The Sun.
London, England, 1831-12-12 00:00:00

viz :—Mr. J. T. W. French, of his Majesty's ship
Magnificent; Mr. Henry Saunders, of his Majesty's
ship Prince Regent; Mr. S. W. Grandy, of lis
Majesty's ship 'Winchester; and Mr. Thomas H.
Page, of his Majesty's ship Britannia. Mr. Francis
Cole, Clerk of the Cracker, was also found competent
to discharge the duty of a Purser in the Royal Navy.
Capt. Samuel Warren, late Commodore at Wool-
wich, has been appointed Commissioner of Wool-
wich Dock-yard with an increase to his salary of
200/. per annum. A more wortl.y man, or one more
competent to fulfil with effect the duties of this dis-
tinguished post, could not have been selected. There
has been no Commissioner at Woolwich since the
removal of Commissioner Cunningham.
The Establishment of Clerks in the several Dock-
yards is about to be considerably reduced. Two
clerks employed at the Navy-office, but borne on the
books of Woolwich Yard, together with three
others from the latter Arsenal, have been placed on
the superannuation list. Two extra clerks, lately
employed on warrant officers' accounts, with four
others at Chatham Yard, are likewise to be placed
on tile retired list. With regard to our local esta-
blishments, five clerks, and two temporary clerks
will be reduced in this dock-yard, as well as three
clerks at the Royal Clarence yard, and one at Haslar.
We understand that a reduction is exnected in
the Royal Marine corps, by the discharge of all men
under five feet six inches high ; but in what way it
is to be effected we are not exactly aware, though
we presume that all men of a certain standing in the
service, will either receive a graduated pension, or
else a commuted allowance on discharge, according
to character and length of servitude. This will in
all probability be followed by a considerable reduc-
duction in our naval and military establishments.
We understand that an order has been given by
Major-General Sir James Cockburn, Bart. and
K.C.H. (the Inspector-General of Royal Marines),
that the period for the change of uniform in the
officers of that corps, which was fixed for the Ist of
January next, is extended to the 23d of April follow-
ing, at which time the new annual clothing will, as
usual, be served to the non-commissioned officers and
privates.
His Majesty's Dock-yard, at Deptford, is to be
done away with, and the stores therein to be re-
moved to Woolwich. Captain Warren, as Com-
missioner of the latter yard, will superintend the
removal, which, it is supposed, will occupy about
three months. The Deptford Yard will, we believe,
be converted into a depot for troops, such an esta-
blishment being much wanted in the neighbourhood
of London.

By a late order from the Admiralty, no Midship-
men are in future to be examined in navigation until
after a service of six years, and the names of those
who may be found deficient in this essential branch
are to be reported to their Lordships.
The Lords Commissions of the Admiralty have
directed that in future all men who may volunteer
for his Majesty's ships shall, in addition to the usual
overhaul by the medical officer of the ship, be sent
to the Naval Hospital there, to undergo a rigid exa-
mination, in order to ascertain the nature of any dis-
ease or infirmity under which they may then be la•
bouring, with the view to render the crews of the
different ships more efficient, and for the better re-
gulation of their pensions.
The magazines of his Majesty's ships, we hear,
are about to be altered again. The passages and
enclosures for handing up powder, and for passing
down the empty cartridge boxes, are found to be so
entirely without ventilation, that the men's lives are
in danger to such as happen to be occupied in them.
We understand the frequent alterations that have al-
ready taken place in ships' magazines, have incurred
an expense of many thousand pounds, and it will
now take as many more to restore them to what
they were originally. The present Naval Secretary
at the Admiralty proposed a very simple and effi-
cient plan for a magazine, when serving at this
port. Would it not be wise to adopt it, now that
an extensive alteration is contemplated ?
In consequence of the many reports which have
been prevalent during the week, as to the state of
health on board his Majesty's ships at this port, we
have been at some pains to ascertain the truth of the
matter, and we can assure our readers of the follow-
ing fact, viz. :—that in twelve sail now at this port,
the total number on the sick list does not exceed
thirty, and these are afflicted with sickness which is
common at this season of the year.
The Neva, transport, Lieut. Adamson, agent, ar-
rived at Rio de Janeiro from Valparaiso, on the 12111
August last, and may be daily looked for in England.
The Coast Guard Station at Swanage,under that
indefatigable officer Lieut. Moore, R.N., seized, in
Durleston Bay, at two A.M. on the sth instant
L'Espoir, French smuggling lugger, with 155 casks
of brandy, three of tea, and one of glass, which have
been delivered over to the Custom-house, at Poole.
The Poole district, which is at present highly dis-
ciplined, has been, within the last few months, very
successful in the suppression of smuggling.

Much anxious feeling is beginning to be ma-
nifested by our merchants, particularly those connected
with the south of Europe and the Mediterranean, as to
the effect which may take place on our trade through
those quarantine regulations and restrictions of intercourse
which have been almost universally adopted in conse-
quence of the admitted existence of the cholera morbus in
this country. Many contracts have already been thrown
up, and orders countermanded, through the difficulties
which now present themselves to their regular execution.
A merchant, to instance one example only, who ships
goods for the north of Spain, and calculates, in the ordi-
nary state of things, on snaking his returns within two
months, must give up all such commissions, when he is
exposed both to the delay of a quarantine at Port Mahon,
a further voyage, perhaps, of six weeks more, and to the
damage and pilfering his property may be exposed to
when there, and undergoing the process of purification.
He and all those who are in the like situation suspend, of
course, their :orders to the manufacturers ; and hence all
those branches which depend upon them must look in a
short time for a nearly total stagnation. It is impossible
to estimate how far the mischief may extend, but its
effects, according to the general opinion on 'Change, are
only just beginning to be felt. In Portugal and Spain
particularly, but also in Italy, Sicily, the islands, and the
African coasts of the Mediterranean, the most strict pro-
tective regulations are to be looked for.— Times.

SAILORS' OAI EN s.—Sailors, usually the
boldest men alive, are yet on their own element very super-
stitious. At the present day they account it very unlucky
to lose a bucket or a mop. To throw a cat overboard or
drown one at sea is the same. Children are deemed lucky
to a ship. Whistling at sea is supposed to cause increase
of wind, and is therefore much disliked by seamen, though
sometimes they themselves practice it when there is a dead
calm.

THE DECCAN PRIZE-MONEY.—Not a week
passes by without bringing us half a dozen letters from
unfortunate claimants on this fund, requesting us to direct
the attention of Parliament and the public to the shameful
manner in which the distribution has been retarded. As
far back as the 23d of March, 1830, Mr. ARBUTHNOT,
one of the Commissioners, declared that the weole money
would be paid immediately, and that no obstacles could
possibly occur which would delay the distribution beyond
a month or two. Not two months, but two years, have
now elapsed, and those who find it their interest to
continue in the management of the fund, and who have a
number of clerks and agents receiving salaries, under the
pretence of inquiry, still put off, on various pleas, the
distribution which has been so often promised. We have
lately beard a whisper of losses and defaulters; and there-
fore, without tiking into consideration the hopes and suf-
ferings of the claimants—for that, we fear, will have little
weight—we think those who are intrusted with the ma-
nagetnent of the prize-money are bound, for tbesake of their
own character, to offer some explanation of the delay ; and
we hope that Parliament, should the Commissioners still
hesitate, will require satisfaction.— Observer.

In the Excise Court on Saturday, WILLIAMS
the " Butkite," murderer, was charged upon information
by the name of Tnomas Hear), with having carried on
an illicit factory for making glass at No. 2, Nova Scotia-
gardens, Bethnal-green. An excise officer proved the
seizure of goods used in the manufacture of glass at the
house of the person charged, and that WILLIAMS, or HEAD,
was in company with Brsttoc. The Court condemned the
goods seized, but did not inflict the usual penalty, 50/.
The seizure was made in August last.