The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-31 00:00:00

SOCIETY OF ARTS.

The sixteenth and last ordinary meeting of the Society
of Arts for illustration, in the present or ninety-fifth
session, was held yesterday evening at the Society's
house, and was attended by an unusually large number
of members and visitors.

The minutes of the preceding meeting having been
read and confirmed, and the usual routine business of
balloting for members commenced,

Mr. E. W. SIEMENS, of Berlin, explained the con-
struction and operation of an electric telegraph, pro-
ceeding upon an entirely new arrangement, the working
of which, as evidenced by a very beautiful instrument,
was satisfactory in the extreme. The galvanic current
is made to traverse a coil of wire surrounding a horse-
shoe magnet in the usual way, between the poles of
which is placed a steel bar, revolving upon a fixed pivot.
The oscillations of the bar, when actuated by the moving
force of magnetism generated by the circulation around
the magnet of the galvanic current, are made to act
upon a cogged wheel, which is liberated tooth by tooth.
The resulting movement is adapted to the peculiar com-
bination of the instrument by means generally similar
to those employed in other systems. There are, how-
ever, scme new arrangements introduced in this,
which impart a property to the instrument pecu-
liar to itself, or at any rate distinguishing it
from many. It is now clearly understood that in
the vibrating needle of Wheatstone, the current does
not cease to act with sufficient abruptness, and the result
is that the needle continues to vibrate for a longer in-
terim than it ought, thereby vitiating the certainty of
the indications. In Brett and Little's telegraph this
source of error has been cut off, and the one yesterday
brought before the society also claims to be tree from
it. The mode in which this end has been attained is by
causing the current to be wholly broken off by destroy-
ing the circuit, before the stroke of the bar is completed,
which is performed by the action of the apparatus. The
letters of the alphabet are arranged on keys round a
circular dial-plate, and upon pressing any of them down
the needle stops at the adjoining point on both instru-
ments. A telegraph on this principle has been in full
work for the last two years soda half between Frankfort
and Berlin, and between Cologne and Berlin, during
which time the debates at Frankfort have constantly
been published at Berlin by its instrumentality
Mr. A. DUNN read a paper, and accompanied it by
experiments, on the application of electricity to prevent
the explosion of steam•engine boilers. The object of the
a square betterinchindi-
cation
on a scale, of the elasticity of steam in the boiler; and
liexhibited that
in temperature
pounds
dwsa pers
that for that purpose it might be substituted with
paper
wasthan t pressure,o sow
advantage, the temperature for each boiler to be deter-
mined by experiment&
The thanks of the society were voted to the authors
of both papers, and the session closed.

THE SOUTH JUNCTION AND ALTRINCHAM RAIL-
WAY.—Mr. Brogden, the contractor for the permanent
way of the Altrincham section of this line, having just
completed his contract, there was an experimental trip
over the line on Monday last. The train, which con-
sisted of three carriages—one occupied by the Stretford
band of music, and the others by Mr. Kirkman, the
secretary of the company, Mr. Hembero, the resident
engineer, and Mr. Lycett, the solicitor, with several
railway engineers and contracting friends of Mr. Brog-
den—left Castlefield at twelve o'clock, and arrived at
Altrincham in half an hour. The party walked from
the station there, preceded by the band of music, to the
Unicorn Inn, Altrincham, where they partook of lunch.
After visiting Rosthern, they returned to the inn to dine
at tour o'clock, and came back to Manchester by train
about ten o'clock. The line appeared to be in good
order—the train running smoothly, and without exces-
sive oscillation. The parts of the works on the line not
yet completed are in a state of forwardness, and the
whole is expected to be ready for opening on the 2d of
July.—Manchester Guardian.
"'ST. PAUL'S.—(From a Correspondent.)—The an-
niversary meeting of the charity schools is to be held
on Thursday next, in St. Paul's Cathedral, under the
management of the Society of Patrcns. The treasurers
and committtec of that Society have determined that
there shall not be any rehearsal on the previous Tues-
day, as heretofore. The reason assigned for this de-
termination is, the additional expense that a rehearsal
occasions to the society; for we believe that it is not
generally known that the whole of such expense is de-
frayed out of the Society's funds; while all the moneys
collected at the doors of the cathedral on that day go
into the pockets of the vergers.
CUSTOMS DUTIES.—REVENUE PAYMENTS IN LIGHT
GOLD.—The Commissioners have received a communi-
cation from Sir Charles Trevelyan, one of the Secre-
taries to the Treasury, stating that in the case ofthePost-office and the Department of Stamps and Taxes,
the practice has been followed of allowing parties to pay
light gold at the rate of nineteen shillings and ninepence
for sovereigns, and nine shillings and tenpence for half
sovereigns, the same being received by the Bank of Eng-
land after they are defaced, at the rate of 31. 175. 6d.
per ounce in London, and 31. 17s. sd. per ounce at their
branches; and that, in order to relieve the public from
the inconvenience of having the defaced coin returned
to them, the Lords of the Treasury are willing to au•
thorise the extension of the same arrangements to the
Customs department. Sir Charles Trevelyan was
further directed by their Lordships to add, that it is es-
sential that the light coins so received should be imme-
diately defaced, in order to prevent their return into
general circulation. The half-
MARKET COMpAN •
Yearly general meeting of the proprietor • s was held
th° chair. The report
yes-
terday, Martin Stutely, Esq., in
of the directors stated, among other matters, that th
new Fish Market was completed and occupied, presenting
a most attractive appearance, and by the accommodation
afforded to the public calculated to improve the trade of
the tnarket. The report was received and adopted.
The retiring directors were_ re-elected; and after pass-
ing a vote of thanks to thechairman and directors,
the meeting separated with evident feelings of satisfac-
tion at the manner in which the affairs of the company
were conducted.
The Spanish expedition, destined for intervention
in Italy, embarked at Barcelona on the 23d.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

RAILWAY ILLS IN PARLIAMENT.

The following is a list of such Railway Bills (twenty
in Lumber) as have passed through the Select Com-
mittees of the House up to the present period:—
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire (Abandonment
of part of Line, and Extension to London and North-
Western).

CaledOnian (Lease or Purchase of Glasgow, Barrhead,
and Neilston, and of Wishaw and Colin, as).
Chester and Holyhead (Increase of Capital).
Cockermouth and Workington (Branches).
East Anglian (Extension of time for making Ely and
Huntingdon).

Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Wilsontown, Morning-
side, and Coltness amalgamation.
Edinburgh and Northern (Dunfermline Branch and
Deviations).
Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, and Ardrossan
Harbour Acts Amendment.

Lancashire and Yorkshire and London and North-
Western (Transfer of interest in Preston and Wyre
Harbour).
Lancaster and Preston (Junction with East Lan-
cashire).

Leeds and Thirsic (power to guarantee interest on
shares).

London and Blackwall (Amendment and extension
of time).
London and South-Western (extension of time for
making Basingstoke and Salisbury and Farnham and
Alton lines).
Newcastle and Carlisle (Alteration of and Branch
from Alston Branch).
Shrewsbury and Chester (Branches and power to
subscribe to Shrewsbury and Hereford).
Stockton and Darlington (Alterations, &:e.).
Windsor, Staines. and South-Western (Richmond to
Windsor Extension).
York and North Midland (Deviations and Aban-
donments).
York, Newcastle, and Berwick (Barmoor and Aln-
mouth New Branches), and Lease and Amalgamation of
Maryport and Carlisle and Newcastle and Carlisle
Railways.
The following measures, nine in number, and chiefly
for " amalgamations," have been " withdrawn" since
their introduction into Parliament:—
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire (Power to Sell
to London and North-Western).
Caledonian (Lease of Dundee and Perth and Scottish
Midland Lines).
Eastern Counties and Newmarket Amalgamation.
Edinburgh and Northern (B and C Bills).
Great Indian Peninsular.
North Staffordshire (Amendment of Acts).
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate (Branch to London
and South-Western).
South-Eastern (Removal of Restriction to Opening
Tunbridge and Hastings Lines).
Stockton and Darlington (Amalgamation with York,
Newcastle, and Berwick).
The Royal Assent has been given to two, namely—
EdinWgh and Northern (Additional Capital and
Amendment of Acts).
North-Western (Extension of Lancaster Branch,
Abandonnt ent of Williamsland Branch, and Extension of
Time for Purchase of Land and Construction of Works).

DEPARTURES and ALTERATIONS in the
FOREIGN and COLONIAL MAILS for JUNE.
The following are the dates on which the Foreign and
Colonial Mails will be made up at the General Post-
office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, during the month of June,
and when the return packets will be due at Southamp-
ton, Liverpool, and Falmouth:—
British North America and the United States, on the
evening of the Ist (to-morrow), to be forwarded by the
Cambria steamer, via Liverpool, Halifax, and New York;
on the evening of the Bth to Boston, by the America; on
the evening of the 15th, by the Hibernia, to New York;
on the evening of the 22d, by the Caledonia, to Boston;
and the evening of the 29th, by the Niagara steamer, to
New York. Next packets due on the 6th from Boston,
14th from New York, 20th from Boston, and 28th from
New York, at Liverpool.
West Indies, &c.—To the British and Foreign Colo-
nies in the West Indies (except Honduras, Nassau, Ber-
muda, and the Havannah), Venezuela, and Jacmel on the
morning of Saturday the 2d, by the Great Western
steamer, via Southampton, and evening of the 16th;
Bermuda, Nassau, New Orleans, Mexico, Honduras, and
Havannah on the morning of the 2d only. Madeira,
Grey Town (San Juan de Nicaragua), New Grenada,
Chili, and Peru, on the evening of the 16th only. Next
packets due on the 7th arid 22d at Southampton.
Madeira, Brazil, and Buenos Ayres on the evening of
the 4th by her Majesty's brig Swift, via Falmouth. Next
packets due her Majesty's brig Express (over due), and
her Majesty's brig Crane on the 25th at Falmouth.
The Mediterranean, Malta, Egypt, Aden, Ceylon,
India, Hong-Kong, and China, on the evenings of the 7th
and 25th by the fortnightly overland closed mail, via
Marseilles. Due on the 3d and 23d, via France.
_ _

Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt,
Aden, Ceylon, Mauritius, India, &c., on the morning of
the 20th, by the Oriental Steam Company's packet, via
Southampton, dug on the 23th at Southampton.
Peninsular, &c., Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Madeira, via
Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, on the mornings of the
7th, 18th, and 27th, by the Peninsular steam packets,
via Southampton; due on the sth, 15th, and 25th at
Southampton.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Van Diemen's
Laud, and New Zealand, by ship letter bags, as the
vessels may sail from Gravesend and other ports.
N.B.—Newspapers must all be pre-paid Id. to these
colonies.

France, and countries through France, twice daily
(morning and evening, except Sundays), by steam
packets, via Dover and Calais; due daily. Belgium, and
countries through Belgium (llamburgh, Prussia, Russia,
Turkey, Moldavia, Wallachia, &c.) daily, in the evening
(except Sunday), via Dover and Ostend; due daily.
Holland, &c.—Wednesday and Saturday mornings;
due Mondays and Thursdays.
Han3burgh, &c.—Tuesday and Friday evenings; due
Tuesdays and Saturdays; by the General Steam Naviga-
tion Company's packets, via the Thames.
Mails will be made up for Madeira, the Cape de
Verde Islands, Portendic, Sierra Leone, and the Island
of Ascension, on the evening of the 4th, to be forwarded
by her Majesty's steam sloop Reynard, appointed to sail
from Dcvonport on the morning of the sth of June.
Newspapers to Madeira, &c. 2d; sierra Leone and Accen-
sion free.

COME, 1849.
E.
Presteign l9
Bibury 2O
Stockbridge 2l
Newcastle
Winchester 2B
Salisbury 2B
Lancaster
Goodwood
Ludlow