The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-05 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Land we Live In is this month occupied with
" North Wales," illustrated by many pictorial em-
bellishments, one of which (the frontispiece) is a
beautiful view of Lianberis.— The History of Eng-
land during the Peace has now reached the year
1843. This number contains an engraving of Sir
Thomas Lawrence's beautiful portrait of Earl Grey.
We shall notice the work more at length on its con-
clusion.—The National Library of Select Literature
gives the fifth part of Dr. Kitto's celebrated " Bible
History." Tbis edition is beautifully printed, and
well " got up," as, indeed, are all the
publications of Mr. Knight.—Chambers's .Library
contains " Gostick's German Literature," and
Chambers's Journal is as diversified and interesting
as usual. The present number contains an excellent
article on "Juvenile Crime and Destitution," and an
interesting summary of the very various scones at
different periods witnessed in the Elysee Nationale.—
The Colonial Magazine has articles on the "African
Squadron"—" Banking in India "—" The Anglo-
Indian
Army"—and other subjects of colonial infor-
mation and interest. Of a similar character is
the Colonial Church Chronicle.—The Church of
England Magazine we have repeatedly mentioned as
containing an excellent series -of reading for the
sevaral Sundays of the month, including several
sermons by Church of England divines.—lt is hardly
fair to dismiss such elaborate works as the Patent
Journal and the London Repertory of Patent Inven-
tions with a mere allusion to their contents:
They are well worthy of consideration, both
on the part of artizans and amateurs.—The Me•
tropolitan is, for the most part, filled with
tales and short poems.—The Belle Assembles main-
tains that character for excellence and variety which
Mrs. Crosland has been so instrumental in obtaining.
for it.—Le Follet is still the most graceful illustra-
tor of the fashions.--A new periodical, entitled the
.Merchant Taylors' Magazine, which has attained its
fifth number, contains a history of Lord Clive (who
was educated at Merchant Taylors'), and a smart ar-
ticle on poetry and poetasters, called " A New Cure
for an Old Disease."—Frank Fairlegh has reached.
the twelfth number, which is embellished with two
startling illustrations by Cruikshank.—The Family
Herald is, as usual, entertaining and instructive.—
Those who have read Mrs. Crosland's interesting tale
of " Toil and Trial," will find much pleasure in
perusing, in the People's Journal, an account of a.
visit to Morley's establishment, which appears to be
admirably constituted so as to form a home to those.
employed in it. Besides a continuation of his "Texts`
from Jean Paul," Parson Frank has contributed to
this journal a delightful essay on Wordswortb's
" Lucy."

At the half-yearly meeting of the Grand Junctio4
Canal Company, held yesterday, a dividend was declared
at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, leaving 1,4131. to
be carried to the rest. The tonnages of the hall-year
ending the 30th of June last were stated to have
amounted to 40,6961. (being 2,6091 more than in the
corresponding six months of the preceding year), and
thel entire report, confirming as it did the anticipations
lately held out of the possible revival of canal traffic, was:
received by the shareholders with satisfaction.

CHARTERSIIALL DISTILLERY.—We regret to states
that an accident occurred at this distillery at an early
hour on Monday morning last, which resulted in the loss
of nearly 600 gallons of whisky. It appears that the
lower hoop of one of the vats, in which there were about
700 gallons, had burst, and a leakage to such an extent
was the consequence that nearly the whole contents were
drained off before it became known that anything was
wrong.— Stirling Journal.
An EEL OF RESPECTABLE SIZE.—An eel was
caught in the Conan, near the mouth of the river, a few
days ago, of an unusual size. When deprived of head
and entrails, it weighed no less ,than 32Ibs. This sea-
serpent, on a small scale, occasioned considerable trouble
to its captors.
CAPTAIN MANBY.—On Wednesday last, the 28th
instant, Captain Manby entered into his 85th year, on
which occasion he presented his usual annual contri-
bution of 51. to the Yarmouth Hospital, as an ex-
pression of gratitude to Providence in extending his
life to so great an age. The weather being very incle-
ment, he distributed an abundant supply of soup,
meat, and bread to several indigent families in his neigh-
bourhood. In proof of the vigour of this venerable
man's faculties, it may be stated that he has been for
some time in correspondence with the Scientific Select
Committee of the Ordnance, by direction of
the Master• General of that department, that
committee being to report on his suggestion
for giving a range to cannon much greater than it
is possible for the present system to produce, by apply-
ing the same principle to artillery which is admitted to
be so great an improvement to modern fowling pieces,
viz., exploding the charge at the centre instead of at the
top of the cartridge. By this system a very great sav
ing of gunpowder will also result, as well as danger be
avoided to the man who loads the gun.—/Verfolat
Chronicle.
A RELIC OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY.—There
was found by the workmen employed in repairing the
Abbey of Jedburgh, a few days ago, a relic of the olden
times, being a docquet or token of Pope Gregory
the obverse having his name, and the reverse bearing
the head of St. Peter and his own. The token, it is
evident, had been appended to a rescript or bull, or other
formal document issued by the said Pope Gregory during
his pontificate, by its having an aperture in it to attach
a thread of gimp or other strong material to the docu-
ment which had accompanied it. The medal seems to be
a compound of lead and tin, and is in a capital state of
preservation, considering the long time it has lain among
the ruins of the abbey.—Bcrwich and Kelso Wa,rdcr.
LA PLATA.—There are a few days later aflvices
from Buenos Ayres in Liverpool, but no, news of PI
importance.

FRANCE.
The Moniteur contains the following report from
M. F. Barret, the Minister of the Interior, to the
President of the Republic :
" sident,—
Monsieur le PrThe insurreel.ion which
burst out at Lyons in the month of June last, and the
irritation which manifested itself in the neighbouring
apartments, determined the Government to put the
sixth military division in a state of siege. By that
act of vigour it was able to arrest the detestable attempts
of anarchy, and to keep down the spirit of disorder.
But that is a situation altogether exceptional, and the
imperious necessity is felt of constituting for these de-
partments an administrative power of having greater
force, and of centralising the direction of the services
of general safety in the hands of a high functionary
residing at Lyons. It is with that view that
I have the honour of proposing to you to name an
extraordinary commissioner, who, whilst provisionally
fulfilling the functions of prefect of the department
of the Rhone, shall be charged with the task of
bringing together the elements of the new organization,
and of constituting it—shall exercise in the departments
of the sixth military division a direct surveillance
over all that relates to the public safety. The prefects
will continue besides to administer their departments,
according to the rules of the present organization ;
but, without ceasing to correspond with the Minis-
ters, they are to render an account to the commis-
sioner of matters relating to the high mission which
is confided to him. That mission will have for
result to enlighten the Government as to the exact state
of a situation which for a length of time indicates a
profound trouble, and which has been for you,
Monsieur le President, a constant subject of solicitude.
It is, in fact, by a more energetic organization of the
means of administration, and by a more centralised,
and consequently more rapid action, that the
working populations of that part of the Republic can be
assured of order and security, the essential elements
of their prosperity. No change shall take place in the
connexion which at present, in consequence of the state
of siege, exists between the civil and military authorities.
If this measure receives your approbation, Monsieur le
President, I shall haze the honour to propose to you to
appoint to the high functions of extraordinary commis-
sioner at Lyons M. do Lacoste, ex-prefect of the Boaches-
du-Rhone.—l have the honour to be, &c.,
" F. BARROT."
This report is followed by a decree of the President,
oominating M. de Lacoste as recommended, and de-
Oaring besides that he is to fill provisionally the
.'unctions of Prefect of the Rhone.
The Moniteur publishes another decree from the
President, nominating M. Chapuys Montlaville, ex-
+-puty, Prefect of the Isere, vice M. de Barrel, who
,lkelines the appointment.