The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-28 00:00:00

LIABILITIES.

Capital . . f. 67,900,000 00
Ditto of the Branch Banks ... 23,350,000 00
Reserve fund ... 10,000,000 00
Ditto of the branch banks ... ... 2,980,750 00
Reserve-immobiliere ... 4,000,000 00
Notes to bearer, in circulation ... ... 375,032,700 00
Ditto of the branch banks ... 27,557,525 00
Ditto to order (post-bills) ... 930,309 75
Account-current with Treasury creditor 30,167,207 4
Various accounts current ... 93,854,902 30
Ditto in branches 27,439,114 00
Bills payable at sight ... ... 4,092,300 00
Ditto at branches ... 1,145,326 00
Bills of the branch banks payable by

- -
the Bank ... ... ... .. 5,633,114 63
Ditto of the Bank payable by branches.. 4,562,127 00
—• • - - • • -- - - -- --

Dividends payable . . ... 213,353 25
Liquidation of the Algiers Bank ... 184,832 44
Discounts, interest, and expenses ... 3,492,691 8
Ditto branch banks ... 1,834,648 00
Re-discounts of the last six months ... 246,109 85
Ditto in branch banks •.. ... 460,661 00
Miscellaneous ... ... 330,481 53

f. 683,408,152 87
Certified by the Governor of the Bank of France.
D'ARGOUT.

EXPERIMENTS AT WOOLWICH
DOCKYARD.

Captain Sir Samuel Brown, R.N., the inventor of
chain cables, and whose name is well known in con-
nexion with some of the finest suspension bridges in
this country, was, some time ago, furnished by the
Admiralty with a boat 32 feet long, 5 feet three
inches in breadth, with a draft of water of 1 foot
10 inches, for the purpose of ascertaining the com-
parative advantages of the expanding and con-
tracting of the blades or fans of the screw-propeller
now in general use in her Majesty's steam-ships and
vessels. The boat was fitted with an engine of six-
horse power, with a length of stroke of 6 inches,
each stroke causing three revolutions of a screw pro-
peller 22 inches in diameter, when placed in the usual
position of the common screw propeller, with power
to expand the blades to 28 inches diameter. The first
experiment was made on the Surrey Canal, with the
propeller regulated to the ordinary dimensions, the
strokes of the piston 120, making 320 revolutions per
minute. The speed attained under these circum-
stances was one measured mile in 10 minutes 30
seconds, and the same distance back in 10 minutes 20
seconds, giving an average of five and three-quarter
miles an hour. A second experiment was made with
the propeller, expanded full out, the strokes of the
piston 84, making 252 revolutions per minute. The
boat then run the measured mile in 9 minutes 10
seconds, or at the rate of 7 miles an hour, and back
the same distance in 9 minutes, or at the rate of 7
one-eighth of a mile an hour. The expansive prin-
ciple having been proved advantageous by these expe-
riments, Sir Samuel Brown was requested to have the
boat taken to Woolwich to have her tried in the river,
and she was steamed down from Greenwich to Wool-
wich on Thursday and Friday last for that purpose.
The boat started from the Dock-yard at twelve at
noon, and on arriving at the east end of the Royal
Arsenal, where the Justitia convict-ship is stationed,
the experiments commenced, the full power of the
steam being put on 701bs. to the square inch, and the
screw propeller adjusted to an angle of 15 degrees
with her keel. The time occupied in running a dis-
tance of about a mile and a half from the Justitia to
the eastern extremity of the practice range in the
marshes, was 11 minutes against the ti&, the pistons
making 88 strokes per minute, and the screw propel-
ler 264 revolutions in the same time. In returning
the same distance with the tide, the distance was
accomplished in 10 minutes, the piston making 70
strokes. The third run was made from the Justitia
to opposite one of the boards put up as a guide to the
collier stations, and the distance being less it was
accomplished in 8.50 minutes, the strokes of the pis-
ton being 86, against the tide. The fourth run was
accomplished in 6.3 minutes, with the tide, the
piston making 80 strokes, or 240 revolutions of the
screw propeller per minute. The screw was then
altered to an angle of 25 degrees, and the boat made
the same distance as in the third run in 7.10 minutes,
the piston making 66 strokes, or 198 revolutions of
I the screw propeller. The sixth, or run back, was
effected in 7 minutes, the piston making 72 strokes.
The screw was then reduced to the same dimensions
as the common screw propeller, and although making
140 strokes of the piston per minute, it occupied
7.29 minutes in the seventh run, and 7.16 minutes
in the run back. The actual speed attained by
the boat, as near as could be ascertained in the ab-
sence of marks to denote a measured mile, was with
the expanded screw propeller, and the piston making
88 strokes per minute, or 246 revolutions of the
screw, fully eight miles per hour; but when the
screw propeller was contracted to the common form,
and the piston making 140 strokes per minute, and
420 revolutions, the propelling power only gave a
result of seven miles an hour, showing that, with a
decrease of 150 revolutions of the screw per minute,
or 2,360 revolutions per hour, Sir Samuel Brown's
plan gave an increase of speed to the boat of fully
one mile an hour. The experiments were carri▪
ed on
under the superintendence of Lieutenant Robertson,who will have to report the result througha
Commo-
doredH%eransr)c-
oEndseidnetroedthge
ooLodr,desoonfsitdhenAndmir
see we
the whole of the trials on Friday,et,lYur• Tin
he
persons in the boat. the g
gr
at 1 I ere nine
a
•

moans l' u u tort. ca AuTntoiorin
ofA
Ryde, Isle of Wight, chemist,
patented by Mr. Hors ey and mechanical 1:111ICraAllEit—B processes,y
to purify water as in filtration,
et is proposed not onlyh
74cifienof9icraT1
1.1 tfhndor ta wa'las lo o
tof
depriveits sulphates
it
Of
f allor
other
to,,shofatredneniitngb)„.
stalets,'
warijilomleasloorarevefogretahbuime impregnation,human and animal use, and econt mical
and useful for domestic purposes and for many processes
of art and manwacture, as well as for the prevention of
incrustration in steam and stove boilers, which arises
chi( fly from the deposit of the sulphate of lime during
the evaporation of the water into steam. For this latter
purpose, we remember, a patent was some time since
taken out, under which sal-ammoniac was inserted into
the boiler and became decomposed, the sulphuric acid of
the incrustation uniting with the ammonia of the sal-
ammoniac, and its limo with the muriatic acid forming
a very deliquescent salt in place of the incrustation. lc
may be by some combination of an analogous process
with the other means alluded to that Mr. Horaley's pa-
tent operates. And at all events, the idea is a very im-
portant one, and its realization most desirable, especially
in localities where there is good reason to believe that
calculous and other diseases are generated by hard or
impure Water,—Builder,

DT. MANZ ON I.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
fbaeveonurbarbolueglhigt
light,
andfore
ht he
eel,
yEnglishcharges public,bav e bneoetn
Sia,—As Count Manzoni's name has unfortunately
fo ring
m a
pre-
ferred against this most respectable gentle
ganivye otneetbwehEo
nhgaslisthbepfnorbtluienescomfekninow inaman even
the
in in the House of Lords, I think it to be the duty of
ing him.
Count Giacomo Manzoni's family is a noble,
wealthy, and most respected family of Lugo, in the
Legation of Ferrara; and the Count is a nephew of
two of the most celebrated men in Italy, Vincenzo
Monti, with whom Lord Brougham used to cor-
respond, and Bartoloneo Borghesi, an antiquarian
second to no one in Europe. He is an antiquarian
himself, and a great orientalist. To increase the
store of his knowledge in the difficult and extensive
branch of science to which he devoted himself, the
Count undertook long and expensive travels in the
East, and especially in Greece, and has got together
one of the richest libraries in Italy.
As he had faith in the triumph of the sacred cause
of Italy, and was horrified at the disgraceful misrule,
especially in the financial department, of the reign of
Gregory XVI., he gave himself to the study of
political economy, hoping that one day would come
in which he might be useful to his country. The
Count became such an economist, and acquired such
practical knowledge of public administration, that I
do not hesitate in stating (without depreciating the
merits of others) that he was the most competent man
to fulfil the duties of a Minister of Finance in the
Roman States, and that it is only due to his extra•
ordinary exertions and ability if the Government,
both before and after the Pope's flight, did not be.
come a bankrupt.
I had the honour to find myself in the Ministry
with Count Manzoni at the time of Mamiani's Ad-
ministration, and consequently I speak with a
thorough knowledge of the facts.
It must be further stated that Count Manzoni has
always served his country without receiving any
remuneration from the state, and that he is daily
buying in the metropolis rare and expensive books to
increase his library, instead of pursuing the object
which has been falsely attributed to his visit to
England.
He is not an exile, as Lord Brougham has asserted
in the House of Lords, a circumstance which Count
Manzoni has denied in a letter to the Times, but he
is here in his cfficial capacity of Minister of Finance
of Rome, on a mission from his Government.

I hope that, from a sense of justice, you will insert
this letter in your widely circulating paper, and
I have the honur to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
CARLO GONZALES, LL.D.,
Late Chief Secretary of the Foreign Office, at ROM)
under Mamiani's Ministry ; Envoy to the Pouti-
Seal Camp, and Extraordinary Commissioner in
the Venetian Provinces.
24, Broad-street, Golden-square,
London, May 24, 1849.

ABSENCE OF COUNSEL-JUSTICE

TO CLIENT.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR, —As an untiring and powerful friend to the op-
pressed, as the great annihilator of abuses in courts of
law, and the staunch advocate of justice to the people,
em I induced to trouble you with a short detail of my
case, in the hope that your kindly intercession may have
the effect of remedying the evil through which I am la-
bouring and kept in confinement, and by so doing, if
not producing liberty to me, at all events rendering
hereafter justice to others.
In the month of July last I was, from the reverses of
fortune, incarcerated in Whitecross-street Prison, and,
from my then poverty-stricken circumstances, had no
alternative open to me to relieve me from such difficulties
but that which the very liberal insolvent laws shed
around the " fallen trader." To those laws, then, did
I appeal, and in the course of time (some nine months)
did I obtain the adjudication of the Court on my case,
by which I was discharged as to my detaining creditor's
judgment debt. On its receipt did I hope and prepare to
quit the prison which had held me for so lengthened a
period, when, alas! I found that from an ambiguity in the
wording of my adjudication order my detaining creditor
was permitted to, and had lodged at such prison, what
is legally termed a " espies to hold to bail," which pre-
cluded my release until monetary satisfaction had been
rendered thereto. In this fearful state of things, dis-
tracted in mind, and borne down by domestic losses of a
near and dear character, did I lay bare my case to, and
seek advice from a " fellow-prisoner," a gentleman of the
law. An opinion thereon was obtained favourable to
me, the writ by which I was held was perused and
compared with the statute, and was at once pronounced,
" informal."

Steps were taken to set aside such instrument, and
money was from me obtained to effectuate that object,
on the success of which my liberty depended. A judge
at chambers was to decide this, to me all-important
question; but lo! when the time arrived to discuss and
settle such point, my legal friend (my former fellow pri-
soner, who had since then obtained his discharge from cus-
todj ) was nen et inventus. The summons was dismissed,
I mulct of my money, and left again to bewail on uiy
now dJubly wretched incarceration.
Shortly subs, quent to this my ease is laid before another
" legal gentleman," who, after minutely considering the
same, determined on layir,g it before a full court of the
Common Pleas' judges on affida'tit of the facts! This
appeal was by my newly-instructed attorney entrusted to
a .) oung member of the bar, who last term made a mo-
tion to set aside this writ of capias to hold to bail," and
discharge me from custody, and obtained a rule nisi
thereon returnable on the day before the last day of the
then term. On the return of such rule an application
was made for and an extension granted thereof to the
first day of the present Trinity Term, I still remaining
a prisoner, a thing of minor import to these legal func-
tionaries.

The first day of such term, however, now arrives; in-
structions are handed by me to my attorney, and by him
(so lam told) to my counsel. Anxiety reigns in my
bosom, and a brother is dispatched to the court to
witness the discussion. The rule is called on, a counsel
rises to oppose the rule, and when " it is inquired, who
appears to support," my advocate is nowhere to be
found; that coming to the ears of the Court, " justice"
is administered to the struggling and oppressed client,
by what is called " striking the rule out of the paper."
Information hereof speedily reaches me, and for expla-
nation, do I apply to my attorney, and he to the
counsel, who gives none further than that he was absent
by arrangement with the opposing counsel, and did not,
of course, think the rule would be called on. However,
this morning my counsel tries to get such rule re-opened;
this, however (which would have been but "just" to
the confiding and injured client) was preremptorily re-
fused, and the dismissal of the rule wholly confirmed.
My counsel bows to the Court, says, " he's sorry,"
and quits it. I receive the intelligence, and debarred of
all remedy or appeal, am left in prison without redress.
What I am now to do; how much longer in durance
vile I am to remain, or where I em to find redress, are
problems neither my attorney or myself can solve.
Public grounds have induced me so fully to detail my
case, in the hope that its appearance in your all-powerful
journal may have the effect of altering this fearful
state of things. I have trespassed much on your Yalu..
able time. I have claimed considerable space in your
paper, but the severity of my case and its loud all for
justice, I trust will plead an excuse for the same, and
act as a sufficient incentive for the insertion of my lengthy
narrative, apologising for which, I am, Sir, yours obe-
diently and respectfully,
ROBERT COOL,
Formerly Bide and Skin Salesman, Leadenhall-market,
now a prisoner in Whiticross-street Prison.
May, 1849.

EAGLE SHOT.—As Mr. Allan Maclean, Lord Mac-
donald's gamekeeper, at North Uist, was taking his
round at South Lee, on the 12th instant, be shot a large
eagle, of the white. tailed tribe, as she was flying off the
nest; and afterwards, though with great difficulty, h.
secured her two eggs. The bird measured three feet
nine inches in length, and about eight feet between the
extremities of the wings; and weighed 171-Ib. This is,
of course, propitious to the neigbouring flockmasters, as
this avis Jovis was supposed to be making great havoc
among the lambs.—lnverness Courier.

OrENING OF THE NEW STATION, EUSTON -SQUARE.
—The new station of the North-Western Railway, at
Euston-square, which has been for several months in
progress, was, on Saturday; opened for business. The
building (externally very plain) is in the Homan style;
the interior decorated with Corinthian and Doric
columns. The length of its south and north fronts is
168 feet; the east and west fronts, 221 feet. In addi-
tion to the handsome waiting-rooms, booking and other
offices, compactly arranged within the building, are two
vestibules ; the outer, for general traffic, measuring 64
feet by 21, is paved with patent metallic lava, resembling
tesselated pavement, an article impervious to damp.
The
inner vestibule is a magnificent apartment, 140 feet
long, 60 feet wide, and 61 feet high; around it runs an
elegant light iron gallery communicating with the upper
room.dnitng to the Atgeneral
theer aelamsteeetnindg is
room, a bold ld
offices : it will be used as a general waiting and rdrehs -
whichfi is ig_htcaolfcusltaetre)osdf,
to hold 4,000 persons. Over the entrant© is
sculpture in Caen stone, representing Britannia
sup-
ported by Mercury and Science, executed ence, executed by John
Thomas ; and contiguous (by
the same artist) are bas-
relief devices symbolical of London, Birmingham, Man-
chester, Chester, Northampton, and Carlisle. The deco-
rations of the principal apartments are profuse, chaste,
and elegant; the general offices are neat, convenient, and
spacious: the whole in fact, as a railway station, is
without equal. It has been executed by Messrs. Cubitt,
from a design by P. Hardwick; Esq., the architect, at
an expense of nearly 140,0001.
SERVANTS' PROVIDRNT AND BENEVOLENT SO.
CIETY.—Ou Saturday a supplementary meeting to that
held on the 16th inst., at the lianover-square Rooms,
and at which his Ito al Highness Prince Albert presided,
took place at Willis's Rooms, King-street, SL James's.
It was most numerously attended. There was a large
number of domestic servants present, and the female por-
tion of them, at the request of the chairman, the Bishop
of Oxford, were accommodated with chairs close under
the platform, on which were the Bishop of Norwich, Mr.
Gladstone, M.P., Hon. C. Pelham, Hon. Dudley Pel-
ham, Sir C. Aldis, Sir W. Stirling, the Revs. Sir H.
Dukinfield, H. Mackenzie, J. (Jackson, W. Williams,
Robert Wilson, G. G. Gordon, W. Rawlins, R. Alston,
A. R. Pennington, 11. Ellison, T. Black, T. Braithwaite,
T. Ainger, Dr. Brewer, Captain Burrows, J. Tidd Pratt,
and J. Twining, Esqs. Resolutions in accordance with
019 object 91. the iglictY Me PIA glad carotid.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
On Saturday a Court was held for the dispatch of APPOINTMENTS.
public business. Captain—William F. Glanville (1846) has been ap-
EMOKE PROHIBITION BILL, pointed to study at the Steam Factory, Woolwich.
Mr. Low, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Cora- Commander—C. J. F. Ewart (1848) to study at the
mittee, brought up a report, with a petition to Parlia- Steam Factory, Woolwich.
naent, in favour of the principle of the Smoke Prohibition Lieutenants—George B. Jeffreys (1841), now first of
Bill, and for extending its provisions to steam-boats. the Driver, steam-sloop, in the Pacific, has been nomi-
The following is an extract : nated by Rear-Admiral Manley H. Dixon, commander-
" That the committee find it is prdposed to be enacted in-chief at Cork, as his flag lieutenant. William G.
that from and after the Ist of January, 1851, opaque Crowder 0848), additional to the Castor, 36, fitting at
smoke shall not be permitted to issue from any chimney Chatham; E. S. Sereceld, additional to the Hastings, to
used for the heating of any stationary steam-engine the Columbine, vice Dawes, to the Scout, invalided ; J.
boiler for any longer period of time than is bona fide E. Elliot (1845), to the
kstudy at the steam factory!
necessary for the kindling of the fire of such furnace, James Archibald Hodgs ins to command the
into coast
under a penalty not exceeding 51.; and that they are of guard station at Axmouth, vice Ross, previously re-
opinion that the said Bill, if passed a law, will pre- moved ; Henry Bayley to command the station at Chal-
vent the continuance of a great nuisance to which the labio, vice Autrid e, instead of 24 Tower, previously
public are now exposed, and they are also of opinion that announced ; Frederick Drew, from Shoreham to Hove
the provisions of the Bill should be extended to the pre- station, vice Strettell; Samuel G. Pullen, from Dawlish
vention of smoke from the furnaces of steam-vessels on to Shoreham, vice Drew, instead of to Hove, as pre-
v
navigable rivers." ♦iously announced.
The report was agreed to, and the petition founded Second Masters—A. F. Mugford, to the Imaum, at
upon it was adopted. Jamaica ; Thomas Potter, to the Fearless, steam-vessel,
OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL. surveying; A. J. Veitch, to the Hart, tender.
Mr. JOHN WOOD, the chairman of the Coal, Corn, Clerk—Edward Amphlett, to the Imaum.
and Finance Committee, brought up a report recom- Midshipman—Henry Moore, to the Caledonia, 120,
mending that the sum of 2001. should be given in aid of Malta.
the Royal London Opthalmic Hospital. He stated that Naval Cadets—Noel Osborn, Henry Kenealy, and W.
the committee were unanimously of opinion that the G. Silverlock, to the Caledonia; J. S. Hudson, to the
institution had, from the extent of services it rendered to Vengeance, 84, Mediterranean.
the public, the highest claims upon the liberality of the The Alarm, Captain Granville Lock, C. 13., was paid
Corporation." off at Devonport, a few days since, in most excellent
The report was agreed to, and sent back to the cora• order. A more perfect little frigate has seldom been
mittee to be carried into effect." seen; she was well officered and manned, and in mak-
EDUCATION OF FREEMEN'S ORPHANS. ing and shortening sail, exercising gucs, and in all gene-
Mr. JOHN WOOD moved the reception of the report ral duties, few ships could excel her; her inward and
"on the reference upon the expense of establishing a outward appearance bespoke the higher state of disci-
school for the maintenance and education of orphans of pline she was in; her boats, after nearly four years' wear,
freemen of London, and the means of defraying the were returned in so perfect a state that they are fit for
same." It stated that the -committee adopted the immediate re-issue.
opinions expressed in the following resolutions : A seaman of the Grecian, 16, Commander Tindall,
" That a suitable school-house may be erected for the paid off at Devonport on Saturday, died on Thursday,
reaintenance and education of one hundred children, at in consequence of drinking a large quantity of rum
en expense of about 6,0001. That the proposed building brought off by the bumboat people.
should be erected upon the ground adjoining that on The Basilisk and Niger are still at Devonport. They
which the London Almshouses at Brixton stand. That have taken in 180. tons of ballast each, and will shortly
immediate application should be made to Parliament fur start on, further experiments.
an Act to apply the capital and income of the. Corporation The Jasper steam-vessel, Second Master Commander
school to the purposes of the maintenance and education Leatham, arrived at Devonport, and sailed on Friday
of the orphans of freemen of London agreeably to the evening for the Bristol Channel.
"resolution of the Court of Common Council of the 23d PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY.—The result of the trial of the
of February last. That the sum of 3001., the balance of Reynard screw-schooner, 11, Commander Cracroft, on
'4OO/. paid in 1835 upon a nomination to serve the office Friday, was 7.300 as the mean of four runs at the me:l-
- sheriff, with the interest thereon, and the subsequent sured mile in Stoke's Bay; revolutions, 56; steam gauge,
unappropriated fines, amounting to 1,2001., paid by per- 101 b. This trial was to test a new screw of 7 feet
-eons discharged from serving the office of sheriff, should 3 inches pitch, being nine inches less pitch than her last,
be applied towards establishing the said school, in fulfil- and is certainly satisfactory, notwithstanding herdraught
ment of the resolution of the Court of Common Council of water was somewhat less than when last tried, owing
of the 10th December, 1830. That in future all fines to to the provisions and water not being on board. On the
be recovered or received from persons nominated or chosen last trial at the mile a speed of 7.054 was recorded. She
ace-fill the office of sheriff of the city of Lendon, and county will take out the next mail to the coast of Africa.
of Aliddleaex, alter payment thereout to the next sheriff's The Euphrates Ireight-ship, in Cowes Roads, embarks
of the sums to which they may become entitled under a detachment of the St. Helena Regiment on the 29th
the act of Common Council of the 7th of April, 1848, inst. for that island.
shall form a fund in the hands of the Chamberlain, to The Salamander steam-sloop, one of the Plymouth re-
accumulate 4 interest, and be applicable from time to serve Aiwa squadron, arrived here yesterday under the
time under the orders and directions of the Court, in temporary command of Mr. Mills, the Assistant-Master-
aid of objects of public improvement and utility, or of a Attendant at Devonport, with a great number of marines
charitable nature, within the city of London. That upon belonging to this and the eastern division, which have
reference to institutions of a similar nature, it appears been discharged from vessels recently paid off at that
• the annual expense of the proposed establishment will port. Sho also brought seamen gunners for the Excel-
not exceed the sum of 2,500/. That the following, lent from the same vessels. She sailed again at an early
therefore, appear to be the expenses incurred, and the hour this morning for the eastward.
means of defraying the same, viz.:— The Cuckoo steam-vessel, Commander H. Dumaresq,
Expense of erecting school-house, about £6,000 was undocked on Friday evening.
Annual expenditure
Means of defraying the same:— suite embarked in the Fairy, at Trinity-wharf, East
Capital of Corporation School 6,000 Cowes, :yesterday morning at 9 30. She entered the
Rental of ditto
Sheriff's fines:— Clarence-yard, at 10 27, A.M. Admiral the Hon. Sir
One in 1.835
Interest thereon l7O clarence, G.C.H., with his personal staff; and the other
Two in 1848
Produce of freedoms •
"In the present state of the freedoms, the committee by the Royal Marines, with the divisional band and
were unable to name any sum as to the future probable colours. She left by ordinary train at 10 30, A.M.
amount arising from the admission of persons to the Salutes were fired by the Superb, the platform battery,
freedom of the City by redemption; but it appeared to and the Victory as her Royal Highness passed. The
them highly probable that, in consequence of the estab- ships were decorated with ensigns at each mast head.
lishment of the proposed institution, and the appropria- The Stromboli steam-sloop, Commander Lord A. W.
tion to its maintenance of the funds in qaestion, the Beauclerk, was at Strcmness on Wedeesday last,
number of applicants for admission into the freedom of in charge of the North Star provision-ship for the
the City of London would greatly increase. And the Arctic voyagers. The expedition was to sail on the fol-
committee were of opinion, and recommended that until lowing day.
the produce of the freedom reaches the amount required Wind S.S.W., light and fine weather.
the court should contribute the sum that may be de-
ficient out of the City cash."

Mr. WOOD moved chat court agree with the report.
Mr. Deputy STEVENS seconded the motion, and ex-
pressed his satisfaction at finding that there was no ex-
clusion upon the ground of religious prejudices.
Afte► a few words from Mr. Hall, Mr. Low, and
Mr. Pakin in favour of the report, it was unanimously
agreed to.
After the transaction of some business of no public
importance the court adjourned.

SHIPWRECKED FISHERMEN AND
MARINERS' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
On Saturday the tenth annual meeting of this
society was held at the London Tavern.
In the absence of the Lord Mayor, the Hon. F.
Maude, RN., C. 8., took the chair, and said that
pressure of business prevented the attendance of the
Lord Mayor. He rejoiced to state that the society
had been most success4ul last year.
Mr. LEAN read the report. The balance-sheet
showed an increase of income of 1,05C1., as compared
with 1846 ; and an increase of the capital stock
(cum 9,1931, to 14,6051, the interest of which was to
provide temporary annuities for the widows of
fishermen and mariners drowned. The recipients of
relief had increased within three years from 12,910
to 22,051. The mariners, fishermen, boatmen, and
pilots, enrolled as members in the society, amounted
to 22,258, being an increase of 4,258 over the
previous year. That was gratifying, as apathy had
at first appeared, and the increase showed the dawn
of a better feeling, excited, no doubt, by the disasters
on the coast of Scotland ; and by gratitude for the
liberal relief afforded by the society to the widows
and orphans of 120 fishermen, non-subscribers, who
perished in the fatal storm of August. During the
past year legacies of 901. and 20/, were respectively
bequeathed by the late William Boxhill and John
Moore, Esqs. The Corporation of London contributed
200/., and twelve other corporations and societies had
aided in the support of the institution.
The fearful storms which ravaged the coasts of the
United Kingdom, especially on the coast of Scotland,
greatly added to the recipients of the society's bounty.
Liberal succour was afforded in their bereavement to
225 widows, 506 orphans, and 80 aged parents of
drowned fishermen and mariners; and a total of
3,965 persons suffering from the effects of storms had
been variously relieved, 2,861 of whom were boarded,
lodged, and clothed when necessary, and sent to
their homes ; being an average of nearly eleven per-
sons a day aided in this noble 'Work of charity. There
is still, however, a large field for extending the use-
fulness of the society, and it is proposed to relieve
the widows and orphans of fishermen and mariners,
members of the society, who may die under any
circumstances whilst following their calling; but they
propase to relieve the widows aad orphans of those
who die otherwise than a violent death on a reduced
scale ; dividing the claimants into three classes, viz. :
—l. The widows and orphans of those killed or
drowned in pursuit of their occupation to be relieved
on the full scale. 21. The widows and orphans of
those who had been five years members, and died
from the immediate effects of exposure and accident
in theircalling, to be relieved on half the present
scale. And 3d. The widows and orphans of those
who had been ten years members, entering the
society before 50 years of age, to be relieved one-
third of the presenk_scale.
The balance-sheet showed the revenue of 1848 to
be 7,183/. Bs. 3d., and the expenditure (including
2,7651. 15s. 3d. given by the central office, and
1,635/. 16s. 2d. invested) 6,057/. 18s. 3d., leaving a
balance in hand of 1,125/. 10s., in addition to
14,6051. Bs. in Government securities.
Captain Ban Low, R.N. moved the adoption of the
report, which was seconded by Captain WHIM, and
carried unanimously.
Captain T. SWENY moved a resolution to carry out
the suggestions of the report.
Mr. RASHLEIGH seconded the motion, which was
carried unanimously.
HCBBARD moved a vote of thanks to the Cor-
poration Df the city of London and the other cor-
poras One and societies mentioned in the report as
contributors.
Captain PEARCE seconded the resolution, and
recommended the usefulness of a savings' bank for
sailors in the neighbourhood of the docks. A small
savings' bank established at Devonport for sailors had
been eminently successful.
The resolution was carried , unanimously, - and
thanks, were voted to the radies and gentlemen
who assisted the society by their subscriptions or
services.
The officers for the ensuing ye ar were then elected,
and thanks having been voted to tl, Chairman, the
meeting separated.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

At an early hour on Saturday morning the western
portion of the metropolis became most brilliantly illumi
nated, which at once proved that a fearful fire was raging
in that direction. Accordingly the several brigade en-
gines, and that of the West of England Company, were
dispatched in search of the scene of conflagration. After
travelling about in several directions, the firemen at
length ascertained that the fire was raging in the Bays-
water- road, near the Kening ton gravel-pits. To that point
the engines were ordered, when on arriving the firemen
found the premises of Mr. Johnson, furniture dealer, at
the corner of Silver-street, in a general body of flame, and
fears were entertained for the safety of the Hoop tavern.
The engines, under the direction of Mr. Staples and Mr.
Connorton, were set to work, but in spite of the vast
torrents of water thrown upon the flames, they were
not extinguished until the whole of the stock in trade
was consumed, and the premises gutted. Several of the
contigious houses are also severely damaged. Thou-
sands of persons were attracted to the spot, and it re-
quired the services of a strong muster of police under
Inspector Flavin of the T division to keep the crowd
out of danger.
About the same time a fire occurred in the oil and
Italian warehouse of Mr. Jones, in King-street, Portman-
square, which was nearly attended with a melancholy
loss of life. It commenced in the shute where the tat
is thrown down to the lower floor, and so dense was the
smoke that the inmates were unable to effect their escape.
The Royal Society fire-escapes and the brigade engines
quickly attended, when the firemen succeeded
in bringing down Mrs. Jones, sen., and the escape-man
brought down her daughter. They afterwards set to
work, and got the flames extinguished before any very
considerable damage was done.

ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY.
The first exhibition of flowering American plants by
this society took place on Saturday. The unpropitious
weather during the last few weeks had retarded the ex-
I pansion or the flowers, so that the display of bloom was
Inot so great as it would have been in ordinary seasons.
Nevertheless a great number of azaleas and earlier rho-
dodendrons were in full beauty; and the happy ar-
rangement of the plants on the undulating surface of the
ground produced a most pleasing and picturesque effect.
Those who have visited Waterer's beautiful exhibitions
1 at Chelsea in former years may form some conception of
the splendid effect of a collection of similar plants of at
least five times the extent, distributed with great skill
and taste over a surface expressly prepared fur the pur
pose. A remarkably beautiful plant of the rhododen-
dron blandyanum, raised by Messrs. Standish and Noble,
of Bagshot, attracted particular attention on account of
its deep and rich colour. A new seedling rhododendron
called Midas, raised by Messrs. F. and C. Lee, of Ham-
mersmith, was also greatly admired. The collections
exhibited by Mr. Hosea Waterer, of Knap-hill, Mr. John
Waterer, of Bagshot, and Mr. Baker, of Bagshot, con-
tained many azaleas in full bloom, and a vast variety
of magnificent plants, which cannot fail to constitute a
great attraction at the ensuing exhibition on Saturday
next, when their flowers will be more fully developed.
The music was well sustained by the bands of the
Royal Horse Guards and the Ist Life Guards, and the
assemblage, which was very numerous, separated highly
delighted with the result of the day's amusement.
Among these who visited the exhibition were her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, his Royal
Highness Don Juan do Bourbon, the Duke of Norfolk,
Duchess of Norfolk, Duchess of Northumberland, Duchess
Dowager of Northumberland, Marchioness of Cornwallis;
Earls Fitzwilliam, Walsiagham, Craven, and Bandon;
Countess Walsinghaui, Viscountess Lifford; Bishops of
Durham and Llandaff; Lords Sondes, Ruthven, and
Trimlestown; Ladies Louisa Lygon, Cornwallis, Laura
Gratton, Charlotte Fitzwilliam, Grace Gore, Wharn-
cliffe, Ruthven, Trimlestown, Hood, Wtlde, Hillary,
Hammond, Baring, Law, Lushington, Anstruther, Ord,
Molineaux, Clarke, Trollope, Pottinger, Ellis, Aldis, and
Parker; Hon. Mrs. Chambers, F. Holland, Westby,
Grey, and Burton; Hon. Miss Waldegrave; Baron,
Baroness, and Misses de Goldsmid; Sirs F. Baring,
Wyndham, Anstruther, John de Beauvoir, John Warren,
T. Wilde, Edward Johnson, W. Newton, and C. Aldis;
Generals D'Aguilar and Roane; Chevalier de Ribeira;
Mr. S. Rogers; and Mademoiselle Alboni.
D

BATH OT A MURDERER IN MILBANK PRISON.•.—, On Saturday Mr. Bedford, the coroner, held an inquest
at Millbank Prison, on the body of James Redding, alias
John Maudsley, aged twenty-six years. The deceased
was a most noted character, and was well known, in
Chester as a reputed highwayman. He was of a most
depraved mind, and had'committed numerous robberies
on unprotected females, occasionally with some violence.
He was the terror of the neighbourhood, and no person
was safe after dark from his attacks, or from some of
the gang to which he belonged. In Midsummer last a
man named Moore, residing in Chester, was stopped
u
pon h
tbe highroad
money.hroa m
dby the deceased,
rceaefuseds,ed7 and a hoperemptorily
demanded struggle
felledt oo took phl cm
the between
ground with eand
aththeicdkecsetaicske.d ultimately
r
fellow never recovered from the blow, and he died shortly
to
t
afterwards. The deceased was soon apprehended, and
tried for murder at the Chester assizes in October last.
He was foiled guilty, and sentenced to death. A day
was appointed for his execution, but a reprieve came to
the prison, and the sentence was commuted to transpor-
tation for life. He was removed to the above prison in
the same month, suffering from scrofula. He was placed
under medical treatment; but on the 17th instant erysi•
pelas set in, from the effects of which he died on Wed-
nesday fast. Numerous papers were found in his posses-
sion, which formed a complete diary of all the robberies
and desperate acts of his life. The jury returned a ver-
dict of—" Natural Death."
ROBBERY AT JUDGES' CHAMBERS.-0/1 Saturday
considerable surprise was caused amongst the members
of the legal profession, in consequence of a report that
the Exchequer Chambers in Clifford's Inn had been
broken into, and a quantity of money and other property
44 some value stolen therefrom. From inquiries insti-
tuted by the police authorities, it appears that some
person well acquainted with the premises must have
secreted himself in some part of the building, and during
the night succeeded in forcing open the various desks,
drawers, and other depositories, from which about 8/. in
silver was taken, together with the coats and other pro-
perty belonging to the judges and
.clerks. The whole
of. the official seals and documents, we understand, were
untouched.

We recently, recorded a remarkable instance of
speed.in the.transit of goods from Newpastle to Ireland,
I.y the-combined powers of the railroad and steamboat.
We are in doubt whether the following example of rapid
travelling. does not beat anything that hai previously
come under our notice—perhaps under they notice of the
public 1'• especially whets it was remembered that the
railwayyisvt,,,e4led into requisition during the whole
of the joitrney., , A gentleman who rc'Slil6s in this. town
left Wpitehaven at half-past six o'clockAn Wednesday
evening, last, by the Whitehaven steamer from this port,
for Belfast, where he arrived at two o'clock on Thursday
morning. He then proceeded to Killyleagh, a distance
of 16 Trish or 24 English miles, and thence down Strang-
ford .Lough to Portaferry, and back to Rillyleagh, whence
he returned to Belfast. His journey was one for business
purposes,and he transacted siff.tirs in most of the towns
along tho Toad. On Thursday evening he again em-
barked in the Whiteharen on her return voyage, and
reached this town at an early hour on Friday morning;
having been absent from home only 33 hours. The dis•
tance travelled, which was chiefly by sea, was about 250
miles, within the brief space of time recounted.—Cum-
srlaid PaCQUO•