The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-10 00:00:00

THE BOGS -OF IRELAND.

On Friday another paper on this interesting sub-
ject, which has recently attracted a considerable share
of public attention, was read by Mr. Jasper W.
Rogers, C.E , before the members of the Botanical
Society of London, at their rooms in Bedford-
street, Strand. The paper commenced by refer-
ring to the use of charcoal as a manure, and
pointed to the fact, that almost all experimental
farmers now adopted it in cultivation. The inhabi-
tant of London need not g,) far to witness with his
own eyes the beneficial effect of the carbon
derived from charcoal on vegetable life. Let
him go to Gray's Inn, and look at the colour of the
grass there ; and then go the next half- hour to
Kensington-gardens, and look at the colour of the
grass there; and if he did not find a difference in
favour of the grass at Gray's Inn, at every period
of the year, he (Mr. Rogers) would submit to the
forfeiture of anything in the way of penalty.
And what was the cause of this ? Why, the
"blacks" which they all complained so much of, fell
upon the grass in the heart of a city, and the next
shower of rain that came drove them in to nurture
the root ; and here was a proof before their eyes of
the advantage of carbon to vegetation. Mr. Rogers
then related several experiments made in Ireland by
the use of peat-charcoal manure with regard to potato,
oat, wheat, and other crops, for the purpose of sub-
stantiating the position that carbon was one of the
best manures and fertilisers that could be given to a
plant. He had tried a manure composed of equal
parts of charcoal and night-soil on six acres of po-
tatoes on a farm of his own in Ireland. The ground
had been out of use for two years, and the produce
was most extraordinary, being estimated at an ave-
rage of twenty tons to the acre. But the most im-
portant advantage of a peat charcoal was as a disin-
fecting agent. And here peat charcoal had an advan-
tage over all charcoal made from wood. Wood
charcoal had no deodorising power at all ; while peat
charcoal, the moment intermixture took place with
the worst description of night-soil, entirely destroyed
the noisome smell. On the last occasion he addressed
them the proposition that arose for discussion was--
Is it desirable that the refuse and excretive of a popu •
lation of more than two millions in this metropolis
should pass through the sewers, generating disease
and pestilence from one part of London to the other,
or would the inhabitants save that excretive by con-
verting it into a most profitable manure, and at the
same time save themselves from pestilence and dis-
ease ? Why was it that 140 persons died in London
every week for every 100 on an average that died in
the country? The answer in his humble judgment
was, "the sewers of London." And to diffuse the
sewage matter over the country, as some proposed, in
a liquid state, must have the same deadly effect. The
next question was, could the sewage of London be
forced 40 or 50 miles into the country. He main-
tained that it could not without going to an enormous
expense. The Liverpool report stated that the
expense of forcing the sewage of that city through
pipes into the country was more than the value of
the manure itself. It bad been said that the machi-
nery for the purpose would perhaps be perfected
ere long; but why should they wait for that when
the peat-bogs of Ireland offered a material that would
answer the same purpose ? Again, 95 per cent. of
water had to be forced through the pipes for every
five per cent. of nutritive matter. Why, if they
took 51bs. of that prepared peat charcoal manure in
their pockets, it might be to a distance of fifty miles,
and then mixed it with 95 pints of water, that would
be as good as 100 per cent. of the liquid manure when
forced 50 miles through the pipes. And besides, it
would retain not only the ammonia and salts from
the atmosphere, but would last in the soil for four or
five years ; whereas the sewage would lose its useful
properties by the first day's sunshine. Mr. Rogers
then adverted to the plan which he has submitted to
the Commissioners of Sewers for preserving the
health of the metropolis, and converting the contents
of its sewers into a portable deodorised manure, by
mixing them with pulverised peat charcoal, some
specimens of which lay upon the lecture table ; as
also, of the deodorised manure itself, the product of
the mixture, which has been previously described
in these columns. He stated that his project could
be tested at a small expense, and as effectually by
being tried in a single street, as over the whole of
London. They had only to intercept the refuse
matter before it came into the sewers from the dif-
ferent houses, for a certain number of which a tank
should be provided, containing a deposit of the peat
charcoal as a disinfectant, and through which the
liquid would pass off almost as pure as water.
Mr. Rogers having concluded his paper, a discus-
sion, in which various members of the institution took
part, ensued. Several points of the lecturer's theory
were somewhat energetically contested; among
others, his notion respecting the absorption by the
roots of plants of any of the properties of carbon, as
being directly at variance with the carefully esta-
blished inductions of Humphrey Davy and Liebig.
However, the practicability of removing the night-
soil from towns without detriment to the health of the
inhabitants, which it was the main purpose of the
lecturer to prove, was concurred in by most of the
speakers and by the meeting generally. One gentle-
man referred to the recent allusion by Lord Ashley
and others in the House of Commons to the analysis
of peat, and asked whether Mr. Rogers's experience
corroborated the remarkable assertion that had lately
been made of the extraordinary value of the hitherto
despised Irish bogs ? Mr. Rogers, in reply, read an
extract from his last paper, delivered on the Bth ult.,
and before the public was startled at the pleasing an-
nouncement in Parliament, that the bogs of county
Antrim were likely to rival the gold " diggings" of
San Francisco as a source of wealth, and far surpass
them in the wholesomeness of the traffic they would
generate. The extract in question was as follows :
" In its natural state, peat moss has several peculi-
arities. As I have already shown, it delights in
moisture, and yields it up most unwillingly. It con-
tains, in different small proportions, ammonia, pyro-
ligneous acid, tar, &c., and also a very singular
production, a fatty matter,' which, when purified,
closely resembles spermaceti, and make a very
beautiful candle. Mr. Reece Reece has recently
patented a process for the extraction of these articles,
and I am happy to say, a few energetic Englishmen
have not feared to risk both themselves and their for-
tunes to commence operations on an extensive track
of bog and mineral in the county Antrim, where
they have coal as well as peat, and they propose
carrying out the production of iron, from ore which
is upon the property. Possibly 'Price's patent wax
candle,' may yet be rivalled by Reece, s bog sper-
maceti.'—(Laughter.) To speak seriously, the pro-
duction is really beautiful, and gives a pure and
strong light. The question to be solved, however, is,
can it be obtained in sufficient quantity to be profit-
able ? It is found in its natural state, at times, in
small quantities collected together, by some peculiar
local filtration, or perhaps affinity which draws it
from the mass around to one spot. I have seen a
collection of it, a little well I may say, of six to seven
inches in diameter, containing the matter pure, and
about the colour of butter. The superstitious tradi-
tion of the peasantry is, that the fairies hide it for
their use, and hence it is called fairy butter.'—
(Laughter.) It is but rarely found in that state, and
is then treated with great reverence."

EXTRAORDINARY PHENOMENON, WITH Loss or
LIFE.—One of the most singular catastrophes of which
we have ever heard occurred off the coast of Kincar-
dineshire, on Tuesday afternoon. A large herring-boat,
which had been engaged in conveying railway sleepers
from Aberdeen to Stonehaven, had discharged her cargo
at the latter port, and was returning to. Aberdeen,
when she was caught in a sudden and violent whirl-
wind which laid her on her beam-ends instantaneously
amidst a boiling vortex of broken water. The crew
were, of course, thrown out, but they all succeeded in
clinging to the capsized boat except one man, who was
observed to be floating about stiffly, and with a peculiar
and unnatural buoyancy. Mr. Thom, of the Mill of
Muchals, with several fishermen, having witnessed the
catastrophe, put off to the assistance of the crew, and
succeeded in rescuing them, after severe and highly
praise-worthy exertions. The coastguard were also
promptly afloat and at the scene of the disaster. It
was found that the man who had been observed
floating about so strangely had been killed by a flash of
lightning, which was observed by parties on shore to
break over the boat at the very moment of the acci-
dent. The deceased, Alexander Mayers, a seaman,
was about 50 years of age, and leaves a widow and
family in very destitute circumstances. Aberdeen
Herald.

COD LIVER OIL.—We understand from a Liverpool
oil merchant, that a process has been lately discovered
whereby impure cod liver oil, which is of a dark red
colour and possesses an offensive smell, can b decolour-
ised and thoroughly purified. The discovery is due to
Dr. Muspratt, of the Liverpool College of Chemistry.
Commerce is daily deriving incalculable benefit from
the science of chemistry, showing its paramount import-
ance as a branch of education.
SIR RotzaT PEEL.—This distinguished gentle-
man, accompanied by his wife and daughter, arrived
here (Edinburgh) yesterday afternoon, by the North
British Railway, from the south. They proceeded to
Douglas's Hotel immediately alter arriving at the rail-
way station. In the course of the afternoon the luny
drove through a number of the streets of tho old nd
new town, in an open carriage, and, subsequently, the
Right Hon. Baronet took a short stroll along the streets
alone. He appeared to be in excellent health. As de
person of Sir Robert is unknown to most of the inhabi-
tants, there was not, s.) far a 5 we could learn, any public
recognition of him. It is the intention of Sir Robert, ac-
companied as we have mentioned, to proceed this morning
by rail,,ay to Perth, and to post, by easy stages, to de
shooting quarters which he has taken in the north.—
Scot;man of Wednesday.

THE RIVER PLATE.
The following official correspondence, illustrative
of the position of affairs in the River Plate, has been
received :

(Copy.)
Buenos Ayres, May 26, 1849.
Sir,—With reference to the note which I had the ho-
nour to address to you on the 21st inst., I have now to
acquaint your Excellency, for the information of his
Excellency the Governor, that Mr. Martin Tupper Hood,
appointed by royal commission her Majesty's Consul at
Buenos Ayres, has arrived here with the object of enter-
ing upon the duties of his (ALT. I consequently hasten
to place in your Excellency's hands Mr. Hood's commis-
sion, with the request that your Excellency will be so
good as to move the G,vernrnent of the Argentine Con-
!ederatioa to grant the exequatur thereto, in conformity
with its resolution communicated to me in your Excel-
lency's note of the 16th inst., in order that Mr, Hood
may be enabled to exercise leis consular duties.
I avail, &c., HENRY SOUTHERN.
His Excellency Senor D. Felipe Arena, &c.
(Extract.—Confide ntial.)
Buenos Ayres, May 26, 1849.
His Excellency the Governor, in view of your Excel-
lency's note, above transcribed, has directed the under-
signed to inclose to your Excellency, in reply, en au-
thnticated copy of the decree issued this day, recognis-
ing Mr. Martin T. Hood, in the character other Brawl'
nic Majesty's Consul in this city, in conformity with the
resolution taken by this Government, and to return to
you, with the corresponding
,exequatur, the commission
which you were pleased to incluse to him.
God preserve your Excellency many years.
FELIPE ARANA.
His Excellency Henry Southern, &c.
Foreign Department, Buenos Ayres, May 26, 1849.
The Government of Buenos Ayres, encharged with
the foreign relations of the Argentine Confederation—.
In view of the commission which his Excellency Henry
Southern, appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of her
Britannic Majesty :to the Argentine Confederation, has
presented, wherein Mr. Martin T. Hood is named Con-
sul of her Britannic Majesty in this city, hath deter-
mined and doth decree—

Article 1. Agreeably to the declaration made by the
Argentine Government, in its note of the 16th instant to
his aforesaid Excellency henry Southern, that it had
determined to suspend for the present the postponement
of the exequatur to the commission of Consul of her Bri-
tannic Majesty in this city conferred on Mr. Martin T.
Hood, the said Mr. Martin T. Hood is acknowledged
in the character of her Britannic Majesty's Consul 1n
this city.

Artie- lo 2. Let the commission be registered, &c.

FELIPE ARANA.

(Copy,)
Buenos Ayres, April 29, 1849.
Sir,—l have received from my Government orders to
present to the Government of the Argentine Confedera-
tion various documents which have been laid before she
British Parliament, as well as to make several comma'
nications on matters of business, which unless made 1.11
due time lose their importance, and produce inconvent'
ence and loss for the future. Hitherto I have refrained
from taking any steps with these objects, owing to the
nature of the negotiations that have been on foot and
are still pending; but at present, seeing the great pro-
bability of an amicable adjustment of differences, and
the establishment of intimate and cordial relations 0'
friendship between the two countries, and taking into con-
sideration the prejudice to commercial affairs which
might arise from a complete state of incommunication be-
tween the two Governments, I beg to suggest the pro-
priety of admitting a confidential and provisional cor-
respondence on such subjects as those I have mentioned'
which should be understood as a simple intercourse
.of
temporary convenience, and as by no means comproinle
ing the principle which the Argentine Government
maintains, insisting on a previous arrangement of the
misintelligence which it alleges to have existed, or In
any way impairing the strength of the position assumed
by his Excellency the Governor in the discussion on the
resumption of the ordinary and established diplomatic
relations between this Republic and England. I trust
your Excellency will be gcod enough to take the piety
sure of his Excellency the Governor on this suggestions
and in case of his Excellency's assent I will, proceed to
submit the matters I have herein referred to your
cellency's attention.—l avail, &c.

HENRY SOUTHERN.
His Excellency Senor D. Felipe Arana.
(Extract.)
Ills Excellency the Governor, in view of your Excel-
lency's above note, has instructed the undersigned to
state to you, in reply, that this Government is ready 0)
admit the provisional and confidential correspondene?,
which your Excellency suggests upon the matters
,e.`
common interest to which you are pleased therein ",‘
make reference. The undersigned, in communicating to
your Excellency tke assent of his Excellency the Go-
vernor to the friendly suggestion which your ExcellencS
makes to him for this purpose, declares by his conunae.
that the said correspondence shall be regarded for the
present as only an intercourse of temporary conveniene+
without compromising the principle maintained by We
Argentine Government of not admitting the forma,
resumption of the ordinary diplomatic relations be-
tween this Republic and England until a friendly
arrangement of the misintelligence existing be"tween both Governments is effected. His Excel-
lency the Governor is gratified in acquiescing
your Excellency's aforesaid suggestion, from the hie
motives of mutual utility and convenience on which 1
is grounded, and from his eagerness to render more con-
spicuous his sincere desires for peace and the speedy re-
establishment of the cordial relations of friendship be-
tween both countries on the footing on which they for-
merly stood. Your Excellency is consequently at liberty
to present the matters referred to for the consideration
of this Government.—God preserve your Excellency
many years. FELIPE AMAIA.
His Excellency Henry Southern, &c.
(Extract.—Confidential.)
Buenos Ayres, May 8, 1849.
The undersigned is directed by his Excellency the
Governor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excel-
lency's note of the sth inst., &e. The undersigned is 6:
the same time instructed byhis Excellency to request tbl"
your Excellency will please to convey to her Majesty
principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the sib"
cere acknowledgments of the Argentine Government for
the communication of these important papers.—G°cl
preserve your Excellency many years.
FELIPE ARANA.
Montevideo Roads,
Frigate Constitution, May 22, 1849. r
To leis Excellency Don Felipe Arana, Minister of
Foreign Relations of the Government of Bar:
Ayres, encharged with the affairs of the Argentill-
Confederation.

Monsieur le Ministre,--I have just received the net:
it
which you have done me the honour to address
me on the 17th instant, communicating to me the lin,
cree of the 15th, which suspends provisionally 04,7
execution of that of the 27th of August, 1845, reneWel
on the 15th of July, 1848, interdicting French 111:1!
English vessels of war with the ports of the Argentina
Confederation. I shall hasten to communicate to 11
Government this fresh proof of the kindly dispositiol3
of his Excellency the Governor towards France, and ,
am intimately convinced that it will be appreciated, 11,5
it deserves to be. As regards what is personal to Weal
the wording of this decree, it is to honour me too 11111°13'
Monsieur le Ministre, to assume that my acts and nor
duct have been able in any way to contribute to all
approximation which has been so happily accomplisbh between France and the Argentine Confederation, 50" -
feel deeply grateful. I rejoice to have Monsieur le
Ministre, this occasion to renew to you the assurance °I
my respectful consideration.
The Rear-Admiral Commanding-in• chief the Brazil
and La Plata station.

F. LE PREDOI7I4

UIttiELTY TO A lstlmALs.--The new Act for the prey
vention of cruelty to animals (12 and 13 Victoria, cap:
92), which came into force on the Ist instant, contain'
31 clauses, and extends to England and Ireland. Former
Acts are repealed, and it is enacted that if any persoU shall cruelly beat, ill-treat, over-drive, abuse, or torture
any animal, or cause the same to be ill used shall for
every such offence forfeit and pay a penalty not exceed'
in; 51. Offenders may be taken into custody with or
without warrant. On non-payment of penalties thei
may be committed for a period not exceeding three
my nths, with or without bard labour. Vehicles may be
b 0
seized and sold to defray the expenses and to pay t"
penalty, a moiety of the penalty to go to the informer,
and the remainder to the poor of the parish. There la
a clause in this Act (the 221) which will be of service t°
the public. It provides that the proprietors of public
,
vehicles, such as omnibuses, &c., may be summoned t",
produce their servants for offences against the provisiel"
this Act; and unless the owners can give a satisfa°'
tory reason for the non-attendance, magistrates may.iny,
p )so a fine of 40s. from time to time, until the driver'
conductor, or servant shall be produced. Penalties lc
flicted on prof rietors may by t 1 em be recovered from their
servants in a summary In 'lie,.
[ADVERTISEMENTt—To Persons Paralyzed, &C'
--Extraordinary Cure y Holloway's Ointment and Piu"
—Copy of a letter from Captain E. F. Ferris, CO'',
manding Rampore Forces, Rohilcund, India, January °t.
1849. To Professor Holloway ; Sir,—l deem that youd
wonderful Medicines ought to be mad, well knows, aa
I take the liberty of reporting a miraculous cure uncle;
my own eye.
An old woman had been for this 10,
oftw heroyearlsegsquiftreombedthreiddheip joint. ridden, hianvt. ing
Heentrirelmbliyls weostthree
parently quite dead, and without the slightest feeling, but
bf
the use of your Ointment and Pills, she is quite restoree,
Signed, E. F. Ferris. Sold by all Vendors of Medicine, and
at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London.

BLICTEM.
On the 7th inst., at the Cedars, Laytonstone, the lady of
C. Tebbut, Esq., of a son.
On the Ist inst., at Park-street, Grosvenor-square, the
wife f Dr. Manson, of a son.
On the 6th inst., at Canonbury-park-villas, Islington, the
wife of W. B. Gill, Esq., M. 8., of a daughter.
On the 7th inst., at t ork, the lady of Captain J. S. Sal"
kins, Royal Engineers, of a son.

MARRIED.
On the 7th inst., at St. George's, Hanover-square,
gtat-
eldest son of Thomas Gisborne, Esq., of Yoxall-todge,
fordshire. late M.P. for Nottingham and North Derby'
to the Hon. Miss Twisleton Wykeham Fiennes, eldest daugh-
ter
of the Rev. and Right Hon. Lord Saye and