The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-28 00:00:00

THE LATE THUNDER STORM.

The house, No. 12, Poland-street, Oxford-street, in
the occupation of Mr. Channon, was struck by the elec
tric fluid, entirely destroying the back part of the pre-
mises. The chief of the massive brickwork, several ton
weight, fell into the composing-room of Mr. Schulze,
printer, No. 13, adjoining, where ten compositors were at
work, who fortunately escaped uninjured. One man was
so terribly alarmed that he leaped out of the second-floor
window. A projecting out-house broke his fall, or he
must have been dashed to pieces; as it was he only sus-
tained a few bruises.
About half-past two, immediately following a heavy
clap of thunder, a barge. in which were two men, was
seen to founder off Nine Elms. Boats put off, but before
assistance could reach them the poor fellows sunk and
were drowned.
Three of a flock of sheep grazing in a field at Green-
lane, West-end, belonging to a Mr. Lambutt, were found
dead, having been struck by the lightning.
So great was the devastation among the feathered
tribe, that in the vicinity of Kennington and Camberwell
dead sparrows were to be seen lying at almost every
step. A man named Skinner, living in Prince's road,
picked up 130.
St. Paul's Church, Covent-garden, was struck by the
electric fluid in several parts, and the rain made its way
through, owing to some dislodgment of the outer cover-
ing. The ceiling, which is considered to be one of the
finest in London, has received immense injury. The
authorities immediately made every necessary arrange-
ment for its protection, and yesterday a number of work-
men were ordered to repair the injury done to the sacred
edifice.

EXECUTION AT LINCOLN.—LINCOLN, FRIDAY,
JULY 27.—The last sentence of the law was carried
into effect at twelve o'clock this day upon John Ward,
who, at the last assizes for this county, was found guilty
of the murder of his mother, Martha Ward. No sooner
had the wretched convict reached the scaffold than ho
became dreadfully convulsed, and upon his partial re-
covery he confessed to the sheriff that he shot his mother
intentionally on account of her interference about the
servant girl, Susan Baggs. The convict, although he
hail previously confessed to the Rev. Mr. Hitcher, the
chaplain, for some days previously exhibited no com-
punction, but after the Rev. Gentleman had pointed out
the fearful position in which he stood, he joined daily
with him in prayer, and, in the course of the Scriptural
readings which took place, he expressed his sorrow and
penitence, and said that he hoped God would pardon
and save him. These sentiments he repeated at the
place of execution. When asked if he had made a full
confession, whether he was truly sorry and penitent?
the wretched parricide replied, in emphatic
made,tontese,
" Yes." The usual preparations havingd die
bolt was withdrawn, and the convict appeare
beon
to h
without a struggle. There were at least 10,000 persons
present, a great number consisting' of women.
CURB Fon ItnEUMATISM.—Bathe the parts affected
with water in which potatoes have been boiled, as hot as
can be borne, just before going to bed; by the next
morning the pain will be much_ relieved,ifnot removed.
One application of this simple remedy
has cured the
I most obstinate rheumatic pains.

Naval Cadets—Henry F. Davies, to the Prince Regent,
90, at Naples; Stephen E. Poyntz, to the Fisgard, flag-
ship, at Woolwich; Follett Johnstone, to the Queen.
The Queen, 116, Capt. Wyse, hauled off from the dock-
yard, Devonpert, on Thursday morning, in the stream.
With the quantity of stores now in her she is too deep
to lay alongside.
The Pantaloon, 8, Commander H. Parker, sailed on
Thursday, for Plymouth, for final orders to the Cape.
The Rolla, Lieutenant Commander Fenwick, went
into Portsmouth Harbour yesterday, to remain till
Monday.
The Stromboli, 6, steam sloop, Commander Lord A.
W. Beauclerk, is at Spithead, ready for service.
The Sphinx, 6, steam-sloop, Commander Hewlett, is
in Portsmouth harbour, coaling, and getting ready for
sea. The marines and marine artillery lamed from her
on Thursday evening, and retired to their quarters.
The Cuckoo, steam-vessel, Commander Dumaresq,
also came up from Portland to Portsmouth, on Thurs-
day evening, and had gone into harbour.
The Growler, 6, steam-sloop, Commander P. Stoddart,
was mustered, insppcted, and paid advance at Devonport,
on Wednesday, an; sailed the following morning, for
Tangier.
waiting -tturectlons Atitzursity as tO wait icier

bottomi shall be paid with.
The Vesta, schooner yacht, iron built, with an
auxiliary screw steam power of 20-horse, a most beauti-
ful, Red we understand a very fast vessel under canvas,
belonging to Lord Newbury. was taken on the gridiron,
in the dockyard, Portsmouth, on Thursday, to have her
bottom examined. On account of the neap-tides she
will have to remain on the gridiron slip for the next five
days.
PORTSMOUTH, FRIDAY, FIVE P.m.—The wind has
somewhat moderated to-day, and has drawn to the N.W.,
with finer weather. Some of the wind-bound ships have
proceeded to the westward.

TIIE ROYAL BANK OF LIVERPOOL.—The annual
meeting of the shareholders of this bank took place yes-
terday, at two o'clock, Francis Shand, Esq., in the
chair. The attendance was very numerous, many gen-
tlemen having come from a considerable distance. The
report of the directors stated that the net profits of the
bank (after the payment of all expenses and the inte-
rest on the preference shares) amounted to the sum
of 20,8911. 14'. 2d. ; and that since the resumption of
business no bad debts had been incurred. The sum it
is proposed to carry to a reserved fund, and the direc-
tors had full confidence that the shareholders would
confirm the proposition, affording, as it did, the best
means of providing for any possible contingency, as well
as laying the foundation for greater uniformity in the
payment of dividends in future. In realising the assets
of the bank, the directors might not have made as much
progress as they anticipated, but the shareholders were
reminded that, from the character of the property in
which the bank is interested, both in this country and
in the West Indies, it would have been most injudicious,
especially with so many increasing symptoms of im-
provement, to have forced such property prematurely
upon the market. The Chairman said that it would be
unnecessary for him to do more than to more the adop-
tion of the report. Mr. Alderman Cooper said that he
cordially seconded its adoption, and had pleasure in
congratulating the meeting on the position in which they
then stood—so different from that in which they were
placed eighteen months ago. The report was then
unanimously adopted, amidst considerable applause,
Several questions were asked by Mr. Dimmock, Mr.
Jones, and other gentlemen, which were clearly and
satisfactorily replied to by the chairman ; and, after a
vote of thanks had been passed to the directors, to Mr.
Chaffers (the manager), to Mr. Myers, and the Chair-
man, the meeting separated, all expressing their
gratifi-
cation at the successful operations of the bank, and at
its re-established position.
ATTEMPT AT MURDER.—The village of Isleham,
seven miles from Newmarket, was on Monday last (the
23(i) thrown into consternation by a most deliberate
attempt to murder. The perpetrator is Robert Norman,
a turfman and carter, in comfortable circumstances, and
his victim a girl of 17 years of age, named Sarah Ann
Petch, the daughter of his wife before his marriage with
her. The attempt was made about eight o'clock in the
morning, with a large clasp lutife, which penetrated the
windpipe, and made a wound of four inches in length.
The girl was at the time standing with her back to Nor-
man in the kitchen, and his wife and son (about 10 years
of age) standing by. He afterwards made a slight
wound in his own throat. The prisoner had frequently
taken improper liberties with the girl, and is of a violent
character. Three weeks since, in a quarrel, he threat-
ened to play " Rush" with his wife, and said he "would
not be hung for one, nor yet for two." The immediate
cause of the act seems to have arisen from the girl's
having absented herself from the house on Sunday last
without the prisoner's consent. The girl being in a very
precarious state, the attendance of a magistrate from the
Newmarket bench, then sitting, was requested, and the
Rev. W. Acton, accompanied by Mr. Oke, the assistant
clerk to the magistrates, attended at Isleham to take her
declaration, but she having hope of recovery, the preli-
minary inquiry was gone into in the usual manner in
the presence of the prisoner, in the room whale the
attempt to murder had been made; and after the ex Pon,
nation of the girl, the son, Mr. Addison, them e
su
and the constable, Ellington, he was fully %Eti:ii
the next Cambridge Assizes. The girl is (l°,1!).
nesday) in a precarious state.
The Jupiter Penin-
SOUTHANIPTON, JULY 2 left the Docks
solar and Oriental Company7s.stearn-mship
ail s for Spain and
at two nal., this day, with the, usual
Portugal, in charge of Li,utenant P. Rainier, R.N.,
a full cargo, and 10,3831. in specie.
twelve passenger!,
Brooks, will leave
The Erin, Captain Olive,. will leave on the Ist August
Captainwiotnh
for the Italian Ports,
Sultan,ort s with a full cargo of goods and
passengers. Th
the 30th instant for Malta, Constantinople, &c.,
goods and passengers. The Ripon, Captain Moresby
Alexandria, with the heavy is
due to-morrow from on
of the overland mail, a large number of passengers, and
a full cargo.
The Montrose, Captain Meehan, is the
next ship from the Peninsula, and is expected about the
4th proximo, with mails and passengers. The Euxine,
Captain Evans, will be due about the 6th, with goods
and passengers from Constantinople.
On Wednesday last the pupils of King's College
School presented the Rev. Richard Hodgson, M.A., with
a silver salver, as a testimonial of regard and affection,
on his leaving the fourth mastership of the school, which
he has held for seventeen years.

EASTERN COUNTIES AND NORFOLK RAILWAY ANAL-
GAMATION.—The Committee of the House of Lords ap-
pointed to consider this subject have specially reported,
that it is not expedient to proceed further with the Bill;
and that after inquiring into the allegations contained in
the petitions, they find that no evidence was brought
forward in any degree affecting the character of the
deputy-chairman of the Norfolk Company.
READING, GIIILDIORD, AND REIGATE.—The remain-
ing portion of this line, between Farnborough and Dork•
ing, is so far completed as to allow of experimental trips
being made between the termini, and the whole line will
be shortly in operation.

KING'S COLLEGE.
The annual distribution of prizes among the youths
educated in the school attached to this institution took
place yesterday, in the great hall of the College, in the
presence of a very crowded auditory. The Lord Bishop
of London (in the absence of Sir Robert Inglis, M.P.)
presided, and was supported by Lord Radstock, and
several other patr,ns of the institution.
The BIGHT REV. PRELATE, in opening the proceedings,
remarked upon the satisfactory progress of the College
rut,"rmF s, and esecially that one with which
He took credit for having Dean one oL .
founders of the College who had thought it desirable to
connect with the higher departments of the institution a
junior educational establishment, and he rejoiced at the
eminent success which had attended the school under the
excellent superintendence of the head•master, Dr. Major.
In proof of the degree of success, he might mention that
alrea ly pupils in the lower department, who had not
completed their education at King's College, had obtained
distinguished honours at Oxford and Cambridge.
Dr. MAJOR having explained to the Bishop the prin-
ciples on which the prizes had been awarded, his Lord-
ship proceeded with the distribution. From the immense
quantity of books of which the prizes were composed,
this was a task of no ordinary labour.
The following were among the successful competitors
in their respective classes

Upper Sixth—Frederick Harrison, Fred. Good Fleay,
George Winter Price, Henry Beaumont Walmisley,
Martin Hine Irving, James W. Sheppard.
Greek lambic—Martin Hine Irving.
Latin Verse—Frederick Harrison.
English Essay—Frederick Harrison (1), Frederick
Good Fleay (2).
Middle Sixth—Francis Edward Thompson, Thomas
Rose Jo, Stebbing, Gilbert Lyon, Daniel Jones, John
Cuming, William M. Ord.
Lower Siith—Charles William felt, Francis Philip
Whitaker, Henry Cuming, Edward Easton, Walter
David DaNies, Astley Henry Baldwin.
Fifth—Walter William Hopwood, George Winslow,
John Wikon Moore, Clarke Armstrong Duckett, Ed-
ward J. Standen, Frederick A. Eaton.
Upper Fourth—Harry Cardale, Walter Shelley, John
Chadwick, Edgar Summers, John Walter Sugg, Samuel
Tomkins.

Lower Fourth—Edgar Summers, E iward Eaton
Evans, John Drake, Robert Grant, William Henry
Barnes, Robert Lewis.
Upper Third—William Graham Dow, Thomas Neamo
Oliver, John Brunskill, Frederick John Cornwell, Au-
gustus Edward Dixey, Charles Wright.
Lower Third—Robert Benjamin Lewis, Stanton Mey-
rick, Richard Wallis Aehby.
Second—Richard Fitzgerald Glaisher, Preston Wil-
liam Goodall, Richard Folkard.
Upper First—Altred Davies, William Carvell Boyle,
Bennett William Hooper.
Lower First—Bennett William Hooper, Richard
Spencer Connebee, Charles Robert Dent Dallas.
Prizes were also awarded in mathematics, Hebrew,
French, German, geometrical and landscape drawing,
and in arithmetic. Prizes were also awarded to the
most proficient scholars in the following schools in union
with King's College:—Camberwell, Forest Hill, Bromp-
ton, Hackney, Kensington, Philological, All Souls, Nor-
wich, St. Peter's, Woodbridge, Stockwell, Stepney, and
Islington.

Vie distribution having been completed, a variety of
classical and English compositions were recited with
great effect by the prizemen, after which the audienco
separated.

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN'S EXPE-

DITION.

The letter of which the following is a copy, from Lady
Franklin to Mr. Grattan, dated June 8, 1849, was re-
ceived in Boston, by his son, by the last steamer:—
" Dear Mr. Grattan,—l know your son feels that kind
interest in all that concerns the expedition that be will
be glad to hear of an additional means of search which I
have been able to accomplish by my private means. A
whaling ship called the Abram, is about to sail from the
port of Hull for Davis's Straits fishery, and by taking
one .fourth of her shares,
_as a means of enabling her to
start instantly, and by offering a reward of 5001., and
paying additional insurance for additiona,luaryispkr,eflerheanycee
engaged her to explore Jones's Sound aeenmidtStomihtahv'seSuocuonilid--
at
becauseleast oln eb
believe
etvh
gton Channel.
Bay,ithformer,lvoer l i n
mbineuginn;afaotffiironDthwe
"I think the commander of the Whaler,
Gran-
ville, will do what be can to accomplish
he is an enterprising man, emb my purpose, for
of diNcovery. ued himself with a spirit
" I much regret the motiodid not come on last nin the House of Commons
people to know how hi night, for I wished the American
Presidert for the us co gh
ly we honour them and their
ir generous conduct.
n

" Ever yours,
" JANE FRANKLIN."

COMMUTATION Or SENTENCE OF DEATIL—The
sentence of the general court-martial held at Cork, on
the 21st of May last, for the trial of private James
Walsh, of the 47th Regiment, for having, when on the
line of march from Charleville to Buttevant, offered
violence against Lieutenant William F. A. Rooke, dis-
charged a musket loaded with powder and ball at
Lieutenant Rooke, and thereby severely wounded him
in his belt arm, was to be shot to death with musketry;
but her Majesty has been pleased so far to extend her
royal mercy to tho prisoner, as to commute the sentence
of death to transportation as a felon for the term of his
natural life.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the
Colonial-office for the Governor of Canada, and also for
the Governors of the other North American Provinces.