The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-22 00:00:00

our naval power at the time of-the;-Spanish armada?
Was the defeat of that armada owing to the navigation
laws? There were many other facts in our history which
went to prove that these laws had not had so much to
do with our naval power as was generally assumed on
the opposite side. Looking at the position of our two
islands as compared with the Continent, he might ask, if
that power was not more owing to their physical confor-
mation end position than to any legislation. Believing,
as he did, that the naval power of England was not
ascribable to the Navigation Act, to the extent assumed
by its supporters, he had no hesitation in cordially
giving his support to the measure of her Majesty's Go-
vernment. He looked to the time when by its means we
should not only get rid of the restrictions on our com-
merce, but also provide more efficiently for our national
defence.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said that the ques-
tion before the Committee was, whether it should adopt
the very liberal proposals of her Majesty's Government,
or the more enlightened and equi'.able amendment pro
posed by his Noble Friend. The Government proposed
to repeal certain Acts and partF, of Acts, but they were
by no means to be confined within the four corners of
these Acts; they might at their own caprice—n sy, to
carry out their p they vi ould be obliged to import
and incorporate the laws of foreign countries with refe-
rence to shipping, so that with reference to that subject
the law would not be found in a distinct Act of Parlia-
ment, but in a series of orders in Council. This would
cause great confusion, and there would be no end of the
variety which would be introduced into our legislation as
respects foreign states. He thought there were very se-
sious objt ctious to doing that by erders in Council which
earet careful
of
of
might as well he done by Act of Parliament. It wes an
innovation
modern
sanctioning,times
except which
in theyex
extreme
et to be
very
cases.
His Noble Friend was very careful in that respect. The
only discretion he left to her Majesty in Council was to
decide upon granting relaxations when the nations to
whom they were granted were prepared to concede
equivalent advantages, and thus to establish a perfect
reciprocity in each case. It was quite incorrect to sly
that their Lordships were called upon to decide against
the measure of her Majesty'svi Government, but they were
asked to say whether,bang
decided that the naviga•
tion•laws should be altered, that alteration Should be
made in a waywhich
- would secure to this country
equivalent advantages in our future relations with
foreign states. According to the plan of his Noble
Iwo codes of laws—the ex-
all nations which refused to
Friend, there would be only
ex-
isting code, applicable to
deal with us on equal and reciprocal terms, and the new
code which would arise from our new relations with the
states which agree to such relations.—(Hear.) Oa that
ground he gave it his support, and hoped that it would
receive that of their Lordships.
except as modee of
tthey adjuesnti endeavoured
o4red
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said the Noble Earl
had stated that there was no difference between them
ian to
of thehe bestGvemnin
reciprocity. Ho utterly denied that it was so.—(Hear.)
Bythe p
re-
move all the restrictions they possibly could, and they
kept none but what they were absolutely compelled to
keep; while by the plan of the Noble Lord he kept all
Is differences
of
the restrictions he could, and gave no relaxations which
he could possibly avoid.—(Cheers.) That was the dif-
ference between the two plans. The Noble Earl who
spoke last seemed to apprehend that after this Bill was
passed it would be in the power of foreign nations to
hamper and destroy our trade by imposing new restric-
tions upon shipping when in their ports. Whatever might
be the imperfections of the Bill, it was certainly not lia-
ble to the charge of having overlooked that contingency,
and he could scarcely suppose that the Noble Earl
had read the Bill itself; or he would have found such a
state of things distinctly and specifically provided for.
(The Noble Marquis read the clause.) It would be seen,
therefore, that there was an effectual safeguard in that
clause against the danger apprehended by :the Noble
Earl. There was a great difference between the Bill
brought forward by her Majesty's Government and that
suggested by the Noble Lord. The Government Bill
laid down the broad principle of freedom, which they
believed was the best foundation upon which our com-
mercial system could be built, and which they also be-
lieved would be most effectual in promoting the pros-
perity and strength of our own navy. On the other band,
after having listened with great attention to the plans
of the Noble Lord, and the arguments by which he
supported these plans, he must tarty that he eculd not
help feeling surprised that the Noble Lord, after laying
proposed, and after 'even sacri-
ficing as it were, certain polar stars to gbide him in
should have ended' by propos-
ingihphilecehs' would be utterly inceusistent
making k ianrgrhaitaahgoeewmc
thigapan!rt principles,
with the objects ho had in view.• Take Canada, for in-
stance.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord proposed to
make a concession to Canada, but did any one who had
past legislation, and the growing
dpeaimdaantdtesnotifonthteo our Canadian people, imagine they would
rest satisfied with that concession?—(Hear. hear.) By
the recent alterations in our laws we had given the
Canadians a taste of the benefits to be derived from the
tree navigation of the St. Lawrence, and they would not
now rest satisfied till they bad achieved complete free-
dom for ships of all nations on that river.—(Hear, hear.)
How was that to be done? Why the Noble Lord said
they ought not to favour the United States, but his own
plan was all
- in favour of the United States. Every
Noble Lord must see that it was the country of all
others which would most immediately benefit by the
adoption of the plan of the Noble Lord.—(Near, hear.)
While the Noble Lord's amendment invites vessels of

Catsada and the United States it repels vessels of other
colonies, equally attached to the mother country, which
ought nut to be debarred from the advantages and privi-
leges intended to be conferred by- the Bill. The Noble
Lord said that Canada was dissatisfied, but his amend-
-went left Canada dissatisfied, and rendered it impossible
jhat the treaties with the countries which he excluded
could be renovated. He thought the system recom-
mended by the Bill much better than that proposed by
the Noble Lord opposite. But any system would fall
short of the object in view if it were not calculated to
increase the warehousing system of the country,
which ought to be one of the great desires of a legis-
lature. It was said that the Bill had not . the general
assent of the masses of the people of the country.
No measure that had been adopted by Parliament could
be said to have the assent of the masses of the people
if it were to be gathered from public demonstration and
public petitions. The Noble Marquis referred to the
petitions presented from Liverpool, and quoted a para-
graph from a newspaper in the Protectionist interest, to
show that great indifference was manifested in Glasgow,
where a public meeting. was convened to consider the
propriety of petitioning in favour of reciprocity, and not
more than 100 persons attended, including twelve re-
porters, and many of those on the platform were uncon-
nected with the shipping or mercantile interests. He
adjured their Lordships, in conclusion, 'to preserve
the spirit and principle laid down in the' Bill. - Re-
laxation was the rule, and restriction the exception, of
the Government measure, while the amendhnentsof the
Noble Lord directly attacked that principle: It was the
object of the Bill to increase the commerce of the
country, which, when promoted, could not ail to main-
tain the general prosperity of the country. He hoped
that whatever other amendments their Lordships
adopted, they would reject the amendment of
the Noble Lurd now submitted for consideration, which
in conjunction with his other proposition, narrowed, in-
stead of extended, the advantages of trade, while it as-
sailed the principle sought to be established. The mea-
sure was necessary for the welfare of the country and
the colonies., and to prevent a recurrence trom year to
year of new demands.
Their Lordships then divided, when there appeared—
Contents—For the amendment ••• •'•• 103
Non-Contents—Against it 116
Majority against the amendment and for the
Lord STANLEY said that the principle)
Government
••• ,
on which he
••• 13
••• •••
had based his amendment was to amend the navigation -
laws; the principle of the Government Bill was to repeal
the law. Their Lordships, by a majority, bad affirmed
the latter. So far, therefore, as he was chncerned, he
should not offer further objection to the provisions which
repealed Bth and 9th of Victoria, cap. 82.
The House then resumed.
The CHAIRMAN reported progress and obtained
leave to sit again this day.
Their Lordships adjourned at a Quarter to One.

OPERA COMIQUE, ST.
"JAMES s THEATRE.—Herr
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent honoured the
performance at this theatre last evening with her pre-
sence. Her Royal Highness was attt-nded by Lady
Augusta Bruce, Lady Maria Dawson, Bon. Miss Daw-
son, Baroness do Speth, and Lord James Murray.
There were also present—the Marquis and Marchioness
Douglas, the Marquis of Douro, the lvtarchioness of
Downshire, the Earl and Countess of Chesterfield, Hon.
Mr. Austen, the Marquis Dazilio, Count de la Feldt,
Ludy Cecilia de la Feint, Lord Cranborne, Lally Quin-
tin, Sir George and Miss Talbot, Sir Henry Webb, Sir
John Lyster Ks)e, Lady and Miss Macdonald, Bsrou.
Eugene de Gerlache, Hun. G. Barrington, Lord Man-
deville, &c.

TUE " GYAINETRUS NORTIIUMBRICtiS."—A very
curious specimen of a genus of fish, little known, and of
which few specimens have been exhibited, was yesterday
submitted to the inspection of a number of gentlemen
connected with the science of natural history, and to
those who feel interested in the more abstruse wonders
of nature, at the Cosmorama, Regent-street. The spe-
cimen is one of the finest ever exhibited, and is, indeed,
unique, both from the manner in which it is preserved,
and from the fact of its recent capture. It is about ten
f
widest part of the girth. It has a sort of crest upon the
three feet in the
h feet
ri inresembling
length
a and
feathers, measuresand
two nearly
long
narrow fins, or
rather antennce, beneath the lower jaw. Tb describe this
rate fish technically would be rather a difficult task, and
such a desciiption would hardly be understood by any
but professed naturalists. It will therefore be sufficient
to direct the public attention to it, and to let persons
judge for themselves of its nature.
EADvEnTIsEmEivT.3—A Bruised root Cured, and
Amputation of the Toes Prevented, by Holloway's Ointment
and Pills.--Mr. Oliver Smith Jenkins, Falkirk, when super-
intending the erection of a railway bridge, had his foot severely
p
bruised by the falling of a heavy stone. Apprehending that
serious consequences would result from it,hzconsultedsome
that
atth
teoeffect most a
eminenteuret
surgeons isn
toes Edinburgh,
mus
tbe am utated;
ho informed him
re-
fusing to submit to this he returned to Falkirk, and comreeneed
using Holloway's Ointment and Pills, and, miraculous as is
may appear, these invaluable medicines healed his foot, and in
three weeks he was
.enabled to resume his employment. Sold
by all Druggists; and at Professor Holloway's Establishment,
244, Strand, London.

MuItDER of A POLICEMAN AT BRISTOL.—On
making inquiries at the central station yesterday (Mon-
day) at tornoon, we were intormed that Inspector Bosworth
had not vet returned from London, but that the two sol-
diers, Andrew Daly and John .MTarlanr, who stand
charged on the coroner's inquisition with the wilful
murder of John Pym, a police-constable, sailed with
their regiment for India on the 9th inst.

INTERNATIONAL VISITS BE-
TWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCEX
Much has h,-•fr'n lately said respecting the excursion
parties advertised for the ensuing summer between the
two countries, owing to the pleasing and unexpected
turn given to the late party, whose reception in Boulogne,
Paris, and Amiens was so cordial. Agreeing, as we
heartily do with the Boulogne Gazette, which devoted
leight entire columns to an historical recital of the visit,
we say with it Honour to Mr. Lloyd for this adroit
and seasonable conversion of an excursion party into an
impromptu embassy of international friendship ; and
success attend Mr. Crisp, the originator and contractor
for their expedition, in those he may hereafter plan for
the amusement of his countrymen."
Allusion was made to the visit and its consequences
at the anniversary dinner of the West London Literary
and Scientific Institution a few days since, the gentle-
man being present whose preliminary communication
with the French authorities gave the impulse to the ge-
nerous sympathies of our neighbours. The noble room
at the Commercial Hall, King's-road, Chelsea, was
handsomely decorated for the occasion, and the gallery
was filled with elegantly dressed ladies.
G. Tuomesole, Esq., M.P:, ably filled the chair. This
gentleman is one of the earliest and most zealous sup-
porters of the institution, both by liberal donations and
by delivering lectures which have always filled the hall
to oierflowing.' Ile stated how much he owed to the
opportunities for instruction and acquisition of useful and
valuable information afforded by similar institutions, and
spoke for nearly an hour moat eloquently amid the re-
peated cheers of the company. In proposing the health
of their vice. president, Mr. Lloyd, of Beaufort Lodge,
Chelsea, he called attention to the important results
from that gentleman's management of the late Paris
excursion party, by making it the means of eliciting a
demonstration of feeling in France towards this country,
the value of which it was impossible to overrate. He
highly complimented Mr. Lloyd on the tact and judg-
ment with which he was allowed by all to have conducted
the "(embassy of friendship. It was a delicate and difficult
office that he took upon himself, but his good sense and
activity in seizing every means of putting the English
character in an advantageous light before Frenchmen had
been crowned with entire success. They were fortunate
in a 'gentleman of his position as a magistrate, and ac-
quaintance with the language of France. But one
opinion had been expressed on his proceedings, during
the week when he was thus in a proud position, at the
head of five huudred of his countrymen in the French
capital. In the House of Lords the previous night was
mentioned by Lord Stanley the extraordinary and un-
precedented incident of French goodwill being warmed
even to playing " Rule Britannia," at a grand entertain-
ment given to Mr. Lloyd and his party. He hoped the
good feeling now evoked in France would encourage
other excursions, for nothing would promote 'more the
objects of institutions like these—the universal cultiva-
tion of science and literature apart from all national pre-
judices. He coupled with -Mr. Lloyd's health, " a
continuance of the good feeling now existing between
England and France."
This toast having been drank with all honours,
Mr. LLOYD replied that what the Chairman had said
about the important results likely to arise from the late
visit to Paris was perfectly true. They cannot
help being made invaluable, and it should
be our care that these good results be not
transient. We must reciprocate good offices, and show
Frenchmen that we fully appreciate the value of their
alliance. The late excursion party to France, which had
excited so much attention, had, as the Chairman ob-
served, been made use of by him for eliciting and test-
ing the sincerity of the professions made lately by
Frenchmen towards England. It was perfectly true he
had done so, and the results were beyond his expecta-
tion. He had, from being in Paris in January and Fe-
bruary, a good opportunity of remarking the present
state of men's minds on the late disastrous political
changes on the Continent, and the felicitous immunity
our beloved country enjoyed from the miseries they en-
tailed. He could perceive that there was conviction in
the minds of all—even the Red Republicans, as they were
called—that there must be something infinitely superior
in the British Constitution to what continental Govern-
ments possessed. No man now attempted to disguise
his real opinions that this was so. He never felt so
proud of being an Englishman as since the 24th Fe-
bruary, 1848. The British constitutional monarchy had
been borne unscathed through the wild tempest that
swept away many a strong political edifice, hither-
to considered impregnable. The present univer-
sal feeling of respectful admiration • towards Eng-
land was a glorious homage to our institu-
tions. His object in takitig the part he did on the late
occasion was also to show Frenchmen how little sym-
pathy our countryhad.with their republican anarchists,
who had been the objects of adulation, by restless dema-
gogues in England and Ireland, and that his party were
very different sort of persons to that body who went over
to Paris a year ago to compliment the visionary de-
structives on the mischief and ruin with which they were
overwhelming society. When he (Mr. Lloyd) found that
France had returned to her senses, and that she had, by
a vigorous effort, got rid of those desperate men who
had usurped all power, law, and order, and that
she had now every prospect of a firm Government,
he determined to show his approbation, at least
for one of her wise resolutions. As to the present
form of the French Government, he, as a lover of
monarchical institutions, might, it must be supposed,
have objections; that, however, was no business of any
one's but Frenchmen. But, as to the spirit of the pre-
sent Government, he knew it w.ts as excellent as it was
popular amongst all respectable classes. Trade was
reviving, prices were going up of all manufactured arti-
cles, the funds were firm and daily rising. This was
the time for Englishmen who enjoyed the advantages of
being unsaduced from a right track, to some forward and
offer the right hand of congratulation to France at her
progress in retracing her steps. France appreciated the
value of the moral support of the thinking, substantial,
middle classes of Britain. It was, therefore, right that
Englishmen should show their approval of the spirit that
now animates Frenchmen. He wished to see many more
such excursion parties; for, depend upon it, lasting
tranquillity (to secure which is the professed object of
war) was more likely to be preserved by a little band,
accoutred with carpet-bags and umbrellas, than by
one a thousand times as numerous glittering in cuirass
and armed to the teeth with sword, musket, bayonet,
and lance. Mr. Lloyd gave a description of their un-
precendented reception at Boulogne, where he and his
party landed, under a triumphal arch erected for the oc-
casion, and a royal salute of twenty-one guns—an honour
never paid to any before in France but the Sovereign.
He described the fate and ball at Boulogne, and ad-
dresses from the prefects and mayors of Paris, Boulogne,
and Amiens, and other places—a grand entertainment
given them by the Prefect (the Lord Mayor) of Paris,
where the Prime Minister, the Commander-in-.thief,
great officers of state, judges, magistrates of the corpora-
tion, generals and colonels of the army and National
Guard, and more than a hundred members of the Na-

tional Assembly—in all two thousand guests—attended.
on purpose, as they personally assured him, to show the
value they sot upon maintaining a good feeling with
England. He (Mr. Lloyd), as the organ of his
countrymen, had, in addresses to constituted bodies,
and in conversation with the many distinguished

personages to whom he had the honour of being intro-
duced every day of their visit, endeavoured to show
how greatly England desired the well being and tran-
quillity of France. He was very careful and anxious to
explain that his party laid no claim to be considered an
organized body, like the National Guards who came over
to England last year; his party had no prestige whatever,
no official station or specific character, they were simply
what in France would be called Association de bons En-

fans. This be on all occasions did, as he was fearful,
from seeing himself styled every day in the French
papers " President de Cornitie des Anglais," " President
de /a Deputation Anglais," that an erroneous impression
had been made. He had made a point in undeceiving
the mayor and authorities at Boulogne in his reply to
their.noble address, and to all the authorities, civil and
military, he had said the same. The good feeling towards
England at this moment is altogether wonderful. If he
had only the satisfaction of having carried up that ad-
dress to the Prefect of the Seine, which resulted in the
splendid entertainment given them at the Hotel de
Ville, when eleven grand apartments, lighted and
furnished in brilliancy and richness not to
be surpassed at Buckingham Palace, were thrown
open lor their reception and that of the dis-
tinguished personages he:had alluded to, invited to meet
his party, and where their English ears were delighted
and surprised by bearing "Rule Britannia" and " God
save the Queen," played by Republicans, and listened to
graciously by Republicanr, he ehould feel amply re-
wardedorm Norman
fboyr aol
our
frthe
hma
aebtxa
his esetayi
drn and ltoa
nbreoaurtrol
Lif
had
dd wspi egaenl .ficerLds
toohrni ds,
approbation o
who had also very handsomely expressed to him his en-
tire satisfaction at the issue of his undertaking. M.
Guizot had expressed to him the pleasure he felt at read-
ing the accounts of the interchange of kind feelings on
the occasion. He (Mr. Lloyd) had invited M. Gtrzot,
as a Brompton resident, to give them the pleasure of his
countenance and presence this day; but M. Guizot was
obliged to decline from a pressure of occupation, owing,
as he told him, to his intention of being in France again
in ten days, which every one must be delighted to hear.
Mr. Lloyd's account appeared much to please the com-
pany, who repeatedly cheered him. He finished in re-
commending all who would avail themselves of the present
favourable inclinations of Frenchmen towards English-
men, to join Mr. Crisp's excursion at Whitsuntide, which
he saw advertised, for a better caterer and manager of
an excursion party he never met with; besides which,
Mr. Crisp enjoyed privileges others did not.
The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev.
Dr. Wilson, Rev. J. Jorns, Rev. Edward Rudge, and other
gentlemen, and separated at a late hour.

OPENING
OF THE SHROPSHIRE UNION AND
SHREWSBURY AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAYS —The
opening of these important lines, which will be the
means of furnishing direct railway communication with
the metropolis and the north to a large portion of the
population and mineral produce of Shropshire, hitherto
without these facilities, is fixed for the Ist of June. The
Shropshire Union runs from Stafford to Shrewsbury,
thirty miles in length, through a rich agricultural dis-
trict, at a cost of 500,0001. 'she opening of the Shrews-
bury and Birmingham line, being its first section, is from
Shrewsbury to Oltengate.
THE CHAILEY MURDER.—Our readers will re-
member that at the last Sussex Assizes Hannah Sandles
was convicted of the murder of her infant child by throw-
ing it into a well at Chailey, near Lewes, the jury ac-
companying their verdict of guilty by a recommendation
to mercy on the ground of the destitution of the prisoner
at the time she committed the act. Shortly afterwards
she was respited during her Majesty's pleasure; and the
governor of Lewes Gaol has just received from the
Home-office an official notification that the sentence had
been commuted to two years' imprisonment
with hard
labour, followed by transportation for life.

DOVER BAY AN]) BREAKWATER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—A sense of public duty impels me to reply to a
notice of my remarks on the above subject by Colonel
Williams, of Ramsgate, in The Sun of'Mouday last.
I regret that he should give himself the slightest trou-
ble as to individuality in a subject where principles are
involved of such vital importance. He asserts that he
is "at no loss to discover the author," and having duly
chronicled this important result of his imaginings, pro-
ceeds forthwith to make a personal attack on mistaken
identity.
The Colonel gives in a very general adherence to the
principles and causes adduced by me as being in conti-
nual operation on the south coast of England ; he does
not even dispute that it may be a hundred years before
the shingle rounds a pier extending 800 feet from the
shore—his words are that it will and must " ultimately"
reach the end of the pier. Agreeing with one another so
nearly, I am rather surprised that he should be so
wroth with me. It must be that he takes me for the
gentleman at the Admiralty, who lately gave him such
a rap liver the knuckles for his meddling interference
with works against which he was raising a factious op-
position. lie also feels very ill at ease because I wrote
anonymously. Now, Sir, us I have no personal vanity
to gratify—no petty pampa lets to puff—nor no desire
for undue notoriety, I have therefore adopted the more
customary course of modestly retiireing my real name;
but as my pen is and has always been employed pro bona
public°. If I thought that the public would be bene-
fited by removing the veil of incognito, I should at once
do so. The Colonel further makes sundry insinuations
as to my being a hired scribbler, which, although ex•
tremely lame and impotent, must still be repelled.
I beg him and your numerous readers to understand,
that I am entirely unconnected with any Government
establishment, have no interest whateter in the port of
Dover, or the works at present going on there ; have
never solicited, never obtained Court patronage or Go-
vernment place or pay; I have no affix to append to my
name at my country's expense. My bureau is not
adorned with an official inkstand, from which to " spirtle
ink ex cathedra." Being thus free from party. bias, local
jealousy, disappointed hopes, or that prejudice which is
blind to truth, I humbly conceive myself in a favourable
position for making your readers acquainted how matters
stand, and that with strict impartiality.
It is sad to see Colonel Williams evidently suppress.
ing or perverting the knowledge he possesses on this
subject, and whether he does so to damage Dover or re-
store Ramsgate, I cm quite at a loss to discover; certain
it is that he conceals the truth, so that he may have a
kick at a body of men of whom I know but little, viz.,
the Commissioners of Dover Harbour; but were he in
possession of one tithe of the knowledge to which he so
unblushingly lays claim, had he taken the trouble to
compare the present operations with his own ideas of
protection of shipping from the north west gales, he
would have been prepared for the " startling announce-
meat" contained in my last letter, as,to the separate,
distinct usefulness and independence of the present works.
The great national object of the Refuge Harbour at
Dover is in plan exceedingly simple. A strong sea-wall
running out at right angles from the mainland, close to
the entrance of the harbour forms the west side; above a
mile to the eastward of Dover a similar wall is to be
erected. Jutting out from the south foreland near to the
Coruhill Coast Guard Station, at the outer extremities of
these walls, wide navigable entrances will be made for
the free ingress and egress of shipping of every tonnage;
whilst beyond these openings, much filmier to sea, runs
a third massive stone wall in deep water, running nearly
parallel to the shore, and extending from pier to pier,
thereby covering in the whole of Dover Harbour and
Bay, some knowledge of the extent of which may be
formed when it is known that these walls will enclose an
area of upwards of 600 acres; and the outer wall or
breakwater is to be upon the upright wall principle, and
not at all like the negligent, haphazard plan adopted in
Plymouth Sound, where a most irregular mass of stone
was allowed to find its own bed, and yet so much ad-
mired by the Colonel. The western wall or angle of
this great work is that which now so excites the ire and
calls forth the letters of Colonel Williams, and this por-
tion though most assuredly forming a prominent part of
the gigantic undertaking, is at present known as the
" New Dover Landing-pier;" and certainly the country
is indebted to the genius of their engineers (not royal)
when the several parts of a great work are brought to
bear upon public comfort and convenience, just the same
as we find directors opening the portions of their rail-
ways as they become ready for traffic, without waiting
for the completion of the whole.
Most nobly do the works proceed on this western
angle. Standing within a window niche of the Folke-
stone Hotel lately, my attention was arrested to observe
the robust head of this massive piece of masonry pres-
sing sternly out to sea beyond the lofty face of Shirks-
pere's Cliff; standing forth in bold relief from the line of.
coast, it seemed to bid defiance to the angry lashing of
the winter's storm, a grand monument of the triumph of
engineering skill, guided by that Almighty power which
wieldeth all the destinies and deliberations of men.
Tne Engineer-Colonel thinks that " a harbour of re-
fuge in Dover Bay is imperatively called for;" then why
does he rail out against the first step to his thoughts and
wishes? It' the aspirations of his soul and his pamphlet
are about to be realised, then why does he turn round
and denounce a very successful commencement of what
he deems imperative, spitefully maliuguing it as for a
mere " temporary purpose"—a clutch fur a deserted
seaport?
With Plymouth Sound, Spithead, Beachy Bead, Dun-
geness, the ;South Foreland, the Downs, and the Dore,
all protectors, within a few hours' sail of each other, and
j being an ardent financial reformer, I have some doubts
whether it is so very loudly called fur to have a refuge
harbour at Dover; but if I did consider it necessary, I
certainly would hail with delight the successful coin-
' mencement of such a work. I have stood upon the
works several times, with gentlemen great by birth and
great by talent; I have conversed amid the diving-bells
and machinery employed with the most scientific men of
the present day, including engineers, civil, military, and
practical, and have seen and heard umningled satisfac-
tion as to the works and their ultimate benefit; and yet
we find an obscure individual calling it a " job," which
ho
.beheves "will be- dearly purchased at twopence-
halfpenny." Sic transit fioria mundi. It is,
however, one consolation to know from the
Gallant Colonel that, although it is a "job,"
it will, nevertheless, be an important " local benefit—a
great prize" for the port of Dover. How is it that
Colonel Williams has " applied to every Member of the
House of Commons who takes an interest is questions
of finance, and received no encouragemens for inquiry
into that grave job?' " He tells the public that he has
appealed to the press, and then he appeals to the public
themselves; yet no one lends an ear. lie then tries
threats—he "demands to be heard," and repeats " that
nothing will or shall put this matter to rest but inquiry."
The House of Commons he implores to take a fine sieve,
and ":have the matter sifted." Hear you this further—
ye Gentlemen Commoners and ye Noble Lords—Colonel
Williams has discovered "strong ground" for your in-
tervention. The restoration of the prize is a secondary
consideration—only rentettre the Gallant Colonel. •
In my last letter, which you did me the honour to in-
sert, I endeavoured to show your readers that so great
was the magnitude of the scheme which the Refuge Har-
bour Commission decided upon, that to future genera-
tions would be left the honour of completing the task;
whereat the Colonel jumps to the conclusion that all is
abandoned but the pier, and that the country is doing
what private or corporate funds should have accom-
plished long ago. Nuw, I certainly knew that the cor-
porate funds of Dover, whilst they have been
applied with care, have been expended with liberality to
improve the harbour; within the last few years they have
constructed additional harbour accommodation. The
deepening of the harbour has been decided upon, and
been commenced; and not only these, but whilst on a
visit of health a few weeks back, the obliging master of
the works there kindly pointed out to me the centre line
for a splendid double ship slip, which is to be commenced
forthwith, in plan and principles superior to that at
Ramsgate, and which must prove a vast acquisition to
the port, for not only is the situation for the slip conve-
nient, but it actually touches upon the only two ship-
builders' yards of this port. Considering the extent of
these works, and taking these three undertakings toge-
there, we should find but small reason to stigmatise
" those in charge of Dover Harbour."
I trust you will, Sir, accept an earnest apology
for the unexpected length to which these remarks have
run, and an assurance that I have no other interest or
motive to serve in this matter than solely and entirely
the information of your readers, and to put the
public in possession of the true merits of the case.
I am, Sir, &c.,
London, May 19, 1849.

ALPHA.

A LOYAL SCENE.—The tide of loyalty rever,
perhaps, flowed higher than it did on Saturday evening,
ashen the whole population of the metropolis were in the
streets viewing the illuminations in honour of the birth-
day of our beloved Sovereign. It seemed as if the
people had by electric agency received the intelligence
of the diabolical attempt upon the Queen's life, and, at
the same time, the cheering news that she had provi-
dentially escaped unscathed. So profound was the
emotion excited in the minds of the pepulace
strong was the affection elicited from
estler ;e to give i t
la
s populace, and so
es that
every opportunity was seized that would
expression. This was particularly exemplified in
large assemblage collected during the whole of theevethe
even-
ing opposite the Paletot Warer ooms bineloinigegineght-tsotrteheet
Messrs. Nicoll, whose severalhouses
presented perhaps the most tasteful and brilliant illumi-
nation ever seen in London: one e portion
consisted of the words . (.Tod of the device
, save the Queen" in gi•
gantic letters of gas; this, it would seem, suggested to
the spectators the idea of singing the National Anthem,
and though it may not be considered as having been
accomplished in a very artistic manner, yet was it most
pleasing to hear from the heartiness with which it was
given; and few that witnessed the scene will forget the
fine expression displayed upon so many loyal and en-
thusiastic faces during that evening. The effect was
much assisted by the blaze of light which almost seemed
to turn the night into day.—Morning Post.
THE DANISH BLOCKADE OF TUE GERMAN PORTS.
—We understand that her Majesty's steam-sloop
Sphynx, Commander Hewlett, has been sent to the Elbe
with dispatches from the Foreign office, in consequence
of some representations from some merchants that two
British ships were not allowed to come out. These vessels
—viz., a steamer with a very valuable cargo, and the
other a brig, in consequence of the inefficiency of the
blockade by the Danes, had made the port for which they
were destined without being warned off, and the owners
now contend that they have a right to return, unmo-
lested, to this country; for the blockade, to be duly re-
spected, must not be a mere paper blockade, but must
be effectively kept up by the actual presence of a aqua
dron of cruisers, to prevent neutrals from breaking
through. The Sphynx was at Cuxhaven on the 18th
instant. • • • .