The Sun.
London, England, 1831-04-02 00:00:00

STEAM POWER.

Every day More and more develops the vast and in-
creasing powers of steam, which is, in fact, in the pre-
sent day only in its infancy. The Times has lately a•l-
-vocated the importance of building a number of steam
vessels for purposes of war. But a question seems to have
escaped the acute writers in that Journal—of what use
would steam vessels be in war, that is, in a naval conflict,
if the paddles be not protected against. the shot of the
enemy. A single cannon-ball fired against a steamer might,
and probably would, disable her, if it slid not place her at
.the mercy of the foe. How is this to he avoided ? Why,
the paddles must either be protected by a covering, im-
penetrable to cannon-balls, or they must be placed in a
different position, or some other propelling means must be
discovered. On this subject it would i.e well if practical
men would exercise their ingenuity. That very great
' improvements may - and will be introduce:l in steam-
engines cannot be doubted. The very best models at present
seem to be much more complicated in their machinery than
they will need to be, when they have undergone the test
of further time, experience, and ingenuity. The greatest
improvement which has been made in steam engines, of
late years, has been the substitution of metallic for packed
or hemp pistons, and even in metallic pistons there has
been found no inconsiderable Jiff-rence. We recollect
that an investigation took place about a year and a half
ago. relative to the comparative merits of two pistons, one a
patent, by Mr. Barton, the other by a Mottershead.
The Society had been inadvertently led into the error of
decrying Barton's piston, on the ground that it " scored
and destroyed the cylinder." The result of the investiga-
tion proved the r verse, and the Society has been subject
to no small degree of obloquy since, in consequence of
the blunder it made, and its subsequent confession of
ignotance. If, therefore, an improvement .of so much
value has been made in pistons, what improvements may
we not expect yet to take place in other material parts of
the machinery of steam-engines? The subject is alto-
gether one of momentous importance, bath to scientific
men and the public generally. In the event of a war,
steam will be doubtlessly employed as au off,nsive and de-
leusive power ; and any tax tending to cripple that power,
when it may be said to be scarcely more than in embryo,
must be exceedingly injudicious. We beg leave to throw
out this hint to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Would
France or America, at the present moment, think of im-
posing a tax upon steam-vessels ? If we can abstain from
so doing we ought.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

CROXTON PARK RACES.

WEDNESDAS, 341ARCH30.—Matek for 100 sovs.—Mr. Lyne Ste-
phens' Bolivar beat Lord Southampton's Lepanto.—One mile.
The. Billesdon Coplow Stakes of 2.5 sovs. each, h. ft —Two miles.
Gentlemen riders.
Lord Gardiner named Tommy 'l* ickle
Mr. Gilmour named Meretrix
Two others started, nine others drawn,—Won by a neck.
Handicap Stakes of 10 Boys. each, half ft. with 20 added.—Once
round.
Mr. Hungerford's
Captain Ongley's Foxcote
Two drawn.—Won easy.

Match, SO sovs.—Mr. Lyne Stephens' Bolivar beat Mr. Stanley's
Sportsman.

A Plate of 50 sovs. given by the Inhabitants of Melton Mowbray,
added to a Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each.—Once round.
. Mr. Burton's Post Captain
Sir James Boswell's Meretrix 2
Lord Anson's Dunton 3
Mr. Walker's Columbus . 4
Hon. Mr. Ongley's gr. g. by Swap S
'The Skurry Stakes of 5 soya. each, with 20 added.—A little less
than a third of a mile.
Lord Southampton's Lepanto I
Mr. i avis's Vivid
Mr. Hungerford's Lucifer 3
Mr. Arnold's Lady Godiva t
A Forced Handicap of 10 sovs. each.—One mile.
Mr. Hungerford's Camillus I
Hon. slr. Ongley's gr. g. by Swap
Three others started.

- HUNTING INTELLIGENCE.
APPOINTMENTS FOR THE PRESENT WERE.

His Majesty's Stag Hounds meet on Monday, at Farnham Com-
mon ; and Friday, at the black Dog at Belt:Alt—at half-past ten.
The Surrey Stag Hounds meet on Tuesday, at the George Inn,
Farnborough,. and Saturday, at the Griffin, Kingston.
'1 he East 111 at Fox Hounds meet on Monday, at Ashley;
and Thursday, at Petharn Kennel—at ten.
The Cambridge Hounds meet on Tuesday, at the Stow Fox ,
and Friday, at Brampton Wood.
The Puckeridge Hounds meet on Wednesday, at Birchanger
and Friday, at Baniingtou-street—at half-past ten.
Earl Fitzwilliam's Hounds meet on Tuesday, at Nassington
Lodge ; and Thursday, at Moorbay Lawn—at ten.
Sir Richard Sutton's hounds will meet on Monday. at Legsbv ;
Tuesday, at Blankney ; Thursday, at Girsby House; and Satur--
day, at the Green Man—at eleven.
Lord Yarborough's Hounds meet on Monday, at Bradley ;
Wednesday, at Rothwell Cover; Friday, at Willingham House;
and Saturday, at the Kennel—at eleven.
The Albrighton Hounds meet on Monday, at Wittymoors
Wednesday, at Shattertbrd Gate; and Friday, at Clent Kennel
at half-past ten.
The Montgomeryshire Hounds meet on Tuesday, at the Ken-
nel ; and Saturday, at Ystmcolwyn—at ten.

General GASGOYNE, judging , from some
lengthy notices that the Gallant Member has entered on
the Commons' Notice Book, intends, after gathering
strength and spirits during the holydays, to be very busy
with the English Reform Bill; for, Ist, he declares he
will move that it be an " instruction" to. the Committee
on the said Bill, that, in any alteration or transfer in the
elective franchise of the United Kingdom proposed by the
Bill, the Bill should maintain the same relative propor-
tion, as to number of representatives for each distinct
part of the United Kingdom, as was established and set-
tled at the time of the Union between England and Scot-
land, and also at the time of the Act of Union between
Great Britain. and Ireland—a Froposition which, if car-.
ried, with the piesent intention of adding to. the number
of Members for ScAland and Leland, would lead to a
pretty considerable addition (instead of large diminution,
as is now proposed) to the number of Members for Eng-
land. 2. The aforementioned Gallant Legislator next
proposes another " instructor" to the Committee, " au-
thorising them" that they have power to insert a clause
audio; icing (again) any city, town, or borough, having a
population of not less than 150,000 " resident inhabi-
tants"), (not absent inhabitants"), and a consti-
tueucy of not less than 12,000. voters, to 'send four re-
presentatives to the reformed Parliament!;" in other words,
to allow Liverpool to send four Members, which, consi-
dering the virtuous anxiety shown by that incorrupt, in-
corrupting, and uncorruptible place, to tend two Member!:
ought to be, and no doubt will be, properly and imined2"
ately attended to.

A meeting of the creditors of PRIOR, late of
the firm of 111Eux and Co., brewers, was held a few days
since at the Bankrupts' Court. The chief assignee, Mr.
YOUNG, presided, and stated that he had to make a com-
tnunication from the firm of 111Eux and Co., who had
made a proposition that they would pay over to the credi-
tors a sum of 5,041/. Ss. 4d. in full satisfaction of all
cla ins. Mr. MottEcocx (an assignee) spoke agaiost
agreeing to the proposition. He had heard that in the
first four years of the co-partnership of MEux and Co. in
which Paton was connected, the profits of the concern
were not less than 61,0001., and that PRIOR'S share would
be 6,700/. That amount had been drawn down by Paton
to 6,000/., since the accounts of the firm were made out,
Vaunt having received a salary of 1,0001. a year, besides
his share of the profits. PRIOR was to have brought a
•um of money into the concern, which he had not done UP
to the time he absconded. He thought that as in general
breweries had latterly worked to a profit, the creditors
Ought to have a more correct knowledge of the actual
state of the accounts between PRIOR and the firm of igrox
and Co- A lengthened discussion took place upon the
question, and ultimately tha proposition was negatived.
altmwolawststaoid:nre tila
'that the 2
7,0
total claims against the bankrupt