The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-22 00:00:00

SOCIETY OF ARTS.

Last night a meeting of the society was held; Mr.
Webster in the chair. A paper from Mr. Smith, on
the subject of floating breakwaters and lighthouses,
was read, and models of the invention exhibited. Its
principle consists in breaking the force of the waves
by elasticity, instead of, as in the case of stone break-
waters, by the mass of inert resistance. The advan-
tage of the plan consists in the saving of expense,
which, if the material used were wrought iron (as
preferred by the inventor), would be only one-
twentieth part of that of stone, and if timber, one•
fiftieth. The method is by securing the breakwater
at bottom to screw piles (if raised on a hard bottom),
or atmospheric piles (if raised on a quicksand), and at
top to iron chains, the ends of which are fastened to
pill-a driven into the bottom, thus allowing the fabric
to sway to and Iro with the shock of the waves. In
the construction of light-houses, the little turret
or box containing the light is placed on a circular
framework of beams or rods, converging inwards.
so as to meet nearly in a point at the bottom, which
is secured by the screw pile ; this framework being
likewise supported by an outer system of beams or
rods, inclined like the stays of a mast, and moving
easily ,with the bias of the surges. The fabric would
of course be stationary when the sea is quiescent,
rolling like a ship when blowing, but even in the
heaviest gales the inclination would not exceed a few
feet. Wrought iron was recommended from its
capability of resisting the effects of the sea water, as
shown by the guns of the Edgar, which had been
immersed for nearly 300 years, whilst the corrosion
had not penetrated more than a quarter of an inch
deep. Tne diameter of the rods might be three inches,
which would give a strength equalling :that of the
thickest and heaviest cables in use in the British navy.
~`everal members expressed their admiration of the
invention as one of the most beautiful contrivances
ever brought under the notice of the society, and the
chairman expressed the obligations of the meeting to
Mr. Smith for directing attention to so important a
subject.

M. Arban, an aeronaut of some celebrity, made,
a short time ago, a balloon ascent from Barcelona, but
nothing was heard of him subsequently. The Inter-
national, of Bayonne, now announces that his corpse has
just been discovered on the coast, near Roses, but no
details of his death are given. The French Consul
provided for his funeral. M. Arban is the aeronaut
who lately crossed the Alps in his balloon.
rupture in the friendship of sensitive and refined
natures is generally serious in its consequences. Coarse
stones, when fractured may be cemented again, precious
ones neren—Eliza Coles Journal.

THE ORANGE GRAND LODGE —The proceedings
of the Grand Lodge yesterday are still a mystery,
none but the initiated being admitted to the room.
The Evening Packet sap, the brethren were engaged
discussing Lord Clarendon's conduct to the Orange-
men.

CouN EXCriAlSGE.—Notwithstanding a moderate
supply to our Corn• Exchange to day, the market
generally was dull, and the currencies of Friday were
ith difficulty obtained, except for the best qualities
of oats. Indian corn continues to meet a small retail
demand, withcut change in value. White wheat 18s
to 23s ; red ditto 16s to 21s ; barley 9s to 14i; bere
8s Gd to 9s ; oats (old) 8s to 9s Gd per barrel ; oat-
meal lOs to 1 is 6,1; bakers' flour 12s Gd to 16s per
cwt. Indian corn 25s to 28s per 4801bs.

IMPROVEMENT OF TUB DWELLINGS OF Tlla
WORKING CLASSES.—A deputation, consisting of Mr.
%Vyld, M.P., Mr. Hyde Clark. Mr. Charles Gatliffe, Mr. S.
J. Aldrich, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Francis Whistiam, and
Mr. Pelly Hinde, presented to the Lord Mayor the re-
quisition, inserted in the Times of the 17th October,
and signed by four hundred of the leading City firms,
for a meeting in Guildhall, in favour of devising mea-
sures, for improving the dwellings of the labouring
classes. The Lord Mayor received the requisition, and
proposed that it should be printed, so as to be laid before
each member of the Courts of Aldermen and Common
Council.

WRECK OF THE SHIP L'Eunors.—A lady pas-
penger and her two children were among those who
lost their lives in this wreck. Not a particle of the cargo
was saved. The loss of the vessel and cargo is estimated
at 8,5001. The Guernxerr Comet states that the name of
the lady passenger was Mme. Dujardin, from Ghent, in
Belgium, and the names of her children Henry, aged
about five, and Henrietta, three years. L'Eurupe was
commanded by Captain Meheut, and she had a crew of
nine men and a boy.
THE FREEHOLD LAND MOVEMENT,—BIRMINGHAM,
WEDNESDAY.—A special meeting of the members of the
Freehold Land society was held here last evening, for
the purpose of carrying out the resolutions of the late
conference respecting the formation of a freehold union
—the establishment of a publication called the Freeholder,
&c. The entire subject underwent a full discussion. A
good spirit was mani!ested, nod a determination was
expressed to spare no exertions to carry out the ideas
broached and discussed at the conference. The members
present formed themselves into a council, and ultimttely
adjourned until Friday evening, when the whole of the
officers of the society are summoned to attend. This
morning Mr. Taylor (the secretary) received a letter
from Mr. Cobden, M.P., containing various suggestions
of a practical character respecting the formation and
conduct of the union, and enclosing 101. as an annual
subt:cril.tion. Since the meeting last week the society
bac received a great accession of members.

Count BattliYany, well known in the English fa-
shionable and sporting circles, has arrived in Vienna
from London, as we understand, on business having
reference to his estates in Hungary. Count Kabimir
Batthyany, who is with Kossuth and the Hungarian
refugees in Turkey, is only brother of Count Bstthyany
who, some years ago, was secretary to the Austrian
embassy in London under his Excellency Prince Ester-
homy. We understand Count Kasimir and bis Countess
propose on leaving the dominions of the Sultan to repair
to England.
Ms. B Ar.r E.—Recent letters confirm the complete
sueccess of Balfo and his Bohemian Girl, at Frankfort-
on-the-Maine. It was brought out on Monday, the 22d
ult., was repeated three times, the composer pre-
siding in the orchestra on each cccasion. The
houses were great every time. The performance
created the utmost pleasure, and Balk was feted
and honoured as though he had been in his
own country. At the first performance Jenny Lind was
present, and was very conspicuous in applauding the beat
morceau. Our correspondent informs us that she had
come nearly 100 miles out of her way to be present at
the debut of her old chef d'orchestre, whose real and
ability rendered her, as she is quick to acknowledge, so
" comfortable" during her London engagements. We
believe that, with all her eccentricities, forgetfulness of
former kindnesses has never been laid to the charge of
Jenny Lind. The principal parts in the Bohemian Girl
were sustained by Mme. Brandt, and Arline by Mine.
Anschutx. It appears that Balk was perfectly satisfied
with singers, orchestra, and chorus, whose readiness
was as remarkable as their efficiency. He was also, wit
are glad to learn, more than satisfied with the fiscal re-
sult. Balk was to start for Berlin a day or two after
his benefit, where, no doubt, further successes attend
him. It is thus we would ever see English composers,
who have their merits no less than the foreign ones,
appreciated. Certain it is that the English name is
rapidly getting up in the continental market, and Belfe's
presence in Germany is likely to sustain it.—Musical
World.

CUNNING or WOLTEs. —An instance of extra-
ordinary craftiness in wolves was told me by an esteemed
friend of sporting propensities, living near Quebec, Mr.
G. Rylind. He was on one occasion on the wooded
heights commanding a view of the picturesque Lake
Memphramagog, in the eastern townships of Canada.
It wus near sunset, and at some distance below him
was an open meadow, where a solitary deer was seen
grazing; presently two wolves issued from the forest,
and looked towards the deer. They seemed to be plan-
ning en attack, when, after an apparent consultation,
ono want off, and circling round the deer, lay down
behind it; the other wolf then made an open attack,
when the deer turned and fled; but as it passed the first
wolf, he sprang up and fastened upon the unfortunate
animal, which thus quickly perished.—Sir J. Alexander's
"Acadie."
A great fortune with a wife is often a bed full of
brambles.—.Eliza Cook's Journal.
DIB GREAT UNWASHED.— Old Father Thainca,—.
Punch.