The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-26 00:00:00

NECVGATII AND LEADENHALL

A considerable decrease Iris tak,n place in the arrivals
of country-killed meat for our markets since Monday
last, yet they have proved season,bly good, or about
3,300 carcasses. The supplies brought forward,
slaughtered in the metropolis, have been tolerably
extensive. Generally speaking, the demand has
ruled heavy, and, in some instances, the quo
tations have suffered a further decline. From
Hamburgh 9 baskets of fresh meat have been re-
ceived; and about 400 carcasses of foreign meat, killed
in London, have bet n disposed of.

At per stone by the Carcase.

s. d. to s. d. S. d. to E.. e.
Beer,inferior 2 2 2 4 Mutton, inferior .. 2 4 2 8
- middling .. • 2 6 2 8 middling.. 210 3 4
- primelarge .. 210 3 0 prime .... 3 6 3 8
- prime small .. 3 2 3 4 Pork, large 210 3 6
vea1........ - small 3 8 4 2
ZOROUGEE AND SPITA.LPIELDS.
The supplies cf Potatoes received coastwise during
the past week, have been confined to about 2,400 tons,
principally from Scotland, Yorkshire, and Essex, and in
very middling condition. The foreign imports have
been again extensive, viz., 105 tons from Rouen, 276
bags from Ghent, 145 tons from Dunkirk, 166 tons
from Louvaine, 1,228 bags from Rotterdam, 106 bags
191 tons from Antwerp, 75 tons 18 sacks from Dieppe,
76 tons from Gravelinea, 200 bags from Hamburgh, 110
tons from Calais, 13 tons from Honfleur, 130 tons from
Ostend, and 65 tons from Jersey. The latter arrival is
referred to in the Times as a " novel importation." Is
not tiro writer in thAt paper aware that, in some past
seasons, we have imported from 20,000 to 30,000 tons
annually from the Channel Islands ? Today we had a
very inactive demand for nearly all kinds of potatoes,
the prices of which had a downward tendency. Present
rates as under:—

Per Ton.
York. Regents 100 s to 130 s Kent &Ess.Whites —s to s
Ditto Shaws 9ss to 120 s Ditto Shaws ...... —s to —s
Scotch Reds 9os to 1 los French Whites ... 80s to 93s
Ditto Cups 9ss to 110 s Belgian ditto
I Ditto Whites... 70s to 80s Dutch ditto

Per Ton.

EXHIBITION OF MODERN ART

Oa Saturday we attended the private exhibition of
pictures, collected and opened this morning to publi,l
ii.siection, by the association for promoting the free
display of modern art. The paintings, which num-
bertd several hundreds, were hung in the gallery
near Hyde-park-corner (formerly the Chinese Exhi-
bition), and certainly the collection for the present
spring evinces a very considerable amount of ability
as well as of industry on the part of the contributors.
Corbould is, as ever, successful—his subject for this
season being the " Ancient Hostelrie at Knights-
bridge," a production of brilliant and agreeable
animation. Several capital landscapes have come
from the ateliers of the Williamses—E. W.,
A. W., and G. W.—the best amongst them being
the " Lowering Weather," by the last mentioned,
the truthfulress of which we can all of us unfortu-
nately appreciate so vividly from recent experience.
Of the rest of the landscapes we can only speak col-
lectively as being more than creditable; and foremost
among these Peel's " Whalton on the Ribble," Nie-
mann s " Kilns at Alfreton," M'Culloch's " Highland
Stronghold," Robins's " Porto Ferrajo," Gilbert's
" Willow Bank," Durnford's " Coast of Jersey," and
Brandard's " Honfleur." Among the paintings of
animals, the most extraordinary for its naturalness is
the one by Mr. Scanlan, representing three formidable
bull-dogs. The character of these noble brutes is
defined with the touch of Landseer ; they are no
mere fancy sketches, but actual portraits.
There can be no mistaking their identity.
Of the domestic scenes, none at all ap-
proached in our estimation the little cabinet pic-
ture of the " Infant's Repast," by Mr. F. M. Brown;
the " Soldier's Wife awaiting the result of a Battle,"
by Mrs. M'lan, and the " Highland Girls Winnow-
ing," by Mr. M‘lan. The meal and chaff blowing
out of the sieve—the beautiful face of the boy looking
timorously up into the face of his mother—the ex-
quisite finish of the costume of the parent in the
nursery,—all are compositions of peculiar merit.
But the finest production in the whole gallery—a
painting full of genius, and poetry, and passion—was
without one moment's question, to our thinking, the
other contribution of Mr. F. M. Brown, representing
" Lear and Cordelia." The artiit has revealed in
this noble production a power, a pathos, and an
imagination such as must elevate him, if properly
cultivated, to the very loftiest rank in his profession.
Granted that the treatment of some of the details is
harsh and formal to a fault, granted that it has too
much of the hardness of the earlier schools of painting
—but in spite of any drawback of this description—
the picture is the work of real and eminent genius.
The face of the old, mad, dying king is masterly—
the exhaustion expressed in the attitude—the lax
parting of the poor veinoribbed fingers,dropping outupon
the carpetting blossoms of primroses and wild flowers
—the violets tangled in the silver locks—the royal
purple torn like a beggar's garment—the evident
plaintiveness of the low, sweet music played outside
the tent by the musicians—the agonized features of
the faithful and lamenting Kent—the sadness of the
poor droll—the suppressed curiosity of the soldiers,
and the filial grief and tenderness portrayed on the
features of Cordelia—all are admirable, touching,
orthy of embodying the glorious creations of Shak-
spere. If Mr. F. M. Brown only rids himself of his
mannerism, he will rise to be a great painter.
THE GREAT AMERICAN HALL,

LEICESTER- SQUARE.

TIIE LARGEST PANORAMA IN THE WORLD.

The Walhalla, Leicester-square (better known to
our country friends as Miss Linwood's Gallery), has
been fitted up in the most elegant style by Professor
Risley and Mr. J. R. Smith for the exhibition of a
gigantic moving panorama (which occupies four miles
length of canvas) of the course of the Mississippi
River, from the Falls of St. Anthony to the Gulf of
Mexico. It appears that Mr. J. R. Smith had com-
pleted a moving panorama of the Mississippi River
more than ten years back, which was exhibited at
Boston during the year 1839, where it was un-
fortunately destroyed by fire. Mr. J. R.
Smith, however, preserved his original drawings,
but was unable to complete a new panorama
from them until he was joined by Professor
In the meantime great changes had taken
place on the shores of the Mississippi, and flourishing
towns, with plantations and picturesque homesteads,
were to be found in 1848 in places which, in 1838,
were occupied solely by the primeval forest. It was
determined, therefore, that the artist should again
perform the voyage of the Mississippi, making fresh
drawings of everything remarkable, so that the pano-
rama should be a fac simile of the Mississippi scenery
as it appears at the present time. This voyage was
completed in 1848, and the panorama, therefore, is a
faithful representation of the scenery of the banks of
the Mississippi in 1848. It is divided into
three regions—the corn region, extending from
the Falls of St. Anthony to the mouth of the Ohio—
the cotton region, from the mouth of the Ohio to
Natchez—and the rugar region, from Natchez to the
Gulf of Mexico. As a work of art this is far supe-
rior to the ordinary run of panoramas ; it is the work
of one who understands and has cultivated art. Some of
the effects of light and shade are perfectly marvellous;
indeed, in an artistic point of view, is quite equal, and
in some respects superior, to those marvellous pano-
ramas with which, ere he became an R.A., Clarkson
Stanfield was wont to delight the Christmas audiences
of Drury-lane. Since Stanfield gave up scene-
painting we have seen nothing of this kind to equal
Mr. J. R. Smith's panorama of the Mississippi,
and we understand, from a gentleman who has
made the voyage of the Mississippi, that its fidelity as
a " portraiture ' of the scenery of the mighty river
is equal to its merits as a work of art.
The artist is in attendance, and explains the various
portions of the panorama as they are brought into
view. The hall is elegantly fitted up, and the seats
are most comfortable—a matter worthy of considera-
tion when an exhibition last upwards of two hours.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—I agree with the liev. Mr. Davis (the chaplai❑
of Newgato Gaol), that it is much more merciful to
hang a man than to transport him for life, but differ al-
together with him as to the effects generally produced
by the fear of death by the hangman on criminals who
have committed murder, and Co not hesitate to assert,
that " the great majority of such criminals would pre-
fer death by the hangman to transportation for life."
Tho material question, however, on this painful and
most important subject to be considered is, "which is
the greatest deterrant from the commission of murder,
the tear of death by the hangman, or transportation for
life." I again repeat, and that from an intimate know-
lcdge of the feelings of criminals, that the great ma-
jority of them would prefer the latter.
I am strongly opposed to capital punishments for
many reasons, three of which are—first, because judges
and juries are not infallible ; secondly, because very
many innocent men and women have been executed ;
and, thirdly, because I feel that we (under any circum-
stances) should not take away that (life) which we cannot
restore. I am, Sir,
A LATE FREE PARDONED CONVICT AND
CHEMIST.

March 23, 1849.

TUE " EVENING SUN."—We beg to thank the pro-
prietor of this journal for favouring us with a copy of
The Evening Sun, containing the earliest account of
the important intelligence from Austria.—Downputrick
Reporter.
RETURN OF WlNTER.—Yesterday morning the
metropolis and suburbs were visited by a heavy fall of
snow, which continued to descend uninterruptedly from
half-past six until eight o'clock. During the day the
wind continued to blow keenly N.E. by E, with drifting
showers of sleet and hail, the barometer standing at 40
degrees Farenheit. Saturday was equally cold and
piercing, with ultimate gleams of sunshine and falls of
snow. The market gardeners in the suburbs are in some
anxiety for their early spring crops.

We are authorised to state, that Mr. George Clive,
the judge of the County Court of Southwark, has been
appointed Recorder of Wokingham. There is no truth
in the report that the office was abolished.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN JOHN LAWRENCE, R.N., C.B.
—This gallant officer expired after an illness of great
suffering, and long duration at his residence, Durn-
ford-street, Stonehouse, on Sunday evening last, in
the 67th year of his age. The Companionship of
the Bath was conferred upon Captain Lawrence for
his gallant and zealous services, while command-
ing the Fortune brig, under the orders of
Rear-Admiral (now Sir George) Cockburn, whose
flag was flying on board that vessel in April, 1813.
On the sth of October, of the same year, Captain Law-
rence captured an American privateer schooner of 5 guns
and 45 men. He obtained post rank January 1, 1817;
was appointed to the Eden, 26, fitting for the West
Indian station, August 31, 1822, where he continued
three years. He subsequently commanded the Hastings,
72, during all the operations on the coast of Syria. The
Good Service pension was conferred on him in April,
1847.—De"onport Paper.

TILE BATTLE OF eHILIANWALLAH.—The following
is a list of the non-commissioned officers and men killed
in the gallant charge made by a squadron of the 3d
Light Dragoons, under the command of Captain Unett,
with the names of those killed in other cavalry regi-
ments on the same day, the whole being in addition to
the mum s already published by the Gazette and from
other sources:-3d Light Dragoons—Sergeant Daniel
Thompson, privates Henry Barry, Nathan Brett, James
Collins, James Cumber, %V. D. Digges, Robert Grif.
fiths, John Hart, John S. Hamilton, Henry Hale, James
Hunt, Emanuel Johnson, %Villiam Langston, John
Mackey, Edward Marshall, Richard M'Enery, George
Miligan, Edward Norton, William Pilbeam, Richard
Reed, Owen Rowan, James Slade, 'William Swan, and
James Tbyer. 9th Lancers—Sergeant Richard Calcott,
privates John Cunnian, Robert Dalton, and Abraham
Matthews. 14th Light Dragoons— Privates George At-
David Evans, and George Tookey.
THE TimnErt AT STORE.—A further clearance of
timber from the Stowe domain is about to be made. No
less than one thousand oak trees are now offered for sale
by private contract.
THE OREGON TERRITORY.—Census of the Indian
tribes in the Oregon territory, from lat. 42 to lat. 54
Males, 33,956 ; females, 35,182 ; slaves, 5,146 ; total,
66,947.

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE
MET ROPOLI TAN REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Sir,— On Wednesday the 21st was a debate on
what is called the Insolvent Members Bill. There
sec ins to be considerable confusion of ideas upon the
subject; aided, no doubt, within the House, by the
ultra zeal of Honourable Members who are afraid of
being considered as men likely not to pay their debts.
The key to the confusion seems to be, that it is one
thing for the House of Commons to give up the ob-
solete privilege by which its Members were protected
from personal arrest, and another thing to make a
parade of zeal to create a punishment beyond the law,
for what is to be punished by the ordinary law. In
all this there may be a strong apprehension that the
zealous are moved by a feeling for the possible exi-
gencies of their characters.
The origin of the freedom from arrest claimed for
Members of the House of Commons, is stated by
antiquaries to have been the seizure of some influen-
tial Member on his way to the House in the time of
Charles the Second of unhandsome memory, with a
view to prevent his presence at a particular debate
where the Court was concerned. But any danger
from similar sources may be considered as removed,
by the change in the law which has taken away the
power of corporal arrest except after decision given
on the claim in a court of law. If therefore the
House of Commons is in a fit of zeal, let it give up
any remains, if such there are, of impediments to the
execution of legal process against its Members, now
that the power of arbitrary and preliminary arrest
has vanished.

But a more important part of the objections to the
proposed Bill, is that its tendency is to bring on pre-
ci-ely the same kind of interference with the freedom
of election and independence of the House, which led
to the ancient freedom from arrest. Public rumour
states that the present Bill originates, in the fact of a
rich and powerful individual being anxious to secure
an election in a borough, where the great source of
opposition lies in the presence of a rival supposed
not unlikely to be exposed to the action of the
projected law. It is not enough that the
existing laws be set in operation on him now,
or at any time before the election which may be
chosen. What is wanted is to make a new law to be
held over his head, with the threat that if he goes to
the hustings and is successful, he shall find a law
ready to pick him up when he has taken his seat.
Is this for the honour and dignity of Parliament ?
' Or is it for its dishonour and extreme indignity ? In
this way it is, that the pretences of the over-virtuous
fall to pieces on being sifted.
It will be gratifying to such as take this view of
the case, to know that Sir William Clay, an autho-
rity above all suspicion, has given notice of a motion
to throw out the Bill in a coming stage.
On Thursday Lord Dudley Stuart moved for
papers on the subject of the Russian occupation of
Moldavia and Wallachia. The motion was conducted
in an amicable spirit towards the Government,and the
Government replied in the same, to the manifest in-
creasing of its claims on public confidence for sound
feeling on the great interests of civilization and
general liberty committed to its charge. A " trum-
pet " of absolutism, as used to be Napoleon's phrase,
attempted a laudation of the Emperor of Russia ;
which was responded to by John O'Connell, in
a way that left nothing to be regretted,
except what the more concentrated energy and ex-
perienced vigour of an older prophet might by pos-
sibility have added to the scene.
The value of all these questions is in the opportu
nity they give for impressing the lesson, that Eng-
land's safety in times to come, must depend upon her
raising up a host of friends and not of enemies, who
shall be interested in seeing her hold the position of
leader in the race of civilization and political free-
dom. A splendid destiny, if grace be given to
pursue.
Friday's Parliamentary papers produce copies of
Instructions, ordered by'the House of Commons to be
printed, given to Commander Wingrove, in relation
to the prisoner Mitchel whom he was to convey to
Bermuda. The whole correspondence is so splendidly
creditable to all engaged in it, that there can be no
end of thanks to the Conservative Member who vo-
lunteered the office of bringing it before the public.
Not the least curious point about the whole, is that
by one of those misadventures to which all human
affairs are subject, the instructions of the Admiralty
do not seem to have reached Commander Wingrove
after all, but Commander Wingrove acting upon those
instincts without which a British officer would not
have been fit for the position he held, appears to have
executed them with as much precision as if he had
lived in the times when men were expected to tell both
the dream and the interpretation thereof.

On Friday a dangerous and ill-advised amendment
was brought forward in Committee on the Navigation
Laws, for limiting the power of removal to cases where
reciprocity was offered. Luckily the shipping interest
did not see their chance ; which would have been to
against
armatth thee Government.ideaofthis
As
join with the supporters of the amendment, for the
sake
athmeyajo
being interpreted into concession ; and when the
it of gettinghappened,
division came, they stole away. The end was, that
there were found 15 for the amendment, against 132.
Some precaution should be taken to prevent these
took
ky
a
perilous chances from being given.
When a Government undertakes to remove an
avowed abuse and unmixed absurdity, nothing is
clearer than that a very extended confidence should
be placed in the Government, as regards the choice
of way. It is always to be presumed, that if the Govern-
ment avoids a point, it is because it sees some danger and
difficulty in approaching it ; and therefore the worst
service which can be done to the cause of general
progress, is to press upon the point and insist on in-
troducing it to the sifting of the enemy. Things
should be done with what our ancestors called "good
counsel," and young and ardent Members ought not
to push forward their unsupported notions to the in-
jury of the whole.

A. great noise has been made about some altera-
tions and withdrawals by the Government. My
notion of the matter is, that some partial privilege
intended to be given to foreign vessels in the coasting
trade has been withdrawn, on the ground that it
would produce complexity
at the Custom-house. The
fact was, that the continuation of restrictions in the
coasting trade at all, was meant for a sop to the
enemy, and the enemy only snapped at the hand that
offered it ; for the reason among others, that he knew
it was of no value to anybody. The more the pity,
that for such a nonentity a symptom of weakness
should have been presented, and presented twice.
I am, Sir; your obedient servant,
AN OLD REFORMER.
London, March 26, 1849.

THE FIREMEN OF THE LAND.
England, thou art justly proud
Of thy men so tried and brave;
Well thy i
vo-ce may boast aloud
Of our Boatmen on the wave.
Gallant fellows I well they grace
British song and Hero story;
They will take a foremost place
When valour counts her troops of glory.
But our cities long have shown
Those that match the sailor band;
Courage nobly claims her own
In the Firemen of the Land.
Give them Honour, give them Fame,
A Health to hands that fight the Flame.
When the red sheet winds and whirls
In the coil of frightful death;
When the bannered smoke unfurls,
And the hot walls drink our breath;
When the far-off crowd appears
Choking in the demon glare,
And some helpless form uprears
In that furnace of Despair;—
" Save! Oh, save!" the people cry,
Butho willwh do theopltkdsetehd or
ehrudmie7 brand?
Who
'Tis a Fireman of the Land.
Then give them Honour, give them Fame,
A Health to hands that fight the Flame.
They who march to battle-field,
With the bullet and the sword;
They who go to take or yield
Life upon the crimson sward;
should beare a blot;—
Never live,
They who measure blade to blade;
They who offer shot for shot,
Lest their hearts be deemed afraid,
Lester s
Never shall such spirit stand,
In the noble rank we give
To the Firemen of the Land.
ethhaeliir
suchnam
soldier
es
Then give them Honour, give them Fame,
And drink to hands that tight the Flame.
IVcehly Dispatch. ELIZA COOK.

SUICIDE.—On Saturday an inquest was held at the
Sun, Little Sutton-street, Clerkenwell, on Henry New-
man, the late proprietor, aged 52 years. James Marsh,
the potboy, deposed that the deceased's wife died last
Christmas' and that since then his manner was very
strange. Sometimes he appeared insane. On Wednes-
daylast
the house mis singfrom the bar-parlour, and after
searching witness went into the cellar, where
he found him hanging from a beam and quite dead.
Under his feet was a stool, on which he stood to fasten
himself to the beam, and then kicked it from under
him. A candlestick, with a candle burned to the socket,
and two razors, ware on the ground. Since his wife's
death deceased repeatedly said that ho was tired of life.
Mr. Henry Newman, the deceased's son, said that since
his mother's death his father became insane. He
laboured under an idea that a woman and three police-
men wore watching him. The night preceding his
suicide witness slept with him, but did not know at what
hour he left the bed. Mr. Samuel Kenton heard de-
ceased repeatedly threaten to destroy himself. Twice
he attempted to jump out of the window. Deceased's son
paid him every attention. Verdict—" Insanity."
ROYAL ARTILLERY.—WOOLWICH, MARCH 25.—
Captain Turner, and the remainder of his company
embarked yesterday, at seven o'clock, at the Royal
Arsenal, on board the Planet merchant vessel, for a
passage to Bermuda, to augment the Royal Artillery
serving at that station. The other part of Captain
Turner's company are at present serving at New Zealand.

DEPARTURE OF SIR CHARLES

NAPIER.

Sir Charles Napier took his departure for the East
on Saturday evening. He left at a late hour, and pro-
ceeded via the South-Eastern Railway to Duvcr en route
for Calais.

On Friday evening the Gallant Officer had an inter-
view with Lord John Russell and Sir John Cam Rob-
hcuse, Bart., at the Noble Premier's mansion in
Chesham-place. He subs, quently returned to his tem-
porary residence in Upper Berk( ley-street, Portman-
square, where he dined with Lady Nipier and the other
members of his family. On Saturday he was engaged
for some hours with his Grace the Duke of Wellington,
Lord Fitzroy Somerset, and the other authorities of the
Horse Guards. The Gallant Officer might have
been observed about twelve or one o'clock driving
through the metropolis in a humble cab. During
the day the leading Ministers and members of
the nobility left their cards at his residence.
It may perhaps be proper to state, in consequence
of some inaccuracies which have found their way
into the daily journals, that Sir Charles's ,st4,ff is com-
posed of the following officers:—Major Pitt Kennedy,
military secretary, and Major Mac Murdo, of the 78th
Highlanders (son-in-law to Sir Charles), Captain Ban-
bury (33d Foot), Colonel George Napier (Cape Mounted
Rtfiemen), and Major William Napier, aides-de-camp.
Major Kennedy is not extra aide-de-camp, as stated by
the daily papers.
Shortly after eight o'clock Sir Charles took a farewell
of his friends, and left Berkeley-street in company with
Major Mac Murdo, his son-in-law, and Major Pitt Ken-
nedy, &c., for the Dover Railway, where they were re-
ceived by the secretary and other authorities. Lady
Napier and Mrs. Mac Murdo were with their distin-
guished relatives, and proceeded with them to Dover.
They return to town to-day (Monday), and remain in
England for the present. Both ladies have travelled all
through our oriental possessions, and have witnessed
some of the most trying scenes.

Sir Charles and staff proceed direct to Leghorn, there
to be joined by Major Wm. Napier, and from thence
proceed to Alexandria in one of her Majesty's boats,
specially ordered. Sir Charles has been very particular
in the selection of his staff.

The services of his son-in-law, Major Mac Murdo, of
the 78th Highlanders, have been of the most brilliant
character. He acted as assistant-quartermaster-general
in Sinde, in 1843; had a horse shot under him, and re-
ceived a sabre wound on the right breast. At the taking
of Hyderabad he particularly distinguished himself, and
his gallantry in single combat elicited the highest enco-
miums from Sir Charles, whom he also accompanied
during his expedition against the mountain tribes which
infested the environs of Sinde. Captain Banbury is
nearly related to Lord Gough, and has, up to a recent
period, filled the office of deputy-assistant-adjutant-
general in Dublin. Lieutenant-Colonel George Napier
obtained the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel in reward
for his services against the Kafirs, amongst whom he
made great destruction while at the head of the Cape
Mounted Riflemen, a fine body of cavalry composed of
Britons which we maintain as a local corps at the Cape.

At Aden, where the steam-packets stop for coals and
provisions, a special steamer, belonging to the Indian
Government, will meet Sir Charles Napier, and convey
him and his staff to the port of Kurrachee, in Sinde, in-
stead of proceeding to Bombay. Kurrachee is the only
port in Sinde for the reception of ships drawing more
than ten feet of water. It is situated above the mouths
of the Indus, and from this point of debarkation the
route is easy and short through Sinde, the scene of his
former triumphs, to Moultan, whence he will take all
available reinforcements with him to the seat of war be-
yond the Jhelem. By this route much time will be saved
by sea and land. The crossing of the several tributaries
of the Indus will be avoided by land; or iu the case of
proceeding by sea from Bombay they will escape the
tedious and troublesome navigation opposite the many
mouths of that river. The Commander-in Chief is ex-
pected to arrive at Moultan by this route in about a
month from his departure.

THE INDIAN STAFF.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE UORNING POST.

Sir.—lf brigades are to be entrusted to decrepit old
men, how incumbent it is, ay, and economical too, that
an active skilful Lieutenant-General should bo imme-
diately sent out to command the cavalry. Had there
been one at Ferozshah, the cavalry would not have been
sent away, and on these last sad occasions the Lieutenant
General would have led them back and secured the guns
so gallantly spiked by the infantry. Why, Sir, this
Pope's four regiments must have been stronger than the
two brigades of Hussars and Light Dragoons (Vivian's
and Vandeleur's, 2,300), which, from the charge of
each squadron being skilfully delivered, rode over and
scared from the field of Waterloo the remains of 14,000
of the finest cavalry the world had ever seen when sup-
porting that splendid brigade, the 52d, 71st, and
two battalions of Rifles, led by the gallant Seaton, half a
mile in advance of everything, after having made " those
fellows (the Imperial Guard) feel the effect of his fire,"
vide " Siborne's Plan of the Battle (at five minutes past
eight, P M.) ;" and which this good old 14th equally did
at Salamanca, in support of the third division, and
always will do, when handled, as on that day, by a
D'Urban.

India being held by imperial sinew, our untiring
soldiers have a right to look to a succession of skilful
commanders. The day of Aliwal proved how justly
Itunjeet Singh had appreciated the 16th Lancers, in say-
ing, " Were they his regiment, every man should be
carried in a palanquin to the battle-field." And again,
Unett's noble squadrnn of the 3d—surely then the staff-
pay of a Lieutenant-General should not be a consideration
when such valuable lives are in the balance.
AN OLD HUSSAR.
Hampton, March 24, 1849.

TILE SETTLEMENT AT LABUAN.
Sir,—The following letter, received yesterday from my
son, the nephew and Aide-de-Camp of his Excellency Sir
James Brooke, Governor of Labuan, may interest some of
your numerous readers, and I submit it to your judgment
for insertion in your widely-circulated journal.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS C. JOHNSON,
Ticar of White Lackington, Ilminster,
March 23. Somerset.
" Her Majesty's ship Mseander, Jan., 1849.
" We are now on our passage back to Labuan, after an
interesting cruise in the Sooloo Archipelago. But to
begin with what I know you are all most anxious about,
the Raja's health—you will be glad to hear that sea air
and change of scene have quite set him up again; he is
in far better health and spirits than he has been fur a
long while—quite what I remember him in days of
yore. We have been at sea for eight weeks, and
have visited Malludoo Bay, Cagayan-Sooloo; Sooloo,
the Spanish settlement of Samboangan; Belem-
bangan, and numerous other small islands. Our
present plans are to stay a fortnight at Labuan, and
then proceed to Sarawak, where I am to commence my
duties. The attack on the Sakarran and Sarebas pirates
is to take place as soon as we have acquired the neces-
sary
information; their strongholds are unapproachable
in boats, and we shall, consequently, have to ascend a
parallel river, march across-the country, and take them
in the rear. This is the Raja's suggestion. I must now
give you some account of our cruise :—Our first visit,
after leaving Labuan, was to Kimanis Bay, where we
left the ship and ascended the river to procure fresh
provisions, at a village about five miles from its mouth;
nothing could exceed the civility of the people. On our
arrival we went straight to the house of the Orang
Kaye (Chuli), and were soon surrounded by the vil-
lagers, who expressed the greatest delight when they
heard the " Tuan Besar" (as they designate the Raja)
was so near them. The Orang Kaya of the place im-
mediately ordered his boats to be prepared to take him
on board, to pay his respects, and convey presents. I
was delighted with this village and its inhabitants, so
thoroughly secluded, surrounded by such magnificent
scenery, and the people apparently so happy amid their
poverty and ignorance. The houses all appeared sub-
stantial and cleanly, surrounded by gardens and fruit
tree. It was hero that the murderous Pangeran Usop
was overtaken and put to death, after the traitrous mas-
sacre of Ruda Hassin and his brothers at Bruni. We
saw his grave. The scenery here is very magnificent.
While lying at Kimanis, we were boarded by the boat of
an English schooner, wrecked at Balaanbangan ; the boat
contained the master, mate, and part of the native crew;
the poor fellows bad been at sea for upwards of a week,
and had suffered hardships, although kindly treated by
the natives of the coast. How different would have been
their fate had they been thrown on such a coast a few
years since; their heads would have been dangling at the
roof of some native Head-house. Capt. Keppel weighed,
and stood over to Balambangan, where we found the re-
mains of the schooner burned to the water's edge, and of
course plundered. Next day we started for Cagayan
Sooloo, a pretty little island about the size of Labuan.
The people are a warlike race, armed with krisses, long
spears, and were much inclined at first to oppose our
landing. The island is clear of jungle to a considerable
extent, and presents a beautiful green, park-like appear-
ance. We discovered a very curious fresh-water lake
40 feet above the level of the sea, from which it is di-
vided by only a narrow wall of sandstone. The natives
imegine this lake to be haunted by a huge dragon, and
told us nothing would induce them to venture upon it.
We hauled the jollyboat over the rocks, and launched
her in the haunted waters, for the purpose of sounding;
the depth was upwards of 40 fathoms. The scenery,
around is most picturesque. This island of Cagayan-
Sooloo would have made an admirable British settlement,
being so well situated for concentrating the native Proa
trade. It is little out of the way of the China-bound
ships on the north-east monsoon, possesses a delicious
climate, and apparently a fertile soil. The island is
nominally subject to the Sultan of Sooloo,
who, as he possesses no real authority over
it, would, no doubt, be too happy to make it over
to us for a few thousand dollars. Sooloo, which we
visited atter leaving Cagayan-Sooloo, is another " Gem of
ocean," but ruined, like Bruni, by a vicious Government
and grasping nobility. It is not difficult to foresee that
liaise beautiful countries are not doomed to remain long
in the hands of their present rulers. The great rival
nations in these seas (England, Helland, and Spain) have
all a jealous eye on them; our recent operations on the
Borneo coast have roused the energies as well as the jea-
lousy of the two latter powers. The Spanish attack
upon the Illanuns some little time ago has given the
deathblow to piracy there. The _Dutch have chastised
the Sultan of Sooloo, and we are about to give a second
drubbing to the Sakarran and Sarebas horde of pirates.
" THE HILL LAMIAN, JAN. 30.—1 am obliged to con-
clude my letter abruptly; the news by this mail has op-
sceitlinoua
rplans considerably. The Meander is ordered to
and is off to Singapore immediately. You will
be glad to hear that we are comfortably honied on the
high ground, which is pronounced perfectly healthy."

On Wednesday next, the 28th instant, Sir Robert
Peel will have a dinner party at his residence in White-
hall•gardens. On Saturday next, the 31st instant, the
Right Bon. Baronet will give another banquet.