The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-06 00:00:00

COLBURN'S UNITED SERVICE.

As we-shall take the very earliest opportunity to
refer to the leading article in this eminent naval and
military journal, an article referring to the recent
court martial held on the late Commander of the
Childers, we shall abstain from saying mole at
present than that the writer coincides for the most
part with the views already and repeatedly ex-
pressed by ourselves. Although we are gratified to
record this circumstance, seeing that it possesses some
importance, as the expression of one of the worthiest
organs of the profession, we cannot for a moment
allow it to be supposed that the course adopted by the
United Service Gazette has been to us a matter of the
smallest surprise. No other opinion, indeed, could be
formed upon the matter without the grossest violationof
all the first and commonest principles of justice.
" A Qui Hye " gives us a smart reminiscence of his
military career in the shape of " An Episode in the
Affghanistan Campaigns." " A Few Odd Fishes, not
Sea Serpents " will prove, on perusal, to be not less
amusing than truthful. One other paper in the
number for October we must, perforce, particularise,
we mean the argument, penned by a surgeon, " On
the anomalous Position and Treatment of Military
Medical Officers." The subject is unquestionably
one demanding not only the serious consideration,
but also the spedy interference of the authorities."

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
Doctor Bachhoffner has just commenced a series of
lectures on electricity, and for the purpose of in-
creasing the interest and beauty of his experiments
has revived the hydro-electric machine. Until the
invention of this gigantic contrivance water was the
greatest enemy the electrician had to contend
with, but since the hydro. electric machine has
been adopted the element has been made sub-
servient to its power. The Learned Professor ex•
hibitecl numerous experiments during his lecture,
among them one particularly worthy of notice—an
electric spark was given off three feet in length, much
to the astonishment and delight of the audience. The
power tf the machine is best proved by contrasting
it with the largest electric machine known, the glass
plate being seven feet in diameter, but with its
greatest force is exceeded by the hydro-electric ma-
chine by eight times its power.—Several additions
have been lately made to the Dissolving Views in and
around the Eternal city, which have become a source
of so much attraction to the visitors, no doubt in a
great measure from the late stirring events of which
Rome has been the theatre.

COURT CIRCULAR.

OSBORNE, FRIDAY,

The Queen and Prince, accompanied by his Royal
highness the Duke Alexander 91 Wirtemberg, walked
early this morning in the Park of Osborne.
The younger branches of the Royal Family walked and
rode as usual.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert, and his Roy al
Ilighners the Duke Alexander, afterwards went out
shooting, attended by Colonel F. Seymour.
The Royal dinner party, yesterday, included the
Dowager Lady Littelton and Mr. Birch.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester ar-
rived in town yesterday morning from her residence in
Richmond Park. His Royal Highness Prince George
visited her Royal Highnee,s. The Royal Duchess left
Gloucester House in the afternoon on her return to
Richmond Park.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at
the Fureig,i-office. The Ministers present were—Lord
John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lans-
downe, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl
Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Francis
Baring, the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, Lord Campbell,
and the Earl of Carlisle. The Council sat two hours.
Lord and Lady John Russell returned to town yester-
day from Woburn Abbey.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lady Mary
Wood arrived at their residence in Dowing-street yes-
terday morning from a visit to the Duke and Duchess of
Bedford, at Woburn Abbey.

THE QUEEN DOWAGER.—We are happy to learn
that Queen Adelaide is in the enjoyment of better health
then for some months past, and, weather permitting,
takes daily drives in the neighbourhood of Stanmore.
Their Serene Highnesses the Duchess Ida of Saxe
Weimar and the Princesses intend to remain some weeks
on a visit to her Maje sty, the Duke Bernard of Saxe
Weimar being at Batavia as Governor and Commandcr-
in-Chief at that Dutch colony. Prince Edward of Saxe
Weimar is stationed with Lis regiment at Chichester.

ALankind too generally mistele anarchy for liberty,
ostent,tion for generosity, passion for love, and vanity
for pride; yet how widely different are they all.—Eliza
Cook's Journal,