con-
clusion that the insect vermin have, upon the whole,
increased during the past week, and that the grounds
are even worse than is generally imagined. Some
few pieces there are, indeed, which show some im-
provement, but even these are in a bad state. Still it
must not be imagined that the bines are past recovery,
favourable weather may yet bring some hops.
MALLING.—The bine is now turning yellow at
places, and the effects of the vermin show strongly on
the weak bines. The nigger have made their appear-
ance, but we see no diminution of lice. Appear-
ances altogether would indicate a lower duty than last
week.
BRENCIILEY. Our correspondent says, "During
the past week I have endeavoured to find out the real
state of the hops in this a► d neighbouring parishes.
The general reports are truly unfavourable, and from
what I have seen myself, I have no hesitation in
quoting them daily falling into a blight."
HawfinuasT.—The grounds here are doing very
badly ; there is no improvement.
GOUDBURST.—The preceding week has not been
attended with any improvement ; in fact, the greatest
portion have retrograded considerably, the fly having
attacked them simultaneously one day, and dispers-d
the following, and not without causing injury. In
some grounds tl-e whole of the bine, from bottom to
top, is covered with vermin, with not the least indica-
tian of lateral shoots making their appearance.
ORPINGTON.—About three out of four hop grounds
about here will not grow a hop, the fourth only par.
tially, to all present appearance. There is very little
Line, and no chance now of any more growing;
and what there is is dying off as fast as it can.
CRANBROOK.—The bine still continues in a very
precarious state—we think rather worse than last
week.

IGHTHAM AND SEAL.—The hops have improved
but slowly during the past week, and are still in a
precarious state.
EDEanaIDGE.—The best grounds are doing pretty
well. but the weak bines are quite done.
SUSEX.—At Tunbridge Wells market on Friday,
the reports of the Sussex planters were, that the duty
must fall considerably under 100,00/.
FARNHAM, ALTON, AND COUNTRY DISTRICTS,
JULY 9.—Our predictions, a fortnight since, are
verified to the very letter. The plantations, with
very few exceptions, are completely blighted, and the
only hope remains that we may have a good rain, and
get a few hops at the tops of the poles. There is
scarcely a pocket of yearling Farnham or Country
hops unsold, and very few of the fine growth of 1847,
which have advanced in price very considerably.—
Maidstone Gazette, July 10.

GLASGOW.—ALARMING ACCIDENT AT THE QUAY.
—Yesterday afternoon an incident, fortunately unat-
tended with fatal consequences, occurred at the quay,
which occasioned for some time considerable alarm
among those who were on the wharf. The steamer,
Duchess of Argyll, being advertised to sail at half-past
five o'clock in the afternoon, a great number of intending
passengers were in waiting at the wharf, previous to her
arrival from Helensburgh. From some cause of deten-
tion the vessel was not forward at tkie quay till the time
advertised for sailing, and, in consequence, the crowd of
parties coming on shore, and others pressing on board,
occasioned no little stir, and some unavoidable confusion.
It was, therefore, within a quarter to six o'clock before
the steamer was ready to start on her downward trip.
Just as she was canting out into the river an individual
named Alexander Taylor, who was standing close on
the edge of the wharf, seeing away some of his friends,
lost his balance and fell forward. In doing so
he threw out his arms to save himself, and caught
hold of the dress of a Mrs. Watson, who, with an
infant in her arms, was watching the departure
of her husband for Gairlochhead. The consequence
was that all three were at once precipitated into the
water. The incident being witnessed by hundreds the
utmost alarm was manifested by all the parties within
view of the occurrence. A boat was instantly lowered,
by means of which Mrs. Watson was picked up, along
with her infant, in a few minutes after their immersion.
Taylor was rescued at the same time with the life-hook,
and safely brought out, not much the worse. Unfor-
tunately, the female, in falling, appeared to have come
against the piles, as her forehead was considerably cut.
Otherwise, however, her injuries are but trifling, and as
she was promptly attended by a medical gentleman, who
was at the time on the quay, no dangerous results are
expected to ensue. The Intent, with the exception of the
cold bath, was quite unhurt. The accident would not, in
all probability have occurred, had the police, who are to
some extent responsible for the safety o. the quay. been
able to discharge their duty efficiently; but this, from the
circumstances above narrated, was rendered almost im-
possible.—Aw et British Mull.
THE COAST DrrErseEs.—The batteries on the
Thames and Medway cii,tricts will all be completed in
about two months from the present period, and will be
of a very efficient description for the eh fence of these
important navigable rivers. The number of guns to be
mounted fur the defences of these livers are thirteen at
Sherri Head, thirteen at Coal-house Point, fifteen at
Gravesend, and fifty at Tilbury Fort. The whole of
the guns are 32 pounders, mounted on wooden carriages,
and they are all to have iron plittfolms for being fired
from on a plan submitted by Lieutenant-Colonel llar-
dinge, Ilea al Artillery. The idea of having a
more extended practice range than at present exists in
IVoulwich Marshes has been revived, and the advantage
of a three miles rEnge in an c asterly direction is to
be submitted to the Committee on the Ordnance esti-
mates now sitting. Some difficulties have arisen with
regard to Shoeburyness, owing to the objections made
by the Lord of the Manor, but that h cality does not
ullUrd any particular advantages to render the objections
of any consequence. Shoeburyness would answer very
well as practice ground at certain periods of the tide,
but it is isolated, and the conveyance of artillerymen
from Woolwich to that quarter would always be at-
tended with considerable expense, and the loss of time
to the members of the Select Committee who would
have to attend experiments, would far counterbalance
any saving which might be effected in obtaining a prac-
tice-ground cheerier than at Woulwich. On the con-
trary, were a three-mile range procured at Woolwich
and Plumstead Marshes, the only difficulty being the
high demands of the proprietors of the grounds, the
valuable time of the nln'mbers of the Select Committee
would be saved, experimenters would be better able to
attend at a trifling expense, owing to Woolwich being so
near London, and the officers, non-commissioned officers
and men of the Royal Artillery would have an opportu-
nity, so desirable, of practising at that length of range
to render themselves proficient in the improved part of
the duties of artillerymen. The batteries which would
have to be erected for firing from might also be so
situated as to become important as a part of the defences
of the river Thames; and their vicinity to the garrison
would at all times ensure an ample supply of men and
material to overcome a very powerful invading force,
should any foreign power contemplate or attempt to
ascend old Father Thames. A battery at Shoeburyness
would be of little service as a means of defence—the
long tracts of sand rendering it difficult for vessels to ap-
proach in that direction.
FOREIGN WOOD GOODS.—An attempt having been
recently made to introduce, free of duty, under the de-
nomination of staves, a number of batten ends, subject
to duty, as wood sawn, which had been reduced to the
dimensions of staves not exceeding 72 inches in length,
7 inches in width, nor 3} inches in thicknesss,--the
principal officers of tho Customs department a t
h thea v e
several ports and places throughout the kingdom
been made acquainted therewith, and have received
directions to enjoin the officers under their survey to use
their utmost vigilance to detect any similar imposition
which should be attempted at either of their respective
ports.
CIIOLERA.—CORONER'S IN9.I.7EST.—On Thursday
last an inquest was held before Mr. Bedford, coroner for
Westminster, at the Rising Sun public-house, Charles-
street, Grosvenor-square, on the body of a man whose
name has not yet been discovered, who was found at ten
o'clock on Tuesday morning in Globe-yard, South
Molton-street, in such a state as to require him to be
removed on a stretcher to the workhouse in Mount-street,
where he was immediately attended by Mr. Bloxam,
the surgeon, and found to be in the last stage of cholera.
He died at 8 o'clock in the evening of the same day.
The police-sergeant deposed' to the deceased having
given the name of Michael Sulivan, and his address
No. 5, Gra) 's-inielare, and to his having said he had
eight children living. The parish beadle bad been to
5, Gray's inn-lane, and found a man who said his name
was Jeremiah Sulivan, but' could learn nothing of
that
of the
deceased. The coroner adjournedh
further inquiries might be made, and tthaet thetng condition
of the children might be investigt_lla has
make investigated.
MALLEABLE IRON SCltEscirl
ofELLERS.—It
hitherto been usual to
rew propellers of brass or
imperfection taking place in
them, or any difference
cast iron, which, °Li any form being considered advis-
able, have to be cut down and recast. An experiment is
in lie factory at Woolwich Dockyard
Dow in rope propellers of malleable iron to obviate
progressr
to wake
inconveniences, and no doubt is entertained of its
screw
these
success. The screw propeller at present in course of
formation, and making of malleable iron by the aid of
one of Nasmyth's hammers, has had one of its flanges
and the centre complaely formed, end when the other
flange is fully added, will weigh 24 tons, or 50 cwt.
When dressed and finished for use it is calculated it will
weigh 35 cwt., nod %via be 12 feet 8 inches in diameter,
the greatest breadth of the extremity of the flanges being
about 6 feet. The foremen and workmen t ngaged in
making the malleable iron screw propeller have shown
great ingenuity in overcoming the difficulty of giving
the curved form to the flanges with a flat-feced hammer,
presenting a surface of 10 by 8 inches. This they have
completely effected by placing a small piece of iron
attached to a long iron rod betwixt the face of the ham-
mer and the flange, so as to give it the requisite curve
with the greatest ease.
FALL OF AN AEROLITE,—The Press.e of Sunday
records the fall of an aerolite of five kilogrammes
oesf a
in
weight, at 'rrige dace, near Moatarghi, at , the , close
violent storm. It was composed of crystal, stupseur, and
a substance resembling plaster.
THE ORDNANCE ESTIMATE •
S —The excess of ex-
penditure on these eallMates for the year 1847.48 is
stated by a Parliamentary return to amount to 5.,a4/.,
which will be required to be vetted by the Howe of
00111010111.

i